ed the principal danger by gliding through
a narrow opening and then racing on upon the other side.

Here they found rock after rock standing out, some as much as twenty
feet, whitened by the sea-birds, while others were just level with the
surface and washed by foam.

The way was literally strewn with dangers, and prudence suggested
lowering the sail; but prudence was wrong--quick sailing was the only
way to safety, so that they might have speed enough to insure good
steering in the rapid current.

"We must keep on going," said Vince, "or we shall be on the rocks, as
sure as we live. I say, can you keep an eye on the shore?"

"No: I'm obliged to mind the rocks ahead. You look."

"I can't," said Vince; "it's impossible, with all these shoals about.
Look out! here's quite a whirlpool. Port a little more--port!"

The eddy they had to pass was caused by a couple of rocks close to the
surface; and in avoiding these they went stern over another, which
appeared to rise suddenly out of the clear sea, and was so close that
the wonder to them was that they did not touch it. But the little boat
drew very little water, and probably they were a few inches above it as
they glided on into deep water again.

"That was a close shave," cried Vince. "I say, it's impossible to try
and find the way in there while we have to dodge in and out here."

"Think there would be less current closer in?" said Mike.

"No, I don't. Look for yourself: it's rushing along, and there are
twice as many rocks. I say, Ladle, we had better get out of this as
soon as we can."

Mike said nothing, but he evidently agreed, and sat there steering with
his oar over the stern, his teeth set and his brow knit, gazing straight
ahead for the many dangers by which they had to pass, before, to their
great relief, the last seemed to be past, and they had time to turn
their attention toward the shore.

"It's easy enough now," said Vince. "Why, that's North Point, and the
Scraw must be half a mile behind!"

The current was now setting right in, as if to cross the most northern
point of the island; and knowing from old experience that it was
possible to get into a return current close beneath the north cliffs,
they steered in, and, the breeze freshening a little, they gradually
glided out of the swift race which had been bearing them along, and in a
few minutes were about a hundred yards from the cliffs, in deep water,
and were being carried slowly in t