ange surroundings had something to do with it, for
there was a constant accompaniment of howling wind, with the surge of
the wild surf beating time to the magic of the bow, and it seemed as
though the player selected just such music as would be appropriate to
such a setting.

Finally the first detail had to make ready for their long tramp along
the beach, and muffled in their oilskins they sallied forth.

Later on Abner and his companions expected to start out, for Paul was
determined to learn all he could about this hard life of those who
patrolled the coasts while the storms raged, a helpful auxiliary to the
lighthouse department.

The men should have sought rest and sleep while they had the chance, but
no one seemed desirous of lying down.

Tom, the poor fellow with the broken leg, was bearing up bravely, and
only bemoaned the fact that, if there should be any necessity for the
launching of the surfboat he could not do his duty.

Suddenly everyone started up.

Above the roar of the storm a sound had come that could not be anything
other than the boom of a gun.

There is nothing that startles more than this sound, heard upon the
shore as the storm rages, for it invariably tells of peril hovering over
some vessel that has been beaten from her track and is threatened with
wreck, either upon the reefs or the treacherous sands.

Instantly all was bustle and excitement.

Every man donned his oilskins, and as they had made all preparations
there was little time wasted in doing this.

Paul rushed out with the rest, eager to be "in the swim," as he said.

It was a scene never to be forgotten.

The waves were running high and breaking upon the beach with a
thunderous roar, while the wind added to the clamor; so that save for
the absence of thunder and lightning the picture seemed to be a
duplicate of that other so strongly impressed upon Darry's mind.

Down the beach they could catch glimpses of an illumination, and it
seemed as though some of the coast patrol might be burning coster lights
to signal the vessel on the reef.

Presently they would come back, when the lifeboat would be launched.

With material that was kept ready for just such an emergency a fire was
immediately started.

Mr. Frazer was looking anxiously down the beach, and Darry heard him
calling to Abner.

"I don't like the looks of things yonder. That fire is none of the work
of our men. Jim Dilks and his wreckers must be over here looking