He tried at once to get in his sails, but the surf was running very strong, and presently a heavy sea broke clean over her.

Then came confusion and dismay: the flapping of the wet, half-lowered sails, and the whipping of the slack ropes, making all effort useless.

There was no chance of her-holding.

Foot by foot she was being driven towards the rocks.
Sailors stood motionless on the shore.

The lifeboat would be of little use: besides, it could not arrive for some time.
Gaston had recognised the Kismet.