“They can trust that spot,” cried the coxswain, smiling. “There 's a heavy surf there, and no boat could live through it. But stay, there is a boat about to try it.” Every eye was now turned towards a yawl which, with twelve oars, vigorously headed on through the very midst of a broken and foam-covered tract of water, where jets of sea sprang up from hidden rocks, and cross currents warred and contended against each other. The hazardous venture was not alone watched by those iu the boats, but, from the crowning ridge of batteries, from every cliff and crag on shore, wondering enemies gazed on the hardihood of the daring. “They'll do it yet, sir,--they 'll do it yet,” cried the coxswain, wild with excitement. “There's deep water inside that reef.” The words were scarcely out, when a tremendous cannonade opened from the large battery. The balls fell on every side of the boat, and at length one struck her on the stem, rending her open from end to end, and scattering her shivered planks over the surfy sea. A shout, a cheer, a drowning cry from the sinking crew, and all was over. So sudden and so complete was this dreadful catastrophe, that they who witnessed it almost doubted the evidence of their senses, nor were the victors long to enjoy this triumph; the very discharge which sunk the boat having burst a mortar, and ignited a mass of powder near, a terrible explosion followed. A dense column of smoke and sand filled the air; and when this cleared away, the face of the battery was perceived to be rent in two. “We can do it now, lads,” cried Darcy. “They 'll never recover from the confusion yonder in time to see us.” A cheer met his words, and the coxswain turned the boat's head in the direction of the reef. Closely followed by their comrades in the second boat, they pulled along through the surf like men whose lives were on the venture; four arms to every oar, the craft bounded through the boiling tide; twice the keel was felt to graze the rocky bed, but the strong impulse of the boat's “way” carried her through, and soon they floated in the still water within the reef. “It shoals fast here,” cried the coxswain. “What's the depth?” asked Darcy. “Scarcely above three feet. If we throw over our six-pounder--” “No, no. It's but wading, after all. Keep your muskets dry, move together, and we shall be the first to touch the shore.” As he said this, he sprang over the side of the boat into the sea, and waving his hat above his head, began his progress towards the land. “Come along, gentlemen, we 've often done as much when salmon-fishing in our own rivers.” Thus, lightly jesting, and encouraging his party, he waded on, with all the seeming carelessness of one bent on some scheme of pleasure.