og. Cap'n sent me to look arter you,
and put this here on, but it's 'bout ten sizes too big. I shall have to
cut it down. Manage it somehow, though."

"Is my father very angry with me for coming on board?" faltered Bob.

"Not a bit, my lad. Glad to see you, o' course," said the coxswain, who
was busy at work altering the cords of the life-belt. "But he says you
must go ashore again wi' me, and as there's rough weather ahead, you
and me's got to wear these here."

"I don't think I feel quite so sick now, 'Jack,'" said the boy; the
knowledge that his father was not angry, acting wonderfully upon him.
"But, I say, 'Jack,' I can't move in this thing."

"Well, it _is_ a bit ork'ard, my lad, but use is second natur'; and
we'll take 'em off when we get ashore."

"But do sailors always wear these things in fogs?"

"Well, not quite allus, my lad. There you are now; makes you look quite
'ansum, if you didn't look quite so much like a young ellyfunt. Now
I'll slip mine on, and we'll go on deck."

The next minute they were on the bridge, the coxswain looking upon
that, as the proper place for his Captain's son. "Easily drop down to
fust boat when they're going to shove off," said Jeffs, to the Captain.

Meanwhile all possible had been done, and with the swell, heavier as
they neared the coast, the "Flash" tore on through the dense white
mist, till the sound of breakers ahead, warned the Captain, that speed
must be slackened, and the vessel's course a little changed; but, it
was impossible to tell exactly where they were, for nothing was visible
a dozen yards from the bows. Hardly had the course been changed, and
the second officer despatched to see whether the vessel would keep
afloat till the fog lifted, than there was a dull grinding sound, then
a bump, a slow onward motion, and then those on board, were nearly
taken off their feet by the sudden stoppage.

The "Flash" was fast on the rocks, and a wave struck her, came on
board, and swept the deck.

Captain Trevor turned to look at the coxswain, who was standing making
a piece of lead-line fast about the boy's waist, and gave the officer a
nod. Then the orders were given, the first boat was manned, and Tom
Jeffs looked at Captain Trevor for orders.

"Next boat," he said, and as the first was lowered, and floated off in
safety, the second was filled, and once more the coxswain looked for
his orders. "Wait for the other," said the Captain, who was afraid to
let his son