of the pier, leaving the passengers and crew in the waves.

It would be difficult to say whether the shouts of the multitudes who
stood on the pier-head or the shrieks of the wrecked people were
loudest.

Instantly every exertion was made to save them. Boats were launched,
ropes were thrown, buoys were cast into the sea, and many of the people
were saved, but many were also drowned before assistance reached them.

Gaff and Billy, being expert swimmers, seized the persons nearest to
them, and took them safe to the pier, where ready hands were stretched
out to grasp them. The former saved a lady, the latter a little girl.
Then they plunged back into the sea, and saved two more lives.

While this was going on, several of the passengers were swept round into
the bay, where they would have perished but for the prompt and able
assistance of a man who was known as "The Rescue."

This man was so named because he undertook the dangerous and trying duty
of watching the bathers during the summer months, and rescuing such of
them as got out of their depth.

In this arduous work that heroic man had, during five years of service,
saved with his own hands between thirty and forty lives--in some cases
with a boat, but in most cases by simply swimming out and seizing the
drowning persons, and without using corks or floats of any kind. When
asked why he did not use a lifebelt, he said that it would only impede
his motions and prevent him from diving, which he was often compelled to
do when the drowning persons had sunk. His usual method was to swim off
when there was a shout for help, and make for the struggling man or boy
so as to come up behind him. He then seized him under the armpits, and
thus effectually prevented him from grasping him in any way. Drawing
him gently upon his breast while he lay over on his back, he then made
for the shore, swimming on his back and using his feet only.

On the present occasion the "Rescue" saved four or five of those who
were washed into the bay, and then ran out to the end of the pier to
render assistance there.

In height he was not above the middle size, but he had a very muscular
and well-knit frame. Just as he drew near, Gaff, who was bearing a
little boy through the surf in his arms, was hurled against the stones
of the pier, rendered insensible, and sucked back by the retreating
water. Billy was farther out at the moment, and did not see what had
occurred.

The shout of alar