Andretookasketch—bookfromhispocket，andproceededtomakeadrawingofthereef。Scarcelyhadhecompletedtheoutlinewhenhisfatherexclaimed：
\"Why，Andre，youhavedrawnaham！\"
\"Somethinguncommonlylikeit，Iconfess，\"repliedAndre。\"IthinkwehadbetteraskCaptainCurtistoletuscallourislandHamRock。\"
\"Good，\"saidI;\"thoughsailorswillneedtokeepitatarespectfuldistance，fortheywillscarcelyfindthattheirteetharestrongenoughtotackleit。\"
M。Letourneurwasquitecorrect;theoutlineofthereefasitstoodclearlydefinedagainstthedeepgreenwaterresemblednothingsomuchasafineYorkham，ofwhichthelittlecreek，wheretheChancellorhadbeenstranded，correspondedtothehollowplaceabovetheknuckle。Thetideatthistimewaslow，andtheshipnowlayheeledoververymuchtothestarboardside，thefewpointsofrockthatemergedintheextremesouthofthereefplainlymarkingthenarrowpassagethroughwhichshehadbeenforcedbeforeshefinallyranaground。
AssoonasAndrehadfinishedhissketchwedescendedbyaslopeasgradualasthatbywhichwehadcomeup，andmadeourwaytowardthewest。Wehadnotgoneveryfarwhenabeautifulgrotto，perfectasanarchitecturalstruc—
ture，arrestedourattention。M。LetourneurandAndre，whohavevisitedtheHebrides，pronouncedittobeaFingal’scaveinminiature;aGothicchapelthatmightformafitvestibuleforthecathedralcaveofStaffa。Thebasalticrockshadcooleddownintothesameregularconcentricprisms;therewasthesamedarkcanopiedroofwithitsin—
tersticesfilledupwithitsyellowlutings;thesameprecisionofoutlineintheprismaticangles，sharpasthoughchiseledbyasculptor’shand;thesamesonorousvibrationoftheairacrossthebasalticrocks，ofwhichtheGaelicpoetshavefeignedthattheharpsoftheFingalminstrelsyweremade。
ButwhereasatStaffathefloorofthecaveisalwayscoveredwithasheetofwater，herethegrottowasbeyondthereachofallbutthehighestwaves，whiletheprismaticshaftsthem—
selvesformedquiteasolidpavement。
Afterremainingnearlyanhourinournewly—discoveredgrottowereturnedtotheChancellor，andcommunicatedtheresultofourexplorationstoCurtis，whoenteredtheislanduponhischart，bythenameAndreLetourneurhadpro—
posed。
SinceitsdiscoverywehavenotpermittedadaytopasswithoutspendingsometimeinourHamRockgrotto。
Curtishastakenanopportunityofvisitingit，butheistoopreoccupiedwithothermatterstohavemuchinteresttospareforthewondersofnature。Falsten，too，cameonceandexaminedthecharacteroftherocks，knockingandchippingthemaboutwithallthemercilessnessofageologist。
Mr。Kearwouldnottroublehimselftoleavetheship;andalthoughIaskedhiswifetojoinusinoneofourexcursionsshedeclined，uponthepleathatthefatigue，aswellastheinconvenienceofembarkingintheboat，wouldbemorethanshecouldbear。
MissHerbey，onlytothankfultoescapeevenforanhourfromhercapriciousmistress，eagerlyacceptedM。Letour—
neur’sinvitationtopayavisittothereef，buttohergreatdisappointmentMrs。Kearatfirstrefusedpoint—blanktoallowhertoleavetheship。Ifeltintenselyannoyed，andre—
solvedtointercedeinMissHerbey’sfavor;andasIhadalreadyrenderedthatself—indulgentladysundryserviceswhichshethoughshemightprobablybegladagaintoac—
cept，Igainedmypoint，andMissHerbeyhasseveraltimesbeenpermittedtoaccompanyusacrosstherocks，wheretheyounggirl’sdelightatherfreedomhasbeenapleasuretobehold。
Sometimeswefishalongtheshore，andthenenjoyaluncheoninthegrotto，whilethebasaltcolumnsvibratelikeharpstothebreeze。Thisaridreef，littleasitis，comparedwiththecrampedlimitsoftheChancellor’sdeckislikesomevastdomain;soontherewillbescarcelyastonewithwhichwearenotfamiliar，scarcelyaportionofitssurfacewhichwehavenottrodden，andIamsurethatwhenthehourofdeparturearrivesweshallleaveitwithregret。
Inthecourseofconversation，AndreLetourneuronedayhappenedtosaythathebelievedtheislandofStaffabe—
longedtotheMacdonaldfamily，wholetitforthesmallsumofL。12ayear。
\"Isupposethen，\"saidMissHerbey，\"thatweshouldhardlygetmorethanhalf—a—crownayearforourpetlittleisland。\"
\"Idon’tthinkyouwouldgetapennyforit。MissHerbey;
butareyouthinkingoftakingalease？\"Isaidlaughing。
\"Notatpresent，\"shesaid;thenadded，withahalf—sup—
pressedsigh，\"andyetitisaplacewhereIhaveseemedtoknowwhatitistobereallyhappy。\"
Andremurmuredsomeexpressionofassent，andweallfeltthattherewassomethingtouchinginthewordsoftheorphaned，friendlessgirlwhohadfoundherlong—lostsenseofhappinessonalonelyrockintheAtlantic。
CHAPTERXIX
THECARGOUNLOADED
NOVEMBER6toNovember15。——ForthefirstfivedaysaftertheChancellorhadrunaground，therewasadenseblacksmokecontinuallyrisingfromthehold;butitgrad—
uallydiminisheduntilthe6thofNovember，whenwemightconsiderthatthefirewasextinguished。Curtis，neverthe—
less，deemeditprudenttopersevereinworkingthepumps，whichhediduntiltheentirehulloftheship，rightuptothedeck，hadbeencompletelyinundated。
Therapidity，however，withwhichthewater，ateveryre—
treatofthetide，drainedofftothelevelofthesea，wasanindicationthattheleakmustbeofconsiderablemagnitude;
andsuch，oninvestigation，provedtobethecase。Oneofthesailors，namedFlaypole，divedonedayatlowwatertoex—
aminetheextentofthedamage，andfoundthattheholewasnotmuchlessthanfourfeetsquare，andwassituatedthirtyfeetforeofthehelm，andtwofeetabovetheriderofthekeel;threeplankshadbeenstoveinbyasharppointofrockanditwasonlyawonderthattheviolencewithwhichtheheavily—ladenvesselhadbeenthrownashoredidnotresultinthesmashinginofmanypartsbeside。
