Part 42 (1/2)

”But is it wise of you two ladies?” said Leslie, as he grasped Louise's hand for a moment. ”The storm is too terrible.”

”We could not rest indoors,” said Louise. ”My father is down here, is he not?”

”I have not seen him. You want some better shelter.”

”No, no; don't think of us,” said Louise excitedly; ”but if you can help in any way--”

”You know I will,” said Leslie earnestly.

”Here, what are you two girls doing?” said a quick, angry voice.

”Louie, I'm sure this is no place for you.”

Harry spoke to his sister, but his eyes were fixed upon those of Leslie, who, however, declined his challenge, as it seemed, to quarrel, and glanced at the young man's companion.

At that moment the brothers Vine came up, and there was no farther excuse for Harry's fault-finding objections.

”Can't you young fellows do anything to help?” said Uncle Luke.

”I wish you would tell us what to do, Mr Vine,” said Leslie coldly.

Just then Van Heldre turned to, and joined them.

”He is afraid the distance is too far,” he said dreamily, as if in answer to a question.

”For the boat, Mr Van Heldre?” cried Louise.

”No, no; for the rocket apparatus. Ah! Vine,” he continued, as he saw his old friend, ”how helpless we are in such a storm!”

No more was said. It was no time for words. The members of the two families stood together in a group watching the progress of the boat, and even Aunt Marguerite's cold and sluggish blood was moved enough to draw her to the window, through whose spray and salt-blurred panes she could dimly see the tossing light of the brig.

It was indeed no time for words, and even the very breath was held, to be allowed to escape in a low hiss of exultation as the lifeboat was seen to rise suddenly and swiftly up a great bank of water, stand out upon its summit for a few moments, and then plunge down out of sight as the wave came on, deluged the point, and roared and tumbled over in the mouth of the harbour.

It was plain enough now, the lifeboat was beyond the protection of the point; and its progress was watched as it rose and fell, slowly growing more distant, and at times invisible for minutes together.

At such times the excitement seemed beyond bearing. The boat, all felt, must have been swamped, and those on board left tossing in the boiling sea. The catastrophe of the wreck of the brig seemed to be swallowed up now in one that was greater; and as Leslie glanced round once, it was to see Louise and Madelaine clinging together, wild-eyed and pale.

”There she is!” shouted a voice; and the lifeboat was seen to slowly rise again, as a hoa.r.s.e cheer arose--the pent-up excitement of the moment.

It seemed an interminable length of time before the life-saving vessel reached the brig, and what followed during the next half-hour could only be guessed at. So dark had it become, that now only the tossing light on board the doomed merchantman could be seen, rising and falling slowly with rhythmical regularity, as if those on board were waving to those they loved a sad farewell.

Then at last a faint spark was seen for a few moments before it disappeared. Again it shone for a while and again disappeared.

”One of the lanthorns in the lifeboat.”

”Coming back,” said Van Heldre hoa.r.s.ely.

”With the crew, sir?” cried Leslie.

”Hah!” exclaimed Van Heldre slowly; ”that we must see.”