Page:Silver Shoal Light.djvu/263

 Bobstay warmed to the tale and pointed theatrically landward.

"Right afore us was the white combers dancing on the shoal, and on the Reef towering spouts of water was rising over the rocks. Some of the crew was trying like madmen to get the sail off o' the Cardiff, and some flingin' the wheel this way and that, till the compass under the binnacle-lamp whirled like a thing daft… She's too high, sir," Ben interrupted the tale suddenly, for Garth's own steering was showing signs of daftness. He let the boat fall off, and his companion proceeded:

"But they was too late. She took the reef all standing and come up listed heavy, sobbing and shuddering like a living thing every time the breakers pounded her. But I'd no pity for her. She were as evil as her master, the Cardiff. Lucky enough for me, I, bein' light and nimble, got me ashore by holding to a spar; but what become of all else, I know not, for I never saw them again, dead or living, for which I were full o' thanks."

Garth gave an appreciative sigh.

"Was it these parts she was wrecked in, Ben?" he inquired. "Like enough it might