Meanwhile, at the extremity of the beach where Sheldon Point ran out grim and sharp into the sea, a crowd of fisher-folk had gathered, and were watching with grief and horror the oncome of the doomed vessel.
There were brave hearts in that throng, men who would not shrink from danger in attempting to save the lives of others; but even these held back now, feeling that it would be certain destruction to commit themselves to those seething, angry waves.
Mr. Hollys had called for the lifeboat when he came down to the beach, but no seaman had echoed the call. They shook their heads at the mention of it, for they felt it would be madness to put out in it now, and Mr. Hollys was reluctantly forced to own that they were right.
Such a terrific sea had not been known for years. The waves were even dashing over Sheldon Point, a feat which would seem incredible to one who had merely seen the waves when dancing in their summer play at the foot of this lofty height. The fate of a disabled vessel drifting at the mercy of such a sea was indeed hopeless.
"Can nothing be done?" cried Mr. Hollys, in despair. The howling of the wind and the fierce tumult of the waves were all the answer he received.
Lights had been kindled along the shore, and now, as the vessel drew nearer, they could discern her form and size. The cries of those on board her were lost in the storm. Already the angry sea had swept over her, carrying many to death; but they could distinguish some human forms clinging with the grasp of despair to mast and rigging.
"Is it quite impossible to help them? Is there nothing you could do?" asked Mr. Hollys of the fishermen about him.
"We have ropes and life-buoys, sir," answered Joe Pollard, Lucy's brother, a brave, sturdy fellow, of honest Cornish race. "When it comes to the worst, we may be able to pull in some, if the waves bring them near enough."
Nearer came the vessel, driven by the cruel wind. Now they could see clearly the people on deck. Clinging together at the stern were a group whose appearance sent a thrill of deep pity through Mr. Hollys' heart.
They were a father and mother apparently, with their little girl between them. Scarcely had Mr. Hollys observed their look of anguish and love, as they clung together in the prospect of immediate death, ere the dreaded shock came. With a crash, sounding sharp and loud above the roar of wind and water, the vessel snapped in two on the treacherous rocks, and the larger part disappeared at once from view. Looking intently at the spot, Mr. Hollys could see that the ship's stern rested on the rocks, a little above the waves, which seemed greedy to devour it. The woman and child were still clinging there, but the man had disappeared.