her companions a good example. She perhaps, as well as any one, knew
the risk that must be run.

"Now, my dear ladies, and you soldiers' wives, don't be screaming out if
a little drop of water cornea aboard; we'll soon send it back again; and
in ten minutes or so we shall be safe at anchor. Just think how God has
taken care of us heretofore, and He is not going to desert us now," she
exclaimed, looking round on those to whom she spoke.

The gale was rapidly increasing; dark clouds were gathering overhead,
from which ever and anon flashes of bright lightning darted forth, with
crashing peals of thunder. The leaden-coloured waves danced up wildly
on either side. The boats dashed on. The roaring of the breakers could
be heard, as they leaped up madly against the frowning rocks. Harry
kept his eye fixed on the spot of clear water ahead. On either hand of
it rose up the white foaming wall of hissing waters, amid which the
stoutest boats would have been in an instant overwhelmed. There was no
possibility of turning back now; they must stand on, or their
destruction would be inevitable. Harry, holding on to the mast with one
hand, kept the other pointed in the direction Lizard was to steer. Many
of those on board shut their eyes as they drew near the roaring
breakers. The tide was running out strong. Such a wind as was then
blowing would alone have enabled the boats to stem it. Tall basaltic
cliffs rose up on either hand, while the foaming rollers, as they came
in, appeared ready to engulf the two boats. Now the launch rose to the
summit of a high sea, now downward she glided, the breakers hissing and
foaming so close to her that it seemed impossible she could pass through
the narrow opening between them in safety. Now a heavy mass of water
came tumbling on board on the starboard side; now another fell over her
on the other hand.

"Bail away, boys, bail away," cried Mr Rumbelow; and all who had
buckets or cans exerted themselves to the utmost, down to young Broke,
the water being hove out again as fast almost as it had come on board.
The launch flew on. Harry breathed more freely. She was already within
the breakers; but the waters still kept leaping and tumbling about in a
way which showed the rapid current running against them. Should they be
becalmed under the cliffs, they might find it impossible to stem it.
Willy had been standing near Lizard; he now looked back anxiously for
the cutter. Where was sh