ather-side, I fear."

From the position we had gained we could now see to leeward; and there,
sure enough, hung the mainmast, which the sea was tossing up and down in
a way which would speedily have destroyed our boat. The coxswain's
resolution was taken. Running to windward, he ordered the anchor to be
let go and the sails lowered. His object was to get sufficiently near
the wreck to receive the people on board without actually touching her.
This was a dangerous undertaking; but it had to be performed, if any of
the shipwrecked crew were to be saved. Six hands went to the bow, and
gradually the cable was paid out, the huge rolling seas carrying us
nearer and nearer the wreck. Several broke over us, and, rising against
the side of the vessel, concealed her and the crew hanging on to the
rigging from our sight. I remained seated, clinging on to the thwart,
for I knew that I could do nothing. The brave coxswain, standing up,
watched for an advantageous moment to approach the wreck. It seemed to
me that it would never come.

"Slacken the cable," he shouted out; "three fathoms, a little more, a
little more!"

And now the stern of the boat got close up to the wreck. With a wild
cry of "Now, lads, now!" four men sprang into the lifeboat. They were
active seamen, or they could not have done it. Scarcely were they on
board, than, looking forward, I saw a tremendous sea come rushing down
on the boat. The coxswain shouted, "Haul in, lads! haul in!" The crew,
with two of the men who had just joined us, hauled away from the wreck,
only just in time; for the sea would otherwise have carried us right up
on her deck, and either have dashed the boat to pieces or upset her, and
sent us all struggling into the water. The huge wave having broken,
again the boat was allowed to approach, and six more of the crew, having
unlashed themselves, sprang into her one after the other. Neither they
nor we were in safety. "Are there any more of you?" asked the coxswain,
who was compelled to keep his eye to windward to watch the approaching
waves.

"Yes, five more," was the answer.

"Haul away! haul away, lads!" shouted the coxswain, for at that instant
he saw another huge wave rolling in.

The lifeboat crew saw it too, and knew full well that it would prove our
destruction, should we not get to a safe distance. Still, the remainder
of the crew were not to be deserted. Three were men, the other two
boys. I could see the poor