158 ADVENTURES IN THE SOUTH SEAS 
“Now we are in greater danger than before. We are on 
the lee shore and dare not try to alter our course lest our 
little vessel turn upside down. By holding our course we 
will clear the point of the reef by a few yards. It is our 
only chance. If our engine should stop, then we have no 
hope either for the vessel or the lives of those on board. 
But as it is a race with death, both for ourselves and the 
doctor in the hospital, we take the chance. 
“We rush on, the lightning flashes again, and I see we 
are nearing the point, but also nearing the reef. Now we 
stand helpless in total darkness. I keep my eyes on the 
compass. The boy at the wheel does not know that we are 
close to the reef. I dare not tell him for fear he will lose 
his nerve and make a slip. The lightning flashes again. 
I see that we can do it. Darkness falls again. I watch 
the compass and talk quietly to the helmsman. Another 
flash of lightning, and I see that we are racing past the 
point, clearing the reef by only a few yards. 
“The danger is not passed, for on ahead we have another 
point and reef to pass. We race on, wondering if the Lord 
will show us the point ahead. In two or three minutes the 
lightning flashes out over the point as clear as daylight. I 
take a compass bearing and see that we can pass it by three 
or four hundred yards. 
“But now a new thing happens. The wind changes to 
the east, yet if we keep up our speed I know we can pass 
the point before the wind makes a cross sea. It seems that 
all satanic power is out to wreck us. But again God works. 
The lightning keeps flashing out over the point, and I can see 
as plainly as if it were daylight. 
“We pass the point safely, and turn into the Malo Pass. 
The lightning shines up the pass ahead of us on the south 
side for five miles. Now I want to cross over to the north 
side, to go west of the reef lying in the middle of the pass. 
There is a narrow passage on the northeast side of the reef, 
but I do not intend to take it, as it is very narrow. But the 
