Our oar got entangled with the wreck, and Jack seized an axe to cut it free, but, owing to the motion of the ship, he missed the cordage and struck the axe deep into the oar.

Another wave, however, washed it clear of the wreck.

We all seized hold of it, and the next instant we were struggling in the wild sea.

The last thing I saw was the boat whirling in the surf, and all the sailors tossed into the foaming waves.
Then I became insensible.
On recovering from my swoon, I found myself lying on a bank of soft grass, under the shelter of an overhanging rock, with Peterkin on his knees by my side, tenderly bathing my temples with water, and endeavouring to stop the blood that flowed from a wound in my forehead..