Remember that no one is to leave the ship, till I give the order.

If you are cool and calm, there is good ground for hope that all may be saved.
"If the mast falls, you who have hatchets run forward at once, and stand in readiness to cut the lanyards; but don't strike until I give the order." They were now fast approaching the line of surf.
"Let everyone take hold of something," Mr.Fairclough shouted.

"If we strike, we are sure to be pooped." Another minute, and she was close to the breaking waves.

Everyone held his breath as, impelled by a great breaker, she dashed into the surf with the swiftness of an arrow.

There was a shock, followed by a grating noise, and then the brig slowly came to a standstill.
"Hold on, hold on for your lives!" the captain shouted, as a wave even larger than the last came towering up behind them, in an almost perpendicular wall.