Asitwouldbeacoupleofdaysormorebeforetheholdwouldbeinaconditionforthebalesofcottontoberemovedforthecarpentertoexaminethedamagefromtheinterioroftheship，Curtisemployedtheintervalinhavingthebrokenmizzen—mastrepaired。Dowlasthecarpenter，withcon—
siderableskill，contrivedtomortiseitintoitsformerstump。
andmadethejunctionthoroughlysecurebystrongiron—
beltsandbolts。Theshrouds，thestaysandbackstays，werethencarefullyrefitted，someofthesailswerechanged，andthewholeoftherunningriggingwasrenewed。Injury，tosomeextent，hadbeendonetothepoopandtothecrew’slockersinthefront;buttimeandlaborwereallthatwerewantedtomakethemgood;andwithsuchawilldidevery—
bodysettoworkthatitwasnotlongbeforeallthecabinswereagainavailableforuse。
Onthe8ththeunladingoftheshipcommenced。Pulleysandtacklingwereputoverthehatches，andpassengersandcrewtogetherproceededtohauluptheheavybaleswhichhadbeendelugedsofrequentlybywaterthatthecottonwasallbutspoiled。Onebyonethesoddenbaleswereplacedintheboattobetransportedtothereef。Afterthefirstlayerofcottonhadbeenremoveditbecamenecessarytodrainoffpartofthewaterthatfilledthehold。Forthispurposetheleakinthesidehadsomehoworothertobestopped，andthiswasanoperationwhichwascleverlyaccomplishedbyDowlasandFlaypole，whocontrivedtodiveatlowtideandnailasheetofcopperovertheentirehole。This，how—
ever，ofitselfwouldhavebeenutterlyinadequatetosustainthepressurethatwouldarisefromtheactionofthepumps;
soCurtisorderedthatanumberofthebalesshouldbepiledupinsideagainstthebrokenplanks。Theschemesucceededverywell，andasthewatergotlowerandlowerintheholdthemenwereenabledtor俿um？theirtaskofunlading。
Curtisthinksitquiteprobablethattheleaksmaybemendedfromtheinterior。Byfarthebestwayofrepairingthedamagewouldbetocareentheship，andtoshifttheplanking，buttheappliancesarewantingforsuchanun—
dertaking;moreover，anybadweatherwhichmightoccurwhiletheshipwasonherflankwouldonlytoocertainlybefataltoheraltogether。Butthecaptainhasverylittledoubtthatbysomedeviceorotherheshallmanagetopatchuptheholeinsuchawayaswillinsureourreachinglandinsafety。
Aftertwodays’toilthewaterwasentirelyreduced，andwithoutfurtherdifficultytheunladingwascompleted。Allofus，includingevenAndreLetourneur，havebeentakingourturnatthepumps，fortheworkissoextremelyfatiguingthatthecrewrequiresomeoccasionalrespite;armsandbacksoonbecomestrainedandwearywiththeincessantswingofthehandles，andIcanwellunderstandthedislikewhichsailorsalwaysexpresstothelabor。
Onethingthereiswhichismuchinourfavor;theshipliesonafirmandsolidbottom，andwehavethesatisfactionofknowingthatwearenotcontendingwithafloodthatencroachesfasterthanitcanberesisted。Heavengrantthatwemaynotbecalledtomakelikeefforts，andtomakethemhopelessly，forafounderingship！
CHAPTERXX
EXAMINATIONOFTHEHOLD
NOVEMBER15to20。——Theexaminationoftheholdhasatlastbeenmade。Amongthefirstthingsthatwerefoundwasthecaseofpicrate，perfectlyintact，havingneitherbeeninjuredbythewater，norofcoursereachedbytheflames。
WhyitwasnotatoncepitchedintotheseaIcannotsay;
butitwasmerelyconveyedtotheextremityoftheisland，andthereitremains。
Whiletheywerebelow，CurtisandDowlasmadethem—
selvesacquaintedwiththefullextentofthemischiefthathadbeendonebytheconflagration。Theyfoundthatthedeckandthecross—beamsthatsupportedithadbeenmuchlessinjuredthantheyexpected，andthethick，heavyplankshadonlybeenscorchedverysuperficially。Buttheactionofthefireontheflanksoftheshiphadbeenofamuchmoreseriouscharacter;alongportionoftheinsideboardinghadbeenburnedaway，andtheveryribsofthevesselwerecon—
siderablydamaged;theoakumcaulkingshadallstartedawayfromthebutt—endsandseams;somuchsothatitwaslittleshortofamiraclethatthewholeshiphadnotlongsincegapedcompletelyopen。
Thecaptainandthecarpenterreturnedtothedeckwithanxiousfaces。Curtislostnotimeinassemblingpas—
sengersandcrew，andannouncingtothemthefactsofthecase。
\"Myfriends，\"hesaid，\"IamheretotellyouthattheChancellorhassustainedfargreaterinjuriesthanwesus—
pected，andthatherhullisveryseriouslydamaged。Ifwehadbeenstrandedanywhereelsethanonabarrenreef，thatmayatanytimebeoverwhelmedbyatempestuoussea，I
shouldnothavehesitatedtotaketheshiptopieces，andcon—
structasmallervesselthatmighthavecarriedussafelytoland;butIdarenotruntheriskofremaininghere。Wearenow800milesfromthecoastofParamaribo，thenearestportionofDutchGuiana，andintenortwelvedays，iftheweathershouldbefavorable，Ibelievewecouldreachtheshore。WhatInowproposetodoistostoptheleakbythebestmeanswecancommand，andmakeatonceforthenearestport。\"
Asnobetterplanseemedtosuggestitself，Curtis’sproposalwasunanimouslyaccepted。Dowlasandhisassistantsim—
mediatelysettoworktorepairthecharredframe—workoftheribs，andtostoptheleak;theytookcarethoroughlytocalkfromtheoutsidealltheseamsthatwereabovelowwatermark;lowerthanthattheywereunabletowork，andhadtocontentthemselveswithsuchrepairsastheycouldeffectintheinterior。ButafterallthepainsthereisnodoubttheChancellorisnotfitforalongvoyage，andwouldbecondemnedasunseaworthyatanyportatwhichwemightputin。
To—daythe20th，Curtishavingdoneallthathumanpowercoulddotorepairhisship，determinedtoputhertosea。
EversincetheChancellorhadbeenrelievedofhercargo，andofthewaterinherhold，shehadbeenabletofloatinthelittlenaturalbasinintowhichshehadbeendriven。Thebasinwasenclosedoneitherhandbyrocksthatremaineduncoveredevenathighwater，butwassufficientlywidetoallowthevesseltoturnquiteroundatitsbroadestpart，andbymeansofhawsersfastenedonthereeftobebroughtwithherbowstowardsthesouth;while，topreventherbeingcarriedbackontothereef，shehasbeenanchoredforeandaft。
