"Keep to the south as much as you can. Every inch that we get away from the Soloman Islands is so much away from sure destruction. If we can only avoid those coral reefs we shall be safe.—Oh, that I was ever fool enough to listen to Redfox and steer for those accursed islands." These last words the Captain muttered under his breath, as he realized how quickly God's punishment was overtaking him.
"To the south, Captain, so long as mast and sails remain and the good ship yields to the rudder; but do let Green come and take my place. I am not capable of steering in such a storm as this."
The Captain left Gray and went immediately to the room where the helmsman was chained. The thrashing of the vessel, and the noise of the waves dashing over its decks told that a frightful storm was raging, and of the dangers of the coral reefs he knew only too well. Consequently he said when the Captain came in, "It is no time now to talk of grievances and discipline, you need my help. I give you my word that when the ship is saved, if saved it can be, I will put on my chains again."
"I hope it will not be necessary. You will see that there is some misunderstanding.—What was that awful crash? Death is upon us," cried the Captain, interrupting himself.
"One of the masts has broken and gone over board!" cried Green. "Come quickly or we'll go to the bottom. Bring the two boys into the cabin and let them pray. If God will not spare these two innocent children there is no hope for the rest of us. We can only repent and prepare for the end."
A moment later Green was on deck. The mizzen-mast had broken off, but still hung to the side of the vessel with all its tackling.
"Cut the ropes and clear the ship; then try one of the jib-sails, otherwise there will be no such thing as steering," he said.
The sailors obeyed quickly. They were approaching nearer and nearer to the reefs, over which the breakers washed with a thundering noise.
"If only the jib-sail will stand the pressure on it, perhaps we can avoid the reefs. I reckon they are not a half mile away; the ship yields a little," said Green.
The Captain again came on board, but avoided the helmsman. To Gray he said, "Put out the flying-jib so as to be prepared in case the jib does not hold, and get ready to cast the anchor." The sailors took their places at the capstan and made ready to lower the anchor. Meantime the night had settled down quickly, for in the tropics night follows the going down of the sun without any twilight. There was a rainbow but thick banks of clouds driven along by the storm hid it. The darkness was so intense that you could not see the top of the mast, and even on the deck it was impossible to distinguish objects only a step or two away. Now and again a flash of lightning showed the foaming breakers washing over the reefs and the dark outlines of the island beyond them. Anxiously every eye was turned towards the point of danger.