Had the men been viewing their situation from a vantage point, they probably would have thought it glorious while the mountain-sized waves curled over them, and they faced the wall of water rushing at them. However, they are where they are and the view is terrifying, at best, and the captain tries to calm them, reminding them that they will, indeed, reach the shore.
As though their situation is not trying enough, seagulls begin to dart in and out at them, aiming for the captain's head, in particular. The captain does his best to shoo them away with his good arm, and finally, they leave him alone, to the relief of all the men who thought them to be an ominous omen.
The oiler and the correspondent are rowing on the same seat, each man.....
