“She has evidently been fearfully knocked about,” said Harry, who was looking at her through his spy-glass. “And I can only see one quarter-boat. Come, lads, we must try to launch the cutter. Dicey and Patch, do you jump in and stand by with the oars. When I give the word, we will run her down without stopping, and back out as the sea falls off.”
Harry waited till a heavy sea broke on the shore, then all hands uniting their strength, in another instant the boat was afloat. They leaped in, the oars were out in a moment, and before the next sea broke, the boat had been urged fifty fathoms from the beach. Only one small patch of water was visible where she could remain in safety, close inside the reef. They pulled towards it, the seas, as they rolled in, threatening to capsize her. It was reached, and by keeping the boat’s head towards the outer rocks they were able to lie in comparative safety, and watch the progress of the ship.
“If the wind holds she will get in, and may be come to anchor under the south island,” observed Bollard.
“It would be safer for her, then, to run up the inner harbour; for should the wind afterwards shift, she would be placed in a dangerous position,” said Harry.
“No doubt about that, sir,” observed Bollard. “The chances are that she will leave her ribs on the rocks.”
“If so, we must do our best to save the people,” said Harry. “The sea breaks heavily along the shore, and they will be placed in great danger.”
The ship meantime was standing boldly on, keeping close to the southern shore, for the purpose evidently of being well to windward. She had already reached the entrance of the sound, and now she was in comparatively smooth water, though the fierce gale made her heel over, threatening every instant to carry away her masts. It must have been an anxious time to those on board. Away to leeward the waves were dashing fiercely on the rockbound coast, and well they must have known, should any accident happen, that no power could save them from driving against it, when few could have hoped to escape with life.
The party in the boat continued anxiously to watch the ship. Harry was considering how he could best render her assistance. It was a long way by land to the mouth of the sound, and should she drive on shore in that direction, all on board might be lost before he and his party could reach the spot. Still the masts held, and the captain evidently dared not shorten sail, as only by carrying on could he hope to keep to windward.
“He is a brave seaman, whoever he may be,” observed Bollard. “Hold on, good sticks, hold on, and you may still bring the stout ship into port!” he added, apostrophising the masts.
“They see our flagstaff, and will probably steer for it,” said Harry. “Or perhaps they are aware of the existence of the inner harbour, and purpose running up to an anchorage.”