Toallappearance，then，itseemedasthoughitwouldbeaneasymattertoputtheChancellortosea;ifthewindwerefavorablethesailswouldbehoisted;ifotherwise，shewouldhavetobetowedthroughthenarrowpassage。Allseemedsimple。Butunlooked—fordifficultieshadyettobesurmounted。
Themouthofthepassageisguardedbyakindofridgeofbasalt，whichathightideweknewwasbarelycoveredwithsufficientwatertofloattheChancellor，evenwhenen—
tirelyunfreighted。Tobesureshehadbeencarriedovertheobstacleoncebefore，butthen，asIhavealreadysaid，shehadbeencaughtupbyanenormouswave，andmighthavebeensaidtobeLIFTEDoverthebarrierintoherpres—
entposition。Besides，onthatevermemorablenight，therehadnotonlybeentheordinaryspring—tide，butanequinoctialtide，suchaoneascouldnotbeexpectedtooccuragainformanymonths。Waitingwasoutofthequestion;soCurtisdeterminedtoruntherisk，andtotakeadvantageofthespring—tide，whichwouldoccurto—day，tomakeanattempttogettheship，lightenedasshewas，overthebar;afterwhich，hemightballasthersufficientlytosail。
Thewindwasblowingfromthenorthwest，andconse—
quentlyrightinthedirectionofthepassage。Thecaptain，however，afteraconsultation，preferredtotowtheshipovertheridge，asheconsidereditwasscarcelysafetoallowavesselofdoubtfulstabilityatfullsailtochargeanobstaclethatwouldprobablybringhertoadeadlock。Beforetheoperationwascommenced，Curtistooktheprecautionofhavingananchorreadyinthestern，for，intheeventoftheattemptbeingunsuccessful，itwouldbenecessarytobringtheshipbacktoherpresentmoorings。Twomoreanchorswerenextcarriedoutsidethepassage，whichwasnotmorethantwohundredfeetinlength。Thechainswereattachedtothewindlass，thesailorsworkedatthehand—spikes，andatfouro’clockintheafternoontheChancellorwasinmo—
tion。
Hightidewouldbeattwentyminutespastfour，andattenminutesbeforethattimetheshiphadbeenhauledasfarashersea—rangewouldallow;herkeelgrazedtheridge，andherprogresswasarrested。Whenthelowestpartofherstern，however，justclearedtheobstruction，Curtisdeemedthattherewasnolongeranyreasonwhythemechanicalac—
tionofthewindshouldnotbebroughttobearandcon—
tributeitsassistance。Withoutdelay，allsailswereunfurledandtrimmedtothewind。Thetidewasexactlyatitsheight，passengersandcrewtogetherwereatthewindlass，M。
Letourneur，Andre，Falsten，andmyselfbeingatthestar—
boardbar。Curtisstooduponthepoop，givinghischiefattentiontothesails;thelieutenantwasontheforecastle;
theboatswainbythehelm。Theseaseemedpropitiouslycalmand;asitswelledgentlytoandfro，liftedtheshipseveraltimes。
\"Now，myboys，\"saidCurtis，inhiscalmclearvoice，\"alltogether！Off！\"
Roundwentthewindlass;click，click，clankedthechainsaslinkbylinktheywereforcedthroughthehawse—holes。
Thebreezefreshened，andthemastsgavetothepressureofthesails，butroundandroundwewent，keepingtimeinregularmonotonytothesing—songtunehummedbyoneofthesailors。
Wehadgainedabouttwentyfeet，andwereredoublingoureffortswhentheshipgroundedagain。
Andnownoeffortwouldavail;allwasinvain;thetidebegantoturn：andtheChancellorwouldnotadvanceaninch。
Wastheretimetogoback？Shewouldinevitablygotopiecesifleftbalancedupontheridge。Inaninstantthecap—
tainhasorderedthesailstobefurled，andtheanchordroppedfromthestern。
Onemomentofterribleanxiety，andalliswell。
TheChancellortackstostern，andglidesbackintothebasin，whichisoncemoreherprison。
\"Well，captain，\"saystheboatswain，\"what’stobedonenow？\"
\"Idon’tknow，\"saidCurtis，\"butweshallgetacrosssomehow。\"
CHAPTERXXI
THE\"CHANCELLOR\"RELEASEDFROMHERPRISON
NOVEMBER21TO24。——TherewasassuredlynotimetobelostbeforeweoughttoleaveHamRockreef。Thebarom—
eterhadbeenfallingeversincethemorning，theseawasgettingrougher，andtherewaseverysymptomthattheweather，hithertosofavorable，wasonthepointofbreaking;
andintheeventofagaletheChancellormustinevitablybedashedtopiecesontherocks。
Intheevening，whenthetidewasquitelow，andtherocksuncovered，Curtis，theboatswain，andDowlaswenttoexam—
inetheridgewhichhadprovedsoseriousanobstruction。
FalstenandIaccompaniedthem。Wecametotheconclu—
sionthattheonlywayofeffectingapassagewasbycuttingawaytherockswithpikesoverasurfacemeasuringtenfeetbysix。Anextradepthofnineortenincheswouldgiveasufficientgauge，andthechannelmightbeaccuratelymarkedoutbybuoys;inthiswayitwasconjecturedtheshipmightbegotovertheridgeandsoreachthedeepwaterbeyond。
\"Butthisbasaltisashardasgranite，\"saidtheboatswain;
\"besides，wecanonlygetatitatlowwater，andconse—
quentlycouldonlyworkatitfortwohoursoutofthetwenty—four。\"
\"Allthemorereasonwhyweshouldbeginatonce，boat—
swain，\"saidCurtis。
\"Butifitistotakeusamonth，captain，perhapsbythattimetheshipmaybeknockedtoatoms。Couldn’tweman—
agetoblowuptherock？wehavegotsomepowderaboard。\"
\"Notenoughforthat，\"saidtheboatswain。
\"Youhavesomethingbetterthanpowder，\"saidFalsten。
\"What’sthat？\"askedthecaptain。
\"Picrateofpotash，\"wasthereply。
AndsotheexplosivesubstancewithwhichpoorRubyhadsogrievouslyimperiledthevesselwasnowtoserveheringoodstead，andInowsawwhataluckythingitwasthatthecasehadbeendepositedsafelyonthereef，insteadofbe—
ingthrownintothesea。
Thesailorswentoffatoncefortheirpikes，andDowlasandhisassistants，underthedirectionofFalsten，who，asanengineer，understoodsuchmatters，proceededtohollowoutaminewhereintodepositthepowder。Atfirstwehopedthateverythingwouldbereadyfortheblastingtotakeplaceonthefollowingmorning，butwhendaylightappearedwefoundthatthemen，althoughtheyhadlaboredwithawill，hadonlybeenabletoworkforanhouratlowwaterandthatfourtidesmustebbbeforetheminehadbeensunktotherequireddepth。
Notuntileighto’clockonthemorningofthe23dwastheworkcomplete。Theholewasboredobliquelyintherock，andwaslargeenoughtocontainabouttenpoundsofexplosivematter。Justasthepicratewasbeingintroducedintotheaperture，Falsteninterposed：
\"Stop，\"hesaid，\"Ithinkitwillbebesttomixthepicratewithcommonpowder，asthatwillallowustofiretheminewithamatchinsteadofthegun—primingwhichwouldbenecessarytoproduceashock。Besides，itisanunderstoodthingthattheadditionofgunpowderrenderspicratefarmoreeffectiveinblastingsuchrocksasthis，asthentheviolenceofthepicratepreparesthewayforthepowderwhich，slowerinitsaction，willcompletethedissevermentofthebasalt。\"
Falstenisnotagreattalker，butwhathedoessayisal—
waysverymuchtothepoint。Hisgoodadvicewasimme—
diatelyfollowed;thetwosubstancesweremixedtogether，andafteramatchhadbeenintroducedthecompoundwasrammedcloselyintothehole。
NotwithstandingthattheChancellorwasatadistancefromtherocksthatinsuredherfromanydangerofbeinginjuredbytheexplosion，itwasthoughtadvisablethatthepassengersandcrewshouldtakerefugeinthegrottoattheextremityofthereef，andevenMr。Kear，inspiteofhismanyobjections，wasforcedtoleavetheship。Falsten，assoonashehadsetfiretothematch，joinedusinourretreat。
Thetrainwastoburnfortenminutes，andattheendofthattimetheexplosiontookplace;thereport，onaccountofthedepthofthemine，beingmuffled，andmuchlessnoisythanwehadexpected。Buttheoperationhadbeenperfectlysuccessful。Beforewereachedtheridgewecouldseethatthebasalthadbeenliterallyreducedtopowder，andthatalittlechannel，alreadybeingfilledbytherisingtide，hadbeencutrightthroughtheobstacle。Aloudhurrahrangthroughtheair;ourprison—doorswereopened，andwewereprison—
ersnomore。
AthightidetheChancellorweighedanchorandfloatedoutintothesea，butshewasnotinaconditiontosailuntilshehadbeenballasted;andforthenexttwenty—fourhoursthecrewwerebusilyemployedintakingupblocksofstone，andsuchofthebalesofcottonashadsustainedtheleastamountofinjury。
Inthecourseoftheday，M。Letourneur，Andre，MissHerbey，andItookafarewellwalkroundthereef，andAndre，withartisticskill，carvedonthewallofthegrottothewordChancellor——thedesignationofHamRock，whichwehadgiventothereef——andthedateofourrunningaground。Thenwebadeadieutothesceneofourthreeweeks’sojourn，wherewehadpasseddaysthattosomeatleastofourpartywillbereckonedasfarfrombeingtheleasthappyoftheirlives。
Athightidethismorning，the24th，withlow，top，andgallantsailsallset，theChancellorstartedonheronwardway，andtwohourslaterthelastpeakofHamRockhadvanishedbelowthehorizon。
CHAPTERXXII
ANEWDANGER
NOVEMBER24toDecember1。——Herewewerethenoncemoreatsea，andalthoughonboardashipofwhichthestabilitywasveryquestionable，wehadhopes，ifthewindcontinuedfavorable，ofreachingthecoastofGuianainthecourseofafewdays。
Ourwaywassouthwestandconsequentlywiththewind，andalthoughCurtiswouldnotcrowdonallsaillesttheextraspeedshouldhaveatendencytospringtheleakafresh，theChancellormadeaprogressthatwasquitesatisfactory。
Lifeonboardbegantofallbackintoitsformerroutine;thefeelingofinsecurityandtheconsciousnessthatweweremerelyretracingourpathdoingmuch，however，todestroytheanimatedintercoursethatwouldotherwisegoonbe—
tweenpassengerandpassenger。
Thefirstfewdayspassedwithoutanyincidentworthre—
cording，thenonthe29th，thewindshiftedtothenorth，anditbecamenecessarytobracetheyards，trimthesails，andtakeastarboardtack。Thismadetheshiplurchverymuchononeside，andasCurtisfeltthatshewaslaboringfartooheavily，heclewedupthetop—gallants，prudentlyreckoningthat，underthecircumstances，cautionwasfarmoreimpor—
tantthanspeed。
Thenightcameondarkandfoggy。Thebreezefresh—
enedconsiderably，and，unfortunatelyforus，hailedfromthenorthwest。Althoughwecarriednotopsailsatall，theshipseemedtoheelovermorethanever。Mostofthepassengershadretiredtotheircabins，butallthecrewremainedondeck，whileCurtisneverquittedhispostuponthepoop。
Towardtwoo’clockinthemorningIwasmyselfprepar—
ingtogotomycabin，whenBurke，oneofthesailorswhohadbeendownintothehold，cameondeckwiththecry：
\"Twofeetofwaterbelow。\"
InaninstantCurtisandtheboatswainhaddescendedtheladder。Thestartlingnewswasonlytootrue;thesea—waterwasenteringthehold，butwhethertheleakhadsprungafresh，orwhetherthecaulkinginsomeoftheseamswasinsufficient，itwasthenimpossibletodetermine;allthatcouldbedonewastolettheshipgowiththewind，andwaitforday。
Atdaybreaktheysoundedagain——\"Threefeetofwater！\"wasthereport。IglancedatCurtis——hislipswerewhite，buthehadnotlosthisself—possession。Hequietlyin—
formedsuchofthepassengersaswerealreadyondeckofthenewdangerthatthreatenedus;itwasbetterthattheyshouldknowtheworst，andthefactcouldnotbelongcon—
cealed。ItoldM。LetourneurthatIcouldnothelphopingthattheremightyetbetimetoreachthelandbeforethelastcrisiscame。Falstenwasabouttogiveventtoanexpres—
sionofdespair，buthewassoonsilencedbyMissHerbeyassertingherconfidencethatallwouldyetbewell。
Curtisatoncedividedthecrewintotwosets，andmadethemworkincessantly，turnandturnabout，atthepumps。
Themenappliedthemselvestotheirtaskwithresignationratherthanwithardor;thelaborwashardandscarcelyre—
