ith the storm, which blew directly in
their faces. They worked their way onwards, holding their cloaks tight
round them.

They at last reached the rocky point where, by the light of the beacon,
they saw a group of men and women and boys and girls collected, with
their gaze turned seaward, waiting anxiously for the appearance of the
boat which had gone out over the dark and troubled ocean in search of
their missing friends.

The dame and Nelly anxiously inquired what had happened. The answer
made their hearts sink: the "Sea-Gull" had last been seen driving
towards the rocks in an almost helpless condition; she might drop an
anchor, but there was little expectation that it would hold. The only
hope was that she might be reached before she was finally dashed to
pieces, and those on board her had perished.

CHAPTER TEN.

The "Rescue" gallantly made her way amid the dark foam-crested seas,
which rolled in from the westward, each appearing heavier than its
predecessor.

Uncle Reuben kept gazing out ahead in anxious search of his little
vessel, now encouraging his crew with the hopes that they would soon
reach the spot which she must have reached, feeling his own heart,
however, sink within him as he sought in vain to find her across the
wildly tossing waters. The men needed no encouragement: they knew as
well as he did that every moment was precious, and yet that after all
they might arrive too late. Eban pulled as hard as the rest; he would
do his utmost to save the crew of the "Sea-Gull," yet he darkly hoped
that their efforts might be vain.

On they pulled; often Reuben had to turn the boat's head to breast a
threatening sea which, caught on the broadside, might have hurled her
over. Now again he urged his crew to redoubled efforts during a
temporary lull.

For some time he had been silent, keeping his eye on a dark spot ahead.
It must be the "Sea-Gull." She was already fearfully near the rocks.
The water there was too deep to allow her anchor to hold long, if
holding it was at all. Another fierce wave came rolling towards them.
Eager as Uncle Reuben was to make his way onward, he was compelled to
put the boat's head towards it, and to give all his attention to avoid
being buried beneath the foaming billows. The boat rose safely to its
summit. A glance seaward told him that now was the time once more to
make way to the south. He looked eagerly for his little vessel; the
same sea had struck her. He