However, with Dick and several of the men, I pushed across, carrying ropes and boat-hooks and some of the oars, to try and save any who might be clinging to the neighbouring rocks. We had not got far when I heard a voice hailing, and we caught sight of a man on the top of a rock in the centre of the island, waving to us. “Make haste! make haste!” he shouted, “or you will be too late.” The stranger hurried down the rock, and we followed him.
In a few minutes we again caught sight of the sea on the east side of the island. As we were climbing over the rough ground, I saw that a reef extended some distance from the mainland, with wild rocks rising out of it above the foaming waters. Midway between them and the land was a large boat, surrounded by people, some on the reef, others clinging to the boat; while several were at that moment being carried away by the sea, which, sweeping round the rocks, beat with violence against the shattered boat. The men with frantic efforts were attempting to drag her up farther on the reef, as the only hope of saving their lives. Now one poor fellow, now another, was washed away, as the sea swept round over the reef with ever-increasing force. We were hurrying down the rocks, when I saw just below us a young lady, for I could not doubt, from her appearance, that she was such. She had been gazing at the dreadful spectacle, and apparently unable to witness it longer, she sank on the rock, pressing her hand on her eyes, to shut it out. At this moment we were joined by the stranger who had called to us.
“I caught sight of your boat coming towards the island, and was hurrying across, to entreat you to try what you could do to assist our friends,” he said. “Help is at hand, Emilie; they may still be saved,” he exclaimed, as he made his way to where the young lady was seated.
We got as close to the people as the sea would allow us.
“Hold on to the rope,” cried Dick, securing the end round his waist. “I will swim out, and make it fast to the boat.”
Fearlessly he plunged into the boiling surf, but was soon carried down far below the boat, and we hauled him back, not without great risk of his being dashed against the rocks.
“I will try it again, and start higher up the shore,” he exclaimed, still undaunted.
“Let me go,” cried the young stranger; “they are my friends, and I ought to run the risk.”
“If I cannot manage it, you shall go the next time,” answered Dick, once more plunging into the water.
He swam on directly across the boiling current, which swept him down towards the boat. He had very nearly gained a footing on the rocks, when once more he was carried down, and we hauled him back, utterly exhausted. His bravery had encouraged the rest of the men, several of whom begged that I would allow them to make the attempt.