Within, the peril was more terrible than without: within, they fell back before the waves, while drawing the sword on those without.

For the unhappy men were assaulted by two dangers at once; it was doubtful whether the swiftest way of safety was to swim or to battle to the end; and the fray was broken off at its hottest by a fresh cause of doom.

Two forms of death advanced in a single onset; two paths of destruction offered united peril: it was hard to say whether the sword or the sea hurt them more.

While one man was beating off the swords, the waters stole up silently and took him.
Contrariwise, another was struggling with the waves, when the steel came up and encompassed him.

The flowing waters were befouled with the gory spray.