Now the boats would be down in a vast hollow, with towering walls on either side.

Then the stanch craft would be lifted up and, poising on the crests, would slide down a watery hill with a sickening feeling, present at least in the hearts of Bob and Mr.Tarbill, that they were going straight for the bottom.

The nervous passenger sat huddled up in a heap, scarcely speaking.
The wind seemed to increase as night drew on.

The motion of the captain's gig was such that he could not take an observation, and, when the blackness settled down, they had no idea where they were, nor in which direction the nearest land lay.
"I'm afraid we'll be separated in the darkness," said the captain, "but there is no help for it." The day of terror was succeeded by a night of peril.

The sea and wind seemed combining to wreck the small boats.