The Wreck | Page 4

life-boat. It was a hard pull through the
sand, but the feat was soon accomplished, and the boat was left near the
water's edge, to be ready in case the line from the mortar should fail to
reach the wreck.
[Illustration: The Life-boat]
The mortar was standing there, and the men were preparing to send out
the line which was to bring succor to the terrified passengers on the
wreck. At the word of command the string was pulled--"Bang," and off
went the line, curving through the air. Every one watched in breathless
anxiety to see if it would reach the ship. Yes, on it went, and then
dropped down upon the deck.
A shout of joy rose up from the crowd upon the beach, and it must have
been answered by those on the wreck, but every sound was lost in the
roaring of the wind and of the angry waves. In an instant a stronger line
was attached, and to that, after being drawn on board and securely
fastened to the mast, a little car was attached and was quickly drawn on
board. Into this car one human being could get at a time, and could be
drawn over the breakers safely to the shore.
The work of the night now began in earnest. Back and forth went the
car. Sometimes it brought back a little child, sometimes a papa or
mamma, and at last the sailors one by one, and then, last of all, the
faithful captain, who would not leave his ship until he had seen all his
passengers and crew safely on the land.
When they began working the car Lucy and Ollie stood by looking on,
and longing to help those brave men. But they were only little girls, and
what could they do?

"Ollie," said Lucy, "I have an idea. Do you see that bonfire? It is nearly
out. If you will gather some sticks and build it up again, I will run back
to your house, and get some coffee and a kettle. I think a cup of coffee
would refresh these men wonderfully."
"Oh, yes, Lucy," said Ollie, "run--run quickly. Tell Milly to help you. I
saw Sambo here a moment ago--oh, here he is. Sambo, Sambo, go back
to the house with Miss Lucy and help her bring some things which she
wants."
Lucy and Sambo were off in a hurry, and as soon as they were gone
Ollie gathered all the drift-wood she could find, and proceeded
immediately to brighten up the fire, which had nearly died away. She
worked steadily and quietly, and by the time she had a bright blaze
Lucy reappeared with a big package of coffee, a pot, and a pail of water.
They filled the pot and put it over the fire and waited for it to boil. It
seemed a long time before the steam began to rise, but gradually it
became more and more dense, until at last the cover of the pot began to
dance up and down, and the delightful bubbling sound greeted their
ears which told that the water was boiling.
The coffee was already in the coffee-pot, and in a short time the
grateful fragrance rose upon the air.
"Oh, oh," said Ollie, "we have neither milk nor sugar!"
"I never thought of that," said Lucy, in a disappointed tone, "but I know
they must have some at the lifesaving-station."
"I knows where they keeps it, miss, for I used to be on the crew once,"
said Sambo; "I'll be back in a jiffy with it."
So off went Sambo. The sugar was found, but alas, there was no milk.
"Never mind," said Ollie; "they must take it as it is. It will do them just
as much good."
[Illustration: Man in the surf]

Now all this time the brave men of the life-saving station had been hard
at work, drawing the car back and forth, and they had just brought in
the captain, who, as I said, stood faithfully by his ship until all on board
had been rescued, when some one shouted,
"A man--a man in the surf!" They rushed into the water and looked
anxiously before them. Yes, there he was, clinging to a piece of the
broken mast. His strength was almost gone, and just as a big wave was
about to break over him two strong pairs of hands seized and dragged
him almost exhausted to the shore.
"Would you like some hot coffee? Would you like some hot coffee?"
"What's that I hear about hot coffee?" said one and another joyfully.
"Hot coffee! why, who has been good enough to think of that?"
"A cup of coffee would be a good thing," said Joe Brown; "for the fact
is, I for one am just