The rocky arms of the island closed in on them.

A faint scent as of sweet grasses reached them from the shore.

Iris could see several people, nearly all of them men in uniform, hurrying about with an air of excitement that betokened the unusual.

Perhaps a steamer's advent on the south side of the island was a novelty.
Now they were in a fairly smooth roadstead; the remnants of the gale were shouldered away from the ship by the towering cliff that jutted out on the left of the bay.

The crew were mostly occupied in clearing blocks and tackle and swinging two life-boats outward on their davits.
"All ready forrard ?" roared Coke.