m from those in front of the crowd was almost
immediately answered by a cry from behind of:

"The Rescue! The Rescue! This way!"

Without checking his speed, the Rescue sprang into the sea, caught Gaff
by the hair of the head, and was next moment hurled on the breakwater.
He was prepared for the shock, and caught the hands of two men, who,
with ropes round their waists, waded into the water as far as they
dared. Billy was washed ashore at the same moment, almost in a state of
helpless exhaustion, and all were hauled out of the sea amid the wild
cheers of the excited crowd.

Gaff, being laid under the lee of the pier-wall, soon recovered, and
then he and Billy were led tenderly up to the town, where they were
kindly entertained and cared for during several days, by the hospitable
Rescue, in whose house they lodged during their stay in the fair city of
Aberdeen.

Most of the cattle that happened to be on board the ill-fated steamer
were saved, and among them was Squeaky. Shrieky, too, managed to
escape. His cage having been smashed in the general confusion he was
set free, and flew wildly towards the pier, where he took refuge in the
bosom of a sailor, who took care of him. Ultimately he and his
companion in distress were restored to their friends.

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO.

HOME AGAIN.

A few days after the events narrated in the last chapter, Gaff and his
son arrived by stage-coach in the town of Wreckumoft, and at once
started off for the village of Cove.

It was night. There was no moon, but the stars shone brightly in a
clear sky, affording sufficient light to show them their road.

Neither of them spoke. Their minds were filled with anxiety, for the
thought that was uppermost and ever-present in each was, "Are they well?
are they _alive_?" They did not utter the thought, however.

"It's a long bit since you an' I was here, Billy," observed Gaff in a
low voice.

"Ay, very long," replied the lad.

They walked on again at a smart pace, but in silence.

Presently they heard footsteps approaching, and a man soon came up from
the direction of Cove.

"Foine noight," said the man.

"Fine night it is," responded Gaff and Billy in the same breath.

Gaff suddenly turned and accosted the stranger just as he had passed
them.

"D'ye belong to Cove?"

"No, I doan't; only stoppin' there a bit."

"Ye don't happen to know a 'ooman o' the name o' Gaff, do ye?"

"Gaff--Gaff," repeated the man, meditat