paidthem;thepumpswereconstantlygettingoutoforder，thevalvesbeingchokedupbytheashesandbitsofcottonthatwerefloatingaboutinthehold，whileeverymomentthatwasspentincleaningorrepairingthemwassomuchtimelost。
Slowlybutsurelythewatercontinuedtorise，andonthefollowingmorningthesoundingsgavefivefeetforitsdepth。
InoticedthatCurtis’sbrowcontractedeachtimethattheboatswainorthelieutenantbroughthimtheirreport。Therewasnodoubtitwasonlyaquestionoftime，andnotforaninstantmusttheeffortsforkeepingdownthelevelbere—
laxed。Alreadytheshiphadsunkafootlowerinthewater，andasherweightincreasedshenolongerrosebuoyantlywiththewaves，butpitchedandrolledconsiderably。
Allyesterdayandlastnightthepumpingcontinued，butstilltheseagaineduponus。Thecrewarewearyanddis—
couraged，butthesecondofficerandtheboatswainsetthemafineexampleofendurance，andthepassengershavenowbeguntotaketheirturnatthepumps。
Butallareconsciousoftoilingalmostagainsthope;wearenolongersecuredfirmlytothesolidsoiloftheHamRockreef，butwearefloatingoveranabysswhichdaily，nayhourly，threatenstoswallowusintoitsdepths。
CHAPTERXXIII
ANATTEMPTATMUTINY
DECEMBER2and3。——Forfourhourswehavesucceededinkeepingthewaterintheholdtoonelevel;now，however，itisveryevidentthatthetimecannotbefardistantwhenthepumpswillbequiteunequaltotheirtask。
YesterdayCurtis，whodoesnotallowhimselfaminute’srest，madeapersonalinspectionofthehold。I，withtheboatswainandcarpenter，accompaniedhim。Afterdislodg—
ingsomeofthebalesofcottonwecouldhearasplashing，orrathergurglingsound;butwhetherthewaterwasenter—
ingattheoriginalaperture，orwhetheritfounditswayinthroughageneraldislocationoftheseams，wewereunabletodiscover。But，whichevermightbethecase，Curtisde—
terminedtotryaplanwhich，bycuttingoffcommunicationbetweentheinteriorandexteriorofthevessel，might，ifonlyforafewhours，renderherhullmorewater—tight。Forthispurposehehadsomestrong，welltarredsailsdrawnupwardbyropesfrombelowthekeel，ashighasthepreviousleak—
ingplace，andthenfastenedcloselyandsecurelytothesideofthehull。Theschemewasdubious，andtheoperationdifficult，butforatimeitwaseffectual，andatthecloseofthedaythelevelofthewaterhadactuallybeenreducedbyseveralinches。Thediminutionwassmallenough，buttheconsciousnessthatmorewaterwasescapingthroughthescupper—holesthanwasfindingitswayintotheholdgaveusfreshcouragetoperseverewithourwork。
Thenightwasdark，butthecaptaincarriedallthesailhecould，eagertotakeeverypossibleadvantageofthewind，whichwasfresheningconsiderably。Ifhecouldhavesightedashiphewouldhavemadesignalsofdistress，andwouldnothavehesitatedtotransferthepassengers，andevenhaveallowedthecrewtofollow，iftheywerereadytoforsakehim;forhimselfhismindwasmadeup——heshouldremainonboardtheChancelloruntilshefounderedbeneathhisfeet。Nosail，however，hoveinsight;consequentlyescapebysuchmeanswasoutofourpower。
Duringthenightthecanvascoveringyieldedtothepres—
sureofthewaves，andthismorning，aftertakingthesound—
ing，theboatswaincouldnotsuppressanoathwhenhean—
nounced，\"Sixfeetofwaterinthehold！\"
Theship，then，wasfillingonceagain，andalreadyhadsunkconsiderablybelowherpreviouswater—line。Withachingarmsandbleedinghandsweworkedharderthaneveratthepumps，andCurtismakesthosewhoarenotpumpingformalineandpassbuckets，withallthespeedtheycan，fromhandtohand。
Butallinvain！Athalf—pasteightmorewaterisre—
portedinthehold，andsomeofthesailors，overcomebyde—
spair，refusetoworkoneminutelonger。
ThefirsttoabandonhispostwasOwen，amanwhomI
havementionedbeforeasexhibitingsomethingofamu—
tinousspirit。Heisaboutfortyyearsofage，andaltogetherunprepossessinginappearance;hisfaceisbare，withtheexceptionofareddishbeard，whichterminatesinapoint;
hisforeheadisfurrowedwithsinisterlookingwrinkles，hislipscurlinward，andhisearsprotrude，whilehisblearedandbloodshoteyesareencircledwiththickredrings。
AmongthefiveorsixothermenwhohadstruckworkI
noticedJynxstrop，thecook，whoevidentlysharedallOwen’sill—feelings。
TwicedidCurtisorderthemenbacktothepumps，andtwicedidOwen，actingasspokesmanfortherest，refuse;
andwhenCurtismadeastepforwardasthoughtoapproachhim，hesaidsavagely：
\"Iadviseyounottotouchme，\"andwalkedawaytotheforecastle。
Curtisdescendedtohiscabin，andalmostimmediatelyre—
turnedwithaloadedrevolverinhishand。
ForamomentOwensurveyedthecaptainwithafrownofdefiance;butatasignfromJynxstropheseemedtorecollecthimself，and，withtheremainderofthemen，hereturnedtohiswork。
CHAPTERXXIV
CURTISRESOLVESTOABANDONTHESHIP
DECEMBER4。——Thefirstattemptatmutinybeingthushappilysuppressed，itistobehopedthatCurtiswillsucceedaswellinfuture。Aninsubordinatecrewwouldrenderuspowerlessindeed。
Throughoutthenightthepumpswerekept，withoutrespite，steadilyatwork，butwithoutproducingtheleastsensiblebenefit。Theshipbecamesowater—loggedandheavythatshehardlyroseatalltothewaves，whichcon—
sequentlyoftenwashedoverthedeckandcontributedtheirparttowardaggravatingourcase。Oursituationwasrapidlybecomingasterribleasithadbeenwhenthefirewasraginginthemidstofus;andtheprospectofbeingswallowedbythedevouringbillowswasnolessformidablethanthatofperishingintheflames。
Curtiskeptthemenuptothemark，and，willingorunwill—
ing，theyhadnoalternativebuttoworkonasbesttheymight;butinspiteofalltheirefforts，thewaterperpetuallyrose，till，atlength，themenintheholdwhowerepassingthebucketsfoundthemselvesimmerseduptotheirwaists，andwereobligedtocomeondeck。
