Here they crept into a seaside cave, and
cooked some food; but the weather now freshening to a gale, it was
plain they must moor the launch where she was, and find their way
overland to some place of shelter. Even to get their baggage from
on board was no light business; for the dingy was blown so far to
leeward every trip, that they must carry her back by hand along the
beach. But this once managed, and a cart procured in the
neighbourhood, they were able to spend the night in a pot-house on
Ault Bea. Next day, the sea was unapproachable; but the next they
had a pleasant passage to Poolewe, hugging the cliffs, the falling
swell bursting close by them in the gullies, and the black scarts
that sat like ornaments on the top of every stack and pinnacle,
looking down into the PURGLE as she passed. The climate of
Scotland had not done with them yet: for three days they lay
storm-stayed in Poolewe, and when they put to sea on the morning of
the fourth, the sailors prayed them for God's sake not to attempt
the passage. Their setting out was indeed merely tentative; but
presently they had gone too far to return, and found themselves
committed to double Rhu Reay with a foul wind and a cross sea.
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