wave broke on our stern, tore the rudder completely off, and left
us at the mercy of the winds and waves.

"It's all over with us now, lads," said the captain to the men;
"get the boat ready to launch; we shall be on the rocks in less
than half an hour."

The men obeyed in gloomy silence, for they felt that there was
little hope of so small a boat living in such a sea.

"Come boys," said Jack Martin, in a grave tone, to me and Peterkin,
as we stood on the quarterdeck awaiting our fate; - "Come boys, we
three shall stick together. You see it is impossible that the
little boat can reach the shore, crowded with men. It will be sure
to upset, so I mean rather to trust myself to a large oar, I see
through the telescope that the ship will strike at the tail of the
reef, where the waves break into the quiet water inside; so, if we
manage to cling to the oar till it is driven over the breakers, we
may perhaps gain the shore. What say you; will you join me?"

We gladly agreed to follow Jack, for he inspired us with
confidence, although I could perceive, by the sad tone of his
voice, that he had little hope; and, indeed, when I looked at the
white waves that lashed the reef and boiled against the rocks as if
in fury, I felt that there was but a step between us and death. My
heart sank within me; but at that moment my thoughts turned to my
beloved mother, and I remembered those words, which were among the
last that she said to me - "Ralph, my dearest child, always
remember in the hour of danger to look to your Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ. He alone is both able and willing to save your body