"There are sand-bars here," said he to Tom Austin.
"That is my opinion," replied the mate.
"We are in the hands of God," continued the captain. "If He does not himself guide the Duncan over the bar, we are lost."
"It is high tide now, captain; perhaps we may do it."
"But see the fury of those waves! What ship could resist them? God help us, my friend!"
Meantime the Duncan dashed towards the shore with terrible swiftness. Soon she was only two miles from the sand-bars. The mists still continued to conceal the land. Nevertheless Captain Mangles thought he perceived, beyond this foaming barrier, a tranquil haven, where the Duncan would be in comparative safety. But how to reach it?
He called the passengers on deck, for he did not wish, when the hour of shipwreck had come, that they should be confined in the cabin. Glenarvan and his companions gazed at the awful sea. Mary Grant grew pale.
"John," said Glenarvan in a low tone to the young captain, "I will try to save my wife, or will perish with her. Do you take charge of Miss Grant."
OILY INFLUENCES.