the wreck. At length the boat was ready. The boy was
placed at the helm, and the fishwife and her brother took the oars.
They pulled boldly out of the cove, and then along the shore for some
distance, where the water was rather smoother than further out. Even
there, however, the exertion was considerable, and those who looked on
from above dreaded every moment to see the frail skiff overturned by the
rough seas. Now, however, the head of the boat was turned seaward.
Shane and his sister increased their exertions. Often the waters broke
on board, when Patrick, steering with one hand, bailed it out with the
other; still they continued their course. At length they succeeded in
gaining a considerable distance from the shore, when the seas, as is
sometimes the case, came with less force, and gradually sank in height.
There was only one point where they could approach the wreck. Just
within sight was a small bay, or opening in the reef; the seas on every
other side were dashing over the frigate, and would have immediately
overwhelmed the frail boat. Bravely they rowed on, and they might have
put to shame many of the sturdy men who had collected on the shore.
Several times those who watched the progress of the boat from the cliff
fancied she was overwhelmed. Now she sank into the trough of the sea,
and the huge wave seemed about to dash over her. Again rising to the
summit of a foam-crested wave, she was tossed for a few seconds ere she
plunged into the watery vale below. More than once Shane proposed
setting a sail, but the widow declared that her arms were still strong
enough to pull the boat, and that it would considerably prolong the time
before they could reach the wreck, as it would thus be impossible to
make a straight course. She seemed, indeed, endued with super-human
strength, for even her brother's arms began to fail him. Again and
again she urged him to renewed exertions, with a voice tremulous with
eagerness.

"We shall reach the ship before long--we shall reach the ship," she kept
exclaiming; "row, Shane, row. Oh, brother, if you have ever loved me,
do not fail me now."

Thus they continued rowing on. Not an hour before it would have been
impossible for the boat to have made any progress; now, however, by the
subsidence of the gale, the undertaking, though difficult and dangerous,
was possible. As they drew near, even now several struggling forms were
seen in the foaming waters, but ere they cou