Peters and one of the other young writers were also to land; and, taking his seat with these in a native boat, paddled by twelve canoe men, he started for the shore.
As they approached the line of surf, Charlie fairly held his breath; for it seemed impossible that the boat could live through it.

The boatmen, however, ceased rowing outside the line of broken water, and lay on their paddles for three or four minutes.
At last a wave, larger than any of its predecessors, was seen approaching.

As it passed under them, the steersman gave a shout.

In an instant the rowers struck their paddles into the water, and the boat dashed along, with the speed of a racehorse, on the crest of the wave.

There was a crash.