they waited for now was the coming of one man, whose beat happened
to be a little longer than any other, but who should have shown up ere
now.

As the minutes passed the anxiety of the helmsman grew apace, for those
on the stranded vessel were sending more rockets up, as though they
believed their peril to be very great.

The men stood at their places, ready to push at the word, and then leap
aboard.

Darry was with them, eager and alert; indeed, he had done such good
service up to now that the stout Mr. Frazer cast an eye toward him more
than once, as though tempted to ask him to take the place of the missing
man, who must have had an accident on the way, perhaps spraining an
ankle over some unseen obstacle that came in his way as he ran headlong.

Darry saw him talking with Abner, who looked his way, and shook his head
as if hardly willing to give his consent.

Just as his hopes ran high, and the words seemed trembling on the lips
of the helmsman a shout was heard and the missing man came limping down
to take his place without a complaint, though as it afterwards turned
out he had a bad sprain.

Then the wild word was given, the men heaved, the surf boat ran into the
water, with the men jumping aboard, oars flashed out on either side, and
were dipped deep, after which the boat plunged into the next wave, rode
on its crest like a duck, made a forward move, and then darkness shut it
from the gaze of the lad left behind.

CHAPTER X

JIM THE BULLY

Although he could not accompany the life savers in the boat Darry had
been given duties to perform, which he went about with a vim.

One of these was to keep the fire burning, so that it might serve as a
beacon to the life savers as they toiled at the oars.

What with the darkness, and the flying spray that seemed almost as dense
as fog, it was a difficult task to hold their bearings, and this glare
upon the clouds overhead was essential.

By this time several other men arrived on the scene, having taken
chances upon the bay when it was seen that the night would be stormy.

They were only too willing to assist, and as time passed many anxious
looks were cast out upon the dashing sea in expectation of seeing the
boat returning, possibly with some of the passengers or crew of the
vessel in danger.

Finally a loud shout was heard:

"There they come!"

Upon the top of an incoming billow the lifeboat was seen perched, with
the men laboring at the oars to