s crest,
went flying toward the beach. Captain Eri steered it with the oars as
well as he could. The wave broke, and the half-filled boat paused,
was caught up by the succeeding breaker, and thrown forward again. The
Captain, still trying to steer with one oar, let go of the other, and
seizing his companion by the belt, pulled him to his feet.

"Now then," he shouted, "stand by!"

The boat poised on the curling wave, went down like a hammer, struck the
sand, and was buried in water. Just as it struck, Captain Eri jumped as
far shoreward as he could. Davis sprang with him, but it was really the
Captain's strength that carried them clear of the rail.

They kept their feet for an instant, but, in that instant, Captain Eri
dragged his friend a yard or so up the shelving beach. Then they were
knocked flat by the next wave. The Captain dug his toes into the sand
and braced himself as the undertow sucked back. Once more he rose and
they staggered on again, only to go down when the next rush of water
came. Three times this performance was repeated, and, as they rose for
the fourth time, the Captain roared, "Now!"

Another plunge, a splashing run, and they were on the hard sand of
the beach. Then they both tumbled on their faces and breathed in great
gasps.

But the Captain realized that this would not do, for, in their soaked
condition, freezing to death was a matter of but a short time. He seized
Davis by the shoulder and shook him again and again.

"Come on, Lute! Come on!" he insisted. "Git up! You've GOT to git up!"

And, after a while, the life-saver did get up, although he could
scarcely stand. Then, with the Captain's arm around his waist, they
started slowly up the beach toward the station.

They had gone but a little way when they were met by Ralph Hazeltine and
Captain Perez.

Mrs. Snow had been, for her, rather nervous all that forenoon. She
performed her household duties as thoroughly as usual, but Elsie, to
whom the storm had brought a holiday, noticed that she looked out of the
window and at the clock frequently. Once she even went so far as to tell
the young lady that she felt "kind of queer; jest as if somethin' was
goin' to happen." As the housekeeper was not the kind to be troubled
with presentiments, Elsie was surprised.

Dinner was on the table at twelve o'clock, but Captain Eri was not there
to help eat it, and they sat down without him. And here again Mrs. Snow
departed from her regular habit