In another half hour I had to try to make myself believe that it was growing nearer.

Certainly Portland was farther from me, but that was the set of the current; and presently I knew, with a terrible sinking of heart, that the land also was lessening in my sight.

The current was sweeping me away from it.
When I understood that, I turned on my back and rested.

Then I saw that the ships were not so far away as I had expected.

I seemed to have made little way from them also; which puzzled me.