About noon it again cleared up to leeward, but the Dryad was no longer to be seen: this was reported to me. As it was nearly three hours since we last had a sight of her, I knew her fate too well--she had plenty of time to go on shore, and to be broken up by the heavy seas. I did however point my glass in the direction, and coolly observed, "she has rounded the tail of the bank, I presume, and has bore up. It was the best thing she could do." I then asked the master if he had wound his chronometers, and went down into the cabin. I had not, however, been examining the chart more than a minute, when the officer of the watch came down, and reported that we had shoaled to twelve fathoms. "Very good, Mr Hawkins; we shall be in shallower water yet. Let me know if there is any change in the soundings." As soon as the cabin door was again shut, I worked up the tide to see when it would change against us; I found that it had changed one hour at least. Then it will be sooner over, thought I, throwing down the pencil. "Mr Cross, the boatswain, wishes to speak to you, sir," said the sentry, opening the cabin door. "Tell him to come in," replied I. "Well, Cross, what's the matter?" "I was speaking to the first lieutenant about getting up a runner, sir-- the fore-stay is a good deal chafed; that is, if you think it's of any use." "How do you mean, of any use, Cross?" "Why, sir, although no one would suppose it from you--but if the face of the master (and he is not a faint-hearted man neither) is to be taken as a barometer, we shall all be in `kingdom come' before long. I've cruised in these seas so often, that I pretty well guess where we are, Captain Keene." "Well, Cross, it's no use denying that we are in a mess, and nothing but the wind going down or changing can get us out of it." "Just as I thought sir; well, it can't be helped, so it's no use fretting about it. I think myself that the gale is breaking, and that we shall have fine weather by to-morrow morning." "That will be rather too late, Cross; for I think we shall be done for in three or four hours, if not sooner." "Eleven fathoms, sir," said the officer of the watch, coming in hastily. "Very well, Mr Hawkins; let her go through the water," replied I. As soon as the cabin door was again shut, I said, "You see, Cross, the tide is now against us, and this will not last long." "No, sir; we shall strike in five fathoms with this heavy sea." "I know we shall; but I do not wish to dishearten the men before it is necessary, and then we must do our best." "You won't be offended, I am sure, by my asking, Captain Keene, what you think of doing?" "Not at all, Cross; it is my intention to explain it to the ship's company before I do it. I may as well take your opinion upon it now. As soon as we are in six fathoms, I intend to cut away the masts and anchor."