Some years ago there came down a fierce storm on the sea-coast, and a
vessel got in the breakers and was going to pieces. They threw up some
signal of distress, and the people on the shore saw them. They put out
in a life-boat. They came on, and they saw the poor sailors, almost
exhausted, clinging to a raft; and so afraid were the boatmen that the
men would give up before they got to them, they gave them three rounds
of cheers, and cried: "Hold on, there! Hold on! We'll save you!" After
awhile the boat came up. One man was saved by having the boat-hook put
in the collar of his coat; and some in one way, and some in another;
but they all got into the boat. "Now," says the captain, "for the
shore. Pull away now, pull!" The people on the land were afraid the
life-boat had gone down. They said: "How long the boat stays. Why, it
must have been swamped, and they have all perished together."