ed to the cabin to
gaze stupidly at his chart, which was utterly useless, and to take a
fresh draught of the liquor which had brought him to that state. Yet he
was a fine, good-looking fellow, and pleasant-mannered enough when sober
and not opposed. I have known several such, who have for years deceived
their owners and others on shore, led by outward appearance, till some
fearful catastrophe has been the result of their pernicious habits.

Night came. The ship continued her mad career through the darkness; the
wind howling and whistling, the loose ropes lashing furiously against
the masts, and the sea roaring around. Below all was confusion.
Numerous articles had broken adrift and were rolling about, the
passengers crouched huddled together in the cabin endeavouring to avoid
them. Mothers pressed their children to their bosoms; the men were
asking each other what was next to happen. The answer came with fearful
import. "Breakers ahead! Breakers ahead!" There was a tremendous
crash, every timber in the ship shook. She was on the rocks.

James Braithwaite, the Supercargo--by W.H.G. Kingston

CHAPTER EIGHT.

A COMPLETE WRECK.

"Cut away the masts--the shrouds first! Be smart, my men!" cried a
voice.

"Who dares give that order?" shrieked out the captain; "she'll be over
this in no time."

"I dare obey it!" exclaimed one of the seamen. "Come, lads, it's the
best chance of saving our lives."

The men listened to the advice of their messmate, and, knowing where to
find the axes, quickly severed the shrouds of the mizen-mast, and some
attacked it, while others went to the mainmast, in spite of the mad
cries of the captain to "hold fast." Their object was thus to force the
ship over the reef--if it was a reef we were on--head first, or closer
to the shore if we were on an island. The seas came thundering against
our sides, often dashing over the decks, so that with difficulty any of
us could save ourselves from being carried away by them. Several poor
people were thus swept away soon after the ship struck, and their
despairing shrieks rang in our ears as they were borne away or hurled on
the rocks amid the foaming breakers. We could see nothing beyond the
ship except the troubled waters. Our chief hope rested on her not being
wedged in the rocks. Now she lifted and drove on her bottom, grinding
over the coral; now down she came again, and rocked to and fro in the
surges. Directly the after mas