Indeed, he could not have done so for so long had he not shipped the rudder and steered the boat with an oar, through a notch cut in the stern for the purpose.

Already the boat shipped several heavy seas, and Ruthven was kept hard at work baling with a tin can in which they had brought out bait.
"Ruthven, we must let her run.

Put out the other oar, we must watch our time.

Row hard when I give the word." The maneuver was safely accomplished, and in a minute the boat was flying before the gale.
"Keep on rowing," Frank said, "but take it easily.

We must try and make for the tail of the sands.