I began after a little to grow very bold and sat up to try my skill at paddling . But even a small change in the disposition of the weight will produce violent changes in the behaviour of a coracle . And I had hardly moved before the boat , giving up at once her gentle dancing movement , ran straight down a slope of water so steep that it made me giddy , and struck her nose , with a spout of spray , deep into the side of the next wave . I was drenched and terrified , and fell instantly back into my old position , whereupon the coracle seemed to find her head again and led me as softly as before among the billows . It was plain she was not to be interfered with , and at that rate , since I could in no way influence her course , what hope had I left of reaching land ? I began to be horribly frightened , but I kept my head , for all that . First , moving with all care , I gradually baled out the coracle with my sea-cap ; then , getting my eye once more above the gunwale , I set myself to study how it was she managed to slip so quietly through the rollers . I found each wave , instead of the big , smooth glossy mountain it looks from shore or from a vessel 's deck , was for all the world like any range of hills on dry land , full of peaks and smooth places and valleys . The coracle , left to herself , turning from side to side , threaded , so to speak , her way through these lower parts and avoided the steep slopes and higher , toppling summits of the wave . `` Well , now , '' thought I to myself , `` it is plain I must lie where I am and not disturb the balance ; but it is plain also that I can put the paddle over the side and from time to time , in smooth places , give her a shove or two towards land . '' No sooner thought upon than done . There I lay on my elbows in the most trying attitude , and every now and again gave a weak stroke or two to turn her head to shore . It was very tiring and slow work , yet I did visibly gain ground ; and as we drew near the Cape of the Woods , though I saw I must infallibly miss that point , I had still made some hundred yards of easting . I was , indeed , close in . I could see the cool green tree-tops swaying together in the breeze , and I felt sure I should make the next promontory without fail . It was high time , for I now began to be tortured with thirst . The glow of the sun from above , its thousandfold reflection from the waves , the sea-water that fell and dried upon me , caking my very lips with salt , combined to make my throat burn and my brain ache . The sight of the trees so near at hand had almost made me sick with longing , but the current had soon carried me past the point , and as the next reach of sea opened out , I beheld a sight that changed the nature of my thoughts . Right in front of me , not half a mile away , I beheld the HISPANIOLA under sail . I made sure , of course , that I should be taken ; but I was so distressed for want of water that I scarce knew whether to be glad or sorry at the thought , and long before I had come to a conclusion , surprise had taken entire possession of my mind and I could do nothing but stare and wonder .
The XXXXX was under her main-sail and two jibs , and the beautiful white canvas shone in the sun like snow or silver .
HISPANIOLA Woods burn easting gunwale promontory rollers sea-water summits tree-tops