e to shoals and rocks that we could have thrown a
biscuit on them, and still the lumbering old Saint Domingo floated free.

At length we were once more in four fathoms of water, then in five; but
still I did not feel that we were clear of danger; there might be other
reefs running across from the island to the main which might bring us
up. I however began to breathe more freely, and the faces of my
officers wore a more satisfied expression. Still we had many a turn and
twist to make, but with a leading wind we had little difficulty in doing
this. "Breakers ahead!" sang out Grampus from forward.

"Starboard the helm," was my reply.

"Starboard it is," cried the man at the wheel.

"Breakers on the larboard bow!"

"Port the helm."

"Port it is," was heard along the deck, and so we glided by danger after
danger till all were passed, and I breathed freely at finding the ship
at length clear of the island. I then once more hauled in for the land
to try and ascertain our situation; but the weather came on so thick
again with heavy squalls that I was compelled very soon to stand off
once more, still ignorant of where we were.

My difficulties were not over. At 5 p.m. the mizen-yard was carried
away in a heavy squall, though happily no lives were lost by the
accident. While we were endeavouring to repair the damage it fell a
stark calm, and the old galleon began to roll away awfully in the swell.
I at once ordered the lead to be hove, for I knew that there were
treacherous currents hereabouts.

I had soon proof of this. The first cast gave us thirteen fathoms; very
soon we had ten, eight, and so on, till we shoaled the water to five
fathoms. I guessed that we should very soon be on shore if this
continued, so I saw that I must resort to the only alternative of
anchoring, a dangerous proceeding in the uncertain weather we were
having. Still I held on as long as I could, and hoped for a slant of
wind to enable me to beat off. My hopes were in vain. It was near
midnight, when a heavier gust than we had yet had struck the ship, and
soon the man with the lead gave notice that we had shoaled our water to
three fathoms. Not a moment was to be lost, so I gave orders to clew up
all our canvas and to let go the best bow anchor. This was done without
delay. Our cable held on, but I soon discovered that a strong current
was setting past us to the east-south-east, at the rate of three knots
an hour, which, should our a