the crew of the wrecked ship
clustered on the fragment of the bow, and gazed on the tumultuous flood
of foaming water that seethed between them and the shore, their hearts
failed them for fear. Some sternly compressed their lips, and looked
like men who had made up their minds to "die game." A few even looked
defiant, as if daring Fate to do her worst, though the pallor of their
countenances gave the lie to the expression of their features; but many
of them, in the terror of the moment, cried aloud for mercy, and wildly
promised amendment if their lives should be spared. A few were composed
and grave. Brave men, though bad. Possibly some of these prayed. If
so, they had the sense to do it silently to Him who knows the secrets of
all hearts.

"No man can cross that and live," said the skipper, in a low, sad tone.

"It is my intention to try, Master Trench," said Paul Burns, grasping
the end of a light line and tying it round his waist.

Little Oliver looked quickly and anxiously at his friend. His heart
sank, for he saw at a glance that it was not possible to follow him.
The deed, if done at all, must be done by his friend alone. Great,
therefore, was the rebound of joy in the boy's heart when Paul said--

"Now, Olly, attend to me. My life, under God, may depend on close
attention to my signals and the management of the line. I can trust
your father and the men to haul me back to the ship if need be, but I
will trust only you to pay out and read my signals. Observe, now, let
there be no _slack_ to the line; keep it just taut but without any pull
on it, so that you may _feel_ the signals at once. One pull means _pay
out faster_, two pulls mean _haul me aboard_, three pulls is _all right
and fix the big hawser to the line so that I may haul it ashore_. Now,
Olly, I trust to you to read my signals and act promptly."

Oliver's heart was too full to speak. He looked at his friend with
swimming eyes and nodded his head.

"Men," said Paul to the crew, "let me beg you to obey the boy's orders
smartly. If God wills it so, we shall all be saved."

He leaped over the side as he concluded. Another moment and he was seen
to rise and buffet the plunging waters manfully. Great as was the
muscular strength of the young man, it seemed absolute feebleness to
those who looked on; nevertheless he made headway towards the shore,
which was strewn with great boulders with a low cliff behind them. It
was among these bo