lence. He found voice for one long cry for help, without
a hope that it could be heard or that help could be at hand.

But he was neither unseen nor unheard, as you will know if we have
not failed in showing the succession of events. Sally never hesitated
an instant as she caught sight of the delirious man's involuntary
plunge into the green waves that had no terrors for _her_. She threw
off as she ran, fast, fast down the wooden stairway, the only clothes
she could get rid of--her hat and light summer cloak--and went
straight, with a well-calculated dive, to follow him and catch him
as he rose. If only she did not miss him! Let her once pinion his
arms from behind, and she would get him ashore even if no help came.
Why, there was no sea to speak of!

* * * * *

The man Jacob Tracy, the father of Benjamin, saw something to quicken
his speed as he walked along the pier to help in the discovery of the
life-belt. Why did the swimming young lady from Lobjoit's want to be
rid of her wrap-up at that rate as she turned so sharp round to run
down the ladder? He increased a brisk walk to a run as the lad, who
had followed the young lady down the steps, came running up again;
for there was hysterical terror in his voice--he was a mere boy--as he
shouted something that became, as distance lessened, "In t' wa-ater!
in t' wa-ater! in t' wa-ater! in t' wa-ater!" And he was waving
something in his hand--a lady's hat surely; for with an instinct of
swift presence of mind--a quality that is the breath of life to all
that go down to the sea in ships, mariners or fisher-folk--he had seen
that the headgear Sally threw away would tell its tale quicker than
any words he could rely on finding.

"Roon smart, yoong Benjamin--roon for the bo'ats and call out 'oars'!
Roon, boy--you've no time to lose!" And as the father dashes down the
steps he spoke of as "the ladder" the son runs for all he is worth to
carry the alarm to the shore. He shouts, "Oars, oars, oars!" as he was
told. But it is not needed, for his thought of bringing up the hat has
done his work already for him. The coastguard, though the pier itself
hid the two immersions from him, is quick of apprehension and ready
with his glass, and has seen the boy's return from below; and at the
same time heard, not his words, but the terror in them, and by some
mysterious agency has sent a flying word along the beach that has
brought a population out to help.