I very much fear we won't make the island after all." Peterkin and I were so much in the habit of trusting everything to Jack that we had fallen into the way of not considering things, especially such things as were under Jack's care.

We had, therefore, never doubted for a moment that all was going well, so that it was with no little anxiety that we heard him make the above remark.

However, we had no time for question or surmise, for, at the moment he spoke, a heavy squall was bearing down upon us, and, as we were then flying with our lee gunwale dipping occasionally under the waves, it was evident that we should have to lower our sail altogether.

In a few seconds the squall struck the boat, but Peterkin and I had the sail down in a moment, so that it did not upset us; but, when it was past, we were more than half full of water.

This I soon baled out, while Peterkin again hoisted a corner of the sail; but the evil which Jack had feared came upon us.