r utmost energy indeed, but without confusion, they sprang to the
boat which, although lifted, had not been washed away. Accustomed to
launch it in all weathers, they got it into the water, and, almost
mechanically, Ned Spivin and Gunter tumbled into it, while Joe Davidson
held on to the painter. Billy Bright was about to follow, but looking
back shouted, "Come along, father!" David, however, paid no attention
to him. He still stood firmly at the tiller guiding the wreck, which
having been lifted off, or over the part of the sand on which she had
struck, was again plunging madly onward.

A few moments and one of those overwhelming seas which even the
inexperienced perceive to be irresistible, roared after the disabled
vessel. As it reached her she struck again. The billow made a clean
sweep over her. Everything was carried away. The boat was overturned,
the stout painter snapped, and the crew left struggling in the water.

But what of the people on shore when this terrible scene was being
enacted? They were not entirely ignorant of it. Through driving sleet
and spray they had seen in the thick darkness something that looked like
a vessel in distress. Soon the spectral object was seen to advance more
distinctly out of the gloom. Well did the fishermen know what that
meant, and, procuring ropes, they hastened to the rescue, while spray,
foam, sand, and even small pebbles, were swept up by the wild hurricane
and dashed in their faces.

Among the fishermen was a young man whose long ulster and cap told that
he was a landsman, yet his strength, and his energy, were apparently
equal to that of the men with whom he ran. He carried a coil of thin
rope in his left hand. With the right he partly shielded his eyes.

"They'll be certain to strike here," cried one of the fishermen, whose
voice was drowned in the gale, but whose action caused the others to
halt.

He was right. The vessel was seen to strike quite close, for the water
was comparatively deep.

"She's gone," exclaimed the young man already referred to, as the vessel
was seen to be overwhelmed.

He flung off his top-coat as he spoke, and, making one end of the small
line fast round his waist, ran knee-deep into the water. Some of the
fishermen acted in a somewhat similar fashion, for they knew well that
struggling men would soon be on the shore.

They had not to wait long, for the crew of the _Evening Star_ were young
and strong, and struggled pow