Bright also knew well what to do.

George Aspel leaped on his shoulders and stood up. Mr Bright then
raised himself steadily, and thus the former was enabled to tie the
block by its two tails to the mast at a height of about eleven feet.
The line rove through the block was the "whip," which was to be
manipulated by those on shore. It was a double, and, of course, an
endless line.

Again the signal was given as before, and the line began to run. Very
soon a stout hawser or cable was seen coming out to the wreck. Aspel
fastened the end of this to the mast several feet below the pulley.

A third time the signal was given.

"Now then, ladies, stand by to go ashore, and let's have no hesitation.
It's life or death with us all," said the mate in a voice so stern that
the crowd of anxious and somewhat surprised females prepared to obey.

Presently a ring-shaped lifebuoy, with something like a pair of short
breeches dangling from it, came out from the shore, suspended to a block
which traversed on the cable, and was hauled out by means of the whip.

A seaman was ordered to get into it. Mrs Tods, who stood beside the
mate, eyeing the process somewhat curiously, felt herself firmly but
gently seized.

"Come, Mrs Tods, step into it. He'll take care of you--no fear."

"Never! never! without my two darlings," shrieked Mrs Tods.

But Mrs Tods was tenderly lifted over the side and placed in the
powerful arms of the sailor. Her sons instantly set up a howl and
rushed towards her. But Mr Bright had anticipated this also, and, with
the aid of a seaman, arrested them. Meanwhile, the signal having been
given, the men on the land pulled in the cradle, and Mrs Tods went
shrieking over the hissing billows to the shore. A few minutes more and
out came the cradle again.

"Now, then, for the two `darlings'," growled the mate.

They were forcibly put over the side and sent howling to their mother.

After them went Mrs Pods, who, profiting by the experience of her
friend, made no resistance. This however, was more than counterbalanced
by the struggles of _her_ three treasures, who immediately followed.

But the shades of evening were now falling, and it was with an anxious
feeling at his heart that the mate surveyed the cluster of human beings
who had yet to be saved, while each roaring wave that struck the wreck
seemed about to break it up.

Suddenly there arose a cry of joy, and, looking seaward, the bright
white and b