their grasp. In one case several men
of a crew tied themselves together with the end of the line and leaped
into the sea! They were indeed hauled ashore, but I believe that most,
if not all, of them were drowned.

Those whom we are now rescuing, however, are gifted, let us suppose,
with a small share of common sense. Having got hold of the line, one of
the crew, separated from the rest, signals the fact to the shore by
waving a hat, handkerchief, or flag, if it be day. At night a light is
shown over the ship's side for a short time, and then concealed. This
being done, those on shore make the end of the line fast to the _whip_
with its "tailed-block" and signal to haul off the line. When the whip
is got on board, a _tally_, or piece of wood, is seen with white letters
on a black ground painted on it. On one side the words are English--on
the other French. One of the crew reads eagerly:--

"Make the tail of the block fast to the lower mast well up. If masts
are gone, then to the best place you can find. Cast off the
rocket-line; see that the rope in the block runs free, and show signal
to the shore."

Most important cautions these, for if the tail-block be fastened too low
on the wreck, the ropes will dip in the water, and perhaps foul the
rocks. If the whip does not run free in the block it will jamb and the
work will be stopped; and, if the signals are not attended to, the
coastguardsmen may begin to act too soon, or, on the other hand, waste
precious time.

But the signals are rightly given; the other points attended to, and the
remainder of the work is done chiefly from the shore. The men there,
attach the hawser to the whip, and by hauling one side thereof in, they
run the other side and the hawser out. On receiving the hawser the crew
discover another _tally_ attached to it, and read:--

"Make this hawser fast about two feet above the tail-block. See all
clear, and that the rope in the block runs free, and show signal to the
shore."

The wrecked crew are quick as well as intelligent. Life depends on it!
They fasten the end of the hawser, as directed, about two feet _above_
the place where the tail-block is fixed to the stump of the mast. There
is much shouting and gratuitous advice, no doubt, from the forward and
the excited, but the captain and mate are cool. They attend to duty and
pay no regard to any one.

Signal is again made to the shore, and the men of the coastguard at once
set up