Oh, Bentley, what can be done now ?" he said, the whole situation rising before him.

"If we lead that ship through the pass it means wreck for her.

Dacres, who commands the Radnor, is a new man on this station.
And if we don't try the pass, this ship is captured.

And our country, our cause, receives a fatal blow! Was ever a man in such a situation before ?" Bentley looked at him with eyes full of pity.

"We are approaching the shoal now, sir, and unless we would be on it, we will have to bring the ship by the wind at once." This, at least, was a respite.