k the English after a certain day; the Egyptians might at any
moment do so, if they felt themselves strong enough to be assured of
victory; while it was more than probable that any Turkish ships might
have gone over to the Egyptians, and have thus become enemies. Few of
the officers turned in that night; they were all anxious to ascertain
who the stranger was, and what could possibly have become of him.
Captain Lascelles took the frigate in as close as he could venture, and
though each time every eye on board was turned eagerly towards the
shore, not a sign of a ship could be discovered. At length daylight
dawned, and a white sandy shore was seen, with bare dark rocky heights
rising behind it. "There she is! there she is!" broke from many voices
as all the glasses on board were directed towards the shore. There lay
stranded the huge black hull of a ship, her masts gone by the board, and
her rigging hanging down in confused masses on either side, while the
white surf dashed up around her. What had become of the people it was
impossible at that distance to say. Captain Lascelles, who was on deck,
ordered the ship to be hove-to.

"I wonder what is next to be done," said Jack to Murray; "I hope if the
boats are ordered away you and I will have to go in them." Very soon
the order was given. "Barge and first and second cutters away!" Jack
and Alick belonged to the two latter. They hurried to get them ready.
The crews were armed, and a three-pounder was placed in the bow of each
boat. Mr Thorn had charge of the expedition. It was not expected that
there would be any fighting, but as a precautionary measure it was
necessary to be armed. No one now supposed that the stranger was
French. There could be little doubt she was either Turkish or Egyptian,
but why she had run on shore it was difficult to say. The idea was that
she had been purposely lost. In high glee at the thoughts of an
adventure, the party shoved off from the frigate. Mr Thorn was
directed to ascertain the character of the ship, and to render
assistance if it was required. A light breeze from the westward enabled
them to stand in under sail towards the shore. As they drew towards the
wreck, they looked anxiously to ascertain her condition. She was on
shore about a quarter of a mile from the beach. All the masts were
gone, some of the guns had been hove overboard, others had their muzzles
still appearing through the ports. Many of the crew were