Sometimes , indeed , none too soon ; for one reef was so close on the brig 's weather board that when a sea burst upon it the lighter sprays fell upon her deck and wetted us like rain . The brightness of the night showed us these perils as clearly as by day , which was , perhaps , the more alarming . It showed me , too , the face of the captain as he stood by the steersman , now on one foot , now on the other , and sometimes blowing in his hands , but still listening and looking and as steady as steel . Neither he nor Mr. Riach had shown well in the fighting ; but I saw they were brave in their own trade , and admired them all the more because I found Alan very white . `` Ochone , David , '' says he , `` this is no the kind of death I fancy ! '' `` What , Alan ! '' I cried , `` you 're not afraid ? '' `` No , '' said he , wetting his lips , `` but you 'll allow , yourself , it 's a cold ending . '' By this time , now and then sheering to one side or the other to avoid a reef , but still hugging the wind and the land , we had got round Iona and begun to come alongside Mull . The tide at the tail of the land ran very strong , and threw the brig about . Two hands were put to the helm , and Hoseason himself would sometimes lend a help ; and it was strange to see three strong men throw their weight upon the tiller , and it -LRB- like a living thing -RRB- struggle against and drive them back . This would have been the greater danger had not the sea been for some while free of obstacles . Mr. Riach , besides , announced from the top that he saw clear water ahead . `` Ye were right , '' said Hoseason to Alan . `` Ye have saved the brig , sir . I 'll mind that when we come to clear accounts . '' And I believe he not only meant what he said , but would have done it ; so high a place did the Covenant hold in his affections . But this is matter only for conjecture , things having gone otherwise than he forecast . `` Keep her away a point , '' sings out Mr. Riach . `` Reef to windward ! ''
And just at the same time the tide caught the brig , and XXXXX the wind out of her sails .
're Keep admired brave cried found lend see threw wetted