some one from the poop in a stern voice, as the boat lay tossing up and
down.

A chair slung by ropes was lowered with a female in it, who shrieked out
as she descended, "Hold on tight, hold on tight, good sailors! hold on,
I pray you, hold on tight! Don't let me drop into the water. I was
ready to sacrifice myself for the good of the rest by coming first; hold
on, hold on!"

Her tongue had been heard even before the chair was over the side, and
continuing till she was unlashed and handed over to the boatswain into
the stern of the boat, where she continued uttering exclamations without
intermission. "Oh, do take care of the girls, they are under my charge.
Let them come next; I must not be separated from them."

"Why," exclaimed Willy, as he caught sight of the lady's features, "are
you not Mrs Clagget, and are my sisters and Charles with you?"

"Yes, to be sure they are, and there comes Emily. And is it possible
that you are Willy Dicey, and can I believe my senses?" was the answer.

Willy did not stop to reply, but sprang to the bow of the boat to assist
his sister, who was just then being lowered down. May followed her.
Harry recognised them. "Is Charles with you?" he asked, as he carried
May aft.

"Oh, yes. Can he come with us?"

"Not till the other women are safe," he answered. "I am sure he would
not."

There was no time to exchange further words, for more women and children
were being lowered down. Poor Mrs Bolton, when she had got all her
children with her, cried out for her husband, but the necessary rule was
adhered to.

"He will come next trip, when you are all landed," said Harry.

Though anxious to take off as many as the boat could carry, Harry,
afraid of overloading her, at length resolved to take no more.

The passage to the shore, though short, was full of danger. The oars
were got out, the rope which held her to the ship cast off, and now came
the fierce struggle with the seas. The crew had to exert their utmost
strength to clear the end of the reef. Those who watched her from the
deck must have trembled for their safety. Often it seemed as if she
must be driven into the surf, which broke in sheets of foam over the
rocks; but the strong arms of the crew and their tough oars did not fail
them. The point of the reef was doubled, and the boat now glided into
comparatively smooth water within it. Instead of attempting to run on
the beach, Harry steered her towards some rocks wh