at opening amid these breakers whereby we
might steer into those calm waters beyond.

And presently, sure enough, I espied it well-nigh in the middle of the
reef, even as Adam had said, and, putting up the helm, ran for it
straightway. An evil enough place it looked, perilously narrow and
with mighty seas that broke in thunderous spray to right and left of
it; insomuch that heedful of Adam's warning (and all too late) I was
minded to bear up and stand away, plying off and on, until the waves
should have moderated. But in my folly I had sailed too near and now,
swept onward by some current, the boat, responding no more to her helm,
was borne on at ever-increasing speed. So thus helpless and at mercy
of the seas we drove straight for this perilous channel until I had
some desperate hope that she might make it; on we sped, nearer and
nearer, until the spume of the breakers was all about us and I
well-nigh deafened by their roar; but this roar was pierced suddenly by
a cry:

"O Martin! God pity us--look!" Turning my head, I saw a hugeous wave
hard upon us, felt my companion's arms about me, and then--deafened,
blinded, choking, I was whirled aloft on this mighty sea, tossed,
buffeted, hurled into blinding sunlight, buried beneath green deeps
and, expectant of death, suddenly found myself face down on warm sands
wherein my griping fingers clutched desperately against the back-rush
of the sea.

So lay I gasping and gripping this kindly earth and waited to do battle
for what remained of life, hearkening for the fierce hiss of that great
wave that was to bear me back to the horror of those green deeps the
which should bury me for ever; instead I heard the gentle, drowsy
lapping of water all about me, and opening my eyes beheld myself lying
on the edge of those white sands that bordered the lagoon, while behind
me the seas thundered impotent against the reef. And now, little by
little, I saw that the great wave must have borne me hither in
miraculous fashion; and lying thus bruised and spent I must needs
remember how Adam had experienced the like.

But all at once I staggered up to my feet and began staring hither and
thither; then as my brain cleared and strength came back, I took to
running along the edge of the lagoon like one demented, staring down
into those placid waters and searching the white sands with eyes of
dreadful expectancy, yet nowhere could I discover sign or trace of my
companion. None the less I co