Thismorning，afterasomewhatprotractedconsultationwithWalterandtheboatswain，Curtisresolvedtoabandontheship。Theonlyremainingboatwasfartoosmalltoholdusall，anditwouldthereforebenecessarytoconstructaraftthatshouldcarrythosewhocouldnotfindroominher。
Dowlas，thecarpenter，Mr。Falsten，andtensailorsweretoldofftoputtheraftinhand，therestofthecrewbeingorderedtocontinuetheirworkassiduouslyatthepumps，untilthetimecameandeverythingwasreadyforembarkation。
Hatchetorsawinhand，thecarpenterandhisassistantsmadeabeginningwithoutdelay，bycuttingandtrimmingthespareyardsandextrasparstoaproperlength。Thesewerethenloweredintothesea——whichwaspropitiouslycalm——
soastofavortheoperation（whichotherwisewouldhavebeenverydifficult）oflashingthemtogetherintoafirmframework，aboutfortyfeetlongandtwenty—fivefeetwide，uponwhichtheplatformwastobesupported。
Ikeptmyownplacesteadilyatthepumps，andAndreLe—
tourneurworkedatmyside。Ioftennoticedhisfatherglanceathimsorrowfully，asthoughhewonderedwhatwouldbecomeofhimifhehadtostrugglewithwavestowhicheventhestrongestmancouldhardlyfailtosuccumb。
Butcomewhatmay，hisfatherwillneverforsakehim，andImyselfshallnotbewantinginrenderinghimwhateverassistanceIcan。
Mrs。Kear，whohadbeenforsometimeinastateofdrowsyunconsciousness，wasnotinformedoftheimmediatedanger;butwhenMissHerbey，lookingsomewhatpalewithfatigue，paidoneofherflyingvisitstothedeck，Iwarnedhertotakeeveryprecautionforherself，andtobereadyforanyemergency。
\"Thankyou，doctor，Iamalwaysready，\"shecheerfullyreplied，andreturnedtoherdutiesbelow。IsawAndrefollowtheyounggirlwithhiseyes，andalookofmelancholyinterestpassedoverhiscountenance。
Towardeighto’clockintheeveningtheframeworkfortheraftwasalmostcomplete，andthemenwerelower—
ingemptybarrels，whichhadfirstbeensecurelybunged，andwerelashingthemtothewoodworktoinsureitsfloating。
Twohourslaterandsuddenlytherearosethestartlingcry，\"Wearesinking！wearesinking！\"
UptothepooprushedMr。Kear，followedimmediatelybyFalstenandMissHerbey，whowerebearingtheinan—
imateformofMrs。Kear。Curtisrantohiscabin，instantlyreturningwithachart，asextant，andacompassinhishand。
Thescenethatfollowedwilleverbeengraveninmymemory;thecriesofdistress，thegeneralconfusion，thefranticrushofthesailorstowardtheraftthatwasnotyetreadytosupportthem，canneverbeforgotten。Thewholeperiodofmylifeseemedtobeconcentratedintothatterriblemomentwhentheplanksbentbelowmyfeetandtheoceanyawnedbeneathme。
Someofthesailorshadtakentheirdelusiverefugeintheshrouds，andIwaspreparingtofollowthemwhenahandwaslaiduponmyshoulder……TurningroundIbeheldM。
Letourneur，withtearsinhiseyes，pointingtowardhisson。
\"Yes，myfriend，\"Isaid，pressinghishand，\"wewillsavehim，ifpossible。\"
ButCurtishadalreadycaughtholdoftheyoungman，andwashurryinghimtothemain—mastshrouds，whentheChancellor，whichhadbeenscuddingalongrapidlywiththewind，stoppedsuddenly，withaviolentshock，andbegantosettle。Thesearoseovermyankles，andalmostinstinc—
tivelyIclutchedatthenearestrope。Allatonce，whenitseemedallover，theshipceasedtosink，andhungmotionlessinmid—ocean。
CHAPTERXXV
WHILETHERE’SLIFETHERE’SHOPE
NIGHTofDecember4。——CurtiscaughtyoungLetourneuragaininhisarms，and，runningwithhimacrossthefloodeddeck，depositedhimsafelyinthestarboardshrouds，whitherhisfatherandIclimbedupbesidehim。
Inowhadtimetolookaboutme。Thenightwasnotverydark，andIcouldseethatCurtishadreturnedtohispostuponthepoop;whileintheextremeaftnearthetaff—
rail，whichwasstillabovewater，IcoulddistinguishtheformsofMr。andMrs。Kear，MissHerbey，andMr。Fal—
sten。Thelieutenantandtheboatswainwereonthefarendoftheforecastle;theremainderofthecrewintheshroudsandtop—masts。
Bytheassistanceofhisfather，whocarefullyguidedhisfeetuptherigging，Andrewashoistedintothemain—top。
Mrs。Kearcouldnotbeinducedtojoinhiminhiselevatedposition，inspiteofbeingtoldthatifthewindweretofreshenshewouldinevitablybewashedoverboardbythewaves;nothingcouldinducehertolistentoremonstrances，andsheinsisteduponremainingonthepoop——MissHerbey，ofcourse，stayingbyherside。
AssoonasthecaptainsawtheChancellorwasnolongersinking，hesettoworktotakedownallthesails——yardsandall——andthetop—gallants，inthehopethatbyremovingeverythingthatcouldcompromisetheequilibriumoftheshiphemightdiminishthechanceofhercapsizingalto—
gether。
\"Butmayshenotfounderatanymoment？\"IsaidtoCurtis，whenIhadjoinedhimforawhileuponthepoop。
\"Everythingdependsupontheweather，\"hereplied，inhiscalmestmanner;\"that，ofcourse，maychangeatanyhour。Onething，however，iscertain，theChancellorpre—
servesherequilibriumforthepresent。\"
\"Butdoyoumeantosay，\"Ifurtherasked，\"thatshecansailwithtwofeetofwateroverherdeck？\"
\"No，Mr。Kazallon，shecan’tsail，butshecandriftwiththewind;andifthewindremainsinitspresentquarter，inthecourseofafewdayswemightpossiblysightthecoast。
Besides，weshallhaveourraftasalastresource;inafewhoursitwillbeready，andatdaybreakwecanembark。\"
\"Youhavenot，then，\"Iadded，\"abandonedallhopeevenyet？\"Imarveledathiscomposure。
\"Whilethere’slifethere’shope，youknow，Mr。Kazallon;
outofahundredchances，ninety—ninemaybeagainstus，butperhapstheoddonemaybeinourfavor。Besides，I
believethatourcaseisnotwithoutprecedent。Intheyear1795，athree—master，theJuno，waspreciselyinthesamehalf—sunk，water—loggedconditionasourselves;andyet，withherpassengersandcrewclingingtohertop—masts，shedriftedfortwentydays，untilshecameinsightofland，whenthosewhohadsurvivedthedeprivationandfatigueweresaved。Soletusnotdespair;letusholdontothehopethatthesurvivorsoftheChancellormaybeequallyfortunate。\"
IwasonlytooconsciousthattherewasnotmuchtobesaidinsupportofCurtis’ssanguineviewofthings，andthattheforceofreasonpointedalltheotherway;butIsaidnothing，derivingwhatcomfortIcouldfromthefactthatthecaptaindidnotyetdespondofanultimaterescue。
Asitwasnecessarytobepreparedtoabandontheshipalmostatamoment’snotice，Dowlaswasmakingeveryexertiontohurryontheconstructionoftheraft。Alittlebeforemidnighthewasonthepointofconveyingsomeplanksforthispurpose，when，tohisastonishmentandhorror，hefoundthattheframeworkhadtotallydisap—
peared。Theropesthathadattachedittothevesselhadsnappedasshebecameverticallydisplaced，andprobablyithadbeenadriftformorethananhour。
Thecrewwerefranticatthisnewmisfortune，andshout—
ing\"Overboardwiththemasts！\"theybegantocutdowntheriggingpreparatorytotakingpossessionofthemastsforanewraft。
ButhereCurtisinterposed：
\"Backtoyourplaces，mymen;backtoyourplaces。Theshipwillnotsinkyet，sodon’ttoucharopeuntilIgiveyouleave。\"
Thefirmnessofthecaptain’svoicebroughtthementotheirsenses，andalthoughsomeofthemcouldilldisguisetheirreluctance，allreturnedtotheirposts。
WhendaylighthadsufficientlyadvancedCurtismountedthemast，andlookedaroundforthemissingraft;butitwasnowheretobeseen。Theseawasfartooroughforthementoventuretotakeoutthewhale—boatinsearchofit，andtherewasnochoicebuttosettoworkandtoconstructanewraftimmediately。
Sincetheseahasbecomesomuchrougher，Mrs。Kearhasbeeninducedtoleavethepoop，andhasmanagedtojoinM。
Letourneurandhissononthemain—top，wheresheliesinastateofcompleteprostration。IneedhardlyaddthatMissHerbeycontinuesinherunweariedattendance。Thespacetowhichthesefourpeoplearelimitedisnecessarilyverysmall，nowheremeasuringtwelvefeetacross：topreventthemlosingtheirbalancesomesparshavebeenlashedfromshroudtoshroud，andfortheconvenienceofthetwoladiesCurtishascontrivedtomakeatemporaryawningofasail。
Mr。KearhasinstalledhimselfwithSilasHuntlyontheforetop。
Afewcasesofpreservedmeatandbiscuitandsomebarrelsofwater，thatfloatedbetweenthemastsafterthesubmersionofthedeck，havebeenhoistedtothetop—mastandfastenedfirmlytothestays。Thesearenowouronlyprovisions。
CHAPTERXXVI
MR。KEARMAKESABUSINESSDEAL
DECEMBER5。——Thedaywasveryhot。Decemberinlati—
tude16deg。N。isasummermonth，andunlessabreezeshouldrisetotempertheburningsun，wemightexpecttosufferfromanoppressiveheat。
Theseastillremainedveryrough，andastheheavywavesbrokeovertheshipasthoughshewereareef，thefoamflewuptotheverytop—masts，andourclotheswereperpetuallydrenchedbythespray。
TheChancellor’shullisthree—fourthsimmerged;besidesthethreemastsandthebowsprit，towhichthewhale—boatwassuspended，thepoopandtheforecastlearetheonlypor—
tionsthatnowarevisible;andastheinterveningsectionofthedeckisquitebelowthewater，theseappeartobecon—
nectedonlybytheframeworkofthenettingthatrunsalongthevessel’ssides。Communicationbetweenthetop—mastsisextremelydifficult，andwouldbeabsolutelyprecluded，wereitnotthatthesailors，withpracticeddexterity，managetohoistthemselvesaboutbymeansofthestays。Forthepas—
sengers，coweringontheirnarrowandunstableplatform，thespectacleoftheragingseabelowwastrulyterrific;
everywavethatdashedovertheshipshookthemaststilltheytrembledagain，andonecouldventurescarcelytolookortothinklestheshouldbetemptedtocasthimselfintothevastabyss。
Meanwhile，thecrewworkedawaywithalltheirremain—
ingvigoratthesecondraft，forwhichthetop—gallantsandyardswereallobligedtobeemployed;theplanks，too，whichwerecontinuallybeingloosenedandbrokenawaybytheviolenceofthewavesfromthepartitionsoftheship，wererescuedbeforetheyhaddriftedoutofreach，andwerebroughtintouse。Thesymptomsoftheshipfounderingdidnotappeartobeimmediate;sothatCurtisinsistedupontheraftbeingmadewithpropercaretoinsureitsstrength;
wewerestillseveralhundredmilesfromthecoastofGuiana，andforsolongavoyageitwasindispensabletohaveastruc—
tureofconsiderablesolidity。Thereasonablenessofthiswasself—apparent，andasthecrewhadrecoveredtheiras—
surancetheysparednopainstoaccomplishtheirworkeffec—
tually。
Ofallthenumber，therewasbutone，anIrishman，namedO’Ready，whoseemedtoquestiontheutilityofalltheirtoil。
Heshookhisheadwithanoraculargravity。Heisanold—
ishman，notlessthansixty，withhishairandbeardbleachedwiththestormsofmanytravels。AsIwasmakingmywaytowardthepoop，hecameuptomeandbegantalking。
\"Andwhy，bedad，I’dliketoknow，whyisitthatthey’llallbeaftherlavin’theship？\"
Heturnedhisquidwiththemostserenecomposure，andcontinued：
\"Andisn’titmemyselfthat’sbeenwreckedninetimesalready？andsure，poorfoolsaretheythateverhaveputtheirtrustinraftsorboats;sureandtheyfoundawatherygrave。Nay，nay;whiletheouldshiplasts，let’ssticktoher，saysI。\"
Havingthusunburdenedhismindherelapsedintosi—
lence，andsoonwentaway。
Aboutthreeo’clockInoticedthatMr。KearandSilasHuntlywereholdingananimatedconversationinthefore—
top。Thepetroleummerchanthadevidentlysomedifficultyinbringingtheex—captainroundtohisopinion，forIsawhimseveraltimesshakehisheadashegavelongandscrutin—
izinglooksattheseaandsky。Inlessthananhourafter—
wardIsawHuntlylethimselfdownbytheforestaysandclamberalongtothefore—castle，wherehejoinedthegroupofsailors，andIlostsightofhim。
Iattachedlittleimportancetotheincident，andshortlyafterwardjoinedthepartyinthemain—top，wherewecon—
tinuedtalkingforsomehours。Theheatwasintense，andifithadnotbeenfortheshelteraffordedbythesail—tent，wouldhavebeenunbearable。Atfiveo’clockwetookasre—
freshmentsomedriedmeatandbiscuit，eachindividualbe—
ingalsoallowedhalfaglassofwater。Mrs。Kearprostratewithfever，couldnottouchamouthful;andnothingcouldbedonebyMissHerbeytorelieveher，beyondoccasionallymoisteningherparchedlips。Theunfortunateladysuffersgreatly，andsometimesIaminclinedtothinkthatshewillsuccumbtotheexposureandprivation。Notoncehadherhusbandtroubledhimselfabouther;butwhenshortlyafter—
wardIheardhimhailsomeofthesailorsonthefore—castleandaskthemtohelphimdownfromtheforetop，Ibegantothinkthattheselfishfellowwascomingtojoinhiswife。
Atfirstthesailorstooknonoticeofhisrequest，butonhisrepeatingitwiththepromiseofpayingthemhandsomelyfortheirservices，twoofthem，BurkeandSandon，swungthemselvesalongthenettingintotheshrouds，andweresoonathisside。
Alongdiscussionensued。Themenevidentlywereask—
ingmorethanMr。Kearwasinclinedtogive，andatonetimeitseemedasthoughthenegotiationwouldfallthroughaltogether。Butatlengththebargainwasstruck，andIsawMr。Keartakeabundleofpaperdollarsfromhiswaistcoatpocket，andhandanumberofthemovertooneofthemen。
Themancountedthemcarefully，andfromthetimeittookhim，Ishouldthinkthathecouldnothavepocketedanythinglessthanahundreddollars。
ThenextbusinesswastogetMr。Keardownfromtheforetop，andBurkeandSandonproceededtotiearoperoundhiswaist，whichtheyafterwardfastenedtothefore—
stay;then，inawaywhichprovokedshoutsoflaughterfromtheirmates，theygavetheunfortunatemanashove，andsenthimrollingdownlikeabundleofdirtyclothesontotheforecastle。
Iwasquitemistakenastohisobject。Mr。Kearhadnointentionoflookingafterhiswife，butremainedbythesideofSilasHuntlyuntilthegatheringdarknesshidthembothfromview。
Asnightdrewon，thewindgrewcalmer，buttheseare—
mainedveryrough。Themoonhadbeenupeversincefourintheafternoon，thoughsheonlyappearedatrareintervalsbetweentheclouds。Somelonglinesofvaporonthehori—
zonweretingedwitharosyglarethatforebodedastrongbreezeforthemorrow，andallfeltanxioustoknowfromwhichquarterthebreezewouldcome，foranybutanorth—
easterwouldbearthefrailraftonwhichweweretoembarkfarawayfromland。
Abouteighto’clockintheevening，Curtismountedtothemain—top，butheseemedpreoccupiedandanxious，anddidnotspeaktoanyone。Heremainedforaquarterofanhour，thenaftersilentlypressingmyhand，hereturnedtohisoldpost。
Ilaidmyselfdowninthenarrowspaceatmydisposal，andtriedtosleep;butmymindwasfilledwithstrangefore—
bodings，andsleepwasimpossible。Theverycalmnessoftheatmospherewasoppressive;scarcelyabreathofairvibratedthroughthemetalrigging，andyetthesearosewithaheavyswellasthoughitfeltthewarningsofacomingtempest。
Allatonce，atabouteleveno’clock，themoonburstbrightlyforththroughariftintheclouds，andthewavessparkledagainasifilluminatedbyasubmarineglimmer。I
startupandlookaroundme。Isitmerelyimagination？ordoIreallyseeablackspeckfloating，onthedazzlingwhite—
nessofthewaters，aspeckthatcannotbearock，becauseitrisesandfallswiththeheavingmotionofthebillows？
Butthemoononceagainbecomesoverclouded;theseaisdarkened，andIreturntomyuneasycouchclosetothelar—
boardshrouds。
CHAPTERXXVII
THEWHALE—BOATMISSING
DECEMBER6。——Imusthavefallenasleepforafewhours，when，atfouro’clockinthemorning，Iwasrudelyarousedbytheroaringofthewind，andcoulddistinguishCurtis’svoiceasheshoutedinthebriefintervalsbetweentheheavygusts。
Igotup，andholdingtightlytothepurlin——forthewavesmadethemaststremblewiththeirviolence——Itriedtolookaroundandbelowme。Theseawasliterallyragingbeneath，andgreatmassesoflivid—lookingfoamweredashingbe—
tweenthemasts，whichwereoscillatingterrifically。Itwasstilldark，andIcouldonlyfaintlydistinguishtwofiguresinthestern，whom，bythesoundoftheirvoices，thatI
caughtoccasionallyabovethetumult，ImadeouttobeCurtisandtheboatswain。
Justatthatmomentasailor，whohadmountedtothemain—toptodosomethingtotherigging，passedclosebe—
hindme。
\"What’sthematter？\"Iasked。
\"Thewindhaschanged，\"heanswered，addingsomethingwhichIcouldnotheardistinctly，butwhichsoundedlike\"deadagainstus。\"
Deadagainstus！then。thoughtI，thewindhadshiftedtothesouthwest，andmylastnight’sforebodingshadbeencorrect。
Whendaylightatlengthappeared，Ifoundthewind，al—
thoughnotblowingactuallyfromthesouthwest，hadveeredroundtothenorthwest，achangewhichwasequallydis—
astroustous，inasmuchasitwascarryingusawayfromland。Moreover，theshiphadsunkconsiderablyduringthenight，andtherewerenowfivefeetofwaterabovedeck;
thesidenettinghadcompletelydisappeared，andthefore—
castleandthepoopwerenowallbutonalevelwiththesea，whichwashedoverthemincessantly。Withallpossibleex—
peditionCurtisandhiscrewwerelaboringawayattheirraft，buttheviolenceoftheswellmateriallyimpededtheiroperations，anditbecameamatterofdoubtastowhetherthewoodworkwouldnotfallasunderbeforeitcouldbeproperlyfastenedtogether。
AsIwatchedthemenattheirwork，M。Letourneur，withonearmsupportinghisson，cameoutandstoodbymyside。
\"Don’tyouthinkthismain—topwillsoongiveway？\"hesaid，asthenarrowplatformonwhichwestoodcreakedandgroanedwiththeswayingofthemasts。
MissHerbeyheardhiswordsandpointingtowardMrs。
