thing, I did not like to
propose that we should try to land on the reef. The old man was silent
for some time; he again scanned the reef, and then he turned his eyes to
the distant shore.

"Boys," he said at last, "I wish you not to be alarmed. The boat may
very possibly keep above water till we reach the cape, if you can bale
out the seas as fast as they wash in; but I am bound to tell you that
there is a risk of our being swamped if we were to meet such a sea as I
have seen, under like circumstances, come rolling in. There lies
Boatswain's Reef--in five minutes we may be safe upon it--but much
depends on your coolness and courage. The most difficult and dangerous
movement will be the leaping on shore. Do you, Walter, make a rope fast
round the bits; unreeve the fore halliards, they will suit best, and are
new and strong. That will do; secure them well, and coil the rope
carefully, so that it may run out free of everything. Now stand with
the rope in your hand, and as I bring the boat up to the rock, do you
leap out, and spring up to the upper part, where you will find a jagged
point or more to which to make it fast. The rest of you, when the boat
touches the rock, be ready to spring on shore; but remember, don't
spring till I tell you. I'll call each of you by name, and the first on
shore must stand by to help the others. There, I can't say more, except
one word--be steady, and cool, and trust in God."

Walter did as directed, and we all stood watching the skipper's eye,
that we might obey him directly he gave the word. It is a most
important thing to have confidence in a commander. It is the great
secret of England's success in most instances. Although there may be
many shortcomings, both her soldiers and sailors know that, in nine
cases out of ten, they will be well and bravely led, and the officers
know also that they will be thoroughly supported by the men. If they go
ahead, there will never be a want of men to follow them, even to the
cannon's mouth.

On we dashed, amid the boiling, foaming seas. We had to continue
pumping and baling as energetically as before. Had we ceased, but for
half a minute, it seemed as if the boat would to a certainty go down,
even before we could reach the rock. Captain Mugford did not address us
again, but kept his eyes watching, now the heavy seas which came rolling
up on the weather bow, and now the black rock towards which we were
standing. All the time we kept