iling the first rope, in case the second shot failed too.

It did, again falling short.

"Try more powder," said the captain, grimly. "We've got to reach her."

"And soon," murmured old Abe. "She's breaking up fast."

Once more the mortar was fired, Blake and Joe, as well as Mr. Hadley,
getting films of every move.

"There she goes!" cried the captain, in delight, as he watched the third
shot. "Over her decks as clean as you'd want! Now to get the poor souls
ashore!"

On board the wrecked ship could be observed a scene of activity. The
sailors began hauling on the line, and presently the big cable began
paying out from shore. Soon it reached the side of the ship, to be
hauled up, and made fast to the stump of one of the masts.

"Lively now, boys!" cried the captain. "Pull taut and then run out the
buoy. She can't last much longer!"

The men made redoubled efforts, and Blake and Joe, leaving their
automatic camera working, while Mr. Hadley turned the operation of his
over to Macaroni, the three moving picture experts aided in the work of
rescue.

Soon the breeches buoy was hauled out to the ship for its first
passenger, and presently the sagging of the cable told that some one was
in it.

"Pull, boys!" cried the captain of the life savers, and through the
dashing waves, that threw their crests over the shipwrecked person, the
buoy was hauled ashore.

"Grab him!" cried the captain, as the first one saved was pulled up high
on the beach.

"It isn't a him, captain!" cried one of the men. "It's a woman!"

"Bless my sea boots!" yelled the captain. "A woman! Are there any more
of you aboard--or any children?"

"I--I'm the only one," was the panting answer, for she had swallowed
much water. "I'm the captain's wife. Can you--can you save the others?
They made me come first."

"That's right! Women and children always first!" shouted the captain.

"Of course we'll save the others," yelled C. C., who was running
excitedly about, helping all he could. "We'll save every one!" he
repeated.

"Gloomy in a new role--a happy one!" remarked Blake.

The buoy was hauled back, and another was saved--one of the sailors,
this time. He reported that there were in all twenty-five hands on the
ship, exclusive of the captain.

"He'll come last, of course," he said, simply.

"Of course," agreed Abe Haskill. "The captain allers does that. Once
more, boys!"

Again was a rescue effected, the moving picture cameras registerin