nt, was a
single pyramid of foam that rose above the other waves, and which seemed
to be stationary. It was caused by the peculiar formation of the rocks
beneath it, and was the governor's guide-post. It pointed out the
channel that led across the shoals.

The Crusoe men took a hurried survey of the scene before them, and with
one accord sprang to their feet. "Governor," said Friday, "I wouldn't go
across there fur no money."

"You can just turn around and go back," chimed in Will Atkins. "Whenever
we get tired of livin' we'll let you know. This boat couldn't stand
them breakers two minutes."

"Much you know about it, I guess," returned the chief, angrily. "We want
to go to the village, don't we, an' we want to take our outfit with us?
Well, then, how are we goin' to get there, I'd like to know, if we don't
cross the shoals? Set down! Let no man move from his seat, or say a
word. I've run the channel a dozen times, an' I can do it ag'in."

Sam did not think it best to tell his trembling crew that he had never
attempted the passage in the face of such a breeze. Although he spoke
bravely enough, he was really frightened, and his hand trembled as it
rested on the tiller. Had there been any other way out of the cove, he
would have been the last one to dare the fury of the waves; but he knew
there was none, and, after he had succeeded in inducing his men to
resume their seats, he drew in a long breath, shut his teeth hard
against each other, and prepared for the work before him. He fastened
his eyes on his guide-post, brought the yawl before the wind, let out
the sheet, and the next moment the Crusoe men found themselves flying
through the breakers with almost railroad speed. In front of them, on
each side, and behind, the water was white with foam; and, when they got
out from the shelter of the bluffs on the island, they found that Tom
Newcombe's "capital sailing wind" was something very much like a gale.
The yawl rocked and plunged over the waves that leaped wildly around
her, sometimes almost grazing the rocks as she flew along the channel.
The Crusoe men held their breath in suspense, and their eyes were
directed anxiously toward the white pyramid which seemed to shut them
off from the still water beyond. It looked threatening, they discovered
as they approached it, and they trembled when the wave, subsiding for an
instant, revealed to them the black, ragged crest of the rock which lay
directly in their course, and t