d
even his hard heart may be softened. However, we must not be found
talking together, so now go and turn into your berths, and try and get a
better night's rest than you could have had in that close cabin."

Harry and Bass followed old Tom's advice; and next morning when they
came on deck they found that the ship was off the magnificent coast of
the large island of Hawaii, with the two lofty mountains, Mouna Kea and
Mouna Roa, rising far off.

The weather looked threatening, and in a short time a heavy gale began
to blow. The wind increased in fury till it became a perfect hurricane.
The sails were closely reefed. The captain endeavoured to beat out to
sea, as there was no port under his lee into which he could run.
Notwithstanding all the efforts made to keep off the land, the ship
drove closer and closer to it. A terrific line of breakers could be
seen dashing on the shore. Should the ship be driven among them, her
destruction would be certain; and there was little hope of an anchor a
holding to save her from her impending fate. To avoid this, sail was
kept on the ship, though, under any other circumstances, with an open
sea before her, she would have been running under bare poles.

Harry and Bass were standing together.

"What do you think of it, Tom?" asked Harry, as the old man came up to
them.

"Badly enough, as far as this world is concerned," answered old Tom.
"Happy are those who are prepared to enter another world, as I know you
are, and I hope Mr Bass is too. He who died for us is ready to welcome
us there, if we are trusting to Him alone down here, and not to our own
strength and doings, however good our fellow-men may think us. That's
my comfort, whatever happens, though for your sakes, and that of the
poor fellows aboard, I pray we may escape. I cannot say, however, that
I see much prospect of it. If the worst comes, do you boys stick by me,
and I will do my best to save your lives."

The ship drifted nearer and nearer the shore. The captain and mates,
hardy and bold as they were, looked pale and anxious, now gazing up at
the bending masts, now at the shore under their lee.

"If we get a slant of wind we may do it yet," said the captain.

"But if not?" observed the first mate.

"We must let go our anchors, and cut away the masts. There is nothing
else to be done," was the answer.

The hoped-for change of wind did not come.

"Let go the best bower," shouted the captain. "Stand by