Mind you ease the helm down when I tell you." About a minute passed before the captain gave any further orders.

The ship had closed--to within a quarter of a mile of the beach, and the waves curled and topped around us, bearing us down upon the shore, which presented one continued surface of foam, extending to within half a cable's length of our position.

The captain waved his hand in silence to the quarter-master at the wheel, and the helm was put down.

The ship turned slowly to the wind, pitching and chopping as the sails were spilling.

When she had lost her way, the captain gave the order, "Let go the anchor.