Her tongue had been heard even before the chair was over the side, and continuing till she was unlashed and handed over to the boatswain into the stern of the boat, where she continued uttering exclamations without intermission. “Oh, do take care of the girls, they are under my charge. Let them come next; I must not be separated from them.”
“Why,” exclaimed Willy, as he caught sight of the lady’s features, “are you not Mrs Clagget, and are my sisters and Charles with you?”
“Yes, to be sure they are, and there comes Emily. And is it possible that you are Willy Dicey, and can I believe my senses?” was the answer.
Willy did not stop to reply, but sprang to the bow of the boat to assist his sister, who was just then being lowered down. May followed her. Harry recognised them. “Is Charles with you?” he asked, as he carried May aft.
“Oh, yes. Can he come with us?”
“Not till the other women are safe,” he answered. “I am sure he would not.”
There was no time to exchange further words, for more women and children were being lowered down. Poor Mrs Bolton, when she had got all her children with her, cried out for her husband, but the necessary rule was adhered to.
“He will come next trip, when you are all landed,” said Harry.
Though anxious to take off as many as the boat could carry, Harry, afraid of overloading her, at length resolved to take no more.
The passage to the shore, though short, was full of danger. The oars were got out, the rope which held her to the ship cast off, and now came the fierce struggle with the seas. The crew had to exert their utmost strength to clear the end of the reef. Those who watched her from the deck must have trembled for their safety. Often it seemed as if she must be driven into the surf, which broke in sheets of foam over the rocks; but the strong arms of the crew and their tough oars did not fail them. The point of the reef was doubled, and the boat now glided into comparatively smooth water within it. Instead of attempting to run on the beach, Harry steered her towards some rocks which formed the inner part of the reef. Even here the landing was far from easy. While some of the men kept the boat from being dashed against the rocks, Harry, with the boatswain and the rest, leaped into the water.