ou all were it known you had one of Cochrane's
officers on board, for it would show at once that you were on your way to
our fleet; whereas if it is supposed that you are merely an ordinary
coaster you may be let off unharmed."

"There is not much chance for us either way," the captain said. "If we
fall into the hands of the Spaniards they will probably hang us at once,
while the country people may cut our throats so as to save themselves the
trouble of handing us over to the Spaniards. We are no more than a hundred
miles from the frontier, and if we do get to shore our best chance will be
to try and make our way down the coast, travelling at night and lying up
in the daytime. But anyhow I will tell the men what you say."

"Get all the sail upon her you can, captain--the faster she is travelling
the more chance she has of getting over the bar."

"I will shake out the mainsail," the captain said. "Then all hands had
better gather aft--the masts are sure to fall over her bows as soon as she
strikes."

In a few minutes the ship was nearing the breakers at a high rate of
speed. The men were all gathered aft, each with his barrel. Stephen held
his breath as they mounted the last great wave outside the surf. Borne
along by the great wind and the impetus of the waves, the vessel plunged
head-foremost into the surf, which poured in cataracts on to her deck.
There was a slight shock, which caused the vessel to tremble, but she was
swept along by the fury of the surf. Another wave lifted her high into the
air, and as it passed from under her she struck again. This time the shock
was tremendous. Every man was thrown off his feet, the masts went over
with a crash, and most of the hands were swept overboard by the torrent
that poured in over the stern. Stephen had grasped one of the back-stays,
and though it seemed to him for a moment that his arms were being pulled
from their sockets, he still maintained his grasp. Another and even
greater sea than those that had preceded it thundered down upon them.
There was a forward move and then another crash, and Stephen felt himself
floating in the water, holding on to the keg. Glancing round he saw that
the ship had gone altogether. She had broken up completely, and the sea
was covered with floating timbers.

The danger from this was greater than from the waves, and he let go his
hold of the barrel and dived, swimming under water at right angles to the
run of the waves as long as he cou