The roll is destroyed, but it is renewed. You do not alter facts by
neglecting them, nor abrogate a divine decree by disbelieving it. The
awful law goes on its course. It is not pre-eminent seamanship to put
the look-out man in irons because he sings out, 'Breakers ahead.' The
crew do not abolish the reef _so_, but they end their last chance of
avoiding it, and presently the shock comes, and the cruel coral tears
through the hull.