They knew that we were novices in this kind of boating, and
waited to see us go in. The second mate, however, who steered our
boat, determined to have the advantage of their experience, and
would not go in first. Finding, at length, how matters stood, they
gave a shout, and taking advantage of a great comber which came
swelling in, rearing its head, and lifting up the stern of our boat
nearly perpendicular, and again dropping it in the trough, they gave
three or four long and strong pulls, and went in on top of the great
wave, throwing their oars overboard, and as far from the boat as
they could throw them, and jumping out the instant that the boat
touched the beach, and then seizing hold of her and running her up
high and dry upon the sand. We saw, at once, how it was to be done,
and also the necessity of keeping the boat "stern on" to the sea;
for the instant the sea should strike upon her broad-side or
quarter, she would be driven up broad-side on, and capsized. We pulled
strongly in, and as soon as we felt that the sea had got hold of us
and was carrying us in with the speed of a racehorse, we threw the
oars as far from the boat as we could, and took hold of the gunwale,
ready to spring out and seize her when she struck, the officer using
his utmost strength to keep her stern on.
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