The word 'partan' signifies a crab, and the rock out yonder was never visible except at very low tides, such as occur at the neap.
Presently Kelly himself came along. He was an Englishman and a good sailor, and he was stationed with a chum or two far along the coast here.
'Hallo, Kelly!' said Antony, 'from the little a landsman like me knows of the sea, yonder ship seems in a nasty place.'
'Ay, sir, that she be; and though the tide isn't out so far as it will be, the Partans' Rock, sir, is all awash. I mind,' he added, 'when the Fair Maid o' Wales went on shore on that same ugly rock three year and more agone.'
'Went to pieces? Ay, that she did. A cat couldn't have lived out there that night.'
'Any one lost?'
'Nobody saved, sir—not a living soul.'
'Is there a lifeboat anywhere near?'
'No nearer nor B—— and it's there I'm going as fast's I can; but it's ten good miles yet.'