The officers and one man managed to cling to the upset boat, but so terrible was the war 'twixt river and sea on this dread bar, that the boat was sometimes keel uppermost, and sometimes right side up but swamped.
How they struggled for life no one can ever understand who has not been in the same fearful situation.
The sailor suddenly let go hold, and with a wild shriek threw up his arms and disappeared.
Creggan gave all up for lost. All his young life and loves arose before his mind's eye now, and he prayed, as perhaps he had never prayed before, that God in his mercy might spare them. He soon found that he could hold on no longer, but at that moment a light flashed across his eyes, and a cheery hail resounded loud over the roar of the breakers.
He knew no more until he opened his eyes and gazed bewilderingly around.
A surgeon—Japanese—was bending over him, bathing tenderly a wound in his temple.
"This is not the Osprey?" Creggan managed to mutter.
"No; your ship had dragged her anchor, and when nearly on the rocks got up steam in time and saved herself by putting out to sea."
All this in perfect English.
"Pray, rest quiet," he continued; "you will be safe and sound to-morrow. This is our flag-ship, the Matsushima."