d, around the shallow crescent of the exposed bay in
which they lay, they could see by the light of the frequent flashes a
point on which the waves were beating wildly; and beyond there was a
promise of smooth water and safety. It was only a little way, scarcely
an eighth of a mile; but the way was beset with heart-breaking
difficulties.

"All hands ashore to push her off!" cried Garth.

The breed boys, welcoming a voice of authority in that bewildering
chaos, sprang to do his bidding. Garth and Charley set the example,
and the ten backs were braced under the lee gunwale of the _Loseis_,
measuring their sinews against the crashing blows of the waves on the
other side. They budged her inch by inch, often thrown back again; but
at last she floated, and there they managed to hold her for a moment,
rising and falling. Only one who has measured the strength of the surf
against the smallest craft, may comprehend the magnitude of their
labour.

"Aleck's crew ahead with the tracking-line," shouted Garth.

The line is always kept coiled and ready, hanging on the bow. Aleck
seized it, and followed by three others, ran ahead along the beach,
paying it out. The four of them slipped into the harness; and digging
their moccasined toes into the beach, painfully straightened their legs
under the pull. When the _Loseis_, answering, began to move inch by inch
along the shore, Garth put the remaining men on board one at a time,
where, armed with their poles, and braced almost horizontally, they held
her off the stones.

Natalie had long since deserted her sheltered nook, and, heedless of the
drenching downpour, watched them with eager eyes. Garth, his bruises
forgotten, seemed everywhere at once; he had even time to shout a word
of encouragement to her, and she longed mightily to do something to
help. Looking around, she saw her chance. The steersman's long sweep lay
along the deck; running it aft through its ring in the sternpost, and
pushing with all her strength against the stones astern, she added her
mite to keep the boat headed off. Garth observing, shouted his approval;
and Natalie's heart waxed big in her breast.

Inch by inch, then foot by foot, they won their painful way along the
lee shore. Over and over in spite of the six poles, she was thrown back
on the stones, whereupon they all leaped overboard and put their backs
under her lee. There was once when, Garth's pole snapping short, he
pitched headlong overboard. He cli