The trouble was, that the sweat ran into his eyes and he could not see distinctly.

He felt his heart thump and his breath come hard, but braced himself against the lurching and tried not to miss a stroke.

If he did so, Scott, paddling in the bow, would swing her round and next moment they would be in the water.
In the meantime, he was conscious of a curious, fierce excitement, but had braved danger too often to indulge the feeling.

It led to hot rashness, and judgment and quick but calm decision were needed now.

He must concentrate all the power of his mind as well as the strength of his body on taking the canoe down to the tail-pool.
She shipped some water on the way and they could not bail.