Page:Ruth Fielding at Lighthouse Point.djvu/72

62 "I've read," said Ruth, more quietly, "that these lifeboats are unsinkable—unless they are completely wrecked. Water-tight compartments, you know."

"That's right, Miss," said one of the men nearby. "She can't sink. But she can be smashed—Ah!"

A shout came back to them from the sea. The wind whipped the cry past them in a most eyrie fashion.

"Cap'n Abinadab shouting to the men," explained Heavy, breathlessly.

Suddenly another signal light was touched off upon the wreck. The growing light flickered over the entire expanse of lumber-littered sea between the reef and the beach. They could see the lifeboat more clearly.

She rose and sank, rose and sank, upon wave after wave, all the time fighting her way out from the shore. Again and again they heard the awesome cry. The captain was warning his men how to pull to escape the charging timbers.

The next breaker that rolled in brought with it several great planks that were dashed upon the beach with fearful force. The splinters flew into the air, the wind whipping them across the sands. The anxious spectators had to dodge.

The timbers ground together as the sea sucked them back. Again and again they were rolled