All eyes followed Walter's; and now on this calm sunshiny morning, far out at sea, there was a little gleaming line of white to be seen near the horizon.
"There is the sandbank! Even on this calm day, when we have hardly a ripple here, the waves dash and foam over there; but if they do so in this weather, what must it be in a storm?
"That day the gale was very, very severe; and the coastguard watching heard a signal of distress, and very soon the brave sailors had manned the life-boat, and she was on her way to the wreck.
"What do the people on board that sinking vessel think when they see the life-boat battling with the waves, yet steadily and surely coming nearer and nearer? Do you think they are glad? Or do you think they do not care? Ah, they know their danger! Soon, soon their ship will sink; soon the waves which now wash over almost every part of the vessel must engulf them. No doubt whether they are glad!
"The life-boat comes nearer. Between the awful breakers they can see her, rising and falling. She is close now. For a moment the rush of the waves lessens.
"The brave men seize their opportunity. 'Jump!' they shout—'Jump!' Several obey, and are safe; but the giant waves rush forward, and the lift-boat is carried far beyond the wreck.
"'How many are left?' shouts the captain.
"'Five,' is answered back in a voice of despair!
"'Oh, don't leave us behind!'
"'No, no!' says the captain, and they put the head of the life-boat towards the ship again.