It was only the chance of the high spring tide, driven yet higher than its wont by the wind on the shore, which had suffered us to clear it.

It was that which we touched slightly as we came in among the first breakers.

We had had a narrow escape.
In an hour we had all that was worth taking ashore saved.

The chests of arms, and those of the bales which the sea had not reached, and the chest of silver, were all on the beach, and we got the larger of the two boats over the side, and ran her up into safety, with her fittings.

And then, for there was yet time, Dalfin would have us save the wonderful carved wagon which was on the deck unhurt, and that, too, we took ashore, and with it some of the casks of food stores which had been so lavishly stored for that strange voyage.