spectators informed me; it was only for exercise and show that they went
out. It seemed all child's play for a time; but when they got among the
broken waves, then it looked quite another thing. The motion of the waters
laid hold upon her, and soon tossed her fearfully, now revealing the whole
of her capacity on the near side of one of their slopes, now hiding her
whole bulk in one of their hollows beyond. She, careless as a child in the
troubles of the world, floated about amongst them with what appeared too
much buoyancy for the promise of a safe return. Again and again she was
driven from her course towards the low rocks on the other side of the bay,
and again and again, returned to disport herself, like a sea-animal, as it
seemed, upon the backs of the wild, rolling, and bursting billows.

"Can she go no further?" I asked of the captain of the coastguard, whom I
found standing by my side.

"Not without some danger," he answered.

"What, then, must it be in a storm!" I remarked.

"Then of course," he returned, "they must take their chance. But there
is no good in running risks for nothing. That swell is quite enough for
exercise."

"But is it enough to accustom them to face the danger that will come?" I
asked.

"With danger comes courage," said the old sailor.

"Were you ever afraid?"