AS

S to the locality in which the Rhineland was now situated, the Captain himself had only an approximate idea of it, while the majority of the passengers only knew that they were in the Bristol Channel.

The American, whose name was Pearce, and who preferred, as it afterward appeared to be called Commodore,' being appealed to (by reason of his knowing looks) upon this subject, grimly replied that he did not know in what portion of the Channel they were, but that in his opinion the question would soon be solved; the expression he used was, 'I guess it won't be long before we're at the bottom of it.' To do him justice, he only gave this answer to the men; to the women he always expressed himself hopefully. He said that there was a mighty difference between being drowned and having the starch taken out of their collars-which had happened to the poor creatures already. It was known, of course, by this time to himself and every seaman on board, that the ship was driving on shore, and that the question of safety for every soul on board depended on what sort of shore it was.

While he was making this very observation in Gresham's ear the ship suddenly struck with tremendous violence, though against no visible object, and like a dreadful echo a shriek of horror burst from every part of the ship. Many of those still below were

killed at once by their heads being dashed against the sides, and even the roof of the cabin, many on deck were flung into the sea. It was the very crisis of horror and despair.

6

To the fore-top for your lives,' exclaimed Pearce to the two young peo

ple.

Gres

'It is probable you never tried,' observed the American, drily. ham's only reply was to lift her in his arms, and aided by Pearce and her own exertions, they managed to make their way through the terrified crowd to the forecastle; the crew had already fled there, and were running up the rigging in swarms. The top was occupied at once by as many as it would hold. With the help of the two men, however, Elise climbed to the very foot of it, and out of the reach of the waves that now swept the ship from stem to

stern.

'There is a woman here,' said Gresham to those above; 'is there not a man among you who will give up his place?'

There was no answer except from the American from below. 'No they won't, I bet. They will never oblige a lady even by so much as a seat in a car. You are better where you are, Miss,' he added, in a lower tone, 'if your young man will only lash you to the rigging.'

For this purpose Gresham had nothing but a handkerchief, supplemented by the strength of his own arms.

'I can hold you on till daylight,

Elise,' he whispered, and longer; while I have life I will keep life in you.'

'Next to God, I trust in you,' answered she, simply. It was fortunate that she had more than one friend, for though every inch above them was occupied by clinging limbs, the wretched people below endeavoured to make their way up, and even to climb over their very bodies. The horrors of their situation, rocked by every blow of the sea, and drenched with its spray, was aggravated by the pitiful cries which burst from those around them. From the broken skylight above the cabin miserable groans still issued, and now and then a sharp shriek of agony : My child, my little one, is drowned!' was one of them, which went to Elise's heart. For the most part they were cries wrung by necessity from human throats, but now and then there was an ejaculation of frenzied terror. For instance, a young fellow immediately below the American suddenly exclaimed that the ship was breaking to pieces.

'Let it break,' answered the Yankee, contemptuously, you'll keep whole enough, I'll warrant.'

It was curious to observe what an effect this one man's coolness and quaint good sense had upon those around him, notwithstanding the peril and misery of their position. That they were on a rock, and a hidden one, was all of which the best-informed were conscious. The force of the wave that had just thrown them upon it had been such as to carry the whole vessel on to the reef; otherwise, had part only been driven on to it, and part left on a lower level exposed to the breach of the sea, the ship would have been torn asunder in a few minutes. Thanks to the lowness of the tide, the masts and rigging stood out of water, and were only washed to any height by some exceptionally huge wave, but in the mean time it was only too plain that the ship's timbers were giving way under the reiterated blows of the

The

sea. The wind was as keen as it was furious, and the cold soon began to tell upon these poor creatures, many of whom had rushed from below but scantily clad. Only a few women besides Elise Hurt had obtained a footing on the shrouds at all, and one by one, overcome by fatigue and fear, these relaxed their hold of the ropes, and were whirled away into the raging deep, as often as not in silence. two men bade Elise shut her eyes, under pretence of her thus obtaining a little rest, but in reality to prevent her witnessing these distressing scenes. More than once, however, a man came tumbling down from the foretop or the shrouds more immediately above them, and that so close as to imperil her own safety in his descent into his watery tomb. The cold had benumbed the hands of these poor fellows, and they had become too weak from exhaustion and hunger to retain their position.

And here it was that the forethought of the American stood Gresham and his companion in good stead. Not only did the young fellow insist upon her partaking of the viands with which he had filled his pockets, but also administered, under Mr. Pearce's directions, an amount of brandy which, in other circumstances, would have had a most unpleasant effect upon any young lady's organization.

"The blood is the life," says the Scripture,' were Mr. Pearce's words; ' and the brandy is the blood upon this occasion-you needn't be afraid of taking too much, ma'am.'

Elise, though very unwillingly, being as temperate as all German maidens are, took what was given her : which, after all, was not so very much, for what with the swaying of the mast, and the numbness of Gresham's hands, much of the liquor missed the mouth it was aimed at. Nor was it only the young man's hands that were numb, for his feet had become like marble; and, in compliance with his request, Elise, more than once, had to stamp upon them to restore their circulation. That

she herself was exempt from this inconvenience of course proved the care that the other took of her, in which it must be acknowledged that he was greatly assisted by Mr. Pearce.

