They found that three points of the rocks had pierced the “Alaska,” and held her firmly on her rocky bed.  The direction in which she lay, slightly inclined to the north, which was contrary to her course, showed that the commands given by Erik to back the vessel had saved her, and also rendered the shock, when she struck, less severe.  The engine had been reversed some seconds before she touched, and she had been carried on the reef by the remainder of her previous speed, and by the force of the current.  Doubtless but for this she would have gone to pieces.  Besides, the waves having continued to break against her all night in the same direction, had helped to keep her in her place instead of fixing her more firmly on the rocks, which would have happened if the wind had changed.  So, after all, there was a favorable view to take of the disaster.  The question now was how to get the vessel off before the wind should change, and reverse these favorable conditions.

Erik resolved not to lose a moment.  Immediately after breakfast he set all his men to work.  He hoped that when the tow-boat should arrive, which he had sent for from L’Orient, it might be possible at high tide to disengage the “Alaska.”

We can therefore imagine that the young captain waited impatiently for the first trace of smoke upon the horizon.

All turned out as he desired.  The water remained calm and peaceful.  Toward noon the boat arrived.

Erik, with his staff, received the mariners with due honors.

“But explain to me,” said the captain of the tow-boat, “how you came to cast your vessel on these rocks after leaving Brest?”

“This chart will explain it,” said Erik.  “It does not point out any such danger.”

The French officer examined the chart with curiosity at first, and then he looked stupefied.

“In fact the Basse-Froide is not marked down, nor the point of Sein,” he cried.  “What unparalleled negligence.  Why, even the position of the light-house is not correctly marked.  I am more and more surprised.  This is a chart of the British Admiralty.  I should say that some one has taken pleasure in making it as deceitful and perfidious as possible.  Navigators of olden times frequently played such tricks upon their rivals.  I should never have believed such traditions would be imitated in England.”

“Are you sure that this is an English chart?” asked Mr. Bredejord.  “For myself I suspect that the chart is the work of a rascal, and has been placed with criminal intentions among the charts of the ‘Alaska.’”

“By Tudor Brown!” cried Erik, impetuously.  “That evening when we dined with the authorities at Brest he entered the captain’s room upon the pretense of examining the charts.  Oh, the infamous wretch!  This then is the reason that he did not come on board again!”

“It appears to be only too evident that he is the culprit,” said Dr. Schwaryencrona.  “But such a dastardly action betrays such an abyss of iniquity.  What motive could he have for committing such a crime?”