40 



PASSAGE THROUGH THE NEEDLES. 



successive swell rolled in from the ocean, from 1 foot to 20 

 feet, and at low water was left quite dry. Two of us knew 

 something of old ocean and old ocean's ways ; and though 

 we were ignorant of this particular spot, we learned suffi- 

 cient from the fishermen to know the thing was to he done. 

 Off went the coats ; two men to each oar : we held our 

 craft steadily against the current, which was tremendously 

 strong,. and kept her head right for the opening. An enor- 

 mous swell rolled seaward, leaving us almost aground : 

 rattle, rattle, and thump, thump, we heard the stones and 

 fragments of rock beneath us ; it seemed an hour running 

 out : at last another came : " Here she comes again ! keep 

 her head right, and stand by ! " up, up, we rose. " One 

 stroke, up oars, let her drive ! " and through we went, 

 in gallant style, on the very crest of the swell. 



THE NEEDLES, FROM NEAR SUN CORNER. 



