Part 21 (1/2)
”I caught sight of your boat co across, to entreat you to try what you could do to assist our friends,”
he said ”Help is at hand, Emilie; they may still be saved,” he exclai lady was seated
We got as close to the people as the sea would allow us
”Hold on to the rope,” cried dick, securing the end round his waist ”I will swim out, and ed into the boiling surf, but was soon carried down far below the boat, and we hauled hiainst the rocks
”I will try it again, and start higher up the shore,” he exclai stranger; ”they are ht to run the risk”
”If I cannot o the next ti into the water
He swa current, which swept hi on the rocks, when once more he was carried down, and we hauled hied the rest of the ed that I would allow theo next,” exclai the rope round his waist, and, before I could stop hied into the water He buffeted the waves bravely, but his strength was not equal to the undertaking I trusted that, notwithstanding his light figure and delicate appearance, he would succeed Every moment was precious, for one after the other the people were being carried away before our eyes, without our having theon the reef Just as so their way towards hiot up to the boat, a sea lifted him off his feet, and he and those ere near him were swept away My uide hiainst the rocks, and e drew him on shore, he was almost insensible
”Oh,lady, who knelt down by his side ”Can nothing be done for hih I fear he is greatly injured But we must make another attempt to help the poor people on the rock”
”Oh, do so, brave hts being evidently divided between her brother and those he had atteain to make the attempt This time he fastened two oars under his arms, with a boat-hook lashed across theth, by great exertions, reached the rocks, and secured the rope to the bow of the boat, round which the survivors were clinging A one of them to hi back so to reach the shore by the rope, he began toon the oars Every instant I dreaded to see him and his burden carried away, but he landed in safety, and we placed the almost senseless lady by the side of her friends
We had fortunately brought a second coil of lighter rope As I saw that dick was exhausted I deter the rope fast round h, froer he had gone through
As the tide was still rising, I knew that the boat and all clinging to her est fe dick's exah every moment I expected to be washed away As soon as she landed, she threw herself into the ar lady e had first seen, and, froed that they were sisters I was about to return, when I saw one of thehis way across by the rope, and that others were preparing to follow, not waiting for the assistance which the oars ht afford the!” exclaiht on shore
I had observed aentlee
”I will try and save him!” I exclaimed
At that moment loud shrieks were heard, for the sea had lifted the boat and swept her and all clinging to her off the rock The rope still held, and ood-will The other rope was still round ed into the water, and swaentleman just at the moment that he had been forced from his hold In another instant he would have been carried ahen, grasping hihtly, I shouted to my men to haul me in Almost exhausted, I was drawn on shore with the person I had rescued Of the rest, three were thrown on the rocks, one of as carried away before he could , while the remainder were swept out to sea Besides the te had first seen, only eight were saved The sorrow exhibited by the ladies and the old gentle man had been in his effort to help them, made me suppose that they were relatives
”Oh, Henri, Henri!” theyover him
Their accent and the last words they uttered showedman opened his eyes and tried to smile, as if to reassure them
”I am not so very much hurt,” he answered, in a low voice
Just then I was sure I knew the expression of his countenance; his eyes, too, glanced at my face
”Are you not Frenchy?” I asked, ”My old friend Henri de Villereine?”
”Yes, Charley I thought I knew you,” he answered ”Thank you, thank you, for what you have done!”
His companions looked at me with surprise ”I am an old schoolfellow,”