Part 4 (1/2)

The _Forfarshi+re_ meantime was the sport of the waves, which threatened every , indeed, one wave htier than the rest lifted her bodily on to the sharp rocks and broke her in two Her after-part ept away, and the captain, his wife, and those ere in that portion of the vessel, were drowned The fore-part meantime remained fast on the rocks, lashed by the furious billows

ThatGrace akened by the sound of voices in distress, and dressing quickly she sought her father

They listened, and soon their worst fears were confirmed Near at hand, but still quite beyond reach of help, could be heard the despairing shrieks of the shi+pwrecked crew

To attempt to rescue them seemed quite out of the question That was apparent at once to Williah he was, and brave as a lion

The sea was so terrific that it was ten chances to one against a boat being able to keep afloat

But Grace entreated: ”Father, we o with you in the boat, and God will give us success”

In vain Mrs Darling urged that the attempt was too perilous to be justified, and reproached Grace for endeavouring to persuade her father to run such unwarrantable risks

Williaainst success

Even if the boat was not at once swairl, were insufficient for the work; for, supposing they reached the wreck, they would probably be too exhausted to get back

No, duty did not demand such an act; and for a time he declined to put out

But Grace was quite firirl of three and twenty, never very robust, hadset on attement and her mother's entreaties; and into that awful sea the boat was at length launched Though every billow threatened to engulf the frail craft, yet it nevertheless rode through the mountainous waves and drew near the rock where the helplessface to face with death When it was sufficiently close to the shore Willia creatures, whilst Grace was left to e was put to the severest test At this critical moment the lives of her father and all the survivors depended upon her judgment and skill

Well did her past experience and cool nerve then serve her Alone and unaided she kept the boat in a favourable position in the teeth of that pitiless gale; and as soon as her father signalled to her she waited for an opportune , in spite of the fury of wind and wave, they had got all aboard, and rowed back in safety to the lighthouse

The passengers ere rescued told the story of Grace's courage; and soon the tale was in every newspaper

George Darling, Grace's brother, speaking of this deed fifty years after, says: ”She always considered, as indeed we all did, that far too much was made of what she did She only did as her duty in the circu boats, so to speak, and used to the sea as she was Still she was always a brave, fearless sort of lass, and very religious too--there's no doubting that But it was never her wish that people should reat deal was made of the deed certainly, but surely not too much

A subscription was set on foot, and 700 presented to her, besides innumerable presents

Four years later Grace died, much lamented by all who knew her

Doubtless , and bravery as heroic, have been shown, and have passed unrecorded and unnoticed by men But duty perfors inward peace and joy greater than any outward recognition can give

GRACE DARLING THE SECOND

Whilst these pages were passing through the press the news ca in a far-off land[1]