Michael Penguyne | Page 3

and we were half perished with cold and hunger.
On looking about I found a small spar washed up on the rock, and,
fastening our handkerchiefs together, we rigged out a flag, but there
was little chance of a boat putting off in such weather and coming near

enough to see it. We now knew that we were not far off the Land's End,
on one of two rocks called The Sisters, with the village of Senum
abreast of us.
"Your father and I looked in each other's faces; we felt that there was
little hope that we should ever see our wives and infants again. Still we
spoke of the promise we had made each other--not that there was any
need of that, for we neither of us were likely to forget it.
"The spring tides were coming on, and though we had escaped as yet,
the sea might before long break over the rock and carry us away. Even
if it did not we must die of hunger and thirst, should no craft come to
our rescue.
"We kept our eyes fixed on the distant shore; they ached with the strain
we put on them, as we tried to make out whether any boat was being
launched to come off to us.
"A whole day passed--another night came on. We did not expect to see
the sun rise again. Already the seas as they struck the rock sent the
foam flying over us, and again and again washed up close to where we
were sitting.
"Notwithstanding our fears, daylight once more broke upon us, but
what with cold and hunger we were well-nigh dead.
"Your father was a stronger man than I fancied myself, and yet he now
seemed most broken down. He could scarcely stand to wave our flag.
"The day wore on, the wind veered a few points to the nor'ard, and the
sun burst out now and then from among the clouds, and, just as we
were giving up all hope, his light fell on the sails of a boat which had
just before put off from the shore. She breasted the waves bravely. Was
she, though, coming towards us? We could not have been seen so far
off. Still on she came, the wind allowing her to be close-hauled to steer
towards the rock. The tide meantime was rapidly rising. If she did not
reach us soon, we knew too well that the sea would come foaming over
the rock and carry us away.

"I stood up and waved our flag. Still the boat stood on; the spray was
beating in heavy showers over her, and it was as much as she could do
to look up to her canvas. Sometimes as I watched her I feared that the
brave fellows who were coming to our rescue would share the fate
which was likely to befall us. She neared the rock. I tried to cheer up
your father.
"`In five minutes we shall be safe on board, Michael,' I said.
"`Much may happen in five minutes, Paul; but you will not forget my
Mary and little boy,' he answered.
"`No fear of that,' I said; `but you will be at home to look after them
yourself.'
"I tried to cheer as the boat came close to the rock, but my voice failed
me.
"The sails were lowered and she pulled in. A rope was hove, and I
caught it. I was about to make it fast round your father.
"`You go first, Paul,' he said. `If you reach the boat I will try to follow,
but there is no use for me to try now; I should be drowned before I got
half way.'
"Still I tried to secure the rope round him, but he resisted all my efforts.
At last I saw that I must go, or we should both be lost, and I hoped to
get the boat in nearer and to return with a second rope to help him.
"I made the rope fast round my waist and plunged in. I had hard work
to reach the boat; I did not know how weak I was. At last I was hauled
on board, and was singing out for a rope, when the people in the boat
uttered a cry, and looking up I saw a huge sea come rolling along. Over
the rock it swept, taking off your poor father. I leapt overboard with the
rope still round my waist, in the hopes of catching him, but in a
moment he was hidden from my sight, and, more dead than alive, I was
again hauled on board.

"The crew of the boat pulled away from the rock; they knew that all
hopes of saving my friend were gone. Sail was made, and we stood