stuck there for a time, but was again forced on, and presently
floated in deep water. The pitiless reefs were now plainly visible
on all sides, and some distance away I could see what appeared to
be nothing more than a little sandbank rising a few feet above the
waters of the lagoon.

While I was watching and waiting for developments the deck of the
vessel suddenly started, and she began rapidly to settle down by
the stern. Fortunately, however, at that point the water was not
excessively deep. When I saw that nothing could save the ship, and
that her deck was all but flush with the water, I loosened several
of the fittings, as well as some spars, casks, and chests, in the
hope that they might drift to land and perhaps be of service to me
afterwards. I remained on board as long as I possibly could,
trying to build a raft with which to get some things ashore, but I
hadn't time to finish it.

Up and up came the inexorable water, and at last, signalling to
Bruno to follow me, I leaped into the sea and commenced to swim
towards the sandbank. Of course, all the boats had been lost when
the pearling fleet disappeared. The sea was still very rough, and
as the tide was against us, I found it extremely exhausting work.
The dog seemed to understand that I was finding it a dreadful
strain, for he swam immediately in front of me, and kept turning
round again and again as though to see if I were following safely.

By dint of tremendous struggling I managed to get close up to the
shore, but found it utterly impossible to climb up and land. Every
time I essayed to plant my legs on the beach, the irresistible
backwash swept me down, rolling me head over heels, and in my