more
extended view over the sandbank. But there was nothing to be seen--
stay! why was the spray from the surf flying so much higher in one
particular spot than elsewhere? And that spot appeared to be about
abreast of that part of the bank where the two men were standing. I
stood a moment or two longer, seeking an explanation of the phenomenon,
and then fell headlong over the man who was sitting upon the aftermost
thwart gathering in the slack of the mainsail as the yard came down; for
at that moment the gig grounded on the bank and shot a quarter of her
length high and dry with the way that she had on her. As I picked
myself up, rubbing my barked elbows ruefully, to the accompaniment of a
suppressed snigger from the boat's crew, Mr Perry, with a brief "Make
way, there, lads," sprang upon the thwarts and, striding rapidly from
thwart to thwart, rushed along the length of the boat, placed one foot
lightly on the gunwale, close to the stem head, and leaped out on to the
sand, with me close at his heels.

Together we raced for the crest of the spit; but even before we had
reached it the terrible truth lay plain before us. For there, about a
quarter of a mile to the southward of us, on the seaward side of the
spit, lay the _Psyche_, hard and fast aground, dismasted, and on her
beam-ends, with the surf pounding at her, and her spars and rigging,
worked up into a raft, floating in the swirl alongside the beach; while
on the shore, opposite where she lay, the little company that had been
left aboard to take care of her laboured to save such flotsam and jetsam
as the surf flung up within their reach.

For a full minute the new skipper, thus by a cruel stroke of malicious
fortune robbed of the command that had been his for such a few brief
hours, stood gazing with stern, set features at the melancholy scene.
Then he turned to me and said--very quietly--

"Mr Fortescue, be good enough to go down to Mr Hoskins, and request
him, with my compliments, to take the boats back up the river until they
are abreast the spot where the wreck lies, and there beach them; after
which, leaving a boat-keeper to watch each boat, he will take the men
over to the other side of the spit to assist in salving such matters as
may come ashore. Having delivered this message, you will please join me
yonder." And he pointed to where the little group of men were toiling
on the beach.

"Ay, ay, sir!" I answered. And, touching my hat, I turned and