She came up onto an even keel, and again started on her mad course before the wind.
"Go forward, Pengarvan, and see how many hands we have lost," the captain said.

"Not that it makes much difference, for they have but gone a short time before the rest of us, for nothing short of a miracle can save us, now." It could now be seen that the coast was steep and rocky, and that the waves were breaking with tremendous force upon it.

It was but about four miles distant, and in less than half an hour they would be upon it.
"We must try to anchor, Standing." The first mate shook his head.
"We will try, Captain, but our anchors will never hold her in the teeth of this gale.

If they did, the hawsers would go like pack thread." "I am afraid so, Standing; but there is nothing else to do." The first mate went forward, and he and Pengarvan saw the anchors got in readiness, and the cables ranged along, so as to run out with perfect freedom.

Then Pengarvan made his way aft again to the poop.
"Do you mean to cut away the mast, Captain ?" The captain nodded.
"I wouldn't, sir," the mate went on.