Half a dozen times in the next two hours the fog-banks settled and rose again, but the Maud could be distinctly seen when she was not wreathed in a mantle of vapor. The relative position of the two vessels was now changed, for the commander had headed the steamer farther to the eastward, and the leadsman was sounding all the time, though his response was still “no bottom.” The occasional lift of the fog had revealed the breakers on the reef, twenty-four miles in extent, and about eight north-west of the Bermuda Islands. “I suppose you know where you are, Captain Ringgold,” said Louis, laughing. “I do, very well indeed; and I wish that fellow in charge of the Maud knew where he was,” replied the commander, looking more anxious than ever, for the fog had just settled down again on the chase. “We must have passed him by this time, for if he kept his course, he must be two miles to leeward of us.” “By the mark, fifteen!” shouted the leadsman in a vigorous tone, as though he had important news to tell. “All right; that settles it, and I know where I am to a hair,” added the commander, as he directed the quartermaster at the wheel to head the steamer to the westward. From this moment two leads were going all the time, and the reports came rapidly. The water was shoaling all the time, and the engine was reduced to half speed. While it looked as though the fog was lifting again, those in the pilot-house were startled by the boom of a small cannon directly ahead. “What does that mean, captain?” inquired Louis very anxiously, as he tried to penetrate the fog-bank ahead with his vision. “It means trouble for some one,” replied the commander, looking quite as anxious as his owner. “Some vessel has evidently gone on the reef.” “But what vessel?” demanded Louis, almost overcome with an agony of suspense. “Of course I don’t know; but I am very much afraid it is the Maud,” added Captain Ringgold, his brow wrinkled and his lips compressed. “Then my poor mother will be lost!” exclaimed Louis, unable to avoid giving way to his emotions. “That does not follow at all, Mr. Belgrave. If it is the Maud that is in trouble, she cannot be more than a mile from us, and we have a good chance to save all on board of her. But it may be some other vessel, for a great many wrecks occur on these reefs Don’t give up to it, my lad.” Louis braced himself up to the duty of commanding himself as well as he could; but it was the most difficult task he was ever called upon to perform. Captain Ringgold was very active, and the reports of the leadsmen assisted him a little, as they assured the commander that the steamer was rapidly approaching the perilous reef. “On deck!” shouted Mr. Gaskette, the second officer, who had been sent aloft on the foremast to report any appearance ahead. “Wreck in sight, sir!” “What is it?” hailed the captain, who had gone out upon the deck.