Each man having his particular part of the work assigned him, and knowing exactly what he was to do and how to do it, and all acting simultaneously, the whole thing was accomplished in a short space of time after reaching the desired spot.
An anxious, excited crowd was looking on. Apart from the throng and a little higher up the beach were our friends, Fred in charge of his mother and Susie, Donald with Violet under his protection.
She had begged so hard to come, "because it might be the Curlew, so how could she stay away?" that he had no heart to resist her entreaties. And he felt that she would be safe in his care, while Mrs. Perkins' presence made it perfectly proper.
All being in readiness the gun was fired, and the shot flew through the rigging of the ill-fated vessel.
Edward, now standing on her deck, understood just what was to be done, and no time was lost. With a glad shout, heard by those on shore, the line was seized by the sailors and rapidly hauled in.
Ere long the hawser was stretched straight and taut between the beach and the wreck—the shore end being raised several feet in the air by the erection of a wooden crotch—and the breeches-buoy was ready to be drawn to and fro upon it.
"Will you try it first, sir?" the captain of the Curlew said to Mr. Tallis.
"No, I should be the last man to leave the wreck."
"Go, go, Will!" cried Edward imperatively; "go and tell them to send the life-car, for there are ladies to be saved."
"Yes, go sir; don't waste precious time in disputing," cried the captain; and thus urged the young man went.