The narrative depicts Cape Cod's two identities—the familiar resort shore and the wild, breaker-beaten outer coast—and follows the coast guard patrols that watch the remote stretch. It describes station life and routines, including night patrols with halfway houses and exchanged tokens, small crews with boats and rescue apparatus, and the ever-present threat of hidden shoals and wrecks. Seasonal extremes such as sand storms, bitter winter gales, and treacherous ice are recreated in vivid detail, while episodes of rescue and endurance illustrate the persistent, often solitary labor required to warn, aid, and save mariners.