I paddled and paddled away with all my might, all the time facing the shore, and getting nearer to it, but at the same time gliding down seaward.  I was about a hundred yards from the shore.  I looked towards the angry breakers, and was not more than twice that distance from the mouth of the channel.  In a small boat there would have been no danger, but I found my raft a very heavy thing to move.  I put still greater force into my strokes.  My paddle snapped in two.  Jerry uttered a cry of despair, for he thought I must now inevitably be lost.  I seized the spare paddle, and flourishing it above my head, began to ply it as I had done the first.  I made some progress, but not sufficient, I feared, to attain my object.  I was approaching the last point.  Jerry ran out to the end of it, and rushed into the water up to his arm-pits, hoping to stop the raft.  I shouted to him to go back; for at that moment I saw close to me the fin of a monster shark.  The savage fish darted on towards him, and he was barely in time to escape his ravenous jaws by springing into shallow water.  Had he caught hold of the raft, I saw that he would be lifted off his legs, and carried away with me.  Still I hoped to get within his reach where he stood.  But vain was the wish: I drifted past the point.  What hope had I now of being preserved?  I felt inclined to throw away my paddle, and to give myself up to despair.  But I aroused myself.  I bethought me how Cousin Silas would have behaved under similar circumstances.  I prayed for strength and courage to Him who is alone able to give them to those in deep distress.  He heard me, or I should not be alive to tell my tale.  Again I seized my paddle, and plied it with all my might.  Still I drifted towards the roaring breakers.  I vividly pictured the horrid fate which awaited me.  I scarcely dared look seaward.  I kept my eye on the shore, paddling without intermission.  Suddenly I felt the raft arrested in its progress towards the breakers.  It was partly whirled round, and I found it gliding parallel with the shore.  This encouraged me; hope once more revived.  I directed the raft towards the shore.  I saw Jerry waving his hands with joy; he was answered by a cheerful bark from Surley.  I got nearer and nearer.  Oh, how thankful I felt when I found the blade of my paddle grasped by Jerry, and was towed by him safely to the shore!  Old Surley sprang off on to dry ground, and began leaping up and licking Jerry's cheeks and hands, to show his gratitude.  Jerry and I hauled up the raft, with its little tender, and landed my things; and then, overcome with fatigue and the revulsion of feeling which I experienced, I fainted.  I very soon, however, recovered, and kneeling down, joined by Jerry, I returned my heartfelt thanks to Him whose arm I knew most certainly had saved me.  Afterwards I dressed; and sitting down, we made a supper from some of the provisions we had brought with us.