ther sea poured in; we
hastily gathered in the slack of the rope, and when the water retreated,
we found both Bramble and Bessy clinging to the rope. In a moment the
men rushed down and hauled up the bodies. Bramble had hold of the rope
by both hands--it was the clutch of death; Bessy had her arms round her
father's neck; both were senseless. The boatmen carried them up to the
cottage, and the usual methods of recovery were resorted to with
success. Still we had to lament the death of two of our best pilots,
whose loss their wives and children were loudly wailing, and whose
bodies were not found for many days afterwards. Alas! they were not the
only ones who were lamented. Upwards of three hundred vessels were lost
during that dreadful gale, and hardly a seaport or fishing town but
bewailed its many dead.

Whether it was that the women who attended Bessy were more active than,
the men, or that she was younger, and her circulation of blood was more
rapid, or because she was a female, certain it is that Bessy first
recovered her speech, and her first question was, "Where was her
father?" Bramble did not speak, but fell into a sleep immediately after
he was brought to life. I had changed my clothes, and was watching by
him for an hour or more when he woke up.

"Ah! Tom, is that you? Where's Bessy?"

"She is in bed, but quite recovered."

"Quite recovered--I recollect. I say, Tom, ain't she a fine creature?
God bless her. Well, she owes me nothing now, at all events. I think I
should like to get up, Tom. I wonder whether I smashed my old pipe on
the shingle? Just look into my wet jacket. I say, Tom, were they all
saved?"

"No," I replied; "Fisher and Harrison were both drowned."

"Poor fellows! I wish they had been spared. Fisher has seven
children--and Harrison, he has a wife, I think."

"Yes, and two children, father."

"Poor woman! God's will be done! He giveth and He taketh away! Tom, I
must get up and see Bessy."

I assisted Bramble to dress, and as soon as he had put on his clothes he
went to Bessy's room. I stayed at the door. "You may come in, Tom;
she's muffled up in her blankets, and fast asleep."

"Quite fast," said Mrs Maddox; "she has slept more than an hour. Dear
heart, it will do her good."

Bramble kissed Bessy's pale forehead, but it did not waken her. "Look,
Tom," said Bramble, "look at that smooth, clear skin--those pretty
features. Look at the delicate creature! an