go in the crowd which filled the second.

He gave the order, and waiting their opportunity, without any hurry,
the second lieutenant contrived to lower this boat, so that, when the
next wave came, she floated away into the thick mist.

The first lieutenant now saw to the manning of the last boat, and for
the third time the coxswain looked in his Captain's face for his
orders, but still they did not come.

The Captain glanced round, but there was nothing, save the breaking
waves sweeping over the deck, and the fog shutting all in.

"Quick, sir, please," shouted the first lieutenant.

"Yes, go now, Jeffs," said the Captain hoarsely, and he bent down and
kissed his boy.

"After you, sir," said the coxswain.

"Go, sir, instantly!" roared the Captain.

"What! and leave you here?" cried the man. "Not me. It's mut'ny, but I
won't desert my Captain."

Captain Trevor caught him by the hand. "To save my boy, Jeffs," he said
hoarsely. "Man, I cannot desert my ship."

The coxswain looked puzzled, and hesitated.

"Quick, man!" roared the Captain. "Ah! too late!"

For a tremendous wave struck the side of the "Flash," swept over her,
and deluged the boat, hanging from the other side, with spray; and when
the veil of foam fell, she had disappeared, and the three left on the
bridge, were all that remained.

The Skipper had stood watching all, with a scared white lace, but he
had not uttered a cry, for there were two people with him, in whom he
had the firmest faith; and now, amidst the roaring of the waves, he
stood, and listened to the angry scene which followed.

For Tom Jells had unfastened his life-belt.

"Put that on again, instantly!" cried the Captain.

"Can't, your honour. You ain't got one."

"You are a stronger and a better swimmer than I am, Jeffs. I beg and
pray you, then--I do not order you--to save my child and take him to
his mother. Tell her I did my duty to the last."

Tom Jeffs tied the life-belt on again, and said gruffly: "It's your
orders, sir, and I'll do it if I live."

At that moment as if by magic the fog began to grow light towards the
south. Then lighter still, and floated slowly eastward after the boats,
leaving the "Flash" quite clear, with the breaking waves sparkling in
the sun. In another five minutes, there was the shore, not a quarter of
a mile away, with a broad beach of sand beneath the towering granite
cliffs.

"Ah!" cried the Captain; "you can swim that, Jeffs?"

"I think