Page:Dick Sands the Boy Captain.djvu/183

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LAND AT LAST. 157 furious, and dashed vehemently upon the crags on either hand. " Now, my lads ! " he cried to hîs crew, '* now's your tîme ; out with your oïl ! let it run !" Ready for the order, the negroes poured out the oïl, and the raging waters were stilled as if by magie. A few moments more and perchance they would rage more vehe- mently than ever. But for the instant they were lulled. The " Pilgrim/* meanwhile, had glided onwards, and made dead for the adjacent shore. There was a sudden shock. Caught by an enormous wave the schooner had been hurled aground; her masts had fallen, fortunately without înjury to any one on board. But the vessel had parted amidshîps, and was foundering ; the water was rushing irresistibly înto the hold. The shore, however, was not half a cable's length away ; there was a low, dark ridge of rocks that was united to the beach ; ît afforded ample means of rescue, and in less than ten minutes the " PilgrimV* captain, crew, and passengers were ail landed, with their lives, at the foot of the overhang- ing clifT.