As he struggled on over the uneven rocks, he saw that the ledge upon which the white object lay was out of the reach of the waves. His practised eyes saw at a glance that, if a man had been cast up on to this ledge, he would not be washed back by the receding waves. He reached the foot of the rock, and found it a difficult matter to get up the side. He walked round and found a better foothold on the other side. It was not long before he reached the top, and there he saw a sight that brought tears to his eyes.
Stretched on the rock lay a youth, calm and still—so still that Wal Jessop thought him dead. It was a comely face he looked upon, a face he knew would be fair, indeed, if life still remained to bring back light to the closed eyes. Clasped in the left arm of the youth was a child, and she also lay insensible.
Wal Jessop looked down upon them with great sorrow in his heart.
‘A brave lad this,’ he thought. ‘He must have fought hard to save that little lass—a brave lad, indeed, to risk his life for a little child.’
He stooped over them. He had a flask of brandy in his coat-pocket. He placed his hand on the youth’s heart and felt there was a slight pulsation. He could not resist a loud cry of joy.
‘He’s alive yet!’ he shouted. Then he felt the child’s heart. Yes, it still beat faintly.
‘Both alive!’ he cried. ‘Thank God, they may be saved!’
He forced some brandy into the youth’s mouth, and a few drops he gave to the child. Then he pulled off his coat, wrapped the little girl in it, and began to rub the youth’s limbs and body to try and restore animation.
‘Not a case of half-drowned,’ he said. ‘They’ve been thrown up on to this ledge and stunned. They must have been insensible for some hours. He’s got a nasty cut at the back of his head, and the little one has a big bruise on her temple.’
After rubbing the youth’s hand for some time Wal Jessop saw signs of returning life. The sight gladdened him, and he redoubled his efforts. Presently he heard a faint sigh, the youth’s eyes opened, and he gazed wildly about him as though thinking of and looking for something. In a few minutes he gasped: