ailed block was being hauled off by
the men on the wreck.

We had now to wait again until once more the lantern was shown on board.
This was a signal to the Coastguard to secure the end of the hawser to
one part of the double line or whip, when all hands taking hold of the
latter, we hauled off the hawser to the wreck. The tailed block had
probably been secured to the mast; and as long as that held we had every
hope of establishing a communication.

If we felt anxious, how much more so must the poor fellows on the brig,
which might at any moment be knocked to pieces, and they be sent
struggling hopelessly in the foaming seas! We knew from the length of
the whip that we must haul out the hawser almost to its end. Soon after
we had done so another signal was made, which implied that the men had
secured it round the mast. We then immediately hauled away on the
hawser until we had got it stretched and secured to the anchor, which
had been imbedded in the earth some way back from the cliff. It was
necessary, however, not to get it too taut, as the vessel was moved by
the seas, and might either break it, or tear the anchor out of the
ground. This done, the "buoy with the breeches" was secured to a block,
adjusted to the hawser, and was immediately hauled off.

I should have said that a triangle, formed of three small spars, over
which the hawser passed, was fixed in the ground nearest to the edge of
the cliff; and now, to our infinite satisfaction, we had a perfect
communication with the wreck. Still we had to watch for another signal,
to give us notice that a person had been placed in it. Again the light
appeared. We hauled away on the warp.

"Handsomely, handsomely!" sung out the lieutenant, as the men were
hauling in rather fast on the line.

We eagerly watched; when at last through the gloom we saw the life-buoy
appear, and discovered that a person was in it. With anxious haste the
lieutenant and two of his men stepped forward, and grasping the buoy and
its burden, gently lifted out the occupant.

"My arm is broken, sir; take care, please."

We found that it was the mate of the vessel who spoke; he was the first
sent on shore. We carried him up to the waggon, where he could be
sheltered from the wind by the awning which covered it. While Uncle Tom
remained with him, we hastened back to the cliff.

By this time another person had arrived--a young boy--who was also
somewhat hurt. He was almost fainting