Now hold the sheet, and if I bid you, let go that instant.

I'll steer." A few seconds later the boat's head had come round, and she was rushing through the water at great speed, parallel with the line of the Sunk Rocks, but being momentarily driven nearer to them.

The girl, Stella Fregelius, stared at the farthest point of foam which marked the end of the reef.
"You must hold her up if you want to clear it," she said quietly.
"I can't do any more in this wind," he answered.

"You seem to know about boats; you will understand." She nodded, and on they rushed, the ever-freshening gale on their beam.
"This boat sails well," said Stella, as a little water trickled over the gunwale.
Morris made no answer, his eyes were fixed upon the point of rock; only bidding his companion hold the tiller, he did something to the sail.

Now they were not more than five hundred yards away.
"It will be a very near thing," she said.
"Very," he answered, "and I don't want to be officious, but I suggest that you might do well to say your prayers." She looked at him, and bowed her head for a minute or so.