14 THE NEEDLES. 
Strengthened and full of courage, he seized the 
helm, and our destiny depended on his skill. 
It was now barely possible to reach Ports- 
mouth with daylight by taking the shortest 
way through the Needles, a narrow strait be- 
tween the Isle of Wight and the mainland, 
full of shallows, where even in clear weather a 
good pilot is necessary. The sun was already 
near setting, when an anxious cry from the 
watch announced the neighbourhood of land, 
and in the same instant we all perceived, at 
about a hundred fathoms’ distance, a high fog- 
enveloped rock, against which the breakers 
raged furiously. 
Our pilot recognised it for the western point 
of the Isle of Wight at the eutrance of the 
Needles, and the danger we were in only ani- 
mated his spirits. He seized the helm with 
both hands, and guiding it with admirable dex- 
terity, the ship flew, amidst the storm, through 
the narrow and winding channels to which the 
shallows confined it, often so close upon the 
impending rocks, that it seemed scarcely possible 
to pass them without a fatal collision. 
A small vessel that had sailed with us for 
