on from darkness to light, the
water trickled off him and speedily formed a little pool at his feet on
the well sanded floor.

This new-comer was Bob Legerton, the hero of my story.

"Well, Bob, what's the news?" was the general exclamation, as the
assembled party rose with one accord to their feet. "Rockets going up
from the `Middle' and the `Gunfleet,'" panted the lad, as he wiped the
moisture from his eyes with the back of his hand.

"All right," responded old Bill. Then drawing himself up to his full
height and casting a scrutinising glance round the room, he exclaimed--

"Now, mates, how many of yer's ready to go out?"

"Why, _all_ of us in course, dad," replied Jack Willis. "'Twas mostly
in expectation of bein' wanted that we comed down here to-night. And
we've all got our oilskins, so you've only got to pick your crew and
let's be off."

A general murmur of assent followed this speech, and the men forthwith
ranged themselves along the sides of the room so as to give Bill a clear
view of each individual and facilitate a rapid choice.

"Then I'll take you, Jack; and you, Dick; and you; and you; and you;"
quickly selecting a strong crew of the stoutest and most resolute men in
the party.

The chosen ones lost no time in donning their oilskin garments, a task
in which they were cheerfully assisted by the others; and while they
were so engaged the hostess issued from the bar with tumblers of smoking
hot grog, one of which she handed to each of the adventurers, saying--

"There, boys, drink that off before you go out into the cold and the
wet; it'll do none of you any harm, I'm sure, on a night like this, and
on such an errand as yours. And you, Bill, if you save anybody and
decide to bring 'em into Brightlingsea, send up a signal-rocket as soon
as you think we can see it over the land, and I'll have hot water and
blankets all ready for the poor souls against they come ashore."

"Ay, ay, mother; I will," replied old Bill. "Only hope we may be lucky
enough to get out to 'em in time; the wind's dead in our teeth all the
way. Now, lads, if ye're all ready let's be off. Thank'ee, mother, for
the grog."

The men filed out, Bill leading, and took their way down to the beach, a
very few yards distant, the dim flickering light of a lantern being
exhibited from the water-side for a moment as they issued into the open
air.

"There's Bob waitin' with the boat; what a chap he is!" ejaculated one
of the men a