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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Lighthouse, by R.M. Ballantyne
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Lighthouse
+
+Author: R.M. Ballantyne
+
+Release Date: June 7, 2007 [EBook #21746]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LIGHTHOUSE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
+
+
+
+
+THE LIGHTHOUSE, BY R.M. BALLANTYNE.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER ONE.
+
+THE ROCK.
+
+Early on a summer morning, about the beginning of the nineteenth
+century, two fishermen of Forfarshire wended their way to the shore,
+launched their boat, and put off to sea.
+
+One of the men was tall and ill-favoured, the other, short and
+well-favoured.  Both were square-built, powerful fellows, like most men
+of the class to which they belonged.
+
+It was about that calm hour of the morning which precedes sunrise, when
+most living creatures are still asleep, and inanimate nature wears, more
+than at other times, the semblance of repose.  The sea was like a sheet
+of undulating glass.  A breeze had been expected, but, in defiance of
+expectation, it had not come, so the boatmen were obliged to use their
+oars.  They used them well, however, insomuch that the land ere long
+appeared like a blue line on the horizon, then became tremulous and
+indistinct, and finally vanished in the mists of morning.
+
+The men pulled "with a will,"--as seamen pithily express it,--and in
+silence.  Only once during the first hour did the big, ill-favoured man
+venture a remark.  Referring to the absence of wind, he said, that "it
+would be a' the better for landin' on the rock."
+
+This was said in the broadest vernacular dialect, as, indeed, was
+everything that dropped from the fishermen's lips.  We take the liberty
+of modifying it a little, believing that strict fidelity here would
+entail inevitable loss of sense to many of our readers.
+
+The remark, such as it was, called forth a rejoinder from the short
+comrade, who stated his belief that "they would be likely to find
+somethin' there that day."
+
+They then relapsed into silence.
+
+Under the regular stroke of the oars the boat advanced steadily,
+straight out to sea.  At first the mirror over which they skimmed was
+grey, and the foam at the cutwater leaden-coloured.  By degrees they
+rowed, as it were, into a brighter region.  The sea ahead lightened up,
+became pale yellow, then warmed into saffron, and, when the sun rose,
+blazed into liquid gold.
+
+The words spoken by the boatmen, though few, were significant.  The
+"rock" alluded to was the celebrated and much dreaded Inch Cape--more
+familiarly known as the Bell Rock--which being at that time unmarked by
+lighthouse or beacon of any kind, was the terror of mariners who were
+making for the firths of Forth and Tay.  The "something" that was
+expected to be found there may be guessed at when we say that one of the
+fiercest storms that ever swept our eastern shores had just exhausted
+itself after strewing the coast with wrecks.  The breast of ocean,
+though calm on the surface, as has been said, was still heaving with a
+mighty swell, from the effects of the recent elemental conflict.
+
+"D'ye see the breakers noo, Davy?" enquired the ill-favoured man, who
+pulled the aft oar.
+
+"Ay, and hear them, too," said Davy Spink, ceasing to row, and looking
+over his shoulder towards the seaward horizon.
+
+"Yer een and lugs are better than mine, then," returned the ill-favoured
+comrade, who answered, when among his friends, to the name of Big
+Swankie, otherwise, and more correctly, Jock Swankie.  "Od!  I believe
+ye're right," he added, shading his heavy red brows with his heavier and
+redder hand, "that _is_ the rock, but a man wad need the een o' an eagle
+to see onything in the face o' sik a bleezin' sun.  Pull awa', Davy,
+we'll hae time to catch a bit cod or a haddy afore the rock's bare."
+
+Influenced by these encouraging hopes, the stout pair urged their boat
+in the direction of a thin line of snow-white foam that lay apparently
+many miles away, but which was in reality not very far distant.
+
+By degrees the white line expanded in size and became massive, as though
+a huge breaker were rolling towards them; ever and anon jets of foam
+flew high into the air from various parts of the mass, like smoke from a
+cannon's mouth.  Presently, a low continuous roar became audible above
+the noise of the oars; as the boat advanced, the swells from the
+south-east could be seen towering upwards as they neared the foaming
+spot, gradually changing their broad-backed form, and coming on in
+majestic walls of green water, which fell with indescribable grandeur
+into the seething caldron.  No rocks were visible, there was no apparent
+cause for this wild confusion in the midst of the otherwise calm sea.
+But the fishermen knew that the Bell Rock was underneath the foam, and
+that in less than an hour its jagged peaks would be left uncovered by
+the falling tide.
+
+As the swell of the sea came in from the eastward, there was a belt of
+smooth water on the west side of the rock.  Here the fishermen cast
+anchor, and, baiting their hand-lines, began to fish.  At first they
+were unsuccessful, but before half an hour had elapsed, the cod began to
+nibble, and Big Swankie ere long hauled up a fish of goodly size.  Davy
+Spink followed suit, and in a few minutes a dozen fish lay spluttering
+in the bottom of the boat.
+
+"Time's up noo," said Swankie, coiling away his line.
+
+"Stop, stop, here's a wallupper," cried Davy, who was an excitable man;
+"we better fish a while langer--bring the cleek, Swankie, he's ower big
+to--noo, lad, cleek him! that's it!--Oh-o-o-o!"
+
+The prolonged groan with which Davy brought his speech to a sudden
+termination was in consequence of the line breaking and the fish
+escaping, just as Swankie was about to strike the iron hook into its
+side.
+
+"Hech! lad, that was a guid ane," said the disappointed man with a sigh;
+"but he's awa'."
+
+"Ay," observed Swankie, "and we must awa' too, so up anchor, lad.  The
+rock's lookin' oot o' the sea, and time's precious."
+
+The anchor was speedily pulled up, and they rowed towards the rock, the
+ragged edges of which were now visible at intervals in the midst of the
+foam which they created.
+
+At low tide an irregular portion of the Bell Rock, less than a hundred
+yards in length, and fifty yards in breadth, is uncovered and left
+exposed for two or three hours.  It does not appear in the form of a
+single mass or islet, but in a succession of serrated ledges of various
+heights, between and amongst which the sea flows until the tide has
+fallen pretty low.  At full ebb the rock appears like a dark islet,
+covered with seaweed, and studded with deep pools of water, most of
+which are connected with the sea by narrow channels running between the
+ledges.  The highest part of the rock does not rise more than seven feet
+above the level of the sea at the lowest tide.
+
+To enter one of the pools by means of the channels above referred to is
+generally a matter of difficulty, and often of extreme danger, as the
+swell of the sea, even in calm weather, bursts over these ledges with
+such violence as to render the channels at times impassable.  The utmost
+caution, therefore, is necessary.
+
+Our fishermen, however, were accustomed to land there occasionally in
+search of the remains of wrecks, and knew their work well.  They
+approached the rock on the lee-side, which was, as has been said, to the
+westward.  To a spectator viewing them from any point but from the boat
+itself, it would have appeared that the reckless men were sailing into
+the jaws of certain death, for the breakers burst around them so
+confusedly in all directions that their instant destruction seemed
+inevitable.  But Davy Spink, looking over his shoulder as he sat at the
+bow-oar, saw a narrow lead of comparatively still water in the midst of
+the foam, along which he guided the boat with consummate skill, giving
+only a word or two of direction to Swankie, who instantly acted in
+accordance therewith.
+
+"Pull, pull, lad," said Davy.
+
+Swankie pulled, and the boat swept round with its bow to the east just
+in time to meet a billow, which, towering high above its fellows, burst
+completely over the rocks, and appeared to be about to sweep away all
+before it.  For a moment the boat was as if embedded in snow, then it
+sank once more into the lead among the floating tangle, and the men
+pulled with might and main in order to escape the next wave.  They were
+just in time.  It burst over the same rocks with greater violence than
+its predecessor, but the boat had gained the shelter of the next ledge,
+and lay floating securely in the deep, quiet pool within, while the men
+rested on their oars, and watched the chaos of the water rush harmlessly
+by.
+
+In another moment they had landed and secured the boat to a projecting
+rock.
+
+Few words of conversation passed between these practical men.  They had
+gone there on particular business.  Time and tide proverbially wait for
+no man, but at the Bell Rock they wait a much briefer period than
+elsewhere.  Between low water and the time when it would be impossible
+to quit the rock without being capsized, there was only a space of two
+or three hours--sometimes more, frequently less--so it behoved the men
+to economise time.
+
+Rocks covered with wet seaweed and rugged in form are not easy to walk
+over; a fact which was soon proved by Swankie staggering violently once
+or twice, and by Spink falling flat on his back.  Neither paid attention
+to his comrade's misfortunes in this way.  Each scrambled about
+actively, searching with care among the crevices of the rocks, and from
+time to time picking up articles which they thrust into their pockets or
+laid on their shoulders, according as weight and dimensions required.
+
+In a short time they returned to their boat pretty well laden.
+
+"Weel, lad, what luck?" enquired Spink, as Swankie and he met--the
+former with a grappling iron on his shoulder, the latter staggering
+under the weight of a mass of metal.
+
+"Not much," replied Swankie; "nothin' but heavy metal this mornin', only
+a bit of a cookin' stove an' a cannon shot--that's all."
+
+"Never mind, try again.  There must ha' bin two or three wrecks on the
+rock this gale," said Davy, as he and his friend threw their burdens
+into the boat, and hastened to resume the search.
+
+At first Spink was the more successful of the two.  He returned to the
+boat with various articles more than once, while his comrade continued
+his rambles unsuccessfully.  At last, however, Big Swankie came to a
+gully or inlet where a large mass of the _debris_ of a wreck was piled
+up in indescribable confusion, in the midst of which lay the dead body
+of an old man.  Swankie's first impulse was to shout to his companion,
+but he checked himself, and proceeded to examine the pockets of the dead
+man.
+
+Raising the corpse with some difficulty he placed it on the ledge of
+rock.  Observing a ring on the little finger of the right hand, he
+removed it and put it hastily in his pocket.  Then he drew a red morocco
+case from an inner breast pocket in the dead man's coat.  To his
+surprise and delight he found that it contained a gold watch and several
+gold rings and brooches, in some of which were beautiful stones.
+Swankie was no judge of jewellery, but he could not avoid the conviction
+that these things must needs be valuable.  He laid the case down on the
+rock beside him, and eagerly searched the other pockets.  In one he
+found a large clasp-knife and a pencil-case; in another a leather purse,
+which felt heavy as he drew it out.  His eyes sparkled at the first
+glance he got of the contents, for they were sovereigns!  Just as he
+made this discovery, Davy Spink climbed over the ledge at his back, and
+Swankie hastily thrust the purse underneath the body of the dead man.
+
+"Hallo! lad, what have ye there?  Hey! watches and rings--come, we're in
+luck this mornin'."
+
+"_We_!" exclaimed Swankie, somewhat sternly, "_you_ didn't find that
+case."
+
+"Na, lad, but we've aye divided, an' I dinna see what for we should
+change our plan noo."
+
+"We've nae paction to that effec'--the case o' kickshaws is mine,"
+retorted Swankie.
+
+"Half o't," suggested Spink.
+
+"Weel, weel," cried the other with affected carelessness, "I'd scorn to
+be sae graspin'.  For the matter o' that ye may hae it all to yersel',
+but I'll hae the next thing we git that's worth muckle a' to _mysel'_."
+
+So saying Swankie stooped to continue his search of the body, and in a
+moment or two drew out the purse with an exclamation of surprise.
+
+"See, I'm in luck, Davy!  Virtue's aye rewarded, they say.  This is
+mine, and I doot not there'll be some siller intilt."
+
+"Goold!" cried Davy, with dilated eyes, as his comrade emptied the
+contents into his large hand, and counted over thirty sovereigns.
+
+"Ay, lad, ye can keep the what-d'ye-ca'-ums, and I'll keep the siller."
+
+"I've seen that face before," observed Spink, looking intently at the
+body.
+
+"Like enough," said Swankie, with an air of indifference, as he put the
+gold into his pocket.  "I think I've seed it mysel'.  It looks like auld
+Jamie Brand, but I didna ken him weel."
+
+"It's just him," said Spink, with a touch of sadness.  "Ay, ay, that'll
+fa' heavy on the auld woman.  But, come, it'll no' do to stand haverin'
+this way.  Let's see what else is on him."
+
+They found nothing more of any value; but a piece of paper was
+discovered, wrapped up in oilskin, and carefully fastened with red tape,
+in the vest pocket of the dead man.  It contained writing, and had been
+so securely wrapped up, that it was only a little damped.  Davy Spink,
+who found it, tried in vain to read the writing; Davy's education had
+been neglected, so he was fain to confess that he could not make it out.
+
+"Let _me_ see't," said Swankie.  "What hae we here?  `The sloop is hard
+an--an--'"
+
+"`Fast,' maybe," suggested Spink.
+
+"Ay, so 'tis.  I canna make out the next word, but here's something
+about the jewel-case."
+
+The man paused and gazed earnestly at the paper for a few minutes, with
+a look of perplexity on his rugged visage.
+
+"Weel, man, what is't?" enquired Davy.
