matter.

"We must do our duty, and pray that the anchor may hold," answered
Harry.

"But if that gives way?" said Willy.

"We must let go another, and then another."

"But if they fail us, and no breeze springs up?" said Willy.

"Then you and I must not expect to be admirals," answered Harry.

"What do you mean?" asked the young midshipman.

"That a short time will show whether any one on board this ship is
likely to be alive to-morrow," said Shafto.

"You don't mean to say that, Harry?" remarked Willy, feeling that the
time had come when he must summon up all the courage he possessed, and
of the amount he had as yet no experience. "You don't seem afraid."

"There's a great deal of difference between knowing a danger and fearing
to face it," said Harry. "Not a seaman on board does not know it as
well as I do, though they do not show what they think. Look at the
captain--he is as cool and collected as if we were at anchor in a snug
harbour; yet he is fully aware of the power of these rollers, and the
nature of the ground which holds the anchor. There is the order to
range another cable."

Harry and Willy parted to attend to their respective duties. Night came
on, but neither Commander Newcombe nor any of his officers went below.
They were anxiously looking out for a breeze which might enable the ship
to stand off from the dangerous coast. The night was passing by, and
still the anchor held; at length, in the morning watch, some time before
daylight, a breeze sprang up from the eastward, and the order was given
to get under weigh. As the men went stamping round the capstan, a loud
crash was heard.

"The messenger has given way, sir," cried Mr Tobin, the
first-lieutenant. Out ran the cable to the clench, carrying away the
stoppers, and passing through both compressors. At length the messenger
was again shackled, and the anchor hove up, when it was found that both
flukes had been carried away.

Not, however, for some hours did the ship succeed in reaching Waterloo
Bay, where she brought up, about a mile and a-half from the
landing-place. A signal was made:--"Can troops land?" which was
answered from the shore, "Not until the weather moderates," the wind
having by this time increased to a stiff breeze. A spring was now got
on the cable, in case of its being necessary to slip; for it was very
evident, if so heavy a surf set on shore in comparatively fine weather,
that, should it come on to blow from