Time's Flight.

little manoeuvre altered the boat ' s trim , and away we went dashing through theeddyim , tide at the mouth of the river Thames , sailing quite gallantly out into the German Ocean . The gi g ' s crew pulled hard , but we made so much headway that there was no chance of us being overhauled by them . On we sped with the spray dashing over our bows in silvery showers ; the waves became larger , the sails were full , the boat laid to it , and wo ploughed through the curling sea in good style , the white foam occasionall

y , being level with our gunwale . The gig in pursuit soon appeared "beautifully less , and smaller by degrees , " the relative distance between us , to our great satisfaction and joy , rapidly lengthened ; in a short time we could only discern a black line a long way astern , and that apparentl y making for the harbour . We soon made and passed the Nore Light Ship as we sailed away upon the deep green seaand a beautiful green it was . After running for an hour

, , we took bearings ; The iNbre was about four miles behind us , the cliffs of our Island home loomed fur in the distance to the right , and nought but one vast and magnificent expanse of water could be seen a-head . The sun was shining brightly , its golden beams tinting the white crests of the undulating waves , and making the flying spray , which dashed over our bows , sparkle like so many jirecious gems , whilst in our track the pearl y foam floated fast away , and lent beauty to the fascinating scene .

" Ease the sheet , put about , and steer for land . " This order was obeyed , and away we went with a little more spray than before , standing well in for the eastern point of the cliffs , which we neared about mid-day . The sails were lowered , and the boat was allowed to run ashore head on ; wo quickly disembarked , one of us remaining in charge of the boat , while the others climbed the cliffs in all directions in search of fossils and wild flowers , being rewarded by a "find "

of orchids , aud several ornithological and reptilian remains . The ramblers soon returned to the boat , and committed great havoc among the perishable stores . The tide was now ebbing fast , and we knowing that a long flat , composed of Thames mud and sand , run out from the cliffs , soon made all things snug , embarked again , and pushed off . The sails were hauled up , and we coasted it for two or three miles until the entrance to tho River Swale was reached . Then we stood out to sea again , and ran with the tide jollily and pleasantly , no trouble , but all fair sailing .

After two hours of this fun , the wind suddenly dropped , and we became becalmed . A drizzling rain came on , and land was lost to sight . The boat was put about , but she " missed stays , " and spun round and round like a spinning peg-top , anil to make matters worse we discovered , to our great disappointment , that we had come away without an anchor . The sails were useless , so we made them jirotect us from the rain as well as we could , and left the boat to drift with the tide out to sea . The only consolation we had was , that the tide would soon turn and bring us back with it .

It is all very well to bo cheerful under difficulties , and here we were in a fix . We laughed and joked with each other , but I verily believe that all of us were more or less frightened by the look out before us . The drizzling rain ceased , and the sky brig htened , then wo could see a large beacon with black and white perpendicular stripes painted on it . This we know was placed upon some dangerous sands , and soon perceived that we were drifting fast towards them . There was nothing else to be done , but to get out t'lC

oars and pull for it , against the tide ; this was speedily accomplished , but availed us nothing-After a great deal of useless exertion and ordering one way and another , we mocking ly went past the beacon and bumped and grounded upon the sand . How pale all of » s turned ! How enquiringly we looked each other in the face , and then asked what was no * to be done ? We unshipped the rudder and tried to push the boat off , but to no purpose * not one inch would she move

. There was the beacon looking as comfortable as a bird standing upon one leg and fast asleep , while we , poor mortals , were in great trepidation and harassed by many feai ' s > Fear number one—that we were all lost . Fear number two—that being aground oil tW sand , if a change of wind came with the flood tide , the boat would dock and fill , illicl thus be wrecked . Or in nautical parlance— " leave her bones there . "