To add to his discomfort, Dunton was aware that, through an oversight, the schooner had only one large anchor to depend on. It may be said that Hoppy Mayo also knew that there was but one anchor fit for the occasion, but, for reasons of his own, he suffered no anxiety on that point. The pilot felt that the supreme hour of his life was at hand. He had faith in himself and in the justness of his cause. He refused to entertain the thought that the Arbiter of all things would decide against him in his struggle with his foes; but, whatever the outcome, he was determined to meet the end undauntedly as became a true American sailor. Dunton shouted through the storm: “It will be high water at two o’clock, Mayo; there may be a change of weather on the ebb?” “I hope so, Mr. Dunton, and I believe there will be some abatement of the wind at half tide. This storm seems to be a double-decker; that last crash of thunder shows there’s more behind it.” Then a big wave struck the vessel and she shivered at the blow. Some of the hands were thrown on the deck and narrowly escaped being washed overboard. “By George, Mr. Dunton!” cried Hoppy, “that was a bad one! It’s a wonder to me how that cable stands the strain. Shouldn’t be surprised if it went under another blow like that last one!” The same thought was in Dunton’s mind and he could not conceal his anxiety. “I suppose you know, Mayo, that we haven’t another anchor fit to hold her in this weather?” “By the Lord! you don’t say so? Then it’s a mighty poor show if we lose this one.” “Is there no creek or small harbor on this cursed coast where we could take refuge?” Hoppy expected the question and he was prepared with an answer. After a pause he said: “Well, Mr. Dunton, there’s nothing to leeward that you could call a harbor, but there’s a small inlet to the south of us and if the cable snaps our only chance will be to run for it.” “But how are you to find it in this darkness?” “It will soon be dawn, Mr. Dunton; in about an hour’s time, I should say. If we’re lucky enough to hold on till then we may make it. Once over the outer bar we shall be safe.” Dunton had to be satisfied with this, though the prospect was a poor one. He asked Hoppy how they were to moor the schooner in case they lost the heavy anchor? The pilot told him that there would be smooth water inside the outer bar and that a light anchor would do. Sea after sea kept pounding the vessel. As the time was near for decisive action, Hoppy suggested to Dunton that it would be well to pay out a few more fathoms of cable. “It will ease her a bit, Mr. Dunton; I’ll make my way forward and see that it runs out all right.”