Fortunate is it for this land that those who war for evil and those who fight for good do so side by side; and well is it for poor humanity that the bane and the antidote1 grow together. The misanthrope2 sends his poisonous streams throughout the land, but the philanthropist erects3 his dams everywhere to stem the foul4 torrents5 and turn them aside. The Infidel plants unbelief with reckless hand far and wide, but the Christian6 scatters7 the “Word” broadcast over the land. The sordid8 shipowner strews9 the coast with wreck10 and murdered fellow-creatures; but, thank God, the righteous shipowner—along with other like-minded men—sends forth11 a fleet of lifeboats from almost every bay and cove12 along the shore to rob the deep of its prey13, and rescue the perishing.
In the bay where the Swordfish was stranded14 there chanced to be a lifeboat. Most of her noble crew were, at the time the vessel15 struck, in chapel16, probably engaged in singing the hymns17 of the great John Wesley, or listening to the preaching of the “old, old story” of the salvation18 of souls through faith in Jesus Christ. But there were bodies to be saved that day as well as souls, and the stout19 arms of the lifeboat crew were needed.
The cry was quickly raised, “A wreck in the bay!” The shout that naturally followed was, “The lifeboat!” A stalwart Cornish gentleman sprang from his pew to serve his Master in another field. He was the Honorary Local Secretary of the Lifeboat Institution—a man brimful of physical energy, and with courage and heart for every good work. No time was lost. Six powerful horses were procured20 so quickly that it seemed as if they had started ready harnessed into being. Willing hands dragged the lifeboat, mounted on its carriage, from its shed, the horses were attached, and a loud cheer arose as the huge craft was whirled along the road towards the bay. The scene of the wreck was a mile distant, and a large town had to be traversed on the way thither21. Hundreds of worshippers were on the streets, returning home, with chastened thoughts and feelings perchance, from church and chapel. There was excitement, however, in their looks, for the echo of that cry, “The lifeboat!” had reached the ears of many, and eager inquiries22 were being made. Presently the lifeboat itself, with all its peculiar23 gear, came thundering through the town, rudely dispelling24, for a few moments, the solemnity of the Sabbath day. Hundreds of men, women, and children followed in its train, and hundreds more joined at every turn of the main thoroughfare.
“A wreck in the bay!” “Crew in the rigging!” “Mainmast gone!” “She can’t hold long together in such a sea!” “We’ll be in time yet!” “Hurrah!”
Such were some of the exclamations25 heard on all sides as the rescuers dashed along, and the excited multitude irresistibly26 followed. Even females ventured to join the throng28, and, holding shawls tightly round their heads and shoulders, went down on the exposed sands and faced the pelting29 storm.
In less than half an hour after the alarm was given, the lifeboat swept down to the beach, the horses, obedient to the rein30, flew round, the boat’s bow was presented to the sea, and the carriage thrust as far into the surf as was possible. Then hundreds of willing hands seized the launching ropes, and the boat, with her crew already seated, and the oars31 out, sprang from her carriage into the hissing33 flood.
A tremendous billow met her. “Steady lads, give way!” cried the coxswain, on whose steering34 everything depended at the first plunge35. The short oars cracked as the men strained every muscle, and shot the boat, not over, but right through the falling deluge36. Of course it was filled, but the discharging tubes freed it in a few seconds, and the cheers of the spectators had scarce burst forth when she rushed out to meet the succeeding breaker. There was another breathless moment, when hundreds of men, eager to vent27 their surcharged breast in another cheer, could only gaze and gasp—then a roar, a world of falling foam37, and the lifeboat was submerged. But the gallant38 coxswain met the shock straight as an arrow, cleft39 the billow, and leaped onward—irresistibly onward—over, through, and in the teeth of raging wind and waves, until they were fairly out and dancing on the chaotic40 ocean.
But, just before this took place, the captain of the Swordfish, ignorant of the fact that the lifeboat was hastening to the rescue, unfortunately took a fatal step. Believing that no boat would venture to put off in such a gale41, he ordered the ship’s launch to be lowered. This was done, but it was immediately upset and stove against the side. Then the jollyboat was lowered, and nine men and the captain got into it. The old Indian officer, with his daughter and all the women and children, were also, with great difficulty, put on board of it.
