nds can
manage to cling on till then, they may possibly be saved. But the risk
is a fearful one."

Hurrying from the rock, we had to go all the way round by the house to
get to the bay of which my uncle spoke. The Frau saw us as we passed,
and followed as fast as she could move, though she in vain attempted to
keep up with us. On we ran with Merlin. We no longer thought of
snakes, or orang-outans, or tigers, so eager were we to reach the bay.
As we passed the house, our uncle and Oliver snatched up some large
bamboos and ropes to assist them in getting our friends on shore. We
eagerly looked out through each opening towards the sea, in the hope of
seeing the vessel; but she was nowhere visible. Oh, how my heart
trembled lest she should have sunk before reaching the shore! Sometimes
our agitation was so great that Grace and I could scarcely proceed.
Again we regained our courage, and ran on; but I felt as if I was in
some fearful dream, so eager were we to get there, and yet so incapable
did we feel ourselves of moving fast. At length the bay to which we
were directing our course appeared between the trees. We made our way
down to the beach; but so fearfully agitated was the ocean that we could
not at first distinguish the vessel. Yes! but there she was, though--
still floating, and at some distance from the land; but the foaming seas
were washing over her, and it seemed impossible that anybody could yet
be clinging to her sides. The spray broke in our faces, and prevented
us from seeing clearly. Oliver, however, at last exclaimed--

"Yes, yes--I am sure there is some one holding on to the bulwarks! Yes!
I see two--three figures! I am sure of that. Perhaps there are more."

We stood with aching eyes gazing on the vessel. We could render her no
assistance. Still it was evident she was driving in closer and closer.
Happily the bay towards which she was coming was free of rocks; and
though a tremendous surf broke on it, yet it might be possible for them,
with our assistance, to escape to land should she once reach the beach.
As she drew near, my uncle fastened a rope round his waist, and told
Oliver to do the same.

"Now, Frau," he said, "you take hold of this rope, and do not let me go,
or my life will be sacrificed. Girls, do you do the same for Oliver."

And thus they stood, each with a long bamboo in his hand, ready to rush
in and help those who might still be alive. Now the thought pressed
itsel