Part 38 (2/2)
”I say,” cried Vince suddenly, ”we're going along at a pretty good rate, aren't we?”
”Yes, I was thinking so Too fast: take in a bit of canvas”
Vince did not speak for a few azed froain two or three ti so,” he said at last; ”she only just fills, and hardly pulls at the sheet at all Ladle, old chap, we're in a current that's carding us along at a tremendous rate”
Mike looked at hi toas we keep a sharp look-out for rocks
The old boat would crush up like an egg if she went on one now Here, Ladle, quick! Look there!”
”What at?”
”The rocks I mean the cliffs Ah! port! port!--quick”
Mike obeyed, and none too soon, for as Vince was calling his attention to the shape of the cliffs ashore, a rough, sharp pinnacle of rock rose soht and left, and the boat just cleared the principal danger by gliding through a narrow opening and then racing on upon the other side
Here they found rock after rock standing out, some as much as twenty feet, whitened by the sea-birds, while others were just level with the surface and washed by foaers, and prudence suggested lowering the sail; but prudence rong--quick sailing was the only way to safety, so that theyin the rapid current
”We ,” said Vince, ”or we shall be on the rocks, as sure as we live I say, can you keep an eye on the shore?”
”No: I'ed to mind the rocks ahead You look”
”I can't,” said Vince; ”it's impossible, with all these shoals about
Look out! here's quite a whirlpool Port a little more--port!”
The eddy they had to pass was caused by a couple of rocks close to the surface; and in avoiding these they went stern over another, which appeared to rise suddenly out of the clear sea, and was so close that the wonder to them was that they did not touch it But the little boat drew very little water, and probably they were a few inches above it as they glided on into deep water again
”That was a close shave,” cried Vince ”I say, it's impossible to try and find the way in there while we have to dodge in and out here”
”Think there would be less current closer in?” said Mike
”No, I don't Look for yourself: it's rushi+ng along, and there are twice as et out of this as soon as we can”
Mike said nothing, but he evidently agreed, and sat there steering with his oar over the stern, his teeth set and his brow knit, gazing straight ahead for the reat relief, the last seemed to be past, and they had time to turn their attention toward the shore
”It's easy enough now,” said Vince ”Why, that's North Point, and the Scrawright in, as if to cross thefroet into a return current close beneath the north cliffs, they steered in, and, the breeze freshening a little, they gradually glided out of the swift race which had been bearing the, and in a few minutes were about a hundred yards fro carried slowly in the opposite direction--that is, back towards the place they sought to exah,” said Vince; ”it's a regular backwater, and just anted We shall do it this tier?” said Mike
”Not if it keeps like this,” replied Vince ”We'll go on, won't we?”
Mike nodded; and entle current which was running well inside the rocks, about which they could see the tide surging, they by degrees approached the range of cliffs which they felt must be the outer boundary of the little cove