He must enter it bravely without hesitating, so as to make the coast as near as possible to the shore.
The novice did not hesitate.

A movement of the helm thrust the ship into the narrow and sinuous channel.

In this place the sea was still more furious, and the waves dashed on the deck.
The blacks were posted forward, near the barrels, waiting for the novice's orders.
"Pour the oil--pour!" exclaimed Dick Sand.
Under this oil, which was poured on it in quantities, the sea grew calm, as by enchantment, only to become more terrible again a moment after.
The "Pilgrim" glided rapidly over those lubricated waters and headed straight for the shore.
Suddenly a shock took place.

The ship, lifted by a formidable wave, had just stranded, and her masting had fallen without wounding anybody.
The "Pilgrim's" hull, damaged by the collision, was invaded by the water with extreme violence.

But the shore was only half a cable's length off, and a chain of small blackish rocks enabled it to be reached quite easily.
So, ten minutes after, all those carried by the "Pilgrim" had landed at the foot of the cliff..