deviated slightly to port.

"There is an opening," he shouted; "follow me."

Tom peered through the mass of blackness surrounding them, and made out
a line of white foam, rising like a wall on the starboard bow, while
beyond he could just distinguish the outline of a still darker mass
which he knew must be land. His heart did not sink, nor did his hand
tremble. The crew turned their heads over their shoulders as the roar
of the breakers reached their ears, becoming louder and louder as the
boat rushed on. The seas came rushing up astern more furiously it
seemed than ever, catching them now on the port quarter; should the wind
fail them, or a rope give way, they must be lost. They all knew that,
and each man grasped his oar ready to throw it out and give way as a
chance for life. The breakers became more and more distinct, leaping
high above the tumbling ocean; but ahead was a blacker patch, though
even that was streaked with foam. There must, however, be depth for the
boats to pass over, though the passage was a fearfully narrow one; for
away on the port-bow the breakers were seen rising as high as on the
starboard side. Green stood on; he did not again hail, but he knew that
he could trust Tom, and that he was following. In another minute they
would be safe, or the boats dashed to pieces on the coral reef. Still
on they flew; a vast surge came rolling up, lifting the stern of the
boat, and Tom, for an instant, thought that she would broach to; but
with all his might putting the helm hard a-port, she went rushing on
before it. The foaming, roaring breakers were leaping up on either
hand. He had lost sight of Green's boat. Could she have met with the
fate he had expected to overtake his boat? No! there she was, safe
inside the reef, with her sail lowered. The next instant he was gliding
forward in comparatively smooth water.

"Lower the sail," he shouted, "and get out the oars."

He was soon alongside Green's boat.

"We will lie on our oars, and wait till daylight to find a safe place
for landing," said the master. "Let us thank God that we have escaped
thus far. Should there be natives on the island, we must try and keep
on friendly terms with them, and we shall the better do that by not
landing till they invite us. In the meantime, we will look to our arms,
for they must have got wet, and are pretty sure to miss fire."

The boats accordingly pulled along the lagoon till they reached a part
where