MOONLIGHT AND DAYBREAK 225 



and cut of the waves far out, and the crash 

 of each foremost wave as it fell. For a few 

 moments there would be a pause, as if some 

 mighty wave had taken up all the others in its 

 course and was bringing them in with it. 



Hark ! something is coming at racing speed ! 

 It sounds like the water rushing from a thousand 

 sluice-gates. For one moment a black wall is 

 seen crested with a line of light ; it leans for- 

 ward, trembles to a sudden mighty fall, and, 

 with a deafening roar, the shattered, broken 

 wave rushes up the beach. 



" I will come on the beach ; no man living 

 shall keep me off it stop me who dares ! If I 

 am but a girl, I am his wife, and Ned is out in 

 this hell of waters." 



" Listen to me, Polly, my lass. I'm his 

 father, and here's his mother ; you're not the 

 only one as will miss him, if so be as he's 

 missin' when the boats come home. Cheer 

 up ! he may be snug in port ; leastways let's 

 hope so. Come home with us, my lass ; come 

 home, and wait for the dawn." 



As all left the beach for a time, the young 

 wife reluctantly went with them ; but directly it 

 was light the whole community returned to it. 

 There was wreckage enough, but not of the 



