d come from a hamlet a short distance to the
north of Sandhills, from which place the wreck had been seen as well as
from the Haddens' village. Though she had not left the shore till after
the Haddens' boat had put off, she had the wind more in her favour, so
it seemed likely that she would reach the wreck as soon as they could.
When more than one boat is launched to go to a wreck, there is always a
rivalry among the boatmen of the coast to try who will be the first on
board, and if anything had been wanting to make the young Haddens toil
harder than they had been doing, this would have made them. Still, the
gale blew so strong that they could scarcely make any way against the
wind, and all they could do at times was to keep the boat with her head
to the sea to prevent her from being swamped (or filled with water).
Yet on they went. They believed that they might be able to save some of
their fellow-creatures from death, and that thought was enough to make
them run all risks.

The last squall had been stronger than any others. Soon after it had
passed over, John Hadden took a steady look to windward. "My boys,"
said he, "the gale is breaking. By the time we get up to the wreck, it
will be calm enough to allow us to climb on board. It is to be hoped
that her crew will stick by the vessel. No! what folly! they have
launched another boat, and she will meet, I fear, with the fate of the
first." He was silent for some minutes, while he looked now and again
towards the wreck. "I feared so!" he cried at last; "they are lost,
every one of them; no man could swim through that boiling surf."

Nearly another half-hour passed after this before the two boats got up
to the wreck. The gale had by this time very much abated, and, the tide
having turned, the sea had gone down. The boats pulled under the lee of
the wrecked vessel, which held well together, and had her crew stayed on
board, they might have been saved. Not a person was to be seen on deck.
The fishermen shouted loudly; no one came. It seemed certain that all
must have perished. Without help from the ship it was at first
difficult to get on board, except at great risk. However, after waiting
some time longer, the boats were able to run alongside, and the crews
reached her deck. They searched the ship through; not a human being was
found on board. A fire, however, was burning in the cabin grate, and
before it sat a cat, quietly licking her paws. (A fact.) I