ore we could gain a harbour, even if she escaped shipwreck.
A considerable part of the New Jersey shore consists of long, low, sandy
beaches, which in thick weather can scarcely be seen till a vessel is
nearly on them. I judged by my calculations that we were by this time
close in with Squan Beach, or Island Beach or Long Beach. My chart told
me that there was a passage between the two latter, and several inlets
to the south of the last, up which I could run and be safe; but to find
them in the dark was impossible.

"Grampus! listen! what is that sound?" said I.

"Breakers, sir!" he answered in a slow way; "there's no doubt about it.
But we shall have daylight soon. Ah, look-out, there sir, there it is!"

I looked seaward, and a pale streak was just appearing in the eastern
sky. It grew wider and wider, and at length darkness gave way to the
rays of the yet hidden sun. The prospect revealed to us was not
cheering. The sea broke as heavily as ever, and not a mile to leeward
of us a terrific surf rolled over a long white sandy beach. As I
watched the foaming broken mass of waters as they rolled furiously up to
it, I felt convinced that, should the schooner once get within their
power, not a human being on board would escape. Not a break was to be
seen. The wind was dead on-shore, blowing with a determined heavy
pressure; and the little vessel, though she made fair headway, was
surely drifting nearer and nearer to destruction. Oh, what agony of
mind I suffered! I cared not for myself, but I thought of that fair
girl and her lovely relative doomed to so hard a fate. I called Grampus
to me and asked him if he could advise anything. He shook his head--

"You've done all that a man can do, Mr Hurry," was his answer.

"Then I must prepare those two poor ladies for their inevitable fate," I
thought to myself.

Before going into their cabin, I took another look at the chart which I
kept outside it. At the south end of Long Beach was a passage, I found,
leading into Little Egg Harbour.

Grampus hailed me. My heart bounded into my mouth again.

"There is an opening, sir. I make it out clearly. Keep her close and
by, my lad!" he sang out to the man at the helm. "If we just clear the
point we shall do it."

I held my breath. The schooner dashed on, half buried by the seas. She
was almost among the breakers--then broad on our bow appeared an
opening--heavy rollers went foaming over it.

"Up with the helm