earted boatmen of Deal also thought that something
might be done, and launched their luggers, but were in some cases
obliged to desist owing to the ever-increasing fury of the storm.

The rockets were seen also by another party of seamen, who stood grouped
under the lee of a boat-house far away to the southward. This was the
crew of a small lifeboat which stood ready to be launched. The boat was
quickly run out of its house by command of its coxswain, and the crew
hastily equipped themselves for their dangerous work.

They put on life-jackets made of a number of pieces of cork sewed on
canvas, in such a way as to cover their bodies from shoulder to waist
without interfering with the play of the arms. Some of the men objected
to put these on at first, feeling afraid lest their courage should be
called in question, in consequence of their using a contrivance which
was not in such general use at that time as it is now. Their objections
were overcome, however, except in the case of one young man, who
exclaimed, "No, no, none o' yer floats for me. When my time comes I
must go, and them things won't save me."

The poor man did not see that the same argument, if correct, would have
justified his going off in a coble instead of a lifeboat. The want of
perception on this point, and false pride, cost him his life.

Several young women, wives of some of the men, had assembled there to
dissuade their husbands from going out on such a terrible night. These
were so alarmed at the terrific thunder of the surf on the shores of the
little bay, and the howling of the wind, that they clung to the men and
entreated them with tears not to venture. Is it a matter of wonder that
these bold fellows, who could not be appalled by the storm, found it
difficult to resist the power of woman's tears? They wavered for a few
seconds; but when the coxswain, who was a cool, intrepid old
man-of-war's man, cried in a hearty voice, "Now then, lads, look alive;
shove off and jump in!" every man sprang to his post, and the lifeboat
was afloat in an instant. Through some mismanagement, however, she
turned broadside to the sea, was overturned instantly, and rolled over
on the beach. The women shrieked; the men on shore ran to the rescue,
and fortunately saved every man with the exception of the one who had
refused to put on the life-jacket, and who being less able to support
himself than his companions when washed back into deep water by each
ret