CH. X.] Breaking up of the Ship. 177 



monster, and then as it falls back it parts in 

 two, and half of it is a drifting mass of planks 

 and timber, washing forward as if to meet the 

 boat and destroy it. A portion yet remained 

 fixed on the rock, and now and then we 

 could still see the group crouching behind 

 the bulwark. On and on fought the boat, 

 now a little out of the direct line to avoid the 

 wreckage, till it was close behind the wreck 

 and partially sheltered by the rampart it 

 formed against the sea ; but at that moment 

 all that remained of it was again lifted high 

 in the air and dashed forward ; and when 

 the wave had passed by, there was only the 

 frail boat with its brave crew to be seen on 

 the surface. We see it pause for a moment, 

 and then the oars all dip together, and the 

 boat dashes forward. Someone leans over the 

 bows, and there is a moment's struggle ; but 

 the mist and foam prevent our distinguishing 

 clearly what is going on. After a while they 



N 



