I saw it first when I was a little boy like you; and I have seen it many a time since, in sunshine and in storm, and thought it more lovely every time.

Look! there is something curious.
What?
Those great rusty rings fixed into the rock?
Yes.

Those may be as old, for aught I know, as Queen Elizabeth's or James's reign.
But why were they put there?
For ships to hold on by, if they lost the tide.
What do you mean?
It is high tide now.

That is why the water is almost up to the branches of the trees.

But when the tide turns, it will all rush out in a torrent which would sweep ships out to sea again, if they had not steam, as we have, to help them up against the stream.