to wind. Indeed, he could not have done so for so long had he not
shipped the rudder and steered the boat with an oar, through a
notch cut in the stern for the purpose. Already the boat shipped
several heavy seas, and Ruthven was kept hard at work baling with
a tin can in which they had brought out bait.

"Ruthven, we must let her run. Put out the other oar, we must watch
our time. Row hard when I give the word."

The maneuver was safely accomplished, and in a minute the boat was
flying before the gale.

"Keep on rowing," Frank said, "but take it easily. We must try and
make for the tail of the sands. I can see the lightship."

Frank soon found that the wind was blowing too directly upon the
long line of sands to enable him to make the lightship. Already,
far ahead, a gray light seemed to gleam up, marking where the sea
was breaking over the dreaded shoal.

"I am afraid it is no use," he said. "Now, boys, we had best, each
of us, say our prayers to God, and prepare to die bravely, for I
fear that there is no hope for us."

There was silence in the boat for the next five minutes, as the
boys sat with their heads bent down. More than one choking sob might
have been heard, had the wind lulled, as they thought of the dear
ones at home. Suddenly there was a flash of light ahead, and the
boom of a gun directly afterwards came upon their ears. Then a
rocket soared up into the air.