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He did not know yet whether the ship was entering some unknown straits

or the mouth of a narrow land-locked bay If the latter, the presence

of the distant glaciers and the nearer torrents warned hiht be lost within sight of safe

anchorage Not inspired guesswork now, but the skill of the pilot, was

needed; this crossing the bar in broad daylight was as great a trial of

nerve in its way as the earlier onward rush in the dark

Wind and sea had abated so sensibly that the Pacific rollers raced on

unbroken, and it was no longer a super-hu the deck

So the captain aroused Walker with a sharp order: "Go and see if the donkey-boiler has a good head of steam We may have

to drop the stream anchor quick, and both bowers as well If

Tolleo forward, and keep a sharp

lookout for broken water Clear off the tarpaulins, and be ready to

loay the instant I sing out"

Walker, who had been gazing spellbound at theup

before the ship, hurried on his errand He found Tollemache seated on

an upturned bucket, in which the taciturn one had just washed his face

and hands

"Have you seen it?" deleefully, while his practised

eyes took in the state of the gages and he overran a nuers

"Seen what?" asked Tolle his pipe

"The land, ht in now"

"We've been doing that for hours"

"Yes, but this is diff'went The'aw's a fine wiv-ah ahead Have ye

ev-ah seen the Tyne? Well, just shove Sooth Sheels an' Tyneot it Now, don't twy to talk, or