ing, and the seas washed up her sides as she
surged slowly forward.

"Burn a blue light, Mr Timmins," he shouted to the boatswain, who had
got one all ready; and as the bright fire burst forth it cast a lurid
glare on the masts and rigging, and the countenances of the lookers-on,
giving them the hue of death.

Colonel Ross, forgetting for a moment the effect always produced by the
light, thought that his daughter was going off into a swoon. But her
trembling voice reassured him.

"I am thankful to see that signal," she observed. "It will surely
enable them to find their way to the ship."

"I hope that they will bring back our young friend, and the lad he has
so gallantly hazarded his own life to save," said the colonel; "but the
difficulty of finding them in the dark must be very great, unless they
retain strength sufficient to make their position known by their
voices."

"They will come! They will come!" exclaimed Violet. "Oh, father, it is
very dreadful!" She could say no more.

The time went on. More blue lights were burned. Again and again the
captain shouted, "Does any one see the boat?"

At length a seaman exclaimed, "There she is! There she is!" and others
declared that they saw her. A cheer arose, joined in by most on board,
but it was silenced by the captain. He now himself observed the boat
approaching slowly, tossing up and down on the heaving seas. Oh, the
horrible suspense to be endured till it could be got alongside, for it
was impossible to see who was in her!

"Have you got them safe?" asked the captain, unable longer to restrain
his anxiety. No answer came. Possibly the dashing of the seas drowned
his voice. The boat came nearer and nearer, and willing hands stood
ready to lift on board those she brought back. On she came. The oars
were thrown in. The bowman caught the rope hove to him. Eager faces
peered down into her to ascertain if the lads had been saved.

"All right; we have them safe!" at length cried a voice from the boat.

"They are saved! They are saved!" was echoed along the deck; and even
the most phlegmatic of the passengers shook each other's hands, and
expressed their satisfaction; while several of the ladies burst into
tears,--as did one of the officers, as gallant a young fellow as ever
lived. Violet darted forward, followed by the colonel, as Reginald was
hoisted on deck. Though evidently exhausted, he was able to stand
leaning on the shoulder of honest