. Besides the captain, only one trembling wretch remained. He
clung frantically to the bulwarks, afraid of quitting his hold, and
trusting himself to the cradle.

"Come, Mr Mawson," exclaimed Captain Westerway, "I am hauling the
cradle back for the last time, and if you do not go, before many minutes
you will be carried off by the sea, and no power on earth can help you."

The wretched man looked up with pale cheeks and staring eyes. "I dare
not, I dare not," he answered. "But will you not save me, Captain
Westerway?"

"Save you! I want you to save yourself!" said the captain, taking him
by the shoulder. "Come, get in there, and hold tight;" and the captain
lifted the trembling wretch, and forced him into the cradle. He
shrieked out with alarm as he felt himself moving, clinging convulsively
to the hawser; but the men in the boat, more for the captain's sake than
his, hauled away, and quickly had him out; and the cradle was travelling
back for their brave commander. As he was placing himself in it he felt
the ship tremble violently. The sea which struck her washed over him.
Those in the boat thought he was gone, but to their joy they saw him
still holding on to the hawser. They hauled away with all their
strength, for a few seconds' delay might have caused his destruction. A
loud cheer burst from their throats as he reached the boat, and at that
moment the upper part of the ship, to which the hawser was made fast,
parted, and was speedily washed away.

The old captain sighed as he watched the ship breaking up. "I would
gladly have been among the poor fellows lost; and yet, no. I am wrong
to say that. It is my duty to look after those who are saved."

The survivors of the passengers and crew of the ill-fated "Crusader"
were now collected on the beach. Though saved from a watery grave, how
fearful would have been their condition had Harry and his companions not
been there to assist them! As it was, starvation stared them in the
face. How could all be fed with the scanty supply of provisions which
he possessed. Bill Windy proposed going back to the wreck; but now that
the communication with her had been cut off, it was impossible to get on
board without the greatest danger. Evening, too, was approaching, and
shelter must be found for the women and children. Harry despatched some
of his men for the axes to cut wood for fuel and building huts, while he
and others hauled up the boat, and by turning her