It was strange to see how during those weary hours these three were drawn together-almost as much mentally as physically-by the circumstances of that supreme occasion. Each spoke to the other of himself and of his private affairs with a frankness and confidence that they could not have used after six weeks of ordinary intercourse.

'If you get to land, Mr. Gresham,' said Elise, send a few words of tender farewell for me to my good aunt ;' and she gave him her address with methodical exactness.

'If I live, Elise, you will live,' returned the young fellow, simply. 'It would be no self-sacrifice to perish in trying to save you, since life without you would not be worth having.'

He spoke with earnestness as well as fervour, and was quite unconscious of any extravagance of expression. In such sublime moments the emotions become, as it were, condensed: his whole previous existence appeared divided into two parts; during one part he had known Elise Hurt; during the other he had not known her. And the former part monopolized his thoughts.

'Do not talk so,' answered the girl, reprovingly; for in my case there is but one person to mourn me; and my good aunt, I am thankful to think, has others to love her. But youyou yourself told me that you have dear friends and relatives

'One relative- a very kind one,' interrupted the young fellow; and some dear friends certainly.'

He hesitated a moment; should he tell her something he had in his mind, or should he not? The waves were beating against the doomed vessel more frantically, it seemed, than ever. The tide was rising. No, it was not worth while. You, Elise,

Gresham smiled sadly; for small as either of their chances of life were, his chance-bound up as it was with that of the girl was surely the smaller.

That is your brother, I suppose?' he answered.

'No, sir; it is myself,' replied the other, coolly. The "Figure Head" is always my address in London town, in case you should want a skipper for a yacht. My friends call me Commodore. I've got my certificates ——'

Here a great wave filled his mouth with salt water, and blinded all three of them with its spray. Two more wretched creatures were thrown from their hold by the shock of it, and were carried away in its whirl. These had

occupied positions above 'the tops,' and were worn out with hunger as much as fatigue; those, on the other hand, in Gresham's vicinity, had been supplied, at Elise's entreaty, with the remainder of his provisions.

'It is no use keeping them for me, love,' she had whispered; 'for death will come to me before hunger returns.'

Her logic was unanswerable; it was plain that the vessel could now only hold together for a very short time.

Presently the dawn, the dawn!' she moaned in German.

'What is it?' inquired the American, anxiously. Her strength is failing. Give her more brandy.'

Before Gresham could explain, some one cried out, The land, the land!' And in a moment the coast line became distinct against the sky.

"Great Heaven! it is Halcombe Point!' exclaimed Gresham.

'It is something to know your bearings,' observed the American. 'What sort of landing do you give to strangers hereabouts?'

'It is a rock-bound shore,' answered Gresham, gravely. The ship must be on the Lancet Reef,' he murmured. 'There are people on the pier. Sir Robert

"Sir Robert," and "Halcombe," " ejaculated Elise. Is it Sir Robert Arden of Halcombe Hall of whom you speak?'

Yes, dearest; do you know anything of him?'

'It was to his house I was going as governess.'

'And I am his nephew,' said Gresham. The coincidence, strange as it was, did not strike him so forcibly as might be expected; those words of his companion, I was going,' speaking of herself in the past tense, had saddened him too much to admit of wonder.

'Hold on all,' cried the American, in a sharp, clear voice. 'I see a boat coming a life-boat.'

It was well that he had given his warning before he gave his news; for the excitement which his good tidings communicated to the poor wretches about him passed the bounds of reason. Even as it was, it was with difficulty that some could be persuaded not to cast themselves into the sea to meet the coming succour.

What an an apt term is that of Life-boat! How nobly does the godchild prove its right to the name that has been given to it! What an ark of safety does it appear to those for whom the depths of ocean rage and roar-thanks to it-in vain! In no other visible form do Human Endeavour and Divine Intention combine so sublimely. Consider, too, the comparative humility-nay, to all appearance, the inadequacy of the means of salvation. The 'Commodore's ' keen eyes and technical knowledge had at once caused him to recognize the nature of the help that was ap

proaching them, but to the ordinary observer it looked scarcely help at all, but merely more of wreck and ruin. Was it possible that that frail undecked boat, now tossed on the foam of some mighty wave, now lost in the trough of the sea, not urged by its rowers at all, but flying before the fury of the gale, could be Rescue-Life? To those on shore it seemed so at all events; for though the sound of their cheering could not reach the ears for which they were intended, the poor shipwrecked creatures could see flags waving from the little pier and from the windows of the mill in token of joyful sympathy. Notwithstanding their evil plight, this moral support-the sympathy of their fellow creatures-had an inspiring effect; they felt, as it were, that the great heart of humanity was beating high for them. They were not cut off, these things seemed to assure them, from the sunshine, yet.

CHAPTER VIII.

A RECOGNITION.

JOHN DYNELEY had not spared Robert's bay mare upon his

way to Archester; it was not his way to push a willing horse to the full extent of its powers, but human life was in the balance that night, and he had not spared the spur. He was a heavy

man for so speedy a journey, but his weight had this advantage, that it steadied the gallant bay, against whom such a wind was blowing, broadside on, as had never swept Halcombe Moor within the memory of man. The curate, however, paid little heed to the gale; he was recalling to his inward gaze the bright look of approval that had lit up Evy Nicoll's face when he had asked her stepfather for the use of his mare; that would have been reward enough, if he had needed any, for the discomforts of his ride, of which in truth he reckel but little. He was a man to whom wind and rain, and