Adrift in a Boat | Page 7

rock, he glided in, giving himself all the impetus he
could with his feet, and almost the next instant was breasting a sea at
some distance from the rock. Harry watched him anxiously, not
forgetting to pray. Now he seemed almost driven back, and now a
foam-crested sea rolling in looked as if it would inevitably overwhelm
him. Alas! yes--he disappeared.
"He is lost--he is lost!" cried Harry. But no. Directly after he was again
seen on the surface, working his way up another advancing sea.
Harry was now guided chiefly by the gesticulations of the people in the
boat,--that is to say, by the way the old man waved a hand, or looked
out, for they had to keep their oars moving with all their might and
main to avoid being driven dangerously near the rock. At length Harry,
with thankfulness, saw David close to the boat but she seemed to be
going from him--then the old man stood up--stretched out his arm, and
David, well-nigh exhausted, was dragged into the boat. Harry saw that
he was talking to the old man.

"What will he do? I hope that he will not attempt to swim back to the
rock," thought Harry; yet he felt very sure that he should never reach
the boat by himself. As the boat rose on the top of a wave, Harry saw
that David was employed in fastening several ropes together. The task
which the old man and the boy could not perform, as they were obliged
to continue rowing, he was able to do. Harry saw him very busy in the
bottom of the boat, and now he lifted a water-cask into the sea, and
veered away the rope over the stern. For some time Harry did not
regain sight of the cask; at last he saw it on the top of a sea, but still a
long way from the rock. He watched it anxiously; but still he doubted
whether he should be able to get hold of it. It might, even if it reached
the rock, be dashed to pieces. He got down as close to the water as he
dared go, for the seas were dashing so high up the rock that he might
easily be carried away by them--indeed, he was already wet through
and through with the spray, which was flying in dense sheets over the
rock, and in a few minutes more it seemed to him that it would be
completely overwhelmed--indeed, any moment a sea might sweep over
it. Harry had a brave heart, and as long as he had life was not likely to
lose courage. He showed his coolness, indeed, for believing that the
cask would soon reach him, he deliberately tied David's jacket and
shoes round his waist, that he might have the pleasure of restoring them
to him. He had observed how David slipped into the water. There came
the cask, nearer and nearer. Before it had time to touch the rock, he slid
down into the sea, and struck out boldly for it, and throwing his arms
over it caught the rope to which it was made fast, and drew himself up
till his chest rested on it.
He then shouted at the top of his voice, "Haul in--all right." David,
however, could not hear him: but having watched him with intense
eagerness, now began slowly to haul in the rope, while the old man and
boy pulled the boat further off the rock. Harry held firmly on, though
he almost lost his breath by the waters, which dashed in his face. He
kept his senses, however, and had the wisdom to strike out with all his
might with his feet, which greatly helped him on, and took off the drag
from his arms which they would otherwise have felt.
As he rose to the top of a sea he again shouted out every now and then,

"All right--haul away." He was, however, not much inclined to shout
by the time he got up to the stern of the boat. David, with the help of
the old man, then quickly hauled him on board.
"And you have brought me my jacket and shoes," exclaimed David,
gladly putting them on, for he felt very cold directly the exertions he
had just gone through ceased. The boys sincerely thanked God in their
hearts that they were saved--though but a very few audible words of
thanksgiving were uttered. No time, indeed, was to be lost in getting
away from the rock.
The old man told David to go to the helm. "And you other young
master take my oar and pull with all your might, while I sets the sails,"
he added. A sprit-mainsail, much the worse for wear, and a little rag of
a foresail