han in the shoaler places. The passage lasted about a
minute; and so serious was it, that scarce an individual breathed
until it was effected. No human skill could prevent the water from
combing in over the gunwales; and when the danger was passed, the yawl
was a third filled with water. There was no time or place to pause,
but on the little craft was dragged almost gunwale to, the breeze
coming against the lugg in puffs that threatened to take the mast out
of her. All hands were bailing; and even Biddy used her hands to aid
in throwing out the water.

"This is no time to hesitate, men," said Spike, sternly. "Every thing
must go overboard but the food and water. Away with them at once, and
with a will."

It was a proof how completely all hands were alarmed by this, the
first experiment in the breakers, that not a man stayed his hand a
single moment, but each threw into the sea, without an instant of
hesitation, every article he had brought with him and had hoped to
save. Biddy parted with the carpet-bag, and Senor Montefalderon,
feeling the importance of example, committed to the deep a small
writing-desk that he had placed on his knees. The doubloons alone
remained, safe in a little locker where Spike had deposited them along
with his own.

"What news astern, boatswain?" demanded the captain, as soon as this
imminent danger was passed, absolutely afraid to turn his eyes off the
dangers ahead for a single instant. "How come on the man-of-war's
men?"

"They are running down in a body toward the wreck, though one of their
boats does seem to be sheering out of the line, as if getting into our
wake. It is hard to say, sir, for they are still a good bit to
windward of the wreck."

"And the Molly, Strand?"

"Why, sir, the Molly seems to be breaking up fast; as well as I can
see, she has broke in two just abaft the fore-chains, and cannot hold
together in any shape at all many minutes longer."

This information drew a deep groan from Spike, and the eye of every
seaman in the boat was turned in melancholy on the object they were
so fast leaving behind them. The yawl could not be said to be sailing
very rapidly, considering the power of the wind, which was a little
gale, for she was much too deep for that; but she left the wreck so
fast as already to render objects on board her indistinct. Everybody
saw that, like an overburthened steed, she had more to get along with
than she could well bear; and, dependent as seamen