Captain Phelps was cool and self-possessed42 in that hour of danger. He steered43 the boat with consummate44 skill, and succeeded in keeping her afloat for some time. On she rushed, as if driven by an irresistible45 impulse, amid the cheers of the crowd, and the prayers of many that she might safely reach the land. The brave fellows who manned her struggled hard and well, but in vain. When the boat was little more three hundred yards from the shore an immense breaker overtook her.
“She’ll be swamped!” “She’s gone!” “God save her!” and similar cries burst from those on shore. Next moment the wave had the boat in its powerful grasp, tossed her on its crest46, whirled her round, and turned her keel up, leaving her freight of human beings struggling in the sea.
Oh! it was a terrible thing for the thousands on land to stand so close to those drowning men and women without the power of stretching out a hand to save! No one could get near them, although they were so near. They were tossed like straws on the raging surf. Now hurled47 on the crest of a wave, now sucked into the hollow beneath, and overwhelmed again and again. The frail48 ones of the hapless crew soon perished. The strong men struggled on with desperate energy to reach the shore. Three of them seized the keel of the boat, but three times were they driven from their hold by the force of the seas. Two or three caught at the floating oars, but most of them were soon carried away by the under-current. The captain, however, with five or six of the men, still struggled powerfully for life, and succeeded in swimming close to the beach.
Up to this point there was one of the spectators who had stood behind the shelter of a bush, surveying, with sorrowful countenance49, the tragic50 scene. He was a short, but fine-looking and very athletic51 man—a champion Cornish wrestler52, named William Jeff. He was a first-rate boatman, and a bold swimmer. Fortunately he also possessed a generous, daring heart. When this man saw Captain Phelps near the shore, he sprang forward, dashed into the surf, at the imminent54 risk of his life, and caught the captain by the hair. The retreating water well-nigh swept the brave rescuer away, but other men of the town, fearless like himself, leaped forward, joined hands, caught hold of Jeff, and hauled him safe ashore55 along with the captain, who was carried away in a state of insensibility. Again and again, at the risk of his life, did the champion wrestler wrestle53 with the waves and conquer them! Aided by his daring comrades he dragged three others from the jaws56 of death. Of those who entered the jolly-boat of the Swordfish, only five reached the land. These were all sailors, and one of them, Captain Phelps, was so much exhausted57 by his exertions58 that, notwithstanding all that cordials, rubbing, and medical skill could effect, he sank in a few minutes, and died.
But while this was occurring on the beach, another scene of disaster was taking place at the wreck. The lifeboat, after a severe pull of more than an hour, reached the vessel. As she was passing under her stern a great sea struck the boat and immediately capsized her. All on board were at once thrown out. The boat was, however, one of those self-righting crafts, which had just at that time been introduced. She immediately righted, emptied herself, and the crew climbed into her by means of the life-lines festooned round her sides; but the brave coxswain was jammed under her by some wreck, and nearly lost his life—having to dive three or four times before he could extricate59 himself. When at last dragged into the boat by his comrades he was apparently60 dead. It was then discovered that the man who had pulled the stroke oar32 had been swept overboard and carried away. His companions believed him to be lost, but he had on one of the cork61 life-belts of the Lifeboat Institution, and was by it floated to the shore, where a brave fellow swam his horse out through the surf and rescued him.
Meanwhile, the lifeboat men were so much injured and exhausted that they were utterly62 incapable63 of making any attempt to rescue those who remained of the crew of the Swordfish. It was as much as they could do to guide the boat again towards the shore, steered by the second coxswain, who, although scarcely able to stand, performed his duty with consummate skill.
Nothing of all this could be seen by the thousands on shore, owing to the spray which thickened the atmosphere, and the distance of the wreck. But when the lifeboat came in sight they soon perceived that something was wrong, and when she drew near they rushed to meet her. Dismay filled every breast when they saw the coxswain carried out apparently dead, with a stream of blood trickling64 from a wound in his temple, and learned from the worn-out and disabled crew that no rescue had been effected. Immediately the local secretary before mentioned, who had been all this time caring for those already rescued, and preparing for those expected, called for a volunteer crew, and the second coxswain at once shouted, “I’ll go again, sir!” This man’s bravery produced a wonderful moral effect. He was not permitted to go, being already too much exhausted, but his example caused volunteers to come forward promptly65. Among them were men of the coastguard, a body to which the country is deeply indebted for annually66 saving many lives. Several gentlemen of the town also volunteered. With the new crew, and the chief officer of the coastguard at the helm, the noble boat was launched a second time.
