The boat's bow plunged under a crest, and we came through quarter-full of water.

I bailed like a madman.

The liability of shipping another such sea was enormously increased by the water that weighed the boat down and robbed it of its buoyancy.

And another such sea meant the end.

When I had the boat empty again I was forced to take away the tarpaulin which covered Maud, in order that I might lash it down across the bow.