e.

She and her companions drew closer to where the life-savers were at
work. The boys and girls were wet, for the rain penetrated through coats,
and umbrellas were impossible. But they did not mind this, and Mrs.
Chester had promised to have hot coffee for them when they got back to
the bungalow. She had refused to go out to look at the wreck.

"I just couldn't bear it!" she had exclaimed with a shudder.

The guards were burying in the sand a heavy anchor to which the main
rope of the breeches buoy would be fastened. The other end would be made
fast to the highest part of the ship, so that the person being pulled
ashore in the carrier would be as far above the waves as possible. The
three masts had been broken off, but the jagged stump of one stuck up,
and could be seen when there came a momentary lull in the rain.

It was not very cold, though much of the heat of summer had been
dissipated in the cool rain.

"If it was winter, how terrible it would be," said Eline. "Sometimes I
have seen lake steamers just a mass of ice."

"Yes, there is something to be thankful for," Cora agreed. "Oh, they are
going to fire, I think."

She pointed to where some of the men were setting the mortar, or small
cannon, which is discharged to send a line to stranded ships. The mortar
fires a long, round piece of iron, to which is fastened a light, but
strong, line. When this falls aboard the vessel a stronger rope is hauled
from shore by means of it.

"Yes, they're going to shoot!" agreed Jack. "They must have trouble
keeping their powder dry."

Bess covered her ears with her hands and cried:

"Oh, if they're going to fire I'm going to run!"

"Silly! It won't make much noise!" exclaimed Norton. "They don't use a
heavy charge."

"I don't care. I'm going to----"

But Bess did not have time to do anything, for at that moment the captain
pulled the lanyard that set off the mortar. The report was loud enough,
though partly smothered by the storm.

"It fell short!" exclaimed Rosalie, who was watching intently. "See, it
fell into the water!"

"Does that mean they can't make the rescue?" asked Belle, in an awed voice.

"Oh, no, they'll fire again," answered Rosalie.

A guard was hauling in on the line, which had the weight attached to it.
Soon it was in the mortar again, the line coiled beside it in a box in
a peculiar manner to prevent tangling.

Once more the shot was fired.

"There it goes! It's going to land this time!"