nce, he must not for a moment, he knew, relax his own
efforts. By this time the _Gauntlet_ had reached the centre of the bay,
and her head being put to the wind, she waited at a spot which the brig
must pass on her next tack to cross the bay.

The _Romp_ was nearing the southern shore; again she came about. Adair
gave proof that he was a good seaman, and his crew in prime order, or it
could never have been done. He was seen standing aft conning the brig;
the topmen were in the rigging, ready to swarm aloft to shorten sail; a
party of the hands stood on the forecastle with the second lieutenant
and boatswain, ready to secure the hawsers. The rest of the hands were
at their stations on deck. The work, to be done successfully, must be
done smartly; everyone knew that. Rapidly the brig approached. Two of
the strongest and most active seamen were on the poop ready to heave the
lines on board. Adair's voice was heard above the gale, shouting, "Down
with the helm--shorten sail!" In an instant the topmen were on the
yards, the staysails were hauled down, and, the brig luffing up, the
_Gauntlet_ moved slowly ahead, while the hawsers were rapidly hauled on
board.

Some flags were run up to the foremast and head of the brig. "He thanks
you, sir," said Desmond, who had the signal-book in his hand; and Adair
was seen pointing significantly at the fierce breakers dashing over the
rocks astern.

Short as had been the time occupied in the operation, the vessels had
drifted farther into the bay. Now came the tug of war. The hawsers
being secured, the _Gauntlet_, with all her boilers at full pressure,
steamed ahead. Jack kept his eye on the shore, anxiously watching what
way was made; both hawsers were at full stretch; though the screw was
exerting all its power, yet the vessels scarcely seemed to move onwards.
Higson, who was looking out at the other side, was unusually grave;
anxious as he was to assist Adair, he thought that Jack had no business
to venture into his present position.

"If anything goes, we are done for," he muttered to himself; "she
doesn't move an inch ahead." Jack thought the same; he sent for the
chief engineer to ascertain if more pressure could be put on the
engines.

"They will not stand it--they are doing their utmost, sir," was the
answer. Still, Jack was determined not to abandon Adair. On board the
brig the hands were still aloft sending down topgallant-masts. Jack
hoped against hope th