Tell me, you seem to fear the dangers which the land presents." "In fact, they are to be feared," replied the novice, "but I am always hoping to meet some ship in these parts, and I am even very much surprised at not seeing any.

If only one should pass, we would enter into communication with her; she would give us our exact situation, which would greatly facilitate our arrival in sight of land." "Are there not pilots who do service along this coast ?" asked Mrs.
Weldon.
"There ought to be," replied Dick Sand, "but much nearer land.

We must then continue to approach it." "And if we do not meet a pilot ?" asked Mrs.Weldon, who kept on questioning him in order to know how the young novice would prepare for all contingencies.
"In that case, Mrs.Weldon, either the weather will be clear, the wind moderate, and I shall endeavor to sail up the coast sufficiently near to find a refuge, or the wind will be stronger, and then----" "Then what will you do, Dick ?" "Then, in the present condition of the 'Pilgrim,'" replied Dick Sand, "once near the land, it will be very difficult to set off again." "What will you do ?" repeated Mrs.Weldon.
"I shall be forced to run my ship aground," replied the novice, whose brow darkened for a moment.

"Ah! it is a hard extremity.

God grant that we may not be reduced to that.