At length, when the light of day was failing them, and they began to give themselves up as lost, the keen eye of Roger espied an opening through the foam-covered reef; and though it was narrow, and evidently dangerous, he and Seaton resolved to make a desperate effort to pass through it, and gain the smooth still waters that they knew must lie between the rock and the shore.

They breathed a fervent and heart-felt prayer for help from above, and then commenced the fearful contest.  The moment they turned the prow of their shallop towards the shore, the light and buoyant little vessel darted forward, impelled by both wind and tide, and mounted like a seabird on the rolling waves.  The dashing spray fell ever it, almost blinding its crew, and the helm no longer had power to divert its headlong course.

‘Now may He who rules the storm have pity on my Edith!’ exclaimed Roger, as he saw the fail extent of their peril, and not a fear for himself crossed his steadfast soul.  ’May the Lord of the winds and the waves be our guide and protector, or the next minute will be our last!’

He clasped his hands in prayer, and raised his kindling eye to the frowning heavens above him.  But his eye of faith could look through those dark clouds, and see a Father’s hand of love and mercy governing and controlling the elements:  and his spirit was at peace.

‘Now God be praised!’ cried Seaton, as he drew a long shivering breath; and snatching up both the oars, projected them on each side of the boat to protect it from the rocks that bounded the narrow channel.  ’We have entered the passage; and, with Heaven’s help, we shall yet be saved.’

They had, indeed, dashed straight into the opening that divided the reef, and through which the waves were rushing at a terrific rate; and their only apparent chance of safety lay in the possibility of guiding the little bark through the channel, without its being impelled against the rugged sides.  Williams caught one of the oars from his friend, and both directed their whole strength to this object.  There was a brief interval of breathless suspense; and then the boat struck on a hidden coral rock.  It was but for a moment—­another swelling wave lifted it again, and rolled forward, bearing the little vessel on its summit into the smooth water that lay, like a narrow lake, between the dangerous reef and the flat sandy shore.

But the peril was not yet over.  The blow-on the rock, though momentary, had been so violent as to spring a leak in the bottom of the boat; and through this the water gushed up with fearful rapidity, threatening to sink it before the shore could be reached.  Again the oars were pulled with the strength of desperation; and again the danger was averted.  But Roger Williams and his friend found themselves on a desert and uninhabited coast, with a useless vessel, and no means of proceeding to Plymouth.