though they were only "in fun," for,
on returning to work after the gale abated, it was found that "no harm
had been done." As if, however, to check any premature felicitations,
old Ocean again sent a sudden squall on the 18th, which drove the men
once more off the rock, without allowing time to chain the stones
landed, so that five of them were lost.

This was a serious disaster. The lost stones could only be replaced by
new ones being cut from the distant quarries. Prompt in all
emergencies, Smeaton hurried away and set two men to work on each stone,
night and day; nevertheless, despite his utmost efforts, seconded by
willing men, the incident caused the loss of more than a week.

Fogs now stepped in to aid and abet the winds and waves in their mad
efforts to stop the work. Stop it! They little knew what indomitable
spirits some men have got. As well might they have attempted to stop
the course of time! They succeeded, however, in causing vexatious
delays, and, in July, had the audacity to fling a wreck in the very
teeth of the builders, as if to taunt them with the futility of their
labours.

It happened thus: On the night of the 5th a vessel named the _Charming
Sally_, about 130 tons burden, and hailing from Biddeford, came sailing
over the main. A bright lookout was kept on board of her, of course,
for the wind was moderately high, and the fog immoderately thick. The
_Sally_ progressed charmingly till midnight, when the look-out observed
"something" right ahead. He thought the something looked like
fishing-boats, and, being an unusually bright fellow, he resolved to
wait until he should be quite sure before reporting what he saw. With a
jovial swirl the waves bore the _Charming Sally_ to her doom. "Rocks
ahead!" roared the bright look-out, rather suddenly. "Rocks under her
bottom," thought the crew of seven hands, as they leaped on deck, and
felt the out-lying reefs of the Eddystone playing pitch and toss with
their keel. Dire was the confusion on board, and cruel were the blows
dealt with ungallant and unceasing violence at the hull of the _Charming
Sally_; and black, black as the night would have been the fate of the
hapless seamen on that occasion if the builders of the Eddystone had not
kept a brighter look-out on board their sheltering _Buss_. John Bowden
had observed the vessel bearing down on the rocks, and gave a startling
alarm. Without delay a boat was launched and pulled to the rescue.