were ready for anything.
Not five, but five-and-twenty were at his command; and even in the hurry
of the moment, a strong, affectionate feeling filled his eyes with tears
as he saw these poor fellows ready to trust their lives in his hands.

'Thank you--thank you!' he exclaimed. 'Not all, though; you, Ben
Robinson, Harry Ray, Charles Ray, Ben Ledbury, Wat Green.'

They were all young men, without families, such as could best be spared;
and each, as his name was called, answered, 'Here, Sir Guy!' and came
forward with a resolute satisfied air.

'It would be best to have a second boat,' said Guy. 'Mr. Brown,' to the
owner of the telescope, 'will you lend yours? 'tis the strongest and
lightest. Thank you. Martin had best steer it, he knows the rocks;' and
he went on to name the rest of the crew; but at the last there was a
moment's pause, as if he doubted.

A tall athletic young fisherman took advantage of it to press forward.

'Please your honour, Sir Guy, may not I go?'

'Better not, Jem,' answered Guy. 'Remember,' in a lower voice, 'your
mother has no one but you. Here!' he called, cheerfully, 'Jack Horn, you
pull a good oar! Now, then, are we ready?'

'All ready,--yes, sir!'

The boat was launched, not without great difficulty, in the face of such
a sea. The men stoutly took their oars, casting a look forward at the
rocks, then at the quay, and on the face of their young steersman.
Little they guessed the intense emotion that swelled in his breast as he
took the helm, to save life or to lose it; enjoying the enterprise, yet
with the thought that his lot might be early death; glad it was right
thus to venture, earnest to save those who had freely trusted to him,
and rapidly, though most earnestly, recalling his own repentance.
All this was in his mind, though nothing was on his face but cheerful
resolution.

Night though it was, tidings of the wreck had reached the upper part
of the village; and Mr. Ashford, putting his head out of his window to
learn the cause of the sounds in the street, was informed by many voices
that a ship was on the Shag reef, and that all were lost. To hasten
to the Cove to learn the truth, and see if any assistance could yet
be afforded, was his instant thought; and he had not taken many steps
before he was overtaken by a square, sturdy figure, wrapped in an
immense great-coat.

'So, Mr. Markham, you are on your way to see about this wreck.'

'Why, ay,' said Markham, roughly, thoug