Their situation was by no means pleasant.

The wind had been rising more and more, and the waves dashed into this little channel with such violence, that to swim it would have been a most hazardous experiment, particularly as they could not dive in from the ledge on which they stood, from their ignorance of the depth of water.
Eric's courage supported the other two.

"There's no good _thinking_ about it," said he, "jump we _must_; the sooner the better.

We can but be a little hurt at the worst.

Here, I'll set the example." He drew back a step or two, and sprang out with all his force.