NARROW ESCAPE. 



413 



standing up, however, and looking ahead, this opinion was changed. 

 I saw that rocks began to peer out in the channel between the 

 island and the main land, and we therefore steered for the other 

 channel. But all at once, and only half a mile ahead, rocks ap- 

 peared above water right in our course. This led us quickly to 

 look over the boat's side, to see if we could see the bottom. To 

 our dismay, jagged rocks showed themselves almost within reach 

 of our hands, the boat meanwhile carried along at a mill-race 

 speed by a fierce rushing tide. It was enough to make one feel 

 how feeble a creature man is at such a time. The Innuits were 

 terribly alarmed at the sight ahead and under us. The rocks 

 showed how fearfully fast we were going. On smooth water the 

 speed is not so perceptible; but where objects, and especially 

 dangerous objects, are visible ahead, around, and under you, such 

 swift motion is not only seen, but felt. So it was then with us. 

 Immediate action, however, was necessary; and seeing what I 

 thought to be an eddy not far off, I at once turned the boat's head 

 in that direction. 



By the time we reached this eddy we had been swept down 

 some distance, and in order to clear the threatened clanger from 

 the rapids ahead, I reversed our course, and tried to pull back. 

 The tide was now falling rapidly, and we rowed for our lives ; 

 but all we could do was to hold our own. Our greatest exertions 

 could not advance us one step away from the danger. Every 

 moment I looked over the boat's side to see how far we might 

 hope to escape the rocks, and it was truly awful as I caught sight 

 of what was beneath us. The tide was rushing as if in the mad- 

 dest fury. We could not clear ourselves. Our strength was fast 

 failing, and if the boat were allowed for a moment to sweep with 

 the tide, we should be lost. No chance seemed possible unless we 

 could make the island itself. But how to reach it was the ques- 

 tion. The tide rushed along its side as fiercely as where we then 

 were, with a noise which could be heard in all directions. Still, 

 we had no alternative. 



Placing the boat's head in such an oblique direction as to make 

 allowance for the current, we pulled toward a bight of the island, 

 where there seemed to be smoother water. The next moment, 

 however, the boat was whirled round, stem for stern, in such a 

 manner as to take all power out of our hands. Then again we 

 thought ourselves lost ; but the very movement which thus terri- 

 fied us really threw us into such a position that a few strong 



