seaman again vaulted into the boat. His services were now accepted, and
a cork life-belt was given to him, which he quickly put on.

Meanwhile crowds of men, and even some women and boys, stood ready at
the launching-ropes. The word was given. There was a strong and a long
pull altogether, and the lifeboat sprang into the sea as if it had been
alive, with her crew seated and the oars out. A huge wave caught her
bow and raised her up almost perpendicular. She seemed as if about to
dance a reel upon her rudder. Our man-of-war's man had rode in many a
wild sea, but never before had he seen the like of that. Nevertheless,
he clung to his seat like a limpet, and pulled at his oar with all his
might. The others were more accustomed to that special work. Just as
she seemed about to topple over, the boat dropped forward and plunged
out to sea. The next wave caught her in the same way, but with less
power. Another stroke of the short, stout oars, and they had got fairly
off into deep water.

Then did the heart of the young sailor beat wildly, for, besides
rejoicing in that fierce struggle with the storm, he knew that his
mission was one of mercy as well as danger. But how much more wildly
did his heart beat when he reached the wreck, and, by the light of the
blazing tar-barrel, beheld about twenty human beings--some of them women
and children--clinging to the wreck, which was buried in foaming water
by every sea.

One by one they were got into the lifeboat with great difficulty. Then
the boat was pushed off and rowed towards the land. What a deep-toned
shout there was on shore when her light form was dimly seen coming in on
the crest of a great billow! And what a mighty cheer rang out when she
drew closer, and the man at the bow-oar stood up and cried, "Thank God,
_all_ saved!"

Just then a monster wave fell on the stern of the boat and filled it.
One little girl was swept overboard and went away with the backward rush
of water, as the boat was hauled out of danger. Every one saw this, and
a terrible cry went up, but only one man moved. Our young sailor sprang
after the child. He knew that it was almost certain death to enter that
surf without a rope, but a spirit of self-sacrifice--founded on the
great example of Jesus--urged him on. He had no time to think--only to
act. He caught the child and was dragged along with her into the wild
sea. At that moment another Coastguardsman, who chanced to be a frien