It struck the vessel with tremendous force, and swept waist deep along the deck; while the vessel, herself, surged forward.

There was another shock, but this time much slighter and, as the next wave carried them on, there was a general cheer from the sailors.
"She has floated, she is through it, hurrah!" She was, indeed, over the bar.
"There are men in the water," Fairclough shouted.

"Get ready to cast ropes to them." Four men, who had been swept overboard by the rush of water, were rescued; two others were found dead on the deck, having been dashed against the stanchions, or other obstacles.
The brig continued her course, four or five hundred yards farther then, as the banks of the inlet closed in, Fairclough gave orders for the anchors to be let go.

Everything had been prepared for this order, and the anchors at once dropped and, as soon as fifty fathoms of chain had been run out, the brig swung round head to wind.
"Muster the men, and see if any are missing." This was done, and only one, besides three found dead, did not answer to his name.

The general opinion was that he had struck against something, as he was swept overboard, and had been killed or disabled; for all who had been seen in the water had been rescued.
"Serve out an allowance of grog, all round, Mr.Eden," Fairclough said, "and tell the cook to get his fire alight, as soon as possible.