A stern God, stern to such as they, had called them to account.

The captain's boat had disappeared in the mist and spray.
Robert, with the huge greatcoat wrapped about him clung to the stump of the mast, which long since had been blown overboard, and watched the white line of the breakers rapidly coming nearer, as they reached out their teeth for the schooner.

He knew that he could do nothing more for himself until the ship struck.

Then, with some happy chance aiding him, he would drop into the sea and make a desperate try for the land.

He would throw off the greatcoat when he leaped, but meanwhile he kept it on, because one would freeze without it in the icy wind.
He heard presently the roaring of the breakers mingled with the roaring of the wind, and, shutting his eyes, he prayed for a miracle.
He felt the foam beating upon his face, and believing it must come from the rocks, he clung with all his might to the stump of the mast, because the shock must occur within a few moments.