About ten, the gale was at its height, the wind still hanging at east, a little northerly.  In the course of the morning, the officers on board both schooners, profiting by lulls and clear moments, had got so many views of the land from aloft, as to be fully aware of their respective situations.  All thoughts of competition and watchfulness had now vanished.  Each vessel was managed with a reference solely to her safety; and, as might have been foreseen when true seamen handled both, they had recourse to the same expedients to save themselves.  The mainsails of both crafts were set, balance-reefed, and the hulls were pressed up against the wind and sea, while they were driven ahead with increased momentum.

“That main-mast springs like a whale-bone whip-handle, sir,” said Hazard, when this new experiment had been tried some ten minutes or more.  “She jumps from one sea to another, like a frog in a hurry to hop into a puddle!”

“She must stand it, or go ashore,” answered Gardiner, coolly, though in secret he was deeply concerned.  “Did Deacon Pratt forgive me, should we lose the schooner, I never could forgive myself!”

“Should we lose the schooner, Captain Gar’ner, few of us would escape drowning, to feel remorse or joy.  Look at that coast, sir—­it is clear now, and a body can see a good bit of it—­never did I put eyes upon a less promising land-fall, for strangers to make.”

Roswell Gardiner did look, as desired, and he fully agreed with Hazard in opinion.  Ahead, and astern, the land trended to seaward, placing the schooners in a curve of the coast, or what seamen term a bight, rendering it quite impossible for the vessels to lay out past either of the head-lands in sight.  The whole coast was low, and endless lines of breakers were visible along it, flashing up with luminous crests that left no doubt of their character, or of the dangers that they so plainly denoted.  At times, columns of water shot up into the air like enormous jets, and the spray was carried inland for miles.  Then it was that gloom gathered around the brows of the seamen, who fully comprehended the nature of the danger that was so plainly indicated.  The green hands were the least concerned, “knowing nothing and fearing nothing,” as the older seamen are apt to express their sense of this indifference on the part of the boys and landsmen.

According to the calculations of those on board the Sea Lion, of Oyster Pond, they had about two miles of drift before they should be in the breakers.  They were on the best tack, to all appearances, and that was the old one, or the same leg that had carried them into the bight.  To ware now, indeed, would be a very hazardous step, since every inch of room was of importance.  Gardiner’s secret hope was that they might find the inlet that led into Currituck, which was then open, though we believe it has since been closed, in whole or in part, by the sands.  This often happens on the American coast, very tolerable passages existing this year for vessels of an easy draught, that shall be absolutely shut up, and be converted into visible beach, a few years later.  The waters within will then gain head, and break out, cutting themselves a channel, that remains open until a succession of gales drives in the sands upon them from the outside once more.