Here and there in the wild waters they fancied occasionally that they could see the dark forms of the ships, but even of this they could not have been certain, save for the twinkling lights which rose and fell, and dashed to and fro like fire-flies in their flight.

Now and then the flash of a cannon momentarily showed some ship laboring in the trough of the mountainous sea.
"I believe that is the 'Black Prince,'" Jack shouted to his friend.
"That big steamer which has been lying there the last week.

If it is, she's ever so much nearer to shore than she was." Suddenly a blue light threw its glare on the sea.

It came from almost under their feet.
"Good heavens, Dick, there is a vessel on the rocks already; and look, a dozen more close in!" The example was followed, and several other blue lights were burned showing plainly the terrible nature of the scene.

The vessels were wallowing in the tremendous waves.