the islands, and it seemed as though any of the
huge billows, which curled over in masses of foam, might swallow us up
in a moment. The water also began to wash in over our sides, and I had
to keep constantly bailing; for Jack could not quit the helm, nor
Peterkin the sail, for an instant, without endangering our lives. In
the midst of this distress Jack uttered an exclamation of hope, and
pointed towards a low island or rock which lay directly ahead. It had
been hitherto unobserved, owing to the dark clouds that obscured the sky
and the blinding spray that seemed to fill the whole atmosphere.

As we neared this rock we observed that it was quite destitute of trees
and verdure, and so low that the sea broke completely over it. In fact,
it was nothing more than the summit of one of the coral formations,
which rose only a few feet above the level of the water, and was, in
stormy weather, all but invisible. Over this island the waves were
breaking in the utmost fury, and our hearts sank within us as we saw
that there was not a spot where we could thrust our little boat without
its being dashed to pieces.

"Show a little bit more sail!" cried Jack as we swept past the weather
side of the rock with fearful speed.

"Ay, ay!" answered Peterkin, hoisting about a foot more of our sail.

Little though the addition was, it caused the boat to lie over and creak
so loudly, as we cleft the foaming waves, that I expected to be upset
every instant; and I blamed Jack in my heart for his rashness. But I
did him injustice; for although during two seconds the water rushed
inboard in a torrent, he succeeded in steering us sharply round to the
leeward side of the rock, where the water was comparatively calm and the
force of the breeze broken.

"Out your oars now, lads! That's well done! Give way!" We obeyed
instantly. The oars splashed into the waves together. One good, hearty
pull, and we were floating in a comparatively calm creek that was so
narrow as to be barely able to admit our boat. Here we were in perfect
safety, and as we leaped on shore and fastened our cable to the rocks, I
thanked God in my heart for our deliverance from so great danger. But
although I have said we were now in safety, I suspect that few of my
readers would have envied our position. It is true we had no lack of
food; but we were drenched to the skin; the sea was foaming round us,
and the spray flying over our heads, so that we were completely
e