Under pressure of the smallest sail I could set she made for the land like a race-horse, and steering her over the crests of the waves so that she might not trip was nice work.
I stood at the helm now and made the most of it.
Night closed in before the sloop reached the land, leaving her feeling the way in pitchy darkness.

I saw breakers ahead before long.

At this I wore ship and stood offshore, but was immediately startled by the tremendous roaring of breakers again ahead and on the lee bow.

This puzzled me, for there should have been no broken water where I supposed myself to be.

I kept off a good bit, then wore round, but finding broken water also there, threw her head again offshore.