The storm, as I predicted, is returning, not as strong as it was at first, perhaps, but strong enough." He wakened the other men who were sleeping, and all took to the oars.
The waves were running high, and the boat began to ship water.

Several of the men, under instructions from the captain, dropped their oars and bailed it out with their caps or one or two small tin vessels that they had stored aboard.
"Luckily the wind is blowing in the right direction," said the captain.
"It comes out of the northeast, and that carries us toward the island.
Now, lads, all we have to do is to keep the boat steady, and not let it ship too much water.

The wind itself will carry us on our way." But the wind rose yet more, and it required intense labor and vigilance to fight the waves that threatened every moment to sink their craft.
Robert pulled on the oar until his arms ached.

Everybody toiled except the captain, who directed, and Robert saw that he had all the qualities to make him a leader of slavers or pirates.

In extreme danger he was the boldest and most confident of them all, and he stood by his men.