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the pocket telescope； put on a rough coat； and proceeded to undo the
endless fastenings of the hall…door； a very patience…trying occupation；
and； when completed； the gusts that were eddying round the house； ready
to force their way in everywhere； took advantage of the first opening
to blow out his candle。
However； they had in one way done good service； for the shower had been
as brief as it was violent； and the inky cloud was drifting away
furiously towards the east； leaving the moon visible； near her setting；
and allowing her white cold light to shine forth； contrasting with the
distant sheets of pale lightning； growing fainter and fainter。
Guy ran across the court； round to the west side of the house； and
struggled up the slope in the face of the wind； which almost swept him
down again； and when at length he had gained the summit； came rushing
against him with such force that he could hardly stand。 He did；
however； keep his ground； and gazed out over the sea。 The swell was
fearful； marked by the silver light on one side； where it caught the
moonbeams； and the black shade on the other； ever alternating； so that
the eye could； not fix on them for a moment； the spray leapt high in
its whiteness； and the Shag stood up hard； bold； and black。 The waves
thundered； bursting on the cliff and； high as he stood； the spray
dashed almost blinding in his face； while the wind howled round him； as
if gathering its might for the very purpose of wrenching him from the
cliff； but he stood firm； and looked out again； to discern clearly what
he thought he had seen。 It was the mast of a vessel； seen plainly
against the light silvery distance of sea on the reef west of the Shag。
It was in a slanting direction； and did not move； he could not doubt
that the ship had struck on the dangerous rocks at the entrance of the
bay； and as his eyes became more accustomed to the unusual light； and
made out what objects were or were not familiar； he could perceive the
ship herself。 He looked with the glass； but could see no one on board；
nor were any boats in sight； but observing some of the lesser rocks； he
beheld some moving figures on them。 Help！instant help！was his
thought； and he looked towards the Cove。 Lights were in the cottage
windows； and a few sounds came up to him； as if the fishing population
were astir。
He hastened to the side of the cliff； which was partly clothed with
brushwood。 There was a descentit could hardly be called a path
which no one ventured to attempt but himself and a few of the boldest
birds'…nesting boys of the village； but he could lose no time； and
scrambling； leaping； swinging himself by the branches； he reached the
foot of the cliff in safety； and in five minutes more was on the little
quay at the end of the steep street of the Cove。
The quay was crowded with the fisher…people； and there was a strange
confusion of voices； some saying all was lost； some that the crew had
got to the rock； others； that some one ought to put off and help them；
others； that a boat would never live in such a sea； and an old
telescope was in great requisition。
Ben Robinson； a tall； hardy young man； of five…and…twenty； wild；
reckless； high…spirited and full of mischief and adventure； was
standing on a pile at the extreme verge above the foaming water； daring
the others to go with him to the rescue； and； though Jonas Ledbury； a
feeble old man； was declaring； in a piteous tone； it was a sin and a
shame to let so many poor creatures be lost in sight； without one man
stirring to help them； yet all stood irresolute； watching the white
breakers dashing on the Shag； and the high waves that swelled and
rolled between。
'Do you know where the crew are？' exclaimed Guy； shouting as loud as he
could； for the noise of the winds and waves was tremendous。
'There； sir； on the flat black stone；' said the fortunate possessor of
the telescope。 'Some ten or eleven of them； I fancy； all huddled
together。'
'Ay； ay！' said old Ledbury。 'Poor creatures！ there they be； and what
is to be done； I can't say！ I never saw a boat in such a sea； since
the night poor Jack； my brother； was lost； and Will Ray with him。'
'I see them；' said Guy； who had in the meantime looked through his
glass。 'How soon is high water？'
It was an important question； for the rocks round the Shag were covered
before full tide； even when the water was still。 There was a looking
up at the moon； and then Guy and the fishermen simultaneously
exclaimed； that it would be in three hours； which gave scarcely an hour
to spare。
Without another word； Guy sprang from the quay to the boat…house；
unlocked it； and； by example； showed that the largest boat was to be
brought out。 The men helped him vigorously； and it stood on the narrow
pebbly beach； the only safe landing…place in the whole bay； he threw
into it a coil of rope； and called out in his clear commanding voice
'Five to go with me！'
Hanging back was at an end。 They were brave men； who had wanted
nothing but a leader； and with Sir Guy at their head； were ready for
anything。 Not five； but five…and…twenty were at his command； and even
in the hurry of the moment； a strong； affectionate feeling filled his
eyes with tears as he saw these poor fellows ready to trust their lives
in his hands。
'Thank youthank you！' he exclaimed。 'Not all； though； you； Ben
Robinson； Harry Ray； Charles Ray； Ben Ledbury； Wat Green。'
They were all young men； without families； such as could best be
spared； and each； as his name was called； answered； 'Here； Sir Guy！'
and came forward with a resolute satisfied air。
'It would be best to have a second boat；' said Guy。 'Mr。 Brown；' to
the owner of the telescope； 'will you lend yours？ 'tis the strongest
and lightest。 Thank you。 Martin had best steer it； he knows the
rocks；' and he went on to name the rest of the crew； but at the last
there was a moment's pause； as if he doubted。
A tall athletic young fisherman took advantage of it to press forward。
'Please your honour； Sir Guy； may not I go？'
'Better not； Jem；' answered Guy。 'Remember；' in a lower voice； 'your
mother has no one but you。 Here！' he called； cheerfully； 'Jack Horn；
you pull a good oar！ Now； then； are we ready？'
'All ready；yes； sir！'
The boat was launched； not without great difficulty； in the face of
such a sea。 The men stoutly took their oars； casting a look forward at
the rocks； then at the quay； and on the face of their young steersman。
Little they guessed the intense emotion that swelled in his breast as
he took the helm； to save life or to lose it； enjoying the enterprise；
yet with the thought that his lot might be early death； glad it was
right thus to venture； earnest to save those who had freely trusted to
him； and rapidly； though most earnestly； recalling his own repentance。
All t