-south-east, sometimes south-east."

"Well, tell the men that that course will carry us on shore before
daylight to-morrow morning," said Stephen.

"Me tink dey break dis nigger's head if he stop talking," said Jumbo,
hurrying away in a great fright.

As their arms had been released, as soon as they had had their supper,
being pretty well tired with the exertions which they had made the
previous night, they lay down, and in spite of the danger they
considered the ship was in.

After some time Roger woke, and going to the door of the cabin, found to
his surprise that Jumbo had not locked it. Anxious to know how the ship
was steering, he went up on deck, hoping not to be perceived by either
of the mates. Getting a glimpse at the compass, he found that the ship
was still steering south-east, and that the wind had become very light;
the boatswain had charge of the deck. He knew by examining the sailing
directions that strong currents set in towards the coast thereabouts,
and should the wind shift to the westward, he even fancied, as he looked
over the bulwarks, that he could see the distant land. He accordingly
went back to Stephen, and rousing him up, asked him to come on deck.
Stephen immediately hurried up with him.

"If the wind shifts to the westward, it will not be long before we are
on the shore," said Stephen boldly to the boatswain.

"Who told you?" asked the boatswain in a somewhat anxious tone.

"My own sense," answered Stephen.

Scarcely had he spoken than the wind, which had dropped almost to a
calm, shifted suddenly to the westward, and began to blow with
considerable force.

"All hands shorten sail," shouted the boatswain, and the crew came
tumbling up from below. The mates turned out of their berths, and the
first mate looked with much astonishment at the state of affairs. The
mate now saw that the ship's head must be put to the northward, and
under diminished canvas he endeavoured to haul off shore. The wind blew
harder and harder. Not half-an-hour had elapsed when a loud grating
sound was heard.

"Down with the helm!" shouted the mate. It was too late; the ship would
not come about, but drove on till she stuck hard and fast with her
broadside to the sea. Stephen and Roger hurried into the cabin to
secure some important papers, also to see what could be done for the
poor Captain, should the ship go to pieces. They had fancied him
unconscious, but he had been aroused by the sound of th