st, as Ratsey told me, who went down to see
them, though he said nothing of the branded 'Y', and they were taken up
and put under some sheeting at the back of the beach, there to lie till a
grave should be made ready for them.

Then I felt something that told me he was coming and saw a body rolled
over in the surf, and knew it for the one I sought. 'Twas nearest me he
was flung up, and I ran down the beach, caring nothing for the white
foam, nor for the under-tow, and laid hold of him: for had he not left
the rescue-line last night, and run down into the surf to save my
worthless life? Ratsey was at my side, and so between us we drew him up
out of the running foam, and then I wrung the water from his hair, and
wiped his face and, kneeling down there, kissed him.

When they saw that we had got a body, others of the men came up, and
stared to see me handle him so tenderly. But when they knew, at last, I
was a stranger and had the iron ring upon my wrist, and a 'Y' burned upon
my cheek, they stared the more; until the tale went round that I was he
who had come through the surf last night alive, and this poor body was my
friend who had laid down his life for me. Then I saw Ratsey speak with
one and another of the group, and knew that he was telling them our
names; and some that I had known came up and shook me by the hand, not
saying anything because they saw my heart was full; and some bent down
and looked in Elzevir's face, and touched his hands as if to greet him.
Sea and stones had been merciful with him, and he showed neither bruise
nor wound, but his face wore a look of great peace, and his eyes and
mouth were shut. Even I, who knew where 'twas, could scarcely see the 'Y'
mark on his cheek, for the paleness of death had taken out the colour of
the scar, and left his face as smooth and mellow-white as the alabaster
figures in Moonfleet church. His body was naked from the waist up, as he
had stripped for jumping from the brig, and we could see the great broad
chest and swelling muscles that had pulled him out of many a desperate
pass, and only failed him, for the first and last time so few hours ago.

They stood for a little while looking in silence at the old lander who
had run his last cargo on Moonfleet beach, and then they laid his arms
down by his side, and slung him in a sail, and carried him away. I walked
beside, and as we came down across the sea-meadows, the sun broke out and
we met little groups of schoolchi