Stevens made a bold push, however, and reached the capstan.

Here he could survey the wreck, and he saw that the water was nearly breast-high on the quarter-deck of the vessel.
"It will soon be over," said Mr.Holmes in a voice so despairing that it rang in the ears of John Stevens to his dying day.

"Crew and passengers are nearly all gone, and my turn will come soon." Even as he spoke, the purser, two men and four women were washed overboard, their drowning screams mingling with the hollow roars of the ocean.
"Take her! take her!" cried Mr.Holmes frantically.

"I resign her to you.

I am going; I can hold out no longer." A wave more terrible than any that had preceded it at this moment seemed to bury the ship, which was driving straight toward the unknown shore.
Instinctively John wound one arm about the girl and held to the capstan with the other.