Courtenay, after an astounded glance
at the magnitude and solemn grandeur of the spectacle, had eyes for
naught save the conformation of the channel. The change in the wind
was caused, he found, by the northerly headland thrusting its giant
mass a mile, or more, westward of its twin; but he quickly discovered,
from the conformation of the land, that the latter was really the
protecting cape of the inner water-way. He reasoned, therefore, that
the deep-water channel flowed close to the northern shore until it was
flung off by the relentless rocks to seek the easier inlet behind the
opposite point.
He did not know yet whether the ship was entering some unknown straits
or the mouth of a narrow land-locked bay. If the latter, the presence
of the distant glaciers and the nearer torrents warned him of a
possible bar, on which the _Kansas_ might be lost within sight of safe
anchorage. Not inspired guesswork now, but the skill of the pilot, was
needed; this crossing the bar in broad daylight was as great a trial of
nerve in its way as the earlier onward rush in the dark.
Wind and sea had abated so sensibly that the Pacific rollers raced on
unbroken, and it was no longer a super-human task to make one's voice
heard along the deck.
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