hey made for
it, and their worst fears were realised--the remnant of the brig's hull
was there with ropes and wreckage tossing wildly round it--but no
lifeboat!

Sadly they turned away and continued to search for some time in the
faint hope that some of her crew might be floating about, buoyed up by
their lifebelts, but none were found, and at last they reluctantly made
for the harbour.

And when the harbour was gained what saw they there? The lifeboat! safe
and sound, floating as calmly beside the pier as if nothing had
happened! As the captain of the _Aid_ himself said, he felt inclined at
once to shout and cry for wonder, and we may be sure that his wonder was
not decreased when he heard the lifeboat's story from the brave
coxswain's lips--how that, after driving right across the sands, as I
have described, they suddenly found themselves in deep water. That
then, knowing the extremity of danger to be past, they had set the
sails, and, soon after, had, through God's mercy, landed the rescued
Portuguese crew in Ramsgate Harbour!

It must not be imagined, however, that such work as this can be done
without great cost to those who undertake it.

Some of the men never recovered from the effects of that night's
exposure. The gratitude of the Portuguese seamen was very great, as
well as their amazement at such a rescue! It is recorded of them that,
before arriving in the harbour, they were observed to be in consultation
together, and that one who understood a little English spoke to one of
the crew in an undertone.

"Coxswain," said the lifeboat man, "they want to give us all their
money!"

"Yes, yes," cried the Portuguese interpreter, in broken English; "you
have saved our lives! Thank you, thank you! but all we have is yours.
It is not much, but you may take it between you." The amount was
seventeen pounds!

As might have been expected, neither the coxswain nor his men would
accept a penny of it.

This coxswain was Isaac Jarman, who for many years led the famous
Ramsgate lifeboat into action, and helped to save hundreds of human
lives. While staying at Ramsgate I had the pleasure of shaking the
strong hard hand of Jarman, and heard some of his adventures from his
own lips.

Now, from all that has been said, it will, I think, be seen and admitted
that the lifeboats of the Institution are almost indestructible.

The _lifebelt_, to which reference has been so often made, deserves
special notice at this