't be long getting down off Clacton. Then you must
keep a sharp look-out for the Spitway Buoy. It comes on very thick at
times, and it is difficult to judge how far we are out. However, I think
I know pretty well the direction it lies in, and can hit it to within a
cable's length or so. I have found it many a time on a dark night, and
am not likely to miss it now. It will take us an hour and a half or so
from the time we pass Walton till we are up to the buoy."

CHAPTER IV.

THE WRECK.

"I CAN see the buoy, uncle, over there on the weatherbow."

"That is right, Jack. I am always glad when we get that buoy; it is the
hardest to find of any of them. We shall have to jibe going round it.
You stand by to brail the sail up when I give the word; we might carry
away the gaff at the jaws if we let the sail go over all standing now."
As soon as they neared the buoy Tom Hoskins got in the oar with which
the mainsail was boomed out. "Now, Jack, brail up the sail as she comes
round. Haul in the sheet as fast as you can, Tom, and pay it out again
handsomely as it comes over. That is the way. Now fasten the sheet and
throw off the main-tack and trice the sail up pretty near to the throat.

"That will do. Slack the brail off, Jack. Now haul in the sheet a bit.
You had better let the foresail down, Tom; the wind is heavy, and there
is too much sea on here to drive her through it too fast."

The sea would have been far heavier than it now was in another two
hours' time, but the water was still very shallow on the sands, and this
broke the force of the waves. The boat was now running along the narrow
channel of deep water leading between the Spitway Buoy and the Bell
Buoy, and almost at right angles to the course they had before been
following. The wind was almost on their beam, and even under the reduced
canvas the _Bessy_ was lying far over, the water covering three planks
of her deck on the starboard side. They could see the buoy, and
presently could hear its deep tolling as the hammers struck the bell
with every motion of the buoy.

"Ah! here is another heavy rain squall coming down. I am glad we are
round the Bell Buoy before it came up. Jack, you may as well put the
tea-kettle on. A cup of tea will be a comfort."

All three were wrapped up in oil-skins; but in spite of this they had a
general sensation of dampness, for it had been raining more or less ever
since they started. Jack was below, when he heard a far loud