distance from their tent. They were but just in time,
as already the sea had driven her broadside to the beach and had begun
to break into her. She was already nearly half full of water, and,
being thus very heavy, they could only drag her up a foot or two.
Fortunately there came a lull.

"If we had anything to bale her out with we might succeed," observed
Owen.

"The lid of the kettle will be the thing," cried Mike. "Nat, run and
get it!"

Nat was not a couple of minutes away, and, jumping into the boat, he
baled away with all his might, while Mike and Owen endeavoured to drag
her up. The greater part of the water having been baled out of her they
succeeded better than at first, and at length got her, as they hoped,
beyond the reach of the seas. The stake to which she was secured was
then carried up as far as the painter would allow, and then fixed as
deeply as possible into the sand. The tent had withstood the wind, and
they further secured it by placing the casks and bales on the lower part
of the cloth, so that, although it might be torn, it was not likely to
be carried bodily away. They were thus engaged when they heard shouts
and cries coming from the direction of the camp. The cause was too
evident. The sea, driven by the wind, had risen considerably, and was
rolling much further up the higher part of the bank than it had hitherto
done. Too probably, therefore, it was sweeping over the lower end, on
which their shipmates had remained.

"The sea must have caught them while they were still asleep, and they
have only just discovered their danger," exclaimed Owen. "They won't
know in which direction to run, and they are not aware of this higher
spot on which they might take refuge."

"Thin the best way will be to light up a bit of fire to show them the
way," said Mike. "There are a few embers up there still burning."

Mike and Nat quickly collected some of the burning pieces of wood, and a
small fire was soon blazing up. It required constant watchfulness,
however, to prevent it from being blown away. In the meantime Owen and
his companions shouted together at the top of their voices.

Again and again cries were heard. Owen proposed starting off to guide
them to the only spot where safety could be found, but Mike and Nat
entreated him not to make the attempt. Indeed it was evident that he
would run great risk of being lost. Already the white foam could be
seen through the darkness like masses