Here, he argued, he could bail the water from the skiff, and then could pull across to the mainland, where he could haul up the skiff and walk home.

It would be a disagreeable tramp in the storm, but it was his safest and his only course.
But even in the lee of the island the seas were running high and dashing upon the rocks with such force that for the instant he held off, hesitating.

There was no other course, however.

The half-submerged skiff would never live to reach the mainland.

With every passing minute conditions were growing worse.
And so, watching for an opportune moment, Bobby drove for the shore.