The ride ashore was exhilarating to say the least.
Great waves rolled on the beach, and none but practical, experienced seamen could have managed so light a yawl without disaster.
But Roderic had no fear—he knew what these trained muscles could do.
Several times they seemed threatened with dire disaster, but on each occasion the second officer's judgment in manipulating the boat averted destruction.
Thus the cockle shell craft entered the white crested breakers, where they surged upon the shore with a roar like unto that of thunder.
This was the most interesting moment of all, as riding one of the rollers they rushed in like a race horse on the home stretch.
Then Roderic saw the palm trees against the sky line almost overhead, and he knew they were almost ashore.
A grating sound under their keel announced the receding of the billow.
Instantly every sailor leaped overboard, up to his knees in salt water, and the boat thus lightened was run ashore.