Mr.Riach, besides, announced from the top that he saw clear water ahead.
"Ye were right," said Hoseason to Alan.

"Ye have saved the brig, sir.
I'll mind that when we come to clear accounts." And I believe he not only meant what he said, but would have done it; so high a place did the Covenant hold in his affections.
But this is matter only for conjecture, things having gone otherwise than he forecast.
"Keep her away a point," sings out Mr.Riach.

"Reef to windward!" And just at the same time the tide caught the brig, and threw the wind out of her sails.

She came round into the wind like a top, and the next moment struck the reef with such a dunch as threw us all flat upon the deck, and came near to shake Mr.Riach from his place upon the mast.
I was on my feet in a minute.

The reef on which we had struck was close in under the southwest end of Mull, off a little isle they call Earraid, which lay low and black upon the larboard.