Publisher's Synopsis
The words spoken by the boatmen, though few, were significant. The -rock- alluded to was the celebrated and much dreaded Inch Cape-more familiarly known as the Bell Rock-which being at that time unmarked by lighthouse or beacon of any kind, was the terror of mariners who were making for the firths of Forth and Tay. The -something- that was expected to be found there may be guessed at, when we say that one of the fiercest storms that ever swept our eastern shores had just exhausted itself after strewing the coast with wrecks. The breast of ocean, though calm on the surface, as has been said, was still heaving with a mighty swell, from the effects of the recent elemental conflict. -D'ye see the breakers noo, Davy?- enquired the ill-favoured man, who pulled the aft oar. -Ay, and hear them, too, - said Davy Spink, ceasing to row, and looking over his shoulder towards the seaward horizon.
