LIFE-SAVERS. 267 



himself, and he is taken out to sea again by a retiring- wave. Back he comes again head 

 over heels he goes once more; but this time fortune pitied misfortune, for he was flung- 

 by a wave within reach of a coast-guard, who, at the risk of his life, rushed into the sea. 

 and saved him. The secret of his buoyancy soon appeared. Under each arm he had 

 lashed (as seamen only know how) an empty wine bottle, well corked, and he had stuffed 

 several others under an elastic Guernsey shirt, and buttoned his trousers over all, and with 

 these frail floats he came through a heavy belt of breakers in safety." * 



" That man has saved seventeen lives single-handed," we heard a marine officer say one day 

 at Lowestoft, pointing to a fine handsome young fellow who sat on the beach smoking his pipe. 

 " He ought to be well off," said a bystander. " He is well off," was the answer. "He has the 

 satisfaction of knowing that men, women, and children thank God for his bravery every day." f 



Before the establishment of a floating light off Happisburg, wrecks were very numerous 

 on the Cromer coast. One of the greatest philanthropists who ever lived, Thomas Fowell 

 Buxton, the great anti-slavery leafier, spent much of his time at Cromer Hall, and was constantly 

 on the shore during bad weather, urging and directing the efforts of others, and often " giving a 

 hand" himself. In the storm of the 31st October, 1823, still vividly remembered on that coast, 

 Mr. Buxton performed an act of heroic bravery. About noon, a collier, the Duchess of 

 Cumberland, ran upon the rocks off the Cromer lighthouse. The life-boatmen could not be in- 

 duced to venture out, so terrific was the sea and surf. Once a wave ran up the beach and floated 

 the wreck. Buxton sprang into the water, hoping that others might be induced to follow, but 

 in vain. Captain Manby's gun was fired several times, but the line fell short of the ill-fated 

 brig, on which nine poor sailors were seen lashed to the shrouds. At length a huge sea. 

 completely broke her up, the water being blackened by the bursting coal. The helpless 

 spectators looked on, horror-stricken. " Poor dear hearts ! they're all gone now," exclaimed an 

 old fisherman ; but at that instant a body was it alive or dead ? was seen on the crest of a 

 wave. Without waiting for a rope, Mr. Buxton dashed into the surf, caught the exhausted 

 sailor, flung himself upon him, and struggled against the strong reflux of the surf, until others 

 could reach him. He, with his living burden, was dragged to laud, both at that moment more 

 dead than alive. Buxton said afterwards that he felt the waves play with him as he could play 

 with an orange 4 



The record of a man in humbler life, John Ellerthorpe, foreman of the Humber Dock 

 gates, Hull, who deservedly earned for himself the title of " Hero of the Humber " is very 

 interesting. During a period of forty years he saved thirty-nine individuals, most of whom, 

 were difficult cases, as they fell into the Humber through intoxication. 



His services were honourably recognised. Medals and other acknowledgments from 

 the Royal Humane Society and the Board of Trade were showered on him; he received 

 a donation from the Royal Bounty, a purse of a hundred guineas from his townsmen, and 

 other valuable testimonials. Turn we now to the case of another hero, who saved one life 

 more than Ellerthorpe, and until very late in his career received no recognition whatever* 

 A hero of the Clyde now appears on the scene. 



* United Service Jfayazuie. t Edwin Hoddcr; "Heroes of Britain, in Peace and War." 



J " Memoirs of Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, Bart.," edited by his sun. 



