midday
`` We can show a little more , '' the fisherman shouted in Archie 's ear , `` when we get abreast of Islay , for we shall then be sheltered from the sea from the west , and can run more boldly with only a following sea ; but till we get out of this cross tumble we must not carry on , we only want steerage way to keep her head straight . '' Never before had Archie Forbes seen a great gale in all its strength at sea , for those which had occurred while at Rathlin were as nothing to the present ; and although on the hillside round Glen Cairn the wind sometimes blew with a force which there was no withstanding , there was nothing to impress the senses as did this wild confusion and turmoil of water . Buoyant as was the boat , heavy seas often broke on board her , and two hands were constantly employed in bailing ; still Archie judged from the countenance of the men that they did not deem the position desperate , and that they believed the craft would weather the gale . Towards midday , although the wind blew as strongly as ever , there was a sensible change in the motion of the boat . She no longer was tossed up and down with jerky and sudden motion , as the waves seemed to rise directly under her , but rose and fell on the following waves with a steady and regular motion . `` We are well abreast of Islay , '' the old fisherman said when Archie remarked on the change to him . `` There !