I do not intend to say that it consoled me; but it certainly made me still more regret the chances with which we were threatened.
Before twelve o'clock, the rocky point which we so much dreaded was in sight, broad on the lee-bow; and if the low sandy coast appeared terrible, how much more did this, even at a distance: the black masses of rock, covered with foam, which each minute dashed up in the air, higher than our lower mast-heads.

The captain eyed it for some minutes in silence, as if in calculation.
"Mr Falcon," said he at last, "we must put the mainsail on her." "She never can bear it, sir." "She _must_ bear it," was the reply.

"Send the men aft to the mainsheet.
See that careful men attend the buntlines." The mainsail was set, and the effect of it upon the ship was tremendous.
She careened over so that her lee channels were under the water, and when pressed by a sea, the lee-side of the quarter-deck and gangway were afloat.

She now reminded me of a goaded and fiery horse, mad with the stimulus applied; not rising as before, but forcing herself through whole seas, and dividing the waves, which poured in one continual torrent from the forecastle down upon the decks below.

Four men were secured to the wheel--the sailors were obliged to cling, to prevent being washed away--the ropes were thrown in confusion to leeward, the shot rolled out of the lockers, and every eye was fixed aloft, watching the masts, which were expected every moment to go over the side.