ax and myself from our seats. We were upon a ledge of coral, which at
a time of less excitement we could scarcely have failed to have observed
and avoided, from the manner in which the sea broke upon it.

A shout of mingled exultation and derision, as they witnessed this
disaster, greeted us from the long-boat, which was ploughing through the
water, but a little way behind us, and some twenty yards further out
from the shore.

"It is all up," said Morton, bitterly, dropping his oar.

"Back water! Her stern still swings free," cried Arthur, "the next
swell will lift her clear."

We got as far aft as possible, to lighten the bows; a huge wave broke
upon the ledge, and drenched us with spray, but the yawl still grated
upon the coral.

Luerson probably deemed himself secure of a more convenient opportunity,
at no distant period, to wreak his vengeance upon us: at any rate there
was no time for it now; he merely menaced us with his clenched fist, as
they swept by. Almost at the same moment a great sea came rolling
smoothly in, and, as our oars dipped to back water, we floated free:
then a few vigorous strokes carried us to a safe distance from the
treacherous shoal.

"One effort more!" cried Arthur, as the mutineers disappeared behind the
point; "we are not yet too late to give them a warning, though it will
be but a short one."

Again we bent to the oars, and in a moment we too had doubled the point,
and were in the wake of the long-boat. The ship lay directly before us,
and within long hailing distance.

"Now, comrades, let us shout together, and try to make them understand
their danger," said Browne, standing up in the stern.

"A dozen strokes more," said Arthur, "and we can do it with more certain
success."

Luerson merely glanced back at us, as he once more heard the dash of our
oars; but he took no farther notice of us: the crisis was too close at
hand.

On board the ship all seemed quiet. Some of the men were gathered
together on the starboard bow, apparently engaged in fishing; they did
not seem to notice the approach of the boats.

"Now, then!" cried Arthur, at length, unshipping his oar, and springing
to his feet, "one united effort to attract their attention--all
together--now, then!" and we sent up a cry that echoed wildly across the
water, and startled the idlers congregated at the bows, who came running
to the side of the vessel nearest us.

"We have got their attention; now hail them," sa