opinion on board was that the brig would go on shore, and that
few or none on board her would escape with their lives.

Not only provisions for the blacks, but coals were running short, and it
was therefore important that the ship should get to Zanzibar as soon as
possible, when Jack intended to return and ascertain what had become of
the _Romp_ and her crew. If she had gone on shore, and the crew had
escaped, they would be exposed to many dangers, either from want of food
or from attacks by the natives.

On the arrival of the _Gauntlet_ at Zanzibar, the slaves were handed
over, by the directions of the consul, to another vessel, which was to
take them to their future home. The _Gauntlet_, having then, with all
possible despatch, obtained a supply of coals, steamed away northward to
ascertain the fate of the _Romp_ and to rescue any of her crew who might
have escaped on shore.

Nothing had been seen of the _Opal_, and Jack began to fear that she
might have suffered in the gale, which had blown with unusual violence
all along the coast. The _Gauntlet_ had got nearly up to the bay she
was to visit, when, much to Jack's satisfaction, the _Opal_ was sighted,
steering for Zanzibar. Jack immediately signalised that he wished to
speak her. In a short time the two vessels hove-to, and lay within a
few cables' lengths of each other, when Jack immediately went on board.
Murray heard, with great concern, of the too probable fate of their old
shipmate, and, having no liberated slaves on board, willingly agreed to
assist in the search, as his boats' crews would be of service should an
armed force be required to obtain the liberation of any of her crew who
might have been made prisoners.

The wind being favourable, he followed Jack into the bay, where he
brought up at a respectful distance from the shore; while Jack steamed
farther in to look out for the wreck. All eyes were turned towards the
shore, where, instead of the belt of surf, there now appeared a broad
fringe of rocks, some rising to a considerable height out; of the water.

"A cruel place that for the ship to go on shore," observed Jack, with a
sigh, "there would not have been much left of her by the morning."

"There she is! there she is!" cried several voices from forward; in
another minute or so the wreck of a vessel, with her masts gone, could
clearly be discerned jammed in between two rocks.

"She has held together better than I could have supposed," said