Even the halyards were touched in order that the sails might stand like boards.

The trying moment was near; five minutes must decide the matter.
"Let her shake a little, Mr.Yelverton, and eat into the wind," said Cuffe, addressing the officer of the watch; "we must do all we can here; for when abreast of the breakers everything must be a rap-full to keep the ship under quick command.

There--meet her with the helm, and give her a good full." This experiment was repeated twice, and each time the frigate gained her length to windward, though she necessarily lost more than three times that distance in her velocity.

At length the trial came, and a profound silence, one in which nervousness and anxiety were blended with hope, reigned in the vessel.

The eyes of all turned from the sails to the breakers; from the breakers to the sails; and from both to the wake of the ship.
At such moments the voice of the lead's-man prevails over all other sounds.