und them.

To get them out of their dangerous position was a matter of extreme
difficulty, because, although there was little or no wind, the swell
caused a surf on the rock which absolutely forbade the attempt to land.
In this emergency they fell upon a plan which seemed to afford some hope
of success. They anchored the large boat to the westward, and veered
down towards the rock as far as they dared venture. Then three men went
into the small boat, which was eased off and sent farther in by means of
a rope. When as near as it was possible to approach, a coil of rope was
thrown to the rock. It was caught by Teddy Maroon, and although in
extreme danger and anxiety, the men in the boat could not help giving
vent to a ringing cheer. Teddy at once tied the end of the rope round
the waist of old Henry Hall, and half persuaded, half forced him into
the surf, through which he was hauled into the boat in safety. Wilkie
went next, and Teddy followed. Thus they were rescued, put on board the
large boat, and carried on shore; but no sooner did the keel grate on
the sand, than Wilkie, who had never spoken a word, and who appeared
half stupefied, bounded on shore and ran off at full speed. It is a
curious fact, which no one has ever been able to account for, that this
man was never more heard of! As it is quite certain that he did not
cause the fire, and also that he did his utmost to subdue it, the only
conclusion that could be come to was, that the excitement and terror had
driven him mad. At all events that was the last of him.

Another curious fact connected with the fire is, that Henry Hall
actually did swallow a quantity of melted lead. He lingered for twelve
days after the accident, and then died. Afterwards his body was opened,
and an oval lump of lead, which weighed upwards of seven ounces, was
found in his stomach. This extraordinary fact is authenticated by the
credible testimony of a respectable medical man and several
eye-witnesses.

Meanwhile, the lighthouse continued to burn, despite the most strenuous
efforts made to save it. Had a storm arisen, the seas would speedily
have quenched the fire, but unfortunately the weather continued fine and
comparatively calm for several days, while the wind was just strong
enough to fan the fury of the flames, and at the same time to cause a
surf sufficiently high to render a landing on the rock impossible. But,
indeed, even if this had been effected, the efforts t