Two small boats moved toward the island.

Manjiro's heart beat deep in his stomach. His already weak limbs felt numb. The world began to spin again and he thought he might faint.

"Boats!" he croaked. Finding his voice, he shouted, "Rescue!"

—Heart of a Samurai,
Margi Preus

How do these words affect the pacing of the passage?

They slow down the pace.
They steadily maintain the pace.
They quicken the pace.
They have no effect on the pace.