he Skyres will have him, sure enow!'

'We can warn him!' she said, 'when he comes close enough. I have a
trumpet here!' He shook his head sorrowfully:

'Ah! my lady, what trumpet could sound against that storm an' from this
height?' Stephen's heart sank. But there was still hope. If the
swimmer's ears could not be reached, his eyes might. Eagerly she looked
back for the coming of the rocket-cart. Far off across the deep bay she
could see its lamp sway as it passed over the rough ground; but alas! it
would never arrive in time. With a note of despair in her voice she
asked:

'How long before he reaches the rocks?' Still without turning the old
man answered:

'At the rate he's going he will be in the sweep of the current through
the rocks within three minutes. If he's to be saved he must turn seaward
ere the stream grips him.'

'Would there be time to build a bonfire?'

'No, no! my lady. The wood couldn't catch in the time!'

For an instant a black film of despair seemed to fall on her. The
surging of the blood in her head made her dizzy, and once again the
prayer of the old memory rang in her brain:

'Oh to be God, and able to do things!'

On the instant an inspiration flashed through her. She, too could do
things in a humble way. She could do something at any rate. If there
was no time to build a fire, there was a fire already built.

The house would burn!

The two feet deep of old thatch held down with nets and battened with
wreck timber would flare like a beacon. Forthwith she spoke:

'Good people, this noble man who has saved a whole shipload of others
must not die without an effort. There must be light so that he can see
our warning to pass beyond the rocks! The only light can be from the
house. I buy it of you. It is mine; but I shall pay you for it and
build you such another as you never thought of. But it must be fired at
once. You have one minute to clear out all you want. In, quick and take
all can. Quick! quick! for God's sake! It is for a brave man's life!'

The men and women without a word rushed into the house. They too knew
the danger, and the only hope there was for a life. The assurance of the
Countess took the sting from the present loss. Before the minute, which
she timed watch in hand, was over, all came forth bearing armloads of
their lares and penates. Then one of the younger men ran in again and
out bearing a flaming stick from the fire. Stephen nodded,