The struggle which followed was tremendous, for they had to pull direct to windward in the teeth of wind and sea. Sometimes the boat would rise almost perpendicularly67 to the waves, and the spectators gazed with bated breath, fearing that she must turn over; then she would gain a yard or two, and again be checked. Thus, inch by inch, they advanced until the wreck was reached, and the sailors were successfully taken off. But this was not accomplished68 without damage to the rescuers, one of whom had three ribs69 broken, while others were more or less injured.
Soon the boat was seen making once more for the beach. On she came on the wings of the wind. As she drew near, the people crowded towards her as far as the angry sea would permit.
“How many saved?” was the anxious question.
As the boat rushed forward, high on the crest of a tumultuous billow, the bowman stood up and shouted, “Nine saved!” and in another moment, amid the ringing cheers of the vast multitude, the lifeboat leaped upon the sand with the rescued men!
“Nine saved!” A pleasant piece of news that was to be read next day in the papers by those who contributed to place that lifeboat on the coast; for nine souls saved implies many more souls gladdened and filled with unutterable gratitude70 to Almighty71 God.
But “Twenty lost!” A dismal72 piece of news this to those at whose door the murders will lie till the day of doom73. Even John Webster, Esquire, grew pale when he heard of it, and his hard heart beat harder than usual against his iron ribs as he sat in the habitation of his soul and gazed at his deceased wife’s father over the chimney-piece, until he almost thought the canvas image frowned upon him.
There was more, however, behind these twenty lost lives than Mr Webster dreamed of. The links in the chains of Providence74 are curiously75 intermingled, and it is impossible to say, when one of them gives way, which, or how many, will fall along with it, as the next chapter will show.
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1
antidote
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| n.解毒药，解毒剂 | |
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misanthrope
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| n.恨人类的人；厌世者 | |
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erects
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| v.使直立，竖起( erect的第三人称单数 )；建立 | |
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foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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torrents
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| n.倾注；奔流( torrent的名词复数 )；急流；爆发；连续不断 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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scatters
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| v.（使）散开， （使）分散，驱散( scatter的第三人称单数 )；撒 | |
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sordid
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| adj.肮脏的，不干净的，卑鄙的，暗淡的 | |
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strews
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| v.撒在…上( strew的第三人称单数 )；散落于；点缀；撒满 | |
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wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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cove
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| n.小海湾，小峡谷 | |
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prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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stranded
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| a.搁浅的，进退两难的 | |
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vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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chapel
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| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
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hymns
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| n.赞美诗，圣歌，颂歌( hymn的名词复数 ) | |
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salvation
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| n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困 | |
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procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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dispelling
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| v.驱散，赶跑( dispel的现在分词 ) | |
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exclamations
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| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
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irresistibly
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| adv.无法抵抗地，不能自持地；极为诱惑人地 | |
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vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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pelting
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| 微不足道的，无价值的，盛怒的 | |
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rein
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| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
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oars
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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oar
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| n.桨，橹，划手；v.划行 | |
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hissing
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| n. 发嘶嘶声, 蔑视 动词hiss的现在分词形式 | |
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steering
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| n.操舵装置 | |
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plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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deluge
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| n./vt.洪水，暴雨，使泛滥 | |
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foam
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| v./n.泡沫，起泡沫 | |
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gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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cleft
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| n.裂缝；adj.裂开的 | |
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chaotic
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| adj.混沌的，一片混乱的，一团糟的 | |
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gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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42
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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43
steered
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| v.驾驶( steer的过去式和过去分词 )；操纵；控制；引导 | |
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44
consummate
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| adj.完美的；v.成婚；使完美 [反]baffle | |
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45
irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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46
crest
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| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
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47
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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48
frail
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| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
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49
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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50
tragic
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| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
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51
athletic
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| adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的 | |
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52
wrestler
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| n.摔角选手，扭 | |
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53
wrestle
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| vi.摔跤，角力；搏斗；全力对付 | |
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54
imminent
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| adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的 | |
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ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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extricate
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| v.拯救，救出；解脱 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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cork
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| n.软木，软木塞 | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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trickling
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| n.油画底色含油太多而成泡沫状突起v.滴( trickle的现在分词 )；淌；使)慢慢走；缓慢移动 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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annually
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| adv.一年一次，每年 | |
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perpendicularly
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| adv. 垂直地, 笔直地, 纵向地 | |
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accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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ribs
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| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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almighty
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| adj.全能的，万能的；很大的，很强的 | |
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dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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doom
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| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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