THE CAST-AWAY. 157 



could spread, and with half a hand at the billows 

 we should have forged ahead all fluking ; but as it 

 was, our sails hung as limp as the dangling damp 

 sheets on an indoor clothes-horse. There was not 

 a bubble of white water at our prow. There was 

 not a streak or ripple in our wake. And yet 

 moment by moment those awful cliffs grew taller. 

 We sent out a boat with a line — then two boats 

 — then three ! — trying our sturdiest to ratch the 

 precious barky out of imminent danger. At last 

 the cliff-crests seemed to rise no higher, though 

 we dared not trust our eyes, we so longed to see 

 them stop rising. Already the breakers pounded 

 ominously at their feet. Already the sea-birds, 

 nesting amongst their crags, called hideously near. 

 By chance — or rather, as I have always said, 

 by the providence of God — another ship — and 

 she a whaler, lay not far from us. I set my colors 

 for assistance, and down into the water came her 

 boats, the davit-blocks creaking and the whale- 

 men shouting encouragement to our three boats' 

 crews. Swift as so many racers in a regatta, the 

 stranger's cedar craft came ripping through the 

 smooth water, every dip and plash of their oars 

 seeming measurably to lift and lighten the burden 

 of our suspense. Six boats and thirty-six men 

 saved the Hope from being sent on that iron- 



