Two foot large, on the stabboard, two and a half scant on the labboard!" "Let her go off another point!" "Aye-aye, sir!" "Forward, men, all of you! Lively, now! Stand by to crowd her round the weather corner!" "Aye-aye, sir!" Then followed a wild running and trampling and hoarse shouting, but the forms of the men were lost in the darkness and the sounds were distorted and confused by the roaring of the wind through the shingle-bundles.

By this time the sea was running inches high, and threatening every moment to engulf the frail bark.

Now came the mate, hurrying aft, and said, close to the captain's ear, in a low, agitated voice: "Prepare for the worst, sir--we have sprung a leak!" "Heavens! where ?" "Right aft the second row of logs." "Nothing but a miracle can save us! Don't let the men know, or there will be a panic and mutiny! Lay her in shore and stand by to jump with the stern-line the moment she touches.

Gentlemen, I must look to you to second my endeavors in this hour of peril.

You have hats--go forward and bail for your lives!" Down swept another mighty blast of wind, clothed in spray and thick darkness.