h the waves dashed
and foamed, throwing the spray higher than the Mystery's mast-head.
These rocks were quite as dangerous as they looked; for more than one
vessel, in attempting to enter Newport harbor during a gale, had gone to
pieces there. They presented an insurmountable obstacle to the young
navigators of the village, who had explored every little bay and inlet
on the island, except those in the vicinity of "The Shoals," as these
rocks were called. The slightest breeze would there raise a sea that
threatened destruction to any thing that came within its reach; and when
the weather was calm, the rocks could be seen above the water in all
directions, standing so close together that the bravest of the boys
dared not risk their boats among them. Tom knew the place well; and we
can imagine his astonishment when he saw that Sam was shaping his course
as if he intended to pass between the rocks and the bluffs on the
island.

"Keep out, governor!" he shouted, in alarm. "You'll smash us all to
pieces if you go in there."

"Now, you just trust me, Muley, an' I'll see that no harm don't come to
you or your boat," replied Sam, confidently. "I've got a safe harborin'
place here, and this is the way to get to it."

Tom had seen the time that he would have positively refused to trust his
fine boat among those rocks. He was naturally a very timid boy, and,
although he had been accustomed to the water and to sail-boats from the
time he was large enough to handle a tiller, a fresh breeze and a few
waves always made him extremely nervous. But the events of the last few
months had developed in him at least one quality which his companions
had never supposed him to possess. He was getting to be a very reckless
sort of fellow; and, although he clutched his seat and held his breath
when the Mystery dashed in among the waves off the point, he looked
quite unconcerned. He was really frightened, however, and that was not
to be wondered at. Sam was attempting something that no one had ever had
the courage to try before; and no doubt Tom felt a good deal as did the
mariners of old when approaching the terrible Cape Bojador, which they
believed marked the boundaries of navigation. But the governor knew just
what he was doing. He proved himself an excellent pilot, and in a few
moments he rounded the point, and, entering a little bay where the water
was comparatively quiet, he directed the boat's course toward what
appeared to be a solid wal