+
+"Hoot!  I canna mak' it oot," said the other, testily, as if annoyed at
+being unable to read it.  He refolded the paper and thrust it into his
+bosom, saying, "Come, we're wastin' time.  Let's get on wi' our wark."
+
+"Toss for the jewels and the siller," said Spink, suggestively.
+
+"Very weel," replied the other, producing a copper.  "Heeds, you win the
+siller; tails, I win the box;--heeds it is, so the kickshaws is mine.
+Weel, I'm content," he added, as he handed the bag of gold to his
+comrade, and received the jewel-case in exchange.
+
+In another hour the sea began to encroach on the rock, and the
+fishermen, having collected as much as time would permit of the wrecked
+materials, returned to their boat.
+
+They had secured altogether above two hundredweight of old metal,--
+namely, a large piece of a ship's caboose, a hinge, a lock of a door, a
+ship's marking-iron, a soldier's bayonet, a cannon ball, a shoebuckle,
+and a small anchor, besides part of the cordage of the wreck, and the
+money and jewels before mentioned.  Placing the heavier of these things
+in the bottom of the boat, they pushed off.
+
+"We better take the corp ashore," said Spink, suddenly.
+
+"What for?  They may ask what was in the pockets," objected Swankie.
+
+"Let them ask," rejoined the other, with a grin.
+
+Swankie made no reply, but gave a stroke with his oar which sent the
+boat close up to the rocks.  They both relanded in silence, and, lifting
+the dead body of the old man, laid it in the stern-sheets of the boat.
+Once more they pushed off.
+
+Too much delay had been already made.  The surf was breaking over the
+ledges in all directions, and it was with the utmost difficulty that
+they succeeded in getting clear out into deep water.  A breeze which had
+sprung up from the east, tended to raise the sea a little, but when they
+finally got away from the dangerous reef, the breeze befriended them.
+Hoisting the foresail, they quickly left the Bell Rock far behind them,
+and, in the course of a couple of hours, sailed into the harbour of
+Arbroath.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWO.
+
+THE LOVERS AND THE PRESS-GANG.
+
+About a mile to the eastward of the ancient town of Arbroath the shore
+abruptly changes its character, from a flat beach to a range of,
+perhaps, the wildest and most picturesque cliffs on the east coast of
+Scotland.  Inland the country is rather flat, but elevated several
+hundred feet above the level of the sea, towards which it slopes gently
+until it reaches the shore, where it terminates in abrupt, perpendicular
+precipices, varying from a hundred to two hundred feet in height.  In
+many places the cliffs overhang the water, and all along the coast they
+have been perforated and torn up by the waves, so as to present
+singularly bold and picturesque outlines, with caverns, inlets, and
+sequestered "coves" of every form and size.
+
+To the top of these cliffs, in the afternoon of the day on which our
+tale opens, a young girl wended her way,--slowly, as if she had no other
+object in view than a stroll, and sadly, as if her mind were more
+engaged with the thoughts within than with the magnificent prospect of
+land and sea without.  The girl was:
+
+  "Fair, fair, with golden hair,"
+
+and apparently about twenty years of age.  She sought out a quiet nook
+among the rocks at the top of the cliffs; near to a circular chasm, with
+the name of which (at that time) we are not acquainted, but which was
+destined ere long to acquire a new name and celebrity from an incident
+which shall be related in another part of this story.
+
+Curiously enough, just about the same hour, a young man was seen to wend
+his way to the same cliffs, and, from no reason whatever with which we
+happened to be acquainted, sought out the same nook!  We say "he was
+seen," advisedly, for the maid with the golden hair saw him.  Any
+ordinary observer would have said that she had scarcely raised her eyes
+from the ground since sitting down on a niece of flower-studded turf
+near the edge of the cliff, and that she certainly had not turned her
+head in the direction of the town.  Yet she saw him,--however absurd the
+statement may appear, we affirm it confidently,--and knew that he was
+coming.  Other eyes there were that also saw youth--eyes that would have
+caused him some degree of annoyance had he known they were upon him--
+eyes that he would have rejoiced to tinge with the colours black and
+blue!  There were thirteen pair of them, belonging to twelve men and a
+lieutenant of the navy.
+
+In those days the barbarous custom of impressment into the Royal Navy
+was in full operation.  England was at war with France.  Men were wanted
+to fight our battles, and when there was any difficulty in getting men,
+press-gangs were sent out to force them into the service.  The youth
+whom we now introduce to the reader was a sailor, a strapping, handsome
+one, too; not, indeed, remarkable for height, being only a little above
+the average--five feet, ten inches or thereabouts--but noted for great
+depth of chest, breadth of shoulder, and development of muscle;
+conspicuous also for the quantity of close, clustering, light-brown
+curls down his head, and for the laughing glance of his dark-blue eye.
+Not a hero of romance, by any means.  No, he was very matter of fact,
+and rather given to meditation than mischief.
+
+The officer in charge of the press-gang had set his heart on this youth
+(so had another individual, of whom more anon!) but the youth, whose
+name was Ruby Brand, happened to have an old mother who was at that time
+in very bad health, and she had also set her heart, poor body, on the
+youth, and entreated him to stay at home just for one half-year.  Ruby
+willingly consented, and from that time forward led the life of a dog in
+consequence of the press-gang.
+
+Now, as we have said, he had been seen leaving the town by the
+lieutenant, who summoned his men and went after him--cautiously,
+however, in order to take him by surprise for Ruby, besides being strong
+and active as a lion, was slippery as an eel.
+
+Going straight as an arrow to the spot where she of the golden hair was
+seated, the youth presented himself suddenly to her, sat down beside
+her, and exclaiming "Minnie", put his arm round her waist.
+
+"Oh, Ruby, don't," said Minnie, blushing.
+
+Now, reader, the "don't" and the blush had no reference to the arm round
+the waist, but to the relative position of their noses, mouths, and
+chins, a position which would have been highly improper and altogether
+unjustifiable but for the fact that Ruby was Minnie's accepted lover.
+
+"Don't, darling, why not?" said Ruby in surprise.
+
+"You're _so_ rough," said Minnie, turning her head away.
+
+"True, dear, I forgot to shave this morning."
+
+"I don't mean that," interrupted the girl quickly, "I mean rude and--
+and--is that a sea-gull?"
+
+"No, sweetest of your sex, it's a butterfly; but it's all the same, as
+my metaphysical Uncle Ogilvy would undertake to prove to you, thus, a
+butterfly is white and a gull is white,--therefore, a gull is a
+butterfly."
+
+"Don't talk nonsense, Ruby."
+
+"No more I will, darling, if you will listen to me while I talk sense."
+
+"What is it?" said the girl, looking earnestly and somewhat anxiously
+into her lover's face, for she knew at once by his expression that he
+had some unpleasant communication to make.  "You're not going away?"
+
+"Well, no--not exactly; you know I promised to stay with mother; but the
+fact is that I'm so pestered and hunted down by that rascally
+press-gang, that I don't know what to do.  They're sure to nab me at
+last, too, and then I shall have to go away whether I will or no, so
+I've made up my mind as a last resource, to--" Ruby paused.
+
+"Well?" said Minnie.
+
+"Well, in fact to do what will take me away for a short time, but--"
+Ruby stopped short, and, turning his head on one side, while a look of
+fierce anger overspread his face, seemed to listen intently.
+
+Minnie did not observe this action for a few seconds, but, wondering why
+he paused, she looked up, and in surprise exclaimed--"Ruby! what do
+you--"
+
+"Hush!  Minnie, and don't look round," said he in a low tone of intense
+anxiety, yet remaining immovably in the position which he had assumed on
+first sitting down by the girl's side, although the swelled veins of his
+neck and his flushed forehead told of a fierce conflict of feeling
+within.  "It's the press-gang after me again.  I got a glance of one o'
+them out of the tail of my eye, creeping round the rocks.  They think I
+haven't seen them.  Darling Minnie--one kiss.  Take care of mother if I
+don't turn up soon."
+
+"But how will you escape?"
+
+"Hush, dearest girl!  I want to have as much of you as I can before I
+go.  Don't be afraid.  They're honest British tars after all, and won't
+hurt _you_, Minnie."
+
+Still seated at the girl's side, as if perfectly at his ease, yet
+speaking in quick earnest tones, and drawing her closely to him, Ruby
+waited until he heard a stealthy tread behind him.  Then he sprang up
+with the speed of thought, uttered a laugh of defiance as the sailors
+rushed towards him, and leaping wildly off the cliff, fell a height of
+about fifty feet into the sea.
+
+Minnie uttered a scream of horror, and fell fainting into the arms of
+the bewildered lieutenant.
+
+"Down the cliffs--quick! he can't escape if you look alive.  Stay, one
+of you, and look after this girl.  She'll roll over the edge on
+recovering, perhaps."
+
+It was easy to order the men down the cliffs, but not so easy for them
+to obey, for the rocks were almost perpendicular at the place, and
+descended sheer into the water.
+
+"Surround the spot," shouted the lieutenant.  "Scatter yourselves--away!
+there's no beach here."
+
+The lieutenant was right.  The men extended themselves along the top of
+the cliffs so as to prevent Ruby's escape, in the event of his trying to
+ascend them, and two sailors stationed themselves in ambush in the
+narrow pass at the spot where the cliffs terminate in the direction of
+the town.
+
+The leap taken by Ruby was a bold one.  Few men could have ventured it;
+indeed, the youth himself would have hesitated had he not been driven
+almost to desperation.  But he was a practised swimmer and diver, and
+knew well the risk he ran.  He struck the water with tremendous force
+and sent up a great mass of foam, but he had entered it perpendicularly,
+feet foremost, and in a few seconds returned to the surface so close to
+the cliffs that they overhung him, and thus effectually concealed him
+from his pursuers.
+
+Swimming cautiously along for a short distance close to the rocks, he
+came to the entrance of a cavern which was filled by the sea.  The inner
+end of this cave opened into a small hollow or hole among the cliffs, up
+the sides of which Ruby knew that he could climb, and thus reach the top
+unperceived, but, after gaining the summit, there still lay before him
+the difficulty of eluding those who watched there.  He felt, however,
+that nothing could be gained by delay, so he struck at once into the
+cave, swam to the inner end, and landed.  Wringing the water out of his
+clothes, he threw off his jacket and vest in order to be as unencumbered
+as possible, and then began to climb cautiously.
+
+Just above the spot where Ruby ascended there chanced to be stationed a
+seaman named Dalls.  This man had lain down flat on his breast, with his
+head close to the edge of the cliff, so as to observe narrowly all that
+went on below, but, being a stout, lethargic man, he soon fell fast
+asleep!  It was just at the spot where this man lay that Ruby reached
+the summit.  The ascent was very difficult.  At each step the hunted
+youth had to reach his hand as high above his head as possible, and
+grasp the edge of a rock or a mass of turf with great care before
+venturing on another step.  Had one of these points of rock, or one of
+these tufts of grass, given way, he would infallibly have fallen down
+the precipice and been killed.  Accustomed to this style of climbing
+from infancy, however, he advanced without a sensation of fear.
+
+On reaching the top he peeped over, and, seeing that no one was near,
+prepared for a rush.  There was a mass of brown turf on the bank above
+him.  He grasped it with all his force, and swung himself over the edge
+of the cliff.  In doing so he nearly scalped poor Dalls, whose hair was
+the "turf" which he had seized, and who, uttering a hideous yell, leaped
+upon Ruby and tried to overthrow him.  But Dalls had met his match.  He
+received a blow on the nose that all but felled him, and instantly after
+a blow on each eye, that raised a very constellation of stars in his
+brain, and laid him prone upon the grass.
+
+His yell, however, and the noise of the scuffle, were heard by those of
+the press-gang who were nearest to the scene of conflict.  They rushed
+to the rescue, and reached the spot just as Ruby leaped over his
+prostrate foe and fled towards Arbroath.  They followed with a cheer,
+which warned the two men in ambush to be ready.  Ruby was lithe as a
+greyhound.  He left his pursuers far behind him, and dashed down the
+gorge leading from the cliffs to the low ground beyond.
+
+Here he was met by the two sailors, and by the lieutenant, who had
+joined them.  Minnie was also there, having been conducted thither by
+the said lieutenant, who gallantly undertook to see her safe into the
+town, in order to prevent any risk of her being insulted by his men.  On
+hearing the shout of those who pursued Ruby, Minnie hurried away,
+intending to get free from the gang, not feeling that the lieutenant's
+protection was either desirable or necessary.
+
+When Ruby reached the middle of the gorge, which we have dignified with
+the name of "pass", and saw three men ready to dispute his passage, he
+increased his speed.  When he was almost up to them he turned aside and
+sprang nimbly up the almost perpendicular wall of earth on his right.
+This act disconcerted the men, who had prepared to receive his charge
+and seize him, but Ruby jumped down on the shoulders of the one nearest,
+and crushed him to the ground with his weight.  His clenched fist caught
+the lieutenant between the eyes and stretched him on his back--the third
+man wisely drew aside to let this human thunderbolt pass by!
+
+He did pass, and, as the impetuous and quite irresistible locomotive is
+brought to a sudden pause when the appropriate brakes are applied, so
+was he brought to a sudden halt by Minnie a hundred yards or so farther
+on.
+
+"Oh! don't stop," she cried eagerly, and hastily thrusting him away.
+"They'll catch you!"
+
+Panting though he was, vehemently, Ruby could not restrain a laugh.
+
+"Catch me! no, darling; but don't be afraid of them.  They won't hurt
+you, Minnie, and they can't hurt me--except in the way of cutting short
+our interview.  Ha! here they come.  Goodbye, dearest; I'll see you soon
+again."
+
+At that moment five or six of the men came rushing down the pass with a
+wild cheer.  Ruby made no haste to run.  He stood in an easy attitude
+beside Minnie; leisurely kissed her little hand, and gently smoothed
+down her golden hair.  Just as the foremost pursuer came within fifteen
+yards or so of them, he said, "Farewell, my lassie, I leave you in good
+hands"; and then, waving his cap in the air, with a cheer of more than
+half-jocular defiance, he turned and fled towards Arbroath as if one of
+the nor'-east gales, in its wildest fury, were sweeping him over the
+land.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THREE.
+
+OUR HERO OBLIGED TO GO TO SEA.
+
+When Ruby Brand reached the outskirts of Arbroath, he checked his speed
+and walked into his native town whistling gently, and with his hands in
+his pockets, as though he had just returned from an evening walk.  He
+directed his steps to one of the streets near the harbour, in which his
+mother's cottage was situated.
+
+Mrs Brand was a delicate, little old woman--so little and so old that
+people sometimes wondered how it was possible that she could be the
+mother of such a stalwart son.  She was one of those kind, gentle,
+uncomplaining, and unselfish beings, who do not secure much popularity
+or admiration in this world, but who secure obedient children, also
+steadfast and loving friends.  Her favourite book was the Bible; her
+favourite hope in regard to earthly matters, that men should give up
+fighting and drinking, and live in peace; her favourite theory that the
+study of _truth_ was the object for which man was created, and her
+favourite meal--tea.
+
+Ruby was her only child.  Minnie was the daughter of a distant relation,
+and, having been left an orphan, she was adopted by her.  Mrs Brand's
+husband was a sailor.  He commanded a small coasting sloop, of which
+Ruby had been the mate for several years.  As we have said, Ruby had
+been prevailed on to remain at home for some months in order to please
+his mother, whose delicacy of health was such that his refusal would
+have injured her seriously; at least the doctor said so, therefore Ruby
+agreed to stay.
+
+The sloop _Penguin_, commanded by Ruby's father, was on a voyage to
+Newcastle at that time, and was expected in Arbroath every day.  But it
+was fated never more to cast anchor in that port.  The great storm, to
+which reference has been made in a previous chapter, caused many wrecks
+on the shores of Britain.  The _Penguin_, was one of the many.
+
+In those days telegraphs, railroads, and penny papers did not exist.
+Murders were committed then, as now, but little was said, and less was
+known about them.  Wrecks occurred then, as now, but few, except the
+persons immediately concerned, heard of them.  "Destructive fires",
+"terrible accidents", and the familiar round of "appalling catastrophes"
+occurred then, as now, but their influence was limited, and their
+occurrence soon forgotten.
+
+We would not be understood to mean that "now" (as compared with "then"),
+all is right and well; that telegraphs and railways and daily papers are
+all-potent and perfect.  By no means.  We have still much to learn and
+to do in these improved times; and, especially, there is wanting to a
+large extent among us a sympathetic telegraphy, so to speak, between the
+interior of our land and the sea-coast, which, if it existed in full and
+vigorous play, would go far to improve our condition, and raise us in
+the esteem of Christian nations.  Nevertheless, as compared with now,
+the state of things then was lamentably imperfect.
+
+The great storm came and went, having swept thousands of souls into
+eternity, and hundreds of thousands of pounds into nonentity.  Lifeboats
+had not been invented.  Harbours of refuge were almost unknown, and
+although our coasts bristled with dangerous reefs and headlands,
+lighthouses were few and far between.  The consequence was, that wrecks
+were numerous; and so also were wreckers,--a class of men, who, in the
+absence of an efficient coastguard, subsisted to a large extent on what
+they picked up from the wrecks that were cast in their way, and who did
+not scruple, sometimes, to _cause_ wrecks, by showing false lights in
+order to decoy vessels to destruction.
+
+We do not say that all wreckers were guilty of such crimes, but many of
+them were so, and their style of life, at the best, had naturally a
+demoralising influence upon all of them.
+
+The famous Bell Rock, lying twelve miles off the coast of Forfarshire,
+was a prolific source of destruction to shipping.  Not only did numbers
+of vessels get upon it, but many others ran upon the neighbouring coasts
+in attempting to avoid it.
+
+Ruby's father knew the navigation well, but, in the confusion and
+darkness of the furious storm, he miscalculated his position and ran
+upon the rock, where, as we have seen, his body was afterwards found by
+the two fishermen.  It was conveyed by them to the cottage of Mrs
+Brand, and when Ruby entered he found his mother on her knees by the
+bedside, pressing the cold hand of his father to her breast, and gazing
+with wild, tearless eyes into the dead face.
+
+We will not dwell upon the sad scenes that followed.
+
+Ruby was now under the necessity of leaving home, because his mother
+being deprived of her husband's support naturally turned in distress to
+her son.  But Ruby had no employment, and work could not be easily
+obtained at that time in the town, so there was no other resource left
+him but to go to sea.  This he did in a small coasting sloop belonging
+to an old friend, who gave him part of his wages in advance to enable
+him to leave his mother a small provision, at least for a short time.
+
+This, however, was not all that the widow had to depend on.  Minnie Gray
+was expert with her needle, and for some years past had contributed not
+a little to the comforts of the household into which she had been
+adopted.  She now set herself to work with redoubled zeal and energy.
+Besides this, Mrs Brand had a brother, a retired skipper, who obtained
+the complimentary title of Captain from his friends.  He was a poor man,
+it is true, as regarded money, having barely sufficient for his own
+subsistence, but he was rich in kindliness and sympathy, so that he
+managed to make his small income perform wonders.  On hearing of his
+brother-in-law's death, Captain Ogilvy hastened to afford all the
+consolation in his power to his sorrowing sister.
+
+The captain was an eccentric old man, of rugged aspect.  He thought that
+there was not a worse comforter on the face of the earth than himself,
+because, when he saw others in distress, his heart invariably got into
+his throat, and absolutely prevented him from saying a single word.  He
+tried to speak to his sister, but all he could do was to take her hand
+and _weep_.  This did the poor widow more good than any words could have
+done, no matter how eloquently or fitly spoken.  It unlocked the
+fountain of her own heart, and the two wept together.
+
+When Captain Ogilvy accompanied Ruby on board the sloop to see him off,
+and shook hands as he was about to return to the shore, he said--"Cheer
+up, Ruby; never say die so long as there's a shot in the looker.  That's
+the advice of an old salt, an' you'll find it sound, the more you ponder
+of it.  W'en a young feller sails away on the sea of life, let him
+always go by chart and compass, not forgettin' to take soundin's w'en
+cruisin' off a bad coast.  Keep a sharp lookout to wind'ard, an' mind
+yer helm--that's _my_ advice to you lad, as ye go:--
+
+  "`A-sailin' down life's troubled stream,
+  All as if it wor a dream.'"
+
+The captain had a somewhat poetic fancy (at least he was impressed with
+the belief that he had), and was in the habit of enforcing his arguments
+by quotations from memory.  When memory failed he supplemented with
+original composition.
+
+"Goodbye, lad, an' Providence go wi' ye."
+
+"Goodbye, uncle.  I need not remind you to look after mother when I'm
+away."
+
+"No, nephy, you needn't; I'll do it whether or not."
+
+"And Minnie, poor thing, she'll need a word of advice and comfort now
+and then, uncle."
+
+"And she shall have it, lad," replied the captain with a tremendous
+wink, which was unfortunately lost on the nephew, in consequence of its
+being night and unusually dark, "advice and comfort on demand, gratis;
+for:--
+
+  "`Woman, in her hours of ease,
+  Is most uncommon hard to please;'
+
+"But she _must_ be looked arter, ye know, and made of, d'ye see? so
+Ruby, boy, farewell."
+
+Half-an-hour before midnight was the time chosen for the sailing of the
+sloop _Termagant_, in order that she might get away quietly and escape
+the press-gang.  Ruby and his uncle had taken the precaution to go down
+to the harbour just a few minutes before sailing, and they kept as
+closely as possible to the darkest and least-frequented streets while
+passing through the town.
+
+Captain Ogilvy returned by much the same route to his sister's cottage,
+but did not attempt to conceal his movements.  On the contrary, knowing
+that the sloop must have got clear of the harbour by that time, he went
+along the streets whistling cheerfully.  He had been a noted, not to say
+noisy, whistler when a boy, and the habit had not forsaken him in his
+old age.  On turning sharp round a corner, he ran against two men, one
+of whom swore at him, but the other cried--
+
+"Hallo! messmate, yer musical the night.  Hey, Captain Ogilvy, surely I
+seed you an' Ruby slinkin' down the dark side o' the market-gate half an
+'oor ago?"
+
+"Mayhap ye did, an' mayhap ye didn't," retorted the captain, as he
+walked on; "but as it's none o' your business to know, I'll not tell
+ye."
+
+"Ay, ay?  O but ye're a cross auld chap.  Pleasant dreams t'ye."
+
+This kindly remark, which was expressed by our friend Davy Spink, was
+lost on the captain, in consequence of his having resumed his musical
+recreation with redoubled energy, as he went rolling back to the cottage
+to console Mrs Brand, and to afford "advice and comfort gratis" to
+Minnie Gray.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOUR.
+
+THE BURGLARY.
+
+On the night in question, Big Swankie and a likeminded companion, who
+went among his comrades by the name of the Badger, had planned to commit
+a burglary in the town, and it chanced that the former was about that
+business when Captain Ogilvy unexpectedly ran against him and Davy
+Spink.
+
+Spink, although a smuggler, and by no means a particularly respectable
+man, had not yet sunk so low in the scale of life as to be willing to
+commit burglary.  Swankie and the Badger suspected this, and, although
+they required his assistance much, they were afraid to ask him to join,
+lest he should not only refuse, but turn against them.  In order to get
+over the difficulty, Swankie had arranged to suggest to him the robbery
+of a store containing gin, which belonged to a smuggler, and, if he
+agreed to that, to proceed further and suggest the more important matter
+in hand.  But he found Spink proof against the first attack.
+
+"I tell 'ee, I'll hae naething to do wi't," said he, when the proposal
+was made.
+
+"But," urged Swankie, "he's a smuggler, and a cross-grained hound
+besides.  It's no' like robbin' an honest man."
+
+"An' what are _we_ but smugglers?" retorted Spink; "an' as to bein'
+cross-grained, you've naethin' to boast o' in that way.  Na, na,
+Swankie, ye may do't yersel, I'll hae nae hand in't.  I'll no objec' to
+tak a bit keg o' Auchmithie water [smuggled spirits] noo and then, or to
+pick up what comes to me by the wund and sea, but I'll steal frae nae
+man."
+
+"Ay, man, but ye've turned awfu' honest all of a suddent," said the
+other with a sneer.  "I wonder the thretty sovereigns I gied ye the
+other day, when we tossed for them and the case o' kickshaws, havena'
+brunt yer pooches."
+
+Davy Spink looked a little confused.
+
+"Aweel," said he, "it's o' nae use greetin' ower spilt milk, the thing's
+done and past noo, and I canna help it.  Sae guidnight to 'ee."
+
+Swankie, seeing that it was useless to attempt to gain over his comrade,
+and knowing that the Badger was waiting impatiently for him near the
+appointed house, hurried away without another word, and Davy Spink
+strolled towards his home, which was an extremely dirty little hut, near
+the harbour.
+
+At the time of which we write, the town of Arbroath was neither so well
+lighted nor so well guarded as it now is.  The two burglars found
+nothing to interfere with their deeds of darkness, except a few bolts
+and bars, which did not stand long before their expert hands.
+Nevertheless, they met with a check from an unexpected quarter.
+
+The house they had resolved to break into was inhabited by a widow lady,
+who was said to be wealthy, and who was known to possess a considerable
+quantity of plate and jewels.  She lived alone, having only one old
+servant and a little girl to attend upon her.  The house stood on a
+piece of ground not far from the ruins of the stately abbey which
+originated and gave celebrity to the ancient town of Aberbrothoc.  Mrs
+Stewart's house was full of Eastern curiosities, some of them of great
+value, which had been sent to her by her son, then a major in the East
+India Company's service.
+
+Now, it chanced that Major Stewart had arrived from India that very day,
+on leave of absence, all unknown to the burglars, who, had they been
+aware of the fact, would undoubtedly have postponed their visit to a
+more convenient season.
+
+As it was, supposing they had to deal only with the old lady and her two
+servants, they began their work between twelve and one that night, with
+considerable confidence, and in great hopes of a rich booty.
+
+A small garden surrounded the old house.  It was guarded by a wall about
+eight feet high, the top of which bristled with bottle-glass.  The old
+lady and her domestics regarded this terrible-looking defence with much
+satisfaction, believing in their innocence that no human creature could
+succeed in getting over it.  Boys, however, were their only dread, and
+fruit their only care, when they looked complacently at the bottle-glass
+on the wall, and, so far, they were right in their feeling of security,
+for boys found the labour, risk, and danger to be greater than the worth
+of the apples and pears.
+
+But it was otherwise with men.  Swankie and the Badger threw a piece of
+thick matting on the wall; the former bent down, the latter stepped upon
+his back, and thence upon the mat; then he hauled his comrade up, and
+both leaped into the garden.
+
+Advancing stealthily to the door, they tried it and found it locked.
+The windows were all carefully bolted, and the shutters barred.  This
+they expected, but thought it as well to try each possible point of
+entrance, in the hope of finding an unguarded spot before having
+recourse to their tools.  Such a point was soon found, in the shape of a
+small window, opening into a sort of scullery at the back of the house.
+It had been left open by accident.  An entrance was easily effected by
+the Badger, who was a small man, and who went through the house with the
+silence of a cat, towards the front door.  There were two lobbies, an
+inner and an outer, separated from each other by a glass door.
+Cautiously opening both doors, the Badger admitted his comrade, and then
+they set to work.
+
+A lantern, which could be uncovered or concealed in a moment, enabled
+them to see their way.
+
+"That's the dinin'-room door," whispered the Badger.
+
+"Hist! haud yer jaw," muttered Swankie; "I ken that as weel as you."
+
+Opening the door, they entered and found the plate-chest under the
+sideboard.
+
+It was open, and a grin of triumph crossed the sweet countenances of the
+friends as they exchanged glances, and began to put silver forks and
+spoons by the dozen into a bag which they had brought for the purpose.
+
+When they had emptied the plate-chest, they carried the bag into the
+garden, and, climbing over the wall, deposited it outside.  Then they
+returned for more.
+
+Now, old Mrs Stewart was an invalid, and was in the habit of taking a
+little weak wine and water before retiring to rest at night.  It chanced
+that the bottle containing the port wine had been left on the sideboard,
+a fact which was soon discovered by Swankie, who put the bottle to his
+mouth, and took a long pull.
+
+"What is't?" enquired the Badger, in a low tone.
+
+"Prime!" replied Swankie, handing over the bottle, and wiping his mouth
+with the cuff of his coat.
+
+The Badger put the bottle to his mouth, but unfortunately for him, part
+of the liquid went down the "wrong throat".  The result was that the
+poor man coughed, once, rather loudly.  Swankie, frowning fiercely, and
+shaking his fist, looked at him in horror; and well he might, for the
+Badger became first red and then purple in the face, and seemed as if he
+were about to burst with his efforts to keep down the cough.  It came,
+however, three times, in spite of him,--not violently, but with
+sufficient noise to alarm them, and cause them to listen for five
+minutes intently ere they ventured to go on with their work, in the
+belief that no one had been disturbed.
+
+But Major Stewart had been awakened by the first cough.  He was a
+soldier who had seen much service, and who slept lightly.  He raised
+himself in his bed, and listened intently on hearing the first cough.
+The second cough caused him to spring up and pull on his trousers; the
+third cough found him halfway downstairs, with a boot-jack in his hand,
+and when the burglars resumed work he was peeping at them through the
+half-open door.
+
+Both men were stooping over the plate-chest, the Badger with his back to
+the door, Swankie with his head towards it.  The major raised the
+boot-jack and took aim.  At the same moment the door squeaked, Big
+Swankie looked up hastily, and, in technical phraseology, "doused the
+glim."  All was dark in an instant, but the boot-jack sped on its way
+notwithstanding.  The burglars were accustomed to fighting, however, and
+dipped their heads.  The boot-jack whizzed past, and smashed the
+pier-glass on the mantelpiece to a thousand atoms.  Major Stewart being
+expert in all the devices of warfare, knew what to expect, and drew
+aside.  He was not a moment too soon, for the dark lantern flew through
+the doorway, hit the opposite wall, and fell with a loud clatter on the
+stone floor of the lobby.  The Badger followed at once, and received a
+random blow from the major that hurled him head over heels after the
+lantern.
+
+There was no mistaking the heavy tread and rush of Big Swankie as he
+made for the door.  Major Stewart put out his foot, and the burglar
+naturally tripped over it; before he could rise the major had him by the
+throat.  There was a long, fierce struggle, both being powerful men; at
+last Swankie was hurled completely through the glass door.  In the fall
+he disengaged himself from the major, and, leaping up, made for the
+garden wall, over which he succeeded in clambering before the latter
+could seize him.  Thus both burglars escaped, and Major Stewart returned
+to the house half-naked,--his shirt having been torn off his back,--and
+bleeding freely from cuts caused by the glass door.
+
+Just as he re-entered the house, the old cook, under the impression that
+the cat had got into the pantry, and was smashing the crockery, entered
+the lobby in her nightdress, shrieked "Mercy on us!" on beholding the
+major, and fainted dead away.
+
+Major Stewart was too much annoyed at having failed to capture the
+burglars to take any notice of her.  He relocked the door, and assuring
+his mother that it was only robbers, and that they had been beaten off,
+retired to his room, washed and dressed his wounds, and went to bed.
+
+Meanwhile Big Swankie and the Badger, laden with silver, made for the
+shore, where they hid their treasure in a hole.
+
+"I'll tell 'ee a dodge," said the Badger.
+
+"What may that be?" enquired Swankie.
+
+"You said ye saw Ruby Brand slinking down the market-gate, and that's
+he's off to sea?"
+
+"Ay, and twa or three more folk saw him as weel as me."
+
+"Weel, let's tak' up a siller spoon, or somethin', an' put it in the
+auld wife's garden, an' they'll think it was him that did it."
+
+"No' that bad!" said Swankie, with a chuckle.
+
+A silver fork and a pair of sugar-tongs bearing old Mrs Stewart's
+initials were accordingly selected for this purpose, and placed in the
+little garden in the front of Widow Brand's cottage.
+
+Here they were found in the morning by Captain Ogilvy, who examined them
+for at least half-an-hour in a state of the utmost perplexity.  While he
+was thus engaged one of the detectives of the town happened to pass,
+apparently in some haste.
+
+"Hallo! shipmate," shouted the captain.
+
+"Well?" responded the detective.
+
+"Did ye ever see silver forks an' sugar-tongs growin' in a garden
+before?"
+
+"Eh?" exclaimed the other, entering the garden hastily; "let me see.
+Oho! this may throw some light on the matter.  Did you find them here?"
+
+"Ay, on this very spot."
+
+"Hum.  Ruby went away last night, I believe?"
+
+"He did."
+
+"Some time after midnight?" enquired the detective.
+
+"Likely enough," said the captain, "but my chronometer ain't quite so
+reg'lar since we left the sea; it might ha' bin more,--mayhap less."
+
+"Just so.  You saw him off?"
+
+"Ay; but you seem more than or'nar inquisitive to-day--"
+
+"Did he carry a bundle?" interrupted the detective.
+
+"Ay, no doubt."
+
+"A large one?"
+
+"Ay, a goodish big 'un."
+
+"Do you know what was in it?" enquired the detective, with a knowing
+look.
+
+"I do, for I packed it," replied the captain; "his kit was in it."
+
+"Nothing more?"
+
+"Nothin' as I knows of."
+
+"Well, I'll take these with me just now," said the officer, placing the
+fork and sugar-tongs in his pocket.  "I'm afraid, old man, that your
+nephew has been up to mischief before he went away.  A burglary was
+committed in the town last night, and this is some of the plate.  You'll
+hear more about it before long, I dare say.  Good day to ye."
+
+So saying, the detective walked quickly away, and left the captain in
+the centre of the garden staring vacantly before him in speechless
+amazement.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIVE.
+
+THE BELL ROCK INVADED.
+
+A year passed away.  Nothing more was heard of Ruby Brand, and the
+burglary was believed to be one of those mysteries which are destined
+never to be solved.
+
+About this time great attention was being given by Government to the
+subject of lighthouses.  The terrible number of wrecks that had taken
+place had made a deep impression on the public mind.  The position and
+dangerous character of the Bell Rock, in particular, had been for a long
+time the subject of much discussion, and various unsuccessful attempts
+had been made to erect a beacon of some sort thereon.
+
+There is a legend that in days of old one of the abbots of the
+neighbouring monastery of Aberbrothoc erected a bell on the Inchcape
+Rock, which was tolled in rough weather by the action of the waves on a
+float attached to the tongue, and thus mariners were warned at night and
+in foggy weather of their approach to the rock, the great danger of
+which consists in its being a sunken reef, lying twelve miles from the
+nearest land, and exactly in the course of vessels making for the firths
+of Forth and Tay.  The legend further tells how that a Danish pirate,
+named Ralph the Rover, in a mischievous mood, cut the bell away, and
+that, years afterwards, he obtained his appropriate reward by being
+wrecked on the Bell Rock, when returning from a long cruise laden with
+booty.
+
+Whether this be true or not is an open question, but certain it is that
+no beacon of any kind was erected on this rock until the beginning of
+the nineteenth century, after a great storm in 1799 had stirred the
+public mind, and set springs in motion, which from that time forward
+have never ceased to operate.
+
+Many and disastrous were the shipwrecks that occurred during the storm
+referred to, which continued, with little intermission, for three days.
+Great numbers of ships were driven from their moorings in the Downs and
+Yarmouth Roads; and these, together with all vessels navigating the
+German Ocean at that time, were drifted upon the east coast of Scotland.
+
+It may not, perhaps, be generally known that there are only three great
+inlets or estuaries to which the mariner steers when overtaken by
+easterly storms in the North Sea--namely, the Humber, and the firths of
+Forth and Moray.  The mouth of the Thames is too much encumbered by
+sand-banks to be approached at night or during bad weather.  The Humber
+is also considerably obstructed in this way, so that the Roads of Leith,
+in the Firth of Forth, and those of Cromarty, in the Moray Firth, are
+the chief places of resort in easterly gales.  But both of these had
+their special risks.
+
+On the one hand, there was the danger of mistaking the Dornoch Firth for
+the Moray, as it lies only a short way to the north of the latter; and,
+in the case of the Firth of Forth, there was the terrible Bell Rock.
+
+Now, during the storm of which we write, the fear of those two dangers
+was so strong upon seamen that many vessels were lost in trying to avoid
+them, and much hardship was sustained by mariners who preferred to seek
+shelter in higher latitudes.  It was estimated that no fewer than
+seventy vessels were either stranded or lost during that single gale,
+and many of the crews perished.
+
+At one wild part of the coast, near Peterhead, called the Bullers of
+Buchan, after the first night of the storm, the wrecks of seven vessels
+were found in one cove, without a single survivor of the crews to give
+an account of the disaster.
+
+The "dangers of the deep" are nothing compared with the _dangers of the
+shore_.  If the hard rocks of our island could tell the tale of their
+experience, and if we landsmen could properly appreciate it, we should
+understand more clearly why it is that sailors love blue (in other
+words, deep) water during stormy weather.
+
+In order to render the Forth more accessible by removing the danger of
+the Bell Rock, it was resolved by the Commissioners of Northern Lights
+to build a lighthouse upon it.  This resolve was a much bolder one than
+most people suppose, for the rock on which the lighthouse was to be
+erected was a sunken reef, visible only at low tide during two or three
+hours, and quite inaccessible in bad weather.  It was the nearest
+approach to building a house _in_ the sea that had yet been attempted!
+The famous Eddystone stands on a rock which is _never quite_ under
+water, although nearly so, for its crest rises a very little above the
+highest tides, while the Bell Rock is eight or ten feet under water at
+high tides.
+
+It must be clear, therefore, to everyone, that difficulties, unusual in
+magnitude and peculiar in kind, must have stood in the way of the daring
+engineer who should undertake the erection of a tower on a rock twelve
+miles out on the stormy sea, and the foundation of which was covered
+with ten or twelve feet of water every tide; a tower which would have to
+be built _perfectly_, yet _hastily_; a tower which should form a
+comfortable home, fit for human beings to dwell in, and yet strong
+enough to withstand the utmost fury of the waves, not merely whirling
+round it, as might be the case on some exposed promontory, but rushing
+at it, straight and fierce from the wild ocean, in great blue solid
+billows that should burst in thunder on its sides, and rush up in
+scarcely less solid spray to its lantern, a hundred feet or more above
+its foundation.
+
+An engineer able and willing to undertake this great work was found in
+the person of the late Robert Stevenson of Edinburgh, whose perseverance
+and talent shall be commemorated by the grandest and most useful
+monument ever raised by man, as long as the Bell Rock lighthouse shall
+tower above the sea.
+
+It is not our purpose to go into the details of all that was done in the
+construction of this lighthouse.  Our peculiar task shall be to relate
+those incidents connected with this work which have relation to the
+actors in our tale.
+
+We will not, therefore, detain the reader by telling him of all the
+preliminary difficulties that were encountered and overcome in this
+"Robinson Crusoe" sort of work; how that a temporary floating lightship,
+named the _Pharos_, was prepared and anchored in the vicinity of the
+rock in order to be a sort of depot and rendezvous and guide to the
+three smaller vessels employed in the work, as well as a light to
+shipping generally, and a building-yard was established at Arbroath,
+where every single stone of the lighthouse was cut and nicely fitted
+before being conveyed to the rock.  Neither shall we tell of the
+difficulties that arose in the matter of getting blocks of granite large
+enough for such masonry, and lime of a nature strong enough to withstand
+the action of the salt sea.  All this, and a great deal more of a deeply
+interesting nature, must remain untold, and be left entirely to the
+reader's imagination.  [See note 1.]
+
+Suffice it to say that the work was fairly begun in the month of August,
+1807; that a strong beacon of timber was built, which was so well
+constructed that it stood out all the storms that beat against it during
+the whole time of the building operations; that close to this beacon the
+pit or foundation of the lighthouse was cut down deep into the solid
+rock; that the men employed could work only between two and three hours
+at a time, and had to pump the water out of this pit each tide before
+they could resume operations; that the work could only be done in the
+summer months, and when engaged in it the men dwelt either in the
+_Pharos_ floating light, or in one of the attending vessels, and were
+not allowed to go ashore--that is, to the mainland, about twelve miles
+distant; that the work was hard, but so novel and exciting that the
+artificers at last became quite enamoured of it, and that ere long
+operations were going busily forward, and the work was in a prosperous
+and satisfactory state of advancement.
+
+Things were in this condition at the Bell Rock, when, one fine summer
+evening, our friend and hero, Ruby Brand, returned, after a long
+absence, to his native town.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Note 1.  It may be found, however, in minute detail, in the large and
+interesting work entitled _Stevenson's Bell Rock Lighthouse_.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIX.
+
+THE CAPTAIN CHANGES HIS QUARTERS.
+
+It was fortunate for Ruby that the skipper of the vessel ordered him to
+remain in charge while he went ashore, because he would certainly have
+been recognised by numerous friends, and his arrival would speedily have
+reached the ears of the officers of justice, who seem to be a class of
+men specially gifted with the faculty of never forgetting.  It was not
+until darkness had begun to settle down on the town that the skipper
+returned on board, and gave him leave to go ashore.
+
+Ruby did not return in the little coaster in which he had left his
+native place.  That vessel had been wrecked not long after he joined
+her, but the crew were saved, and Ruby succeeded in obtaining a berth as
+second mate of a large ship trading between Hull and the Baltic.
+Returning from one of his voyages with a pretty good sum of money in his
+pocket, he resolved to visit his mother and give it to her.  He
+therefore went aboard an Arbroath schooner, and offered to work his
+passage as an extra hand.  Remembering his former troubles in connexion
+with the press-gang, he resolved to conceal his name from the captain
+and crew, who chanced to be all strangers to him.
+
+It must not be supposed that Mrs Brand had not heard of Ruby since he
+left her.  On the contrary, both she and Minnie Gray got letters as
+frequently as the postal arrangements of those days would admit of; and
+from time to time they received remittances of money, which enabled them
+to live in comparative comfort.  It happened, however, that the last of
+these remittances had been lost, so that Mrs Brand had to depend for
+subsistence on Minnie's exertions, and on her brother's liberality.  The
+brother's power was limited, however, and Minnie had been ailing for
+some time past, in consequence of her close application to work, so that
+she could not earn as much as usual.  Hence it fell out that at this
+particular time the widow found herself in greater pecuniary
+difficulties than she had ever been in before.
+
+Ruby was somewhat of an original.  It is probable that every hero is.
+He resolved to surprise his mother by pouring the money he had brought
+into her lap, and for this purpose had, while in Hull, converted all his
+savings into copper, silver, and gold.  Those precious metals he stowed
+separately into the pockets of his huge pea-jacket, and, thus heavily
+laden, went ashore about dark, as soon as the skipper returned.
+
+At this precise hour it happened that Mrs Brand, Minnie Gray, and
+Captain Ogilvy were seated at their supper in the kitchen of the
+cottage.
+
+Two days previously the captain had called, and said to Mrs Brand--
+
+"I tell 'ee what it is, sister, I'm tired of livin' a solitary bachelor
+life, all by myself, so I'm goin' to make a change, lass."
+
+Mrs Brand was for some moments speechless, and Minnie, who was sewing
+near the window, dropped her hands and work on her lap, and looked up
+with inexpressible amazement in her sweet blue eyes.
+
+"Brother," said Mrs Brand earnestly, "you don't mean to tell me that
+you're going to marry at _your_ time of life?"
+
+"Eh! what?  Marry?"
+
+The captain looked, if possible, more amazed than his sister for a
+second or two, then his red face relaxed into a broad grin, and he sat
+down on a chair and chuckled, wiping the perspiration (he seemed always
+more or less in a state of perspiration) from his bald head the while.
+
+"Why, no, sister, I'm not going to marry; did I speak of marryin'?"
+
+"No; but you spoke of being tired of a bachelor life, and wishing to
+change."
+
+"Ah! you women," said the captain, shaking his head--"always suspecting
+that we poor men are wantin' to marry you.  Well, pr'aps you ain't far
+wrong neither; but I'm not goin' to be spliced yet-a-while, lass.
+Marry, indeed!
+
+  "`Shall I, wastin' in despair,
+  Die, 'cause why? a woman's rare?'"
+
+"Oh!  Captain Ogilvy, that's not rightly quoted," cried Minnie, with a
+merry laugh.
+
+"Ain't it?" said the captain, somewhat put out; for he did not like to
+have his powers of memory doubted.
+
+"No; surely women are not _rare_," said Minnie.
+
+"Good ones are," said the captain stoutly.
+
+"Well; but that's not the right word."
+
+"What _is_ the right word, then?" asked the captain with affected
+sternness, for, although by nature disinclined to admit that he could be
+wrong, he had no objection to be put right by Minnie.
+
+"Die because a woman's f---," said Minnie, prompting him.
+
+"F---, `funny?'" guessed the captain.
+
+"No; it's not `funny,'" cried Minnie, laughing heartily.
+
+"Of course not," assented the captain, "it could not be `funny' nohow,
+because `funny' don't rhyme with `despair;' besides, lots o' women ain't
+funny a bit, an' if they was, that's no reason why a man should die for
+'em; what _is_ the word, lass?"
+
+"What am _I_?" asked Minnie, with an arch smile, as she passed her
+fingers through the clustering masses of her beautiful hair.
+
+"An angel, beyond all doubt," said the gallant captain, with a burst of
+sincerity which caused Minnie to blush and then to laugh.
+
+"You're incorrigible, captain, and you are so stupid that it's of no use
+trying to teach you."
+
+Mrs Brand--who listened to this conversation with an expression of deep
+anxiety on her meek face, for she could not get rid of her first idea
+that her brother was going to marry--here broke in with the question--
+
+"When is it to be, brother?"
+
+"When is what to be, sister?"
+
+"The--the marriage."
+
+"I tell you I _ain't_ a-goin' to marry," repeated the captain; "though
+why a stout young feller like me, just turned sixty-four, _shouldn't_
+marry, is more than I can see.  You know the old proverbs, lass--`It's
+never too late to marry;' `Never ventur', never give in;' `John Anderson
+my jo John, when we was first--first--'"
+
+"Married," suggested Minnie.
+
+"Just so," responded the captain, "and everybody knows that _he_ was an
+old man.  But no, I'm not goin' to marry; I'm only goin' to give up my
+house, sell off the furniture, and come and live with _you_."
+
+"Live with me!" ejaculated Mrs Brand.
+
+"Ay, an' why not?  What's the use o' goin' to the expense of two houses
+when one'll do, an' when we're both raither scrimp o' the ready?  You'll
+just let me have the parlour.  It never was a comf'rable room to sit in,
+so it don't matter much your givin' it up; it's a good enough sleepin'
+and smokin' cabin, an' we'll all live together in the kitchen.  I'll
+throw the whole of my treemendous income into the general purse, always
+exceptin' a few odd coppers, which I'll retain to keep me a-goin' in
+baccy.  We'll sail under the same flag, an' sit round the same fire, an'
+sup at the same table, and sleep in the same--no, not exactly that, but
+under the same roof-tree, which'll be a more hoconomical way o' doin'
+business, you know; an' so, old girl, as the song says--
+
+  "`Come an' let us be happy together,
+  For where there's a will there's a way,
+  An' we won't care a rap for the weather
+  So long as there's nothin' to pay.'"
+
+"Would it not be better to say, `so long as there's _something_ to
+pay?'" suggested Minnie.
+
+"No, lass, it _wouldn't_," retorted the captain.  "You're too fond of
+improvin' things.  I'm a stanch old Tory, I am.  I'll stick to the old
+flag till all's blue.  None o' your changes or improvements for me."
+
+This was a rather bold statement for a man to make who improved upon
+almost every line he ever quoted; but the reader is no doubt acquainted
+with parallel instances of inconsistency in good men even in the present
+day.
+
+"Now, sister," continued Captain Ogilvy, "what d'ye think of my plan?"
+
+"I like it well, brother," replied Mrs Brand with a gentle smile.
+"Will you come soon?"
+
+"To-morrow, about eight bells," answered the captain promptly.
+
+This was all that was said on the subject.  The thing was, as the
+captain said, settled off-hand, and accordingly next morning he conveyed
+such of his worldly goods as he meant to retain possession of to his
+sister's cottage--"the new ship", as he styled it.  He carried his traps
+on his own broad shoulders, and the conveyance of them cost him three
+distinct trips.
+
+They consisted of a huge sea-chest, an old telescope more than a yard
+long, and cased in leather; a quadrant, a hammock, with the bedding
+rolled up in it, a tobacco-box, the enormous old Family Bible in which
+the names of his father, mother, brothers, and sisters were recorded;
+and a brown teapot with half a lid.  This latter had belonged to the
+captain's mother, and, being fond of it, as it reminded him of the "old
+ooman", he was wont to mix his grog in it, and drink the same out of a
+teacup, the handle of which was gone, and the saucer of which was among
+the things of the past.
+
+Notwithstanding his avowed adherence to Tory principles, Captain Ogilvy
+proceeded to make manifold radical changes and surprising improvements
+in the little parlour, insomuch that when he had completed the task, and
+led his sister carefully (for she was very feeble) to look at what he
+had done, she became quite incapable of expressing herself in ordinary
+language; positively refused to believe her eyes, and never again
+entered that room, but always spoke of what she had seen as a curious
+dream!
+
+No one was ever able to discover whether there was not a slight tinge of
+underlying jocularity in this remark of Mrs Brand, for she was a
+strange and incomprehensible mixture of shrewdness and innocence; but no
+one took much trouble to find out, for she was so lovable that people
+accepted her just as she was, contented to let any small amount of
+mystery that seemed to be in her to remain unquestioned.
+
+"The parlour" was one of those well-known rooms which are occasionally
+met with in country cottages, the inmates of which are not wealthy.  It
+was reserved exclusively for the purpose of receiving visitors.  The
+furniture, though old, threadbare, and dilapidated, was kept
+scrupulously clean, and arranged symmetrically.  There were a few books
+on the table, which were always placed with mathematical exactitude, and
+a set of chairs, so placed as to give one mysteriously the impression
+that they were not meant to be sat upon.  There was also a grate, which
+never had a fire in it, and was never without a paper ornament in it,
+the pink and white aspect of which caused one involuntarily to shudder.
+
+But the great point, which was meant to afford the highest gratification
+to the beholder, was the chimney-piece.  This spot was crowded to excess
+in every square inch of its area with ornaments, chiefly of earthenware,
+miscalled china, and shells.  There were great white shells with pink
+interiors, and small brown shells with spotted backs.  Then there were
+china cups and saucers, and china shepherds and shepherdesses,
+represented in the act of contemplating the heavens serenely, with their
+arms round each other's waists.  There were also china dogs and cats,
+and a huge china cockatoo as a centre-piece; but there was not a single
+spot the size of a sixpence on which the captain could place his pipe or
+his tobacco-box!
+
+"We'll get these things cleared away," said Minnie, with a laugh, on
+observing the perplexed look with which the captain surveyed the
+chimney-piece, while the changes above referred to were being made in
+the parlour; "we have no place ready to receive them just now, but I'll
+have them all put away to-morrow."
+
+"Thank'ee, lass," said the captain, as he set down the sea-chest and
+seated himself thereon; "they're pretty enough to look at, d'ye see, but
+they're raither in the way just now, as my second mate once said of the
+rocks when we were cruising off the coast of Norway in search of a
+pilot."
+
+The ornaments were, however, removed sooner than anyone had anticipated.
+The next trip that the captain made was for his hammock (he always
+slept in one), which was a long unwieldy bundle, like a gigantic
+bolster.  He carried it into the parlour on his shoulder, and Minnie
+followed him.
+
+"Where shall I sling it, lass?"
+
+"Here, perhaps," said Minnie.
+
+The captain wheeled round as she spoke, and the end of the hammock swept
+the mantelpiece of all its ornaments, as completely as if the besom of
+destruction had passed over it.
+
+"Shiver my timbers!" gasped the captain, awestruck by the hideous crash
+that followed.
+
+"You've shivered the ornaments at any rate," said Minnie, half-laughing
+and half-crying.
+
+"So I have, but no matter.  Never say die so long's there a shot in the
+locker.  There's as good fish in the sea as ever come out of it; so bear
+a hand, my girl, and help me to sling up the hammock."
+
+The hammock was slung, the pipe of peace was smoked, and thus Captain
+Ogilvy was fairly installed in his sister's cottage.
+
+It may, perhaps, be necessary to remind the reader that all this is a
+long digression; that the events just narrated occurred a few days
+before the return of Ruby, and that they have been recorded here in
+order to explain clearly the reason of the captain's appearance at the
+supper table of his sister, and the position which he occupied in the
+family.
+
+When Ruby reached the gate of the small garden, Minnie had gone to the
+captain's room to see that it was properly prepared for his reception,
+and the captain himself was smoking his pipe close to the chimney, so
+that the smoke should ascend it.
+
+The first glance through the window assured the youth that his mother
+was, as letters had represented her, much better in health than she used
+to be.  She looked so quiet and peaceful, and so fragile withal, that
+Ruby did not dare to "surprise her" by a sudden entrance, as he had
+originally intended, so he tapped gently at the window, and drew back.
+
+The captain laid down his pipe and went to the door.
+
+"What, Ruby!" he exclaimed, in a hoarse whisper.
+
+"Hush, uncle!  How is Minnie; where is she?"
+
+"I think, lad," replied the captain in a tone of reproof, "that you
+might have enquired for your mother first."
+
+"No need," said Ruby, pointing to the window; "I _see_ that she is there
+and well, thanks be to God for that:--but Minnie?"
+
+"She's well, too, boy, and in the house.  But come, get inside.  I'll
+explain, after."
+
+This promise to "explain" was given in consequence of the great anxiety
+he, the captain, displayed to drag Ruby into the cottage.
+
+The youth did not require much pressing, however.  He no sooner heard
+that Minnie was well, than he sprang in, and was quickly at his mother's
+feet.  Almost as quickly a fair vision appeared in the doorway of the
+inner room, and was clasped in the young sailor's arms with the most
+thorough disregard of appearances, not to mention propriety.
+
+While this scene was enacting, the worthy captain was engaged in active
+proceedings, which at once amused and astonished his nephew, and the
+nature and cause of which shall be revealed in the next chapter.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SEVEN.
+
+RUBY IN DIFFICULTIES.
+
+Having thrust his nephew into the cottage, Captain Ogilvy's first
+proceeding was to close the outer shutter of the window and fasten it
+securely on the inside.  Then he locked, bolted, barred, and chained the
+outer door, after which he shut the kitchen door, and, in default of any
+other mode of securing it, placed against it a heavy table as a
+barricade.
+
+Having thus secured the premises in front, he proceeded to fortify the
+rear, and, when this was accomplished to his satisfaction, he returned
+to the kitchen, sat down opposite the widow, and wiped his shining pate.
+
+"Why, uncle, are we going to stand out a siege that you take so much
+pains to lock up?"
+
+Ruby sat down on the floor at his mother's feet as he spoke, and Minnie
+sat down on a low stool beside him.
+
+"Maybe we are, lad," replied the captain; "anyhow, it's always well to
+be ready--
+
+  "`Ready, boys, ready,
+  We'll fight and we'll conquer again and again.'"
+
+"Come uncle, explain yourself."
+
+"Explain myself, nephy?  I can neither explain myself nor anybody else.
+D'ye know, Ruby, that you're a burglar?"
+
+"Am I, uncle?  Well, I confess that that's news."
+
+"Ay, but it's true though, at least the law in Arbroath says so, and if
+it catches you, it'll hang you as sure as a gun."
+
+Here Captain Ogilvy explained to his nephew the nature of the crime that
+was committed on the night of his departure, the evidence of his guilt
+in the finding part of the plate in the garden, coupled with his sudden
+disappearance, and wound up by saying that he regarded him, Ruby, as
+being in a "reg'lar fix."
+
+"But surely," said Ruby, whose face became gradually graver as the case
+was unfolded to him, "surely it must be easy to prove to the
+satisfaction of everyone that I had nothing whatever to do with this
+affair?"
+
+"Easy to prove it!" said the captain in an excited tone; "wasn't you
+seen, just about the hour of the robbery, going stealthily down the
+street, by Big Swankie and Davy Spink, both of whom will swear to it."
+
+"Yes, but _you_ were with me, uncle."
+
+"So I was, and hard enough work I had to convince them that I had
+nothin' to do with it myself, but they saw that I couldn't jump a stone
+wall eight foot high to save my life, much less break into a house, and
+they got no further evidence to convict me, so they let me off; but
+it'll go hard with you, nephy, for Major Stewart described the men, and
+one o' them was a big strong feller, the description bein' as like you
+as two peas, only their faces was blackened, and the lantern threw the
+light all one way, so he didn't see them well.  Then, the things found
+in our garden,--and the villains will haul me up as a witness against
+you, for, didn't I find them myself?"
+
+"Very perplexing; what shall I do?" said Ruby.
+
+"Clear out," cried the captain emphatically.
+
+"What! fly like a real criminal, just as I have returned home?  Never.
+What say _you_, Minnie?"
+
+"Stand your trial, Ruby.  They cannot--they dare not--condemn the
+innocent."
+
+"And you, mother?"
+
+"I'm sure I don't know what to say," replied Mrs Brand, with a look of
+deep anxiety, as she passed her fingers through her son's hair, and
+kissed his brow.  "I have seen the innocent condemned and the guilty go
+free more than once in my life."
+
+"Nevertheless, mother, I will give myself up, and take my chance.  To
+fly would be to give them reason to believe me guilty."
+
+"Give yourself up!" exclaimed the captain, "you'll do nothing of the
+sort.  Come, lad, remember I'm an old man, and an uncle.  I've got a
+plan in my head, which I think will keep you out of harm's way for a
+time.  You see my old chronometer is but a poor one,--the worse of the
+wear, like its master,--and I've never been able to make out the exact
+time that we went aboard the _Termagant_ the night you went away.  Now,
+can you tell me what o'clock it was?"
+
+"I can."
+
+"'Xactly?"
+
+"Yes, exactly, for it happened that I was a little later than I
+promised, and the skipper pointed to his watch, as I came up the side,
+and jocularly shook his head at me.  It was exactly eleven p.m."
+
+"Sure and sartin o' that?" enquired the captain, earnestly.
+
+"Quite, and his watch must have been right, for the town-clock rung the
+hour at the same time."
+
+"Is that skipper alive?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Would he swear to that?"
+
+"I think he would."
+
+"D'ye know where he is?"
+
+"I do.  He's on a voyage to the West Indies, and won't be home for two
+months, I believe."
+
+"Humph!" said the captain, with a disappointed look.  "However, it can't
+be helped; but I see my way _now_ to get you out o' this fix.  You know,
+I suppose, that they're buildin' a lighthouse on the Bell Rock just now;
+well, the workmen go off to it for a month at a time, I believe, if not
+longer, and don't come ashore, and it's such a dangerous place, and
+troublesome to get to, that nobody almost ever goes out to it from this
+place, except those who have to do with it.  Now, lad, you'll go down to
+the workyard the first thing in the mornin', before daylight, and engage
+to go off to work at the Bell Rock.  You'll keep all snug and quiet, and
+nobody'll be a bit the wiser.  You'll be earnin' good wages, and in the
+meantime I'll set about gettin' things in trim to put you all square."
+
+"But I see many difficulties ahead," objected Ruby.
+
+"Of course ye do," retorted the captain.  "Did ye ever hear or see
+anything on this earth that hadn't rocks ahead o' some sort?  It's our
+business to steer past 'em, lad, not to 'bout ship and steer away.  But
+state yer difficulties."
+
+"Well, in the first place, I'm not a stonemason or a carpenter, and I
+suppose masons and carpenters are the men most wanted there."
+
+"Not at all, blacksmiths are wanted there," said the captain, "and I
+know that you were trained to that work as a boy."
+
+"True, I can do somewhat with the hammer, but mayhap they won't engage
+me."
+
+"But they _will_ engage you, lad, for they are hard up for an assistant
+blacksmith just now, and I happen to be hand-and-glove with some o' the
+chief men of the yard, who'll be happy to take anyone recommended by
+me."
+
+"Well, uncle, but suppose I do go off to the rock, what chance have you
+of making things appear better than they are at present?"
+
+"I'll explain that, lad.  In the first place, Major Stewart is a
+gentleman, out-and-out, and will listen to the truth.  He swears that
+the robbery took place at one o'clock in the mornin', for he looked at
+his watch and at the clock of the house, and heard it ring in the town,
+just as the thieves cleared off over the wall.  Now, if I can get your
+old skipper to take a run here on his return from the West Indies, he'll
+swear that you was sailin' out to the North Sea _before twelve_, and
+that'll prove that you _couldn't_ have had nothin' to do with it, d'ye
+see?"
+
+"It sounds well," said Ruby dubiously, "but do you think the lawyers
+will see things in the light you do?"
+
+"Hang the lawyers! d'ye think they will shut their eyes to _the truth_?"
+
+"Perhaps they may, in which case they will hang _me_, and so prevent my
+taking your advice to hang _them_," said Ruby.
+
+"Well, well, but you agree to my plan?" asked the captain.
+
+"Shall I agree, Minnie? it will separate me from you again for some
+time."
+
+"Yet it is necessary," answered Minnie, sadly; "yes, I think you should
+agree to go."
+
+"Very well, then, that's settled," said Ruby, "and now let us drop the
+subject, because I have other things to speak of; and if I must start
+before daylight my time with you will be short--"
+
+"Come here a bit, nephy, I want to have a private word with 'ee in my
+cabin," said the captain, interrupting him, and going into his own room.
+Ruby rose and followed.
+
+"You haven't any--"
+
+The captain stopped, stroked his bald head, and looked perplexed.
+
+"Well, uncle?"
+
+"Well, nephy, you haven't--in short, have ye got any money about you,
+lad?"
+
+"Money? yes, a _little_; but why do you ask?"
+
+"Well, the fact is, that your poor mother is hard up just now," said the
+captain earnestly, "an' I've given her the last penny I have o' my own;
+but she's quite--"
+
+Ruby interrupted his uncle at this point with a boisterous laugh.  At
+the same time he flung open the door and dragged the old man with gentle
+violence back to the kitchen.
+
+"Come here, uncle."
+
+"But, avast! nephy, I haven't told ye all yet."
+
+"Oh! don't bother me with such trifles just now," cried Ruby, thrusting
+his uncle into a chair and resuming his own seat at his mother's side;
+"we'll speak of that at some other time; meanwhile let me talk to
+mother."
+
+"Minnie, dear," he continued, "who keeps the cash here; you or mother?"
+
+"Well, we keep it between us," said Minnie, smiling; "your mother keeps
+it in her drawer and gives me the key when I want any, and I keep an
+account of it."
+
+"Ah! well, mother, I have a favour to ask of you before I go."
+
+"Well, _Ruby_?"
+
+"It is that you will take care of my cash for me.  I have got a goodish
+lot of it, and find it rather heavy to carry in my pockets--so, hold
+your apron steady and I'll give it to you."
+
+Saying this he began to empty handful after handful of coppers into the
+old woman's apron; then, remarking that "that was all the browns", he
+began to place handful after handful of shillings and sixpences on the
+top of the pile until the copper was hid by silver.
+
+The old lady, as usual when surprised, became speechless; the captain
+smiled and Minnie laughed, but when Ruby put his hand into another
+pocket and began to draw forth golden sovereigns, and pour them into his
+mother's lap, the captain became supremely amazed, the old woman
+laughed, and,--so strangely contradictory and unaccountable is human
+nature,--Minnie began to cry.
+
+Poor girl! the tax upon her strength had been heavier than anyone knew,
+heavier than she could bear, and the sorrow of knowing, as she had come
+to know, that it was all in vain, and that her utmost efforts had failed
+to "keep the wolf from the door", had almost broken her down.  Little
+wonder, then, that the sight of sudden and ample relief upset her
+altogether.
+
+But her tears, being tears of joy, were soon and easily dried--all the
+more easily that it was Ruby who undertook to dry them.
+
+Mrs Brand sat up late that night, for there was much to tell and much
+to hear.  After she had retired to rest the other three continued to
+hold converse together until grey dawn began to appear through the
+chinks in the window-shutters.  Then the two men rose and went out,
+while Minnie laid her pretty little head on the pillow beside Mrs
+Brand, and sought, and found, repose.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER EIGHT.
+
+THE SCENE CHANGES--RUBY IS VULCANISED.
+
+As Captain Ogilvy had predicted, Ruby was at once engaged as an
+assistant blacksmith on the Bell Rock.  In fact, they were only too glad
+to get such a powerful, active young fellow into their service; and he
+was shipped off with all speed in the sloop _Smeaton_, with a few others
+who were going to replace some men who had become ill and were obliged
+to leave.
+
+A light westerly breeze was blowing when they cast off the moorings of
+the sloop.
+
+"Goodbye, Ruby," said the captain, as he was about to step on the pier.
+"Remember your promise, lad, to keep quiet, and don't try to get ashore,
+or to hold communication with anyone till you hear from me."
+
+"All right, uncle, I won't forget, and I'll make my mind easy, for I
+know that my case is left in good hands."
+
+Three hours elapsed ere the _Smeaton_ drew near to the Bell Rock.
+During this time, Ruby kept aloof from his fellow-workmen, feeling
+disposed to indulge the sad thoughts which filled his mind.  He sat down
+on the bulwarks, close to the main shrouds, and gazed back at the town
+as it became gradually less and less visible in the faint light of
+morning.  Then he began to ponder his unfortunate circumstances, and
+tried to imagine how his uncle would set about clearing up his character
+and establishing his innocence; but, do what he would, Ruby could not
+keep his mind fixed for any length of time on any subject or line of
+thought, because of a vision of sweetness which it is useless to attempt
+to describe, and which was always accompanied by, and surrounded with, a
+golden halo.
+
+At last the youth gave up the attempt to fix his thoughts, and allowed
+them to wander as they chose, seeing that they were resolved to do so
+whether he would or no.  The moment these thoughts had the reins flung
+on their necks, and were allowed to go where they pleased, they refused,
+owing to some unaccountable species of perversity, to wander at all, but
+at once settled themselves comfortably down beside the vision with
+golden hair, and remained there.
+
+This agreeable state of things was rudely broken in upon by the hoarse
+voice of the mate shouting--
+
+"Stand by to let go the anchor."
+
+Then Ruby sprang on the deck and shook himself like a great mastiff, and
+resolved to devote himself, heart and soul, from that moment, to the
+work in which he was about to engage.
+
+The scene that presented itself to our hero when he woke up from his
+dreams would have interested and excited a much less enthusiastic
+temperament than his.
+
+The breeze had died away altogether, just as if, having wafted the
+_Smeaton_ to her anchorage, there were no further occasion for its
+services.  The sea was therefore quite calm, and as there had only been
+light westerly winds for some time past, there was little or none of the
+swell that usually undulates the sea.  One result of this was, that,
+being high water when the _Smeaton_ arrived, there was no sign whatever
+of the presence of the famous Bell Rock.  It lay sleeping nearly two
+fathoms below the sea, like a grim giant in repose, and not a ripple was
+there to tell of the presence of the mariner's enemy.
+
+The sun was rising, and its slanting beams fell on the hulls of the
+vessels engaged in the service, which lay at anchor at a short distance
+from each other.  These vessels, as we have said, were four in number,
+including the _Smeaton_.  The others were the _Sir Joseph Banks_, a
+small schooner-rigged vessel; the _Patriot_, a little sloop; and the
+_Pharos_ lightship, a large clumsy-looking Dutch-built ship, fitted with
+three masts, at the top of which were the lanterns.  It was intended
+that this vessel should do duty as a lightship until the lighthouse
+should be completed.
+
+Besides these there were two large boats, used for landing stones and
+building materials on the rock.
+
+These vessels lay floating almost motionless on the calm sea, and at
+first there was scarcely any noise aboard of them to indicate that they
+were tenanted by human beings, but when the sound of the _Smeaton's_
+cable was heard there was a bustle aboard of each, and soon faces were
+seen looking inquisitively over the sides of the ships.
+
+The _Smeaton's_ boat was lowered after the anchor was let go, and the
+new hands were transferred to the _Pharos_, which was destined to be
+their home for some time to come.
+
+Just as they reached her the bell rang for breakfast, and when Ruby
+stepped upon the deck he found himself involved in all the bustle that
+ensues when men break off from work and make preparation for the morning
+meal.
+
+There were upwards of thirty artificers on board the lightship at this
+time.  Some of these, as they hurried to and fro, gave the new arrivals
+a hearty greeting, and asked, "What news from the shore?"  Others were
+apparently too much taken up with their own affairs to take notice of
+them.
+
+While Ruby was observing the busy scene with absorbing interest, and
+utterly forgetful of the fact that he was in any way connected with it,
+an elderly gentleman, whose kind countenance and hearty manner gave
+indication of a genial spirit within, came up and accosted him:
+
+"You are our assistant blacksmith, I believe?"
+
+"Yes, sir, I am," replied Ruby, doffing his cap, as if he felt
+instinctively that he was in the presence of someone of note.
+
+"You have had considerable practice, I suppose, in your trade?"
+
+"A good deal, sir, but not much latterly, for I have been at sea for
+some time."
+
+"At sea?  Well, that won't be against you here," returned the gentleman,
+with a meaning smile.  "It would be well if some of my men were a little
+more accustomed to the sea, for they suffer much from sea-sickness.  You
+can go below, my man, and get breakfast.  You'll find your future
+messmate busy at his, I doubt not.  Here, steward," (turning to one of
+the men who chanced to pass at the moment,) "take Ruby Brand--that is
+your name, I think?"
+
+"It is, sir."
+
+"Take Brand below, and introduce him to James Dove as his assistant."
+
+The steward escorted Ruby down the ladder that conducted to those dark
+and littered depths of the ship's hull that were assigned to the
+artificers as their place of abode.  But amidst a good deal of
+unavoidable confusion, Ruby's practised eye discerned order and
+arrangement everywhere.
+
+"This is your messmate, Jamie Dove," said the steward, pointing to a
+massive dark man, whose outward appearance was in keeping with his
+position as the Vulcan of such an undertaking as he was then engaged in.
+"You'll find him not a bad feller if you only don't cross him."  He
+added, with a wink, "His only fault is that he's given to spoilin' good
+victuals, being raither floored by sea-sickness if it comes on to blow
+ever so little."
+
+"Hold your clapper, lad," said the smith, who was at the moment busily
+engaged with a mess of salt pork, and potatoes to match.  "Who's your
+friend?"
+
+"No friend of mine, though I hope he'll be one soon," answered the
+steward.  "Mr Stevenson told me to introduce him to you as your
+assistant."
+
+The smith looked up quickly, and scanned our hero with some interest;
+then, extending his great hard hand across the table, he said, "Welcome,
+messmate; sit down, I've only just begun."
+
+Ruby grasped the hand with his own, which, if not so large, was quite as
+powerful, and shook the smith's right arm in a way that called forth
+from that rough-looking individual a smile of approbation.
+
+"You've not had breakfast, lad?"
+
+"No, not yet," said Ruby, sitting down opposite his comrade.
+
+"An' the smell here don't upset your stummick, I hope?"
+
+The smith said this rather anxiously.
+
+"Not in the least," said Ruby with a laugh, and beginning to eat in a
+way that proved the truth of his words; "for the matter o' that, there's
+little smell and no motion just now."
+
+"Well, there isn't much," replied the smith, "but, woe's me! you'll get
+enough of it before long.  All the new landsmen like you suffer horribly
+from sea-sickness when they first come off."
+
+"But I'm not a landsman," said Ruby.
+
+"Not a landsman!" echoed the other.  "You're a blacksmith, aren't you?"
+
+"Ay, but not a landsman.  I learned the trade as a boy and lad; but I've
+been at sea for some time past."
+
+"Then you won't get sick when it blows?"
+
+"Certainly not; will _you_?"
+
+The smith groaned and shook his head, by which answer he evidently meant
+to assure his friend that he would, most emphatically.
+
+"But come, it's of no use groanin' over what can't be helped.  I get as
+sick as a dog every time the wind rises, and the worst of it is I don't
+never seem to improve.  Howsever, I'm all right when I get on the rock,
+and that's the main thing."
+
+Ruby and his friend now entered upon a long and earnest conversation as
+to their peculiar duties at the Bell Rock, with which we will not
+trouble the reader.
+
+After breakfast they went on deck, and here Ruby had sufficient to
+occupy his attention and to amuse him for some hours.
+
+As the tide that day did not fall low enough to admit of landing on the
+rock till noon, the men were allowed to spend the time as they pleased.
+Some therefore took to fishing, others to reading, while a few employed
+themselves in drying their clothes, which had got wet the previous day,
+and one or two entertained themselves and their comrades with the music
+of the violin and flute.  All were busy with one thing or another, until
+the rock began to show its black crest above the smooth sea.  Then a
+bell was rung to summon the artificers to land.
+
+This being the signal for Ruby to commence work, he joined his friend
+Dove, and assisted him to lower the bellows of the forge into the boat.
+The men were soon in their places, with their various tools, and the
+boats pushed off--Mr Stevenson, the engineer of the building, steering
+one boat, and the master of the _Pharos_, who was also appointed to the
+post of landing-master, steering the other.
+
+They landed with ease on this occasion on the western side of the rock,
+and then each man addressed himself to his special duty with energy.
+The time during which they could work being short, they had to make the
+most of it.
+
+"Now, lad," said the smith, "bring along the bellows and follow me.
+Mind yer footin', for it's slippery walkin' on them tangle-covered
+rocks.  I've seen some ugly falls here already."
+
+"Have any bones been broken yet?" enquired Ruby, as he shouldered the
+large pair of bellows, and followed the smith cautiously over the rocks.
+
+"Not yet; but there's been an awful lot o' pipes smashed.  If it goes on
+as it has been, we'll have to take to metal ones.  Here we are, Ruby,
+this is the forge, and I'll be bound you never worked at such a queer
+one before.  Hallo!  Bremner!" he shouted to one of the men.
+
+"That's me," answered Bremner.
+
+"Bring your irons as soon as you like!  I'm about ready for you."
+
+"Ay, ay, here they are," said the man, advancing with an armful of
+picks, chisels, and other tools, which required sharpening.
+
+He slipped and fell as he spoke, sending all the tools into the bottom
+of a pool of water; but, being used to such mishaps, he arose, joined in
+the laugh raised against him, and soon fished up the tools.
+
+"What's wrong!" asked Ruby, pausing in the work of fixing the bellows,
+on observing that the smith's face grew pale, and his general expression
+became one of horror.  "Not sea-sick, I hope?"
+
+"Sea-sick," gasped the smith, slapping all his pockets hurriedly, "it's
+worse than that; I've forgot the matches!"
+
+Ruby looked perplexed, but had no consolation to offer.
+
+"That's like you," cried Bremner, who, being one of the principal
+masons, had to attend chiefly to the digging out of the foundation-pit
+of the building, and knew that his tools could not be sharpened unless
+the forge fire could be lighted.
+
+"Suppose you hammer a nail red-hot," suggested one of the men, who was
+disposed to make game of the smith.
+
+"I'll hammer your nose red-hot," replied Dove, with a most undovelike
+scowl, "I could swear that I put them matches in my pocket before I
+started."
+
+"No, you didn't," said George Forsyth, one of the carpenters--a tall
+loose-jointed man, who was chiefly noted for his dislike to getting into
+and out of boats, and climbing up the sides of ships, because of his
+lengthy and unwieldy figure--"No, you didn't, you turtle-dove, you
+forgot to take them; but I remembered to do it for you; so there, get up
+your fire, and confess yourself indebted to me for life."
+
+"I'm indebted to 'ee for fire," said the smith, grasping the matches
+eagerly.  "Thank'ee, lad, you're a true Briton."
+
+"A tall 'un, rather," suggested Bremner.
+
+"Wot never, never, never will be a slave," sang another of the men.
+
+"Come, laddies, git up the fire.  Time an' tide waits for naebody," said
+John Watt, one of the quarriers.  "We'll want thae tools before lang."
+
+The men were proceeding with their work actively while those remarks
+were passing, and ere long the smoke of the forge fire arose in the
+still air, and the clang of the anvil was added to the other noises with
+which the busy spot resounded.
+
+The foundation of the Bell Rock Lighthouse had been carefully selected
+by Mr Stevenson; the exact spot being chosen not only with a view to
+elevation, but to the serrated ridges of rock, that might afford some
+protection to the building, by breaking the force of the easterly seas
+before they should reach it; but as the space available for the purpose
+of building was scarcely fifty yards in diameter, there was not much
+choice in the matter.
+
+The foundation-pit was forty-two feet in diameter, and sunk five feet
+into the solid rock.  At the time when Ruby landed, it was being hewn
+out by a large party of the men.  Others were boring holes in the rock
+near to it, for the purpose of fixing the great beams of a beacon, while
+others were cutting away the seaweed from the rock, and making
+preparations for the laying down of temporary rails to facilitate the
+conveying of the heavy stones from the boats to their ultimate
+destination.  All were busy as bees.  Each man appeared to work as if
+for a wager, or to find out how much he could do within a given space of
+time.
+
+To the men on the rock itself the aspect of the spot was sufficiently
+striking and peculiar, but to those who viewed it from a boat at a short
+distance off it was singularly interesting, for the whole scene of
+operations appeared like a small black spot, scarcely above the level of
+the waves, on which a crowd of living creatures were moving about with
+great and incessant activity, while all around and beyond lay the mighty
+sea, sleeping in the grand tranquillity of a calm summer day, with
+nothing to bound it but the blue sky, save to the northward, where the
+distant cliffs of Forfar rested like a faint cloud on the horizon.
+
+The sounds, too, which on the rock itself were harsh and loud and
+varied, came over the water to the distant observer in a united tone,
+which sounded almost as sweet as soft music.
+
+The smith's forge stood on a ledge of rock close to the foundation-pit,
+a little to the north of it.  Here Vulcan Dove had fixed a strong iron
+framework, which formed the hearth.  The four legs which supported it
+were let into holes bored from six to twelve inches into the rock,
+according to the inequalities of the site.  These were wedged first with
+wood and then with iron, for as this part of the forge and the anvil was
+doomed to be drowned every tide, or twice every day, besides being
+exposed to the fury of all the storms that might chance to blow, it
+behoved them to fix things down with unusual firmness.
+
+The block of timber for supporting the anvil was fixed in the same
+manner, but the anvil itself was left to depend on its own weight and
+the small stud fitted into the bottom of it.
+
+The bellows, however, were too delicate to be left exposed to such
+forces as the stormy winds and waves, they were therefore shipped and
+unshipped every tide, and conveyed to and from the rock in the boats
+with the men.
+
+Dove and Ruby wrought together like heroes.  They were both so powerful
+that the heavy implements they wielded seemed to possess no weight when
+in their strong hands, and their bodies were so lithe and active as to
+give the impression of men rejoicing, revelling, in the enjoyment of
+their work.
+
+"That's your sort; hit him hard, he's got no friends," said Dove,
+turning a mass of red-hot metal from side to side, while Ruby pounded it
+with a mighty hammer, as if it were a piece of putty.
+
+"Fire and steel for ever," observed Ruby, as he made the sparks fly
+right and left.  "Hallo! the tide's rising."
+
+"Ho! so it is," cried the smith, finishing off the piece of work with a
+small hammer, while Ruby rested on the one he had used and wiped the
+perspiration from his brow.  "It always serves me in this way, lad,"
+continued the smith, without pausing for a moment in his work.  "Blow
+away, Ruby, the sea is my greatest enemy.  Every day, a'most, it washes
+me away from my work.  In calm weather, it creeps up my legs, and the
+legs o' the forge too, till it gradually puts out the fire, and in rough
+weather it sends up a wave sometimes that sweeps the whole concern black
+out at one shot."
+
+"It will _creep_ you out to-day, evidently," said Ruby, as the water
+began to come about his toes.
+
+"Never mind, lad, we'll have time to finish them picks this tide, if we
+work fast."
+
+Thus they toiled and moiled, with their heads and shoulders in smoke and
+fire, and their feet in water.
+
+Gradually the tide rose.
+
+"Pump away, Ruby!  Keep the pot bilin', my boy," said the smith.
+
+"The wind blowin', you mean.  I say, Dove, do the other men like the
+work here?"
+
+"Like it, ay, they like it well.  At fist we were somewhat afraid o' the
+landin' in rough weather, but we've got used to that now.  The only bad
+thing about it is in the rolling o' that horrible _Pharos_.  She's so
+bad in a gale that I sometimes think she'll roll right over like a cask.
+Most of us get sick then, but I don't think any of 'em are as bad as
+me.  They seem to be gettin' used to that too.  I wish I could.  Another
+blow, Ruby."
+
+"Time's up," shouted one of the men.
+
+"Hold on just for a minute or two," pleaded the smith, who, with his
+assistant, was by this time standing nearly knee-deep in water.
+
+The sea had filled the pit some time before, and driven the men out of
+it.  These busied themselves in collecting the tools and seeing that
+nothing was left lying about, while the men who were engaged on those
+parts of the rocks that were a few inches higher, continued their
+labours until the water crept up to them.  Then they collected their
+tools, and went to the boats, which lay awaiting them at the western
+landing-place.
+
+"Now, Dove," cried the landing-master, "come along; the crabs will be
+attacking your toes if you don't."
+
+"It's a shame to gi'e Ruby the chance o' a sair throat the very first
+day," cried John Watt.
+
+"Just half a minute more," said the smith, examining a pickaxe, which he
+was getting up to that delicate point of heat which is requisite to give
+it proper temper.
+
+While he gazed earnestly into the glowing coals a gentle hissing sound
+was heard below the frame of the forge, then a gurgle, and the fire
+became suddenly dark and went out!
+
+"I knowed it! always the way!" cried Dove, with a look of
+disappointment.  "Come, lad, up with the bellows now, and don't forget
+the tongs."
+
+In a few minutes more the boats pushed off and returned to the _Pharos_,
+three and a half hours of good work having been accomplished before the
+tide drove them away.
+
+Soon afterwards the sea overflowed the whole of the rock, and
+obliterated the scene of those busy operations as completely as though
+it had never been!
+
+
+
+CHAPTER NINE.
+
+STORMS AND TROUBLES.
+
+A week of fine weather caused Ruby Brand to fall as deeply in love with
+the work at the Bell Rock as his comrades had done.
+
+There was an amount of vigour and excitement about it, with a dash of
+romance, which quite harmonised with his character.  At first he had
+imagined it would be monotonous and dull, but in experience he found it
+to be quite the reverse.
+
+Although there was uniformity in the general character of the work,
+there was constant variety in many of the details; and the spot on which
+it was carried on was so circumscribed, and so utterly cut off from all
+the world, that the minds of those employed became concentrated on it in
+a way that aroused strong interest in every trifling object.
+
+There was not a ledge or a point of rock that rose ever so little above
+the general level, that was not named after, and intimately associated
+with, some event or individual.  Every mass of seaweed became a familiar
+object.  The various little pools and inlets, many of them not larger
+than a dining-room table, received high-sounding and dignified names--
+such as _Port Stevenson, Port Erskine, Taylor's Track, Neill's Pool_,
+etcetera.  Of course the fish that frequented the pools, and the
+shell-fish that covered the rock, became subjects of much attention,
+and, in some cases, of earnest study.
+
+Robinson Crusoe himself did not pry into the secrets of his island-home
+with half the amount of assiduity that was displayed at this time by
+many of the men who built the Bell Rock Lighthouse.  The very fact that
+their time was limited acted as a spur, so that on landing each tide
+they rushed hastily to the work, and the amateur studies in natural
+history to which we have referred were prosecuted hurriedly during brief
+intervals of rest.  Afterwards, when the beacon house was erected, and
+the men dwelt upon the rock, these studies (if we may not call them
+amusements) were continued more leisurely, but with unabated ardour, and
+furnished no small amount of comparatively thrilling incident at times.
+
+One fine morning, just after the men had landed, and before they had
+commenced work, "Long Forsyth", as his comrades styled him, went to a
+pool to gather a little dulse, of which there was a great deal on the
+rock, and which was found to be exceedingly grateful to the palates of
+those who were afflicted with sea-sickness.
+
+He stooped over the pool to pluck a morsel, but paused on observing a
+beautiful fish, about a foot long, swimming in the clear water, as
+quietly as if it knew the man to be a friend, and were not in the least
+degree afraid of him.
+
+Forsyth was an excitable man, and also studious in his character.  He at
+once became agitated and desirous of possessing that fish, for it was
+extremely brilliant and variegated in colour.  He looked round for
+something to throw at it, but there was nothing within reach.  He sighed
+for a hook and line, but as sighs never yet produced hooks or lines he
+did not get one.
+
+Just then the fish swam slowly to the side of the pool on which the man
+kneeled, as if it actually desired more intimate acquaintance.  Forsyth
+lay flat down and reached out his hand toward it; but it appeared to
+think this rather too familiar, for it swam slowly beyond his reach, and
+the man drew back.  Again it came to the side, much nearer.  Once more
+Forsyth lay down, reaching over the pool as far as he could, and
+insinuating his hand into the water.  But the fish moved off a little.
+
+Thus they coquetted with each other for some time, until the man's
+comrades began to observe that he was "after something."
+
+"Wot's he a-doin' of?" said one.
+
+"Reachin' over the pool, I think," replied another.
+
+"Ye don't mean he's sick?" cried a third.
+
+The smile with which this was received was changed into a roar of
+laughter as poor Forsyth's long legs were seen to tip up into the air,
+and the whole man to disappear beneath the water.  He had overbalanced
+himself in his frantic efforts to reach the fish, and was now making its
+acquaintance in its native element!
+
+The pool, although small in extent, was so deep that Forsyth, long
+though he was, did not find bottom.  Moreover, he could not swim, so
+that when he reached the surface he came up with his hands first and his
+ten fingers spread out helplessly; next appeared his shaggy head, with
+the eyes wide open, and the mouth tight shut.  The moment the latter was
+uncovered, however, he uttered a tremendous yell, which was choked in
+the bud with a gurgle as he sank again.
+
+The men rushed to the rescue at once, and the next time Forsyth rose he
+was seized by the hair of the head and dragged out of the pool.
+
+It has not been recorded what became of the fish that caused such an
+alarming accident, but we may reasonably conclude that it sought refuge
+in the ocean cavelets at the bottom of that miniature sea, for Long
+Forsyth was so very large, and created such a terrible disturbance
+therein, that no fish exposed to the full violence of the storm could
+have survived it!
+
+"Wot a hobject!" exclaimed Joe Dumsby, a short, thickset, little
+Englishman, who, having been born and partly bred in London, was rather
+addicted to what is styled chaffing.  "Was you arter a mermaid,
+shipmate?"
+
+"Av coorse he was," observed Ned O'Connor, an Irishman, who was
+afflicted with the belief that he was rather a witty fellow, "av coorse
+he was, an' a merry-maid she must have bin to see a human spider like
+him kickin' up such a dust in the say."
+
+"He's like a drooned rotten," observed John Watt; "tak' aff yer claes,
+man, an' wring them dry."
+
+"Let the poor fellow be, and get along with you," cried Peter Logan, the
+foreman of the works, who came up at that moment.
+
+With a few parting remarks and cautions, such as,--"You'd better bring a
+dry suit to the rock next time, lad," "Take care the crabs don't make
+off with you, boy," "and don't be gettin' too fond o' the girls in the
+sea," etcetera, the men scattered themselves over the rock and began
+their work in earnest, while Forsyth, who took the chaffing in good
+part, stripped himself and wrung the water out of his garments.
+
+Episodes of this kind were not unfrequent, and they usually furnished
+food for conversation at the time, and for frequent allusion afterwards.
+
+But it was not all sunshine and play, by any means.
+
+Not long after Ruby joined, the fine weather broke up, and a succession
+of stiff breezes, with occasional storms, more or lees violent, set in.
+Landing on the rock became a matter of extreme difficulty, and the short
+period of work was often curtailed to little more than an hour each
+tide.
+
+The rolling of the _Pharos_ lightship, too, became so great that
+sea-sickness prevailed to a large extent among the landsmen.  One good
+arose out of this evil, however.  Landing on the Bell Rock invariably
+cured the sickness for a time, and the sea-sick men had such an intense
+longing to eat of the dulse that grew there, that they were always ready
+and anxious to get into the boats when there was the slightest
+possibility of landing.
+
+Getting into the boats, by the way, in a heavy sea, when the lightship
+was rolling violently, was no easy matter.  When the fine weather first
+broke up, it happened about midnight, and the change commenced with a
+stiff breeze from the eastward.  The sea rose at once, and, long before
+daybreak, the _Pharos_ was rolling heavily in the swell, and straining
+violently at the strong cable which held her to her moorings.
+
+About dawn Mr Stevenson came on deck.  He could not sleep, because he
+felt that on his shoulders rested not only the responsibility of
+carrying this gigantic work to a satisfactory conclusion, but also, to a
+large extent, the responsibility of watching over and guarding the lives
+of the people employed in the service.
+
+"Shall we be able to land to-day, Mr Wilson?" he said, accosting the
+master of the _Pharos_, who has been already introduced as the
+landing-master.
+
+"I think so; the barometer has not fallen much; and even although the
+wind should increase a little, we can effect a landing by the Fair Way,
+at Hope's Wharf."
+
+"Very well, I leave it entirely in your hands; you understand the
+weather better than I do, but remember that I do not wish my men to run
+unnecessary or foolish risk."
+
+It may be as well to mention here that a small but exceedingly strong
+tramway of iron-grating had been fixed to the Bell Rock at an elevation
+varying from two to four feet above it, and encircling the site of the
+building.  This tramway or railroad was narrow, not quite three feet in
+width; and small trucks were fitted to it, so that the heavy stones of
+the building might be easily run to the exact spot they were to occupy.
+From this circular rail several branch lines extended to the different
+creeks where the boats deposited the stones.  These lines, although only
+a few yards in length, were dignified with names--as, _Kennedy's Reach,
+Logan's Reach, Watt's Reach_, and _Slight's Reach_.  The ends of them,
+where they dipped into the sea, were named _Hope's Wharf, Duff's Wharf,
+Rae's Wharf_, etcetera; and these wharves had been