Tarbox."

Once more the ship was brought up as close as she could be to the wreck,
and again being hove to, the life-boat, with the six hands selected by
the boatswain, was carefully lowered. And now everybody on board
watched her with anxious eyes, as she pulled towards the wreck. The
young lad saw her coming, and was observed to be bending down as if to
announce the event to some one below. Again the little girl's head
appeared above the deck, but the lad would not allow her to come up
further, evidently being afraid of her being jerked overboard--an event
but too likely to occur, from the way the ship was rolling. On pulled
the boat, now sinking down deep into the trough of the sea, which curled
into mountain billows, and seemed about to overwhelm her; now she rose
up high on the crest of a wave. Many of those who gazed at her held
their breath, scarcely believing that she could possibly live amid the
tumult of waters. Slowly she proceeded, guided by the well-practised
hand of the old boatswain. She was close to the wreck. Now she seemed
to sink far down below the deck, now to rise up, as if the next instant
she would be thrown upon it. Could any human being ever manage to gain
the wreck from that tossing boat? Yes, yes! a man stands up in the
boat. He makes a spring! He has gained the deck, hauling himself up by
a rope which he has clutched. He waves off the boat till he is ready to
return to her.

Dick Tarbox was the man. He was seen to leap down the hatchway. For
some time he did not appear. What could have become of him? "There he
is! there he is!" shouted several voices. He came, bearing a young girl
in his arms. The boat again drew near the dismasted ship. Those who
looked on held their breath, for how could he manage to convey his
burden to the tossing boat? He stood for a minute or more waiting, but
not irresolute. His eye was watching the boat. He was calculating the
rolling of the ship. He made a signal to one of the men to be ready to
receive the girl. Then, quick as lightning, he leaped across the deck,
and dropped her--so it seemed--into the man's arms. The boat again kept
away from the ship, and the boatswain disappeared once more down the
hatchway.

"He will bring the boy this time!" But no; he came up carrying a far
heavier burden--a man wrapped in a cloak, and apparently unable to help
himself. Dick shouted to one of the crew to go aboard and help him.
Together they got