ould keep us off the opposite rocks.

Off Innishowen, as we crossed the mouth of the Foyle river, we fell on a
shoal of terrible shallows, which spun the _Gerona_ round like a top,
and washed her in raging foam from stem to stern.

"Go and tell the Don he must either let go his anchors, or double the
men at the oars," said Ludar, when presently we had staggered out again
into blacker water.

Word was given immediately to try the former, and the only two anchors
we had were let over. For a moment or two, as the ship swung round,
creaking in every joint, it seemed as if she would ride out the gale
thus. But with a report like the crack of a gun, first one, then the
other of her cables broke short at the gunwale, and we knew we had only
lost time and water in the attempt.

Instantly the Don called upon his nobles to volunteer for the oars.
Gallantly they responded; and occupied the after benches, while all the
slaves rowed forward. Then, for an hour, the _Gerona_ seemed to hold
her own, and reeled across the bay on an eastward course.

But, presently, even the lordlings of Spain flagged, and once again we
drove in, amid the thunder of surf, on an ever nearing shore.

"We should be near the Bann mouth," said I. "To think of the last time
we heard that thunder together!"

"We are clear of that," said Ludar, quietly. "Tell the Don his
lordlings must work harder if we are to weather the next point."

I told the Don as much, hat in hand; and once again the gentles gathered
themselves together and made a course for the labouring ship.

Ludar was breathing hard when I returned to his side.

"That may put us past Ramore," said he. "In the bay beyond that lies
Dunluce. If we be driven in there, Heaven help us indeed!"

"I would as soon perish there as anywhere else."

"Talk not of perishing, fool, while a hope remains! Bid the Don cut
away his poles forthwith. They are worse than useless now."

So, one after another the stately masts of the _Gerona_ went by the
board, and the ease their going gave us, added to the fresh vigour of
the rowers, helped us, as Ludar foretold, round the rough little head of
Ramore.

No sooner had we passed it than the wind and current together got hold
of us again and swept us in betwixt the islands of the Skerries and the
mainland. Not even twice the number of rowers could have saved us then.

"Listen!" said Ludar presently.

I listened, and could hear ahead of me a thunder d