The men donned their oil-skins and boots, and trotted off down the beach to the lower station, some five miles below. The Captain glanced at the remaining men, enough to man the life-boat, with the man out on patrol.
"It's a fearful night out, boys," he said.
The words had hardly left his mouth when the door opened and the patrol rushed in.
"Three-master ashore on the outer bar, Captain."
Like a flash every man was on his feet and into his oil-skins. Seizing the gun-carriage, they rushed it out and down the plank runway to the beach. Jack ran along with them, and strained his eyes as the Coston signal-light lit up the raging sea and disclosed to view a large three-master lying almost on her beam ends. There was a slight phosphorescent glow where the mad seas, lashed into foam, broke about her, sweeping the decks. Even as he looked two of her masts toppled and fell with a crash. On the shrouds of the remaining one a dark group was huddled.
Jack's heart thrilled with excitement and pity. Poor fellows! their lives must be saved!
The life-saving crew were busy with the gun, and in a few minutes away went the shot carrying a delicate line out to the wreck. It fell short or the wind drove it back. Again and again they tried it, but without success. The wind seemed to carry it to one side.
"It's no use, boys, trying to rig the breeches buoy," roared the Captain; "we've got to man the life-boat, so get on your corks. I'll telephone to the lower station to see if I can get any of the boys back."
Jack longed to go in the boat, but he knew it was impossible, and, sheltered behind it, he watched the black shadow on the bar, and hoped they would be in time to save the lives out there. The wind was sweeping and screaming with violent force, and the cold spray lashed the beach with foam. Jack heard one of the men yell to his neighbor that the Captain was a long while, and, thinking he could be of help, he ran back to hurry him up.
As he entered the station a low groan greeted him. The Captain lay in the middle of the floor, motionless. He had stumbled over some rope in his hurry, and broken his arm.