"This is a rough beginning," Nigel said to his nephew. "We
bargained to run the risk of being killed by the Germans, but we
did not expect to run the hazard of being drowned. I doubt if the
vessel can live till morning. It is only eleven o'clock yet, and
in spite of the pumps she is getting lower and lower in the water."

Before Malcolm had time to answer him there was a tremendous crash
which threw them off their feet. All below struggled on deck, but
nothing could be seen in the darkness save masses of foam as the
waves broke on the rock on which they had struck. There were two
more crashes, and then another, even louder and more terrible, and
the vessel broke in two parts.

"Come aft all," Colonel Munro shouted; "this part of the wreck is
fixed."

With great efforts all on board managed to reach the after portion
of the vessel, which was wedged among the rocks, and soon afterwards
the forepart broke up and disappeared. For two hours the sea broke
wildly over the ship, and all had to hold on for life.

Malcolm, even in this time of danger, could not but admire the
calmness and coolness of his young colonel. He at once set men to
work with ropes to drag towards the vessel the floating pieces of
wreck which were tossing about in the boiling surf. The masts and
yards were hauled alongside, and the colonel instructed the men
to make themselves fast to these in case the vessel should go to
pieces.