Had you been in a boat with one who knew not the waters, assuredly we must have perished, for neither skill nor courage could have availed us.

There! do you see that light ahead?
That is the priory, and you may be sure of a welcome there." The priory door was opened at their ring, and the monk who unclosed it, greatly surprised at visitors on such a night, at once bade them enter when he heard that they were fishermen whom the storm had driven to shelter on the island.

The fishermen had to lend their aid to the monk to reclose the door, so great was the power of the wind.

The monk shot the bolts, saying, "We need expect no further visitors tonight;" and led them into the kitchen, where a huge fire was blazing.
"Quick, brother Austin," he said to the monk, who acted as cook, "warm up a hot drink for these poor souls, for they must assuredly be well nigh perished with cold, seeing that they have been wet for many hours and exposed to all the violence of this wintry gale." Archie and his companions were, indeed, stiff with cold and exposure, and could scarce answer the questions which the monks asked them.
"Have patience, brother! have patience!" brother Austin said.

"When their tongues are unfrozen doubtless they will tell you all that you want to know.