The whole population of the village were now on the shore, and were eager to render any assistance, if it were possible.

In another minute or two, a general cry announced that the ship had struck.

Rising high on a wave, she came down with a force which caused her mainmast at once to go over the side.
Another lift on the next sea and then, high and fast, she was jammed on the rocks of the Black Shoal.

The distance from shore was but small, not more than three hundred yards, and the shouts of the sailors on board could be heard in the storm.
"Why does not one of them jump over, with a rope ?" Captain Drake said, impatiently.

"Are the men all cowards, or can none of them swim?
It would be easy to swim from that ship to the shore, while it is next to impossible for anyone to make his way out, through these breakers.
"Is there no one who can reach her from here ?" he said, looking round.
"No one among us, your honor," the old sailor said.