was their only hope; should she strike a reef on either side
of the entrance, she must in an instant be dashed to pieces, and all
hands be washed amidst the foaming breakers.

"Now, Desmond, use your eyes as you never have before, and try and see
that clump of trees, or find out the passage."

Gerald strained his eyes. "I think I see a dark spot almost ahead," he
said at length.

"If you do, that must be the entrance," observed Tom. "I can see no
other; it is our only chance; the boat will not live long in the sea
which is now getting up."

Tom steered towards the point Gerald indicated. On sped the boat. The
loud roar of the breakers as they neared the shore almost deafened them,
and Gerald, though sitting next to Tom, had to shout to make him hear.

"That's the passage, I'm sure of it," he cried out.

"You're right," answered Tom. "Give way, lads!" The boat rushed on. A
tremendous sea, with a huge crest of foam, came roaring up astern, and
threatened to overwhelm her. The men saw it, and redoubled their
efforts. On either side rose a wall of white foam dashing directly over
the rocks beneath which they had been fishing. An instant later and the
boat would have been swamped; but on she flew, surrounded by spray, and
in another minute was floating in comparatively smooth water within the
sheltering reef. At that moment the hurricane burst forth, sending the
breakers flying in sheets over the reef, howling fearfully as it went
rushing amid the trees of the forest, tearing off huge limbs, and laying
many low, while vivid flashes of lightning were followed by peals of
rattling thunder, adding yet further to the wild uproar of the elements.

"Thank Heaven, we are safe!" exclaimed Gerald.

"We may rightly acknowledge that; but what has become of the other boats
and the old barkey?" said Tom.

CHAPTER TWO.

LAND--BURY THE BOAT--TAKE SHELTER UNDER A ROCK--THE HURRICANE RAGES--THE
NIGHT PASSES BY--DESMOND SHOOTS AT A WILD BEAST--STORM ABATES--NO SHIP--
BOAT MISSING--BOAT DISCOVERED--TIM'S PORK CHOPS--DIGGING OUT THE BOAT--
PAT CHARGED BY A WILD BOAR--FLAG-STAFF SET UP--NO SHIP APPEARS--A HUT
BUILT--EXPLORE THE ISLAND--MISS THE HOGS, BUT KILL SOME BIRDS--
PREPARATIONS FOR THE VOYAGE--TURTLE--BILLY'S EXPLOIT--LEAKY CONDITION OF
THE BOAT--SEARCH FOR PITCH--TOM AND DESMOND SET OUT TO EXPLORE THE
ISLAND.

Tom steered the boat up the bay towards the beach they had so lately
left. It no longer afforded an