a triangle with a pendent block, through which the shore-end of
the hawser is rove, and attached to a double-block tackle. Previously,
however, a block called a "traveller" has been run on to the hawser.
This block travels on and _above_ the hawser, and from it is suspended
the lifebuoy. To the "traveller" block the whip is attached; then the
order is given to the men to haul, and away goes the lifebuoy to the
wreck, run out by the _men on shore_.

When it arrives at the wreck the order is, "Women first." But the women
are too terrified, it may be, to venture. Can you wonder? If you saw
the boiling surf the heaving water, the roaring and rushing waves, with
black and jagged rocks showing here and there, over which, and partly
through which, they are to be dragged, you would respect their fears.
They shrink back: they even resist. So the captain orders a 'prentice
boy to jump in and set them the example. He is a fine, handsome boy,
with curly brown hair and bright black eyes. He, too, hesitates for a
moment, but from a far different motive. If left to himself he would
emulate the captain in being that proverbial "last man to quit the
wreck," but a peremptory order is given, and, with a blush, he jumps
into the bag, or breeches, of the buoy, through which his legs project
in a somewhat ridiculous manner. A signal is then made to the shore.
The coastguardsmen haul on the whip, and off goes our 'prentice boy like
a seagull. His flight is pretty rapid, considering all things. When
about half-way to land he is seen dimly in the mist of spray that bursts
wildly around and over him. Those on the wreck strain their eyes and
watch with palpitating hearts. The ship has been rolling a little.
Just then it gives a heavy lurch shoreward, the rope slackens, and down
goes our 'prentice boy into the raging sea, which seems to roar louder
as if in triumph! It is but for a moment, however. The double-block
tackle, already mentioned as being attached to the shore-end of the
hawser, is manned by strong active fellows, whose duty it is to ease off
the rope when the wreck rolls seaward, and haul it in when she rolls
shoreward, thus keeping it always pretty taut without the risk of
snapping it.

A moment more and the 'prentice is seen to emerge from the surf like a
true son of Neptune; he is seen also, like a true son of Britain, to
wave one hand above his head, and faintly, through driving surf and
howling gale, comes a cheer