I could hear that she worked violently as the waves beat against her worn sides, and that her iron cable creaked as she pitched to the breaking sea.

The wind was momentarily increasing, and I began to fear lest I should have taken my last look at the old craft, when my attention was called off by hearing a loud voice cry out, 'Halloo there! Where are you ?' "'Ay, ay, sir, I'm here.' In a moment the admiral and his friend were beside me.
"'What a night!' exclaimed the admiral, as he shook the rain from the heavy boat-cloak and cowered in beneath some tall blocks of granite near.

'I began half to hope that you might not have been here, my poor fellow,' said the admiral; 'it's a dreadful time for one so poorly clad for a storm.

I say, Dawkins, let him have a pull at your flask.' The brandy rallied me a little, and I felt that it cheered my drooping courage.
"'This is not a time nor is it a place for much parley,' said the admiral, 'so that we must even make short work of it.

Since we met here last night I have satisfied myself that you are to be trusted, that your character and reputation have nothing heavier against them than misfortune, which certainly, if I have been rightly informed, has been largely dealt out to you.