he shore. It
now came in strong gusts, and though there was not much sea, still it
was sufficient to try the boat, and we were obliged to continue bailing
to keep her free of water. I now perceived clearly the dangerous
position in which we were placed. With only one oar, should the wind
continue blowing from the shore, we must inevitably be driven off. I
proposed getting back under the lee of the reef and anchoring. This we
did, and for some time held on. Our fish-pots had been lowered, and I
proposed hauling one of the nearest to us up. Great was my delight, on
getting it on board, to find that a nautilus had been caught. The shell
and creature were perfect, although it was very different from the
graceful one I had seen pictured in books, with its tentaculi spread
out, and apparently employed in rowing over the water; but in reality,
as Mr Hooker had told me, used as fishing-lines, or, at all events, for
catching its prey. Another pot was at some little distance, and so
delighted was I at catching this one, that I hoped we might find another
nautilus. We therefore hauled in our anchor. Scarcely had we done so,
when a tremendous blast came over the land, and before we could regain
the reef, we were out of soundings. The boat was now tossed about
violently, and I saw, and so did Ali, that our only prospect of
preserving our lives was to hoist the sail and keep before the wind.
The sea had changed greatly, and came dancing and foaming up round us.
Where we should drive to, we knew not. My heart sank within me at the
thought of being driven away from Emily and my friends, and I knew, too,
the great anxiety my absence would cause them. I could not tell also to
what dangers we might be exposed. If the boat escaped being swamped,
she might be cast upon a reef. We had, providentially, a good supply of
water and an abundance of food. Our fish, however, would not keep many
days; but while it lasted, we had no fear of starving.

Whether Ali had intended to get away from the island or not I could not
tell. If he did, his purpose was answered. I saw him cut some of the
fish into strips, and hang them up to the mast. This he did for the
sake of drying them, and thus preserving them longer. All we could do
now was to keep the boat directly before the wind, for I dreaded lest
she should broach to and be immediately overturned. I cast a look back
at our island, which seemed gradually to sink into the sea, till at