on, when the sails shivered and
flapped like thunder. "Up with the helm; what are you about,
quarter-master?"

"The wind has headed us, sir," replied the quarter-master, coolly.

The captain and master remained at the binnacle watching the compass;
and when the sails were again full, she had broken off two points and
the point of land was only a little on the lee bow.

"We must wear her round, Mr Falcon. Hands, wear ship--ready, oh,
ready."

"She has come up again," cried the master, who was at the binnacle.

"Hold fast there a minute. How's her head now?"

"N.N.E., as she was before she broke off, sir?"

"Pipe belay," said the captain. "Falcon," continued he, "if she breaks
off again we may have no room to wear; indeed there is so little room
now, that I must run the risk. Which cable was ranged last night--the
best bower?"

"Yes, sir."

"Jump down, then, and see it double-bitted and stoppered at thirty
fathoms. See it well done--our lives may depend upon it."

The ship continued to hold her course good; and we were within half a
mile of the point, and fully expected to weather it, when again the wet
and heavy sails flapped in the wind, and the ship broke off two points
as before. The officers and seamen were aghast, for the ship's head was
right on to the breakers. "Luff now, all you can, quarter-master,"
cried the captain. "Send the men aft directly. My lads, there is no
time for words--I am going to _club-haul_ the ship, for there is no room
to wear. The only chance you have of safety is to be cool, watch my
eye, and execute my orders with precision. Away to your stations for
tacking ship. Hands by the best bower anchor. Mr Wilson, attend below
with the carpenter and his mates, ready to cut away the cable at the
moment that I give the order. Silence, there, fore and aft.
Quarter-master, keep her full again for stays. Mind you ease the helm
down when I tell you." About a minute passed before the captain gave
any further orders. The ship had closed to within a quarter of a mile
of the beach, and the waves curled and topped around us, bearing us down
upon the shore, which presented one continued surface of foam, extending
to within half a cable's length of our position, at which distance the
enormous waves culminated and fell with the report of thunder. The
captain waved his hand in silence to the quarter-master at the wheel,
and the helm was put down. The ship turned slowly to the wind,