Slowly the night came on. Shortly after the sun set the moon showed itself and the sky became studded with stars, the Southern Cross standing out boldly among them. The pale light made the bosom of the ocean glisten like silver. "A beautiful night," said Dora. "But who can enjoy it when we do not know what to-morrow will bring forth," and she sighed deeply. The boys and old Jerry continued to take turns at rowing, while the girls sank into fitful slumber. Presently the old sailor raised his head. "Listen!" he said, and they did so, and far away heard a strange booming. "What's that?" questioned Sam. "It's breakers!" cried Tom. "We must be near some coast!" "The lad is right," came from Captain Jerry. "We are near an island, after all!" Dick stood on a seat, and, as the boat rode to the top of a wave, took a look around. "An island!" he cried. "Dead ahead!" "Hurrah! We are saved!" ejaculated Sam. "What is the matter?" questioned Dora, rousing up, followed by the other girls. "There is an island ahead." "We must be careful how we approach the shore, lads," cautioned Jerry. "If we strike the rocks, it may cost us our lives. Perhaps we had better hold off until daylight." "I see a stretch of sand!" came from Tom, who was standing up. "If we can reach that, we'll be all right." Old Jerry took a careful look. The sand was there, true enough, but there were dangerous breakers between the boat and that shore. "If you say so, we can run our chances," he said. "The young ladies must hold tight, and not mind a good ducking." The force of the waves was now carrying them closer and closer to the breakers. Under old Jerry's directions the boys took a short, sharp stroke, keeping the rowboat straight up to the waves. The noise was like thunder, and soon the spray was flying all over them. "Now pull!" cried Captain Jerry. "One, two, three! Hold tight, girls!" And away they went into the breakers. One wave dashed over the craft, but it was not swamped, and before another could hit them they darted up a swell and onto a long, sandy beach. In a twinkle the old sailor was out, along with Dick, and, aided by another wave, they ran the boat well up the beach, out of the harm of the waves. It was a hard struggle, and when it was over Dick sank down almost exhausted. "Saved!" murmured Dora, as she leaped out on shore. "Thank Heaven!" And all of the others echoed the sentiment. The empty boat was pulled up out of harm's way and chained fast to a palm tree growing near, and then the party of seven sat down to rest and to talk over the new condition of affairs. They were on a wild, tropical coast, with a long, sandy beach running to the ocean, and back of this a dense mass of tropical vegetation, including palms, plantains, cocoanuts, and date trees. Back of the heavy growth was a distant hill, standing out dimly in the moonlight.