Cape Clear that I expect to sight soon lays several miles off the mainland.

On it is a powerful light that will guide you.
The gale may not break for some time yet if you can make the Cape, you can drop around to leeward and land on it.

And when the weather clears you can cross to the main." Having thus explained the nature of the coast they were then rapidly approaching and the possibility of a gale which might dash him to pieces against the cliffs, the captain requested Paul to defer his experiment until they reached some part of the Irish sea where a landing could be made with more safety to himself.

Paul was anxious and eager to get overboard and firmly held the captain to his word.
"As I have promised I will stand by it," said the captain.
At nine o'clock that night Paul fully prepared, with ax, paddle and bag securely lashed to him, was ready to leave.

It was a wild, dark night.
Great swells caused The Queen to roll heavily.