106 PERILS OF THE CORAL REEFS. 



liever in their efficacy, and used to point the coral towards 

 anyone whom he suspected of having a malicious influence. 



The vast coral reefs are often the source of great dangers 

 to navigators, and numberless instances have occurred of 

 entire or partial destruction of ships, and heavy losses of life 

 in consequence. One case, that happened some years ago 

 in the Indian Seas, nearly proved fatal to the whole crew of 

 a fine large ship called the " Cabalve.'* The story of this 

 shipwreck, as related in a letter to a friend by one of the 

 surviving officers, is deeply interesting. The vessel was 

 bound for Bombay, and was proceeding on its way at a quick 

 rate, with every feeling of security in those on board, 

 w^hen one morning, between four and five o^clock, the weather 

 being dark and cloudy, an alarm was given of "breakers 

 ahead!'' Every effort was instantly made to free the vessel 

 from her dangerous position ; but in vain, for she struck on 

 the coral reef, and the shock was so violent that every per- 

 son was instantly on deck, with horror and amazement de- 

 picted upon every countenance at what appeared to be cer- 

 tain destruction. The vessel soon became fixed upon the 

 coral reef, and the sea struck upon her with tremendous 



