In a word, at daybreak on the morning of December 11 the _Spray_ ran hard and fast on the beach.

This was annoying; but I soon found that the sloop was in no great danger.

The false appearance of the sand-hills under a bright moon had deceived me, and I lamented now that I had trusted to appearances at all.

The sea, though moderately smooth, still carried a swell which broke with some force on the shore.

I managed to launch my small dory from the deck, and ran out a kedge-anchor and warp; but it was too late to kedge the sloop off, for the tide was falling and she had already sewed a foot.