The boat drove with increased speed toward the island, rising on the crests of great waves, then sinking with sickening speed into the trough of the sea, to rise dizzily on another wave.

Robert saw the rocks, black, sharp and cruel, reaching out their long, savage teeth, and the roar of wind and surf together was now so loud that he could no longer hear the captain's commands.

He was conscious that the boat was nearly full of water, and when he was not blinded by the flying surf he saw looks of despair on the faces of the men.
An opening in the line of reefs disclosed itself, and the boat shot toward it.

He heard the captain shout, but did not understand what he said, then they were wrenched violently to the left by a powerful current.

He saw the black rocks frowning directly over him, and felt the boat scrape against them.