It was obvious that the rescuers were working from a point well overhanging the recess into which the _Andromeda_ had driven her bows, and there might still be the utmost difficulty in throwing a rope accurately from the rock to the wreck.

As a matter of fact, no less than six previous attempts had been made, and the success of the seventh was due solely to a favorable gust of wind hurtling into the cleft at the very instant it was needed.
The sailor's quick thought solved this problem for the future.

By tying the small rope to the heavier one, those who remained below could haul it back when some sort of signal code was established.

At present, all they could do was to pay out the whip, and take care that it did not interfere with Hozier's ascent.

They soon lost sight of him and the girl, for the spray and froth overhead formed an impenetrable canopy, but they reasoned that the distance to be traveled could not be great; otherwise the throwing of a rope would have been a physical impossibility in the first instance.
Once there was a check.