k, and I could see nothing
ahead. We had a very strong wind on our port quarter, and it was
extremely dangerous to approach the reefs from the windward. In a
moment all hands were on deck, except Moses Brickland, who was required
to take the engine whenever all hands were called on an emergency. I
directed Hop Tossford to take the wheel, and keep her due west. I asked
the mate to fire our little yacht gun, in answer to the signals we had
heard. The moment the report sounded through the vessel I heard Mrs.
Shepard scream.

I told the chief engineer to give the steamer about half speed, and
hastened into the cabin to satisfy the passengers that nothing had
happened to us, and explain what we were doing. Mrs. Shepard assured us
that we should all be lost; but I told her we would be extremely
careful.

I asked my father, Colonel Shepard, and Owen to come on deck, leaving
Mr. Tiffany and Gus Shepard to take charge of the ladies. I explained
the situation to them, and while we were talking about it another gun
was heard to leeward. It sounded heavier and nearer than before, and I
was sure the signal was not given by the Islander.

"It is plain enough that a vessel has gone ashore on one of these
reefs," I said. "I can see nothing ahead, but the gun sounds in this
direction."

Before the words were fairly out of my mouth, a sky rocket flashed up
directly over our bow. We had rockets on board, and I directed Ben to
discharge one of them. It was followed by another from the vessel in
distress. Then some Bengola lights were fired, and they illuminated the
sea for a mile at least around her. Buck Lingley was sounding, and
reporting no bottom. I told the engineer to give her more steam, for I
feared the people on the unfortunate vessel might be drowning, and a
minute might save a life, if not more. As long as the bright Bengola
light burned, I kept the steamer going at full speed. Most of the
dangerous reefs were marked by beacons, or at least the outer range of
the reef was so marked.

The sea was very heavy, and Buck Lingley still reported no bottom. He
used a hand lead, which measures twenty fathoms of depth. The Bengola
light soon burned out, and I rang the speed-bell. This reduced our rate
one half. But it seemed to me that we were going altogether too fast,
as the strong south-east gale was driving us towards the reefs. I rang
the gong, and the vessel stopped.

"And a half seventeen!" shouted Buck.

"The water is sh