220 



THE SEA. 



loosely on board, instead of hauling it in taut. One of the crew managed, however, to 

 get safely ashore by it. The Penzance lifeboat was then got out, but on her arrival at the 

 ill-fated vessel, the French crew, though in infinite peril, great seas washing over them, 

 took no notice, the captain apparently forbidding them to leave, or even throw a line to the 

 boat. The wind and sea rapidly increased in fury; the vessel was evidently doomed, and 

 must soon break up. In vain the life-boatmen entreated. They were actually warned off, 

 and had, after earnest warning, to leave. But seeing the inevitable loss of life that must 

 ensue, the brave coxswain of the boat determined to return. Result : five lives saved. The 



UOCKET LINE THROWN TO A AVRECK NEAR PENZANCE. 



captain still remained obstinate, and at length a coastguardsman, all honour to him ! 

 volunteered for the perilous duty of going out to the wreck by the rocket line, taking 

 with him a letter from the French Consul, urging the captain to leave. In the presence of 

 hundreds of intensely-excited spectators, the coastguard made his way, often under the waves 

 for several seconds, and in peril of being washed off. The captain was watching him from 

 the brig, but stood motionless, even when his deliverer had arrived under the bows. Just 

 then a furious sea broke over the hero of the rocket line, and washed him away, and it was 

 feared by all on shore that he must perish. Happily, however, he regained the rope, and 

 more dead than alive, was washed ashore. Meanwhile the brig was fast breaking up. The 

 masts fell over the side. The stern, on which the captain was standing, was first battered 

 in, and then clean carried away. It was supposed that the captain had perished, but pre- 

 sently he was seen among the wreckage, mounting to the foreyard, the sail of which somewhat 

 sheltered him. The coastguardsmen fired two more rockets, and one line falling close to 



