It was a vain hope.
In another moment the vessel struck for the third time, and the mast went over the side.

Again and again she rose and fell with all her weight on the rocks.

The last blow burst out her sides, and she fell to pieces, a total wreck, leaving Henry struggling with the waves.
He seized the first piece of wood that came in his way, and clung to it.
For many hours he was driven about and tossed by the winds and waves until he began to feel utterly exhausted; but he clung to the spar with the tenacity of a drowning man.

In those seas the water is not so cold as in our northern climes, so that men can remain in it for a great length of time without much injury.

There are many instances of the South Sea islanders having been wrecked in their canoes, and having spent not only hours but days in the water, clinging to broken pieces of wood, and swimming for many miles, pushing these before them.
When, therefore, the morning broke, and the bright sun shone out, and the gale had subsided, Henry found himself still clinging to the spar, and, although much weakened, still able to make some exertion to save himself.
On looking round he found that numerous pieces of the wreck floated near him, and that the portion to which he clung was the broken lower mast.