?" asked Harry.

"Yes, sir," answered Paul. "And it seems to me that there's an opening
in the cliffs."

"That must be the west entrance to the southern harbour of the Auckland
Islands," said Harry. "I little expected to make such a run.
Providence has guided us, not my navigation."

Every one in the launch was soon eagerly looking out towards the land.
The cheering intelligence was announced to those in the cutter. They,
however, had also seen the land, but were not so well informed about it
as was Shafto. The boats now stood on, steering for the narrow passage
between the cliffs. Harry looked anxiously ahead. It seemed to him
that the line of breakers ran directly across the passage. If so, to
attempt to enter would be hazardous in the extreme, although, in
consequence of the wind leading directly in, the risk might be lessened;
yet every instant the gale was increasing, and it was important to get
without delay under shelter. He knew that there was a wide western
entrance; but the wind might be blowing out of it, and a long time must
pass before it could be reached. He hove to, therefore, till the cutter
could come up, that he might consult with the boatswain.

"It's six of one and half-a-dozen of the other," answered Bollard; "the
boats have shown what they can do, and I am ready to chance running in."

Harry could not conceal from himself the risk he was about to run; yet
it might be greater should he continue at sea during the gale which was
brewing. Giving, therefore, the helm to Lizard, he swarmed up the
foremast, that he might the better examine the appearance of the
entrance. It was sufficiently threatening to have deterred him under
other circumstances from making the attempt to enter; yet as there
appeared a narrow space of dark water, a break in the line of foam, he
resolved to stand on. On either side rose perpendicular cliffs; that on
the north four or five hundred feet high, but that on the south
considerably lower. The two boats stood on, the cutter keeping about a
hundred fathoms astern of the launch. Harry placed Paul Lizard at the
helm, he himself going forward, holding on by the foremast. The oars
were got out, to be in readiness should any flaw come off the shore, and
all hands not required to pull them, or tend the sheets, were ready with
buckets to bail out the water should a sea come on board. Mrs Rumbelow
had taken possession of the largest she could find, ever ready to set