There was some talk of our running in to Calais and waiting till it had blown itself out, but the fish might have spoil before the Wind dropped, so we made up our minds to run straight into Dover and send the fish up from there.

The night came on wild and squally, and as dark as pitch.

It might be about eight bells, and I and one of the other hands had turned in, when father gave a sudden shout down the hatch, 'All hands on deck.' I was next to the steps and sprang up 'em.

Just as I got to the top something grazed my face.

I caught at it, not knowing what it was, and the next moment there was a crash, and the Dolphin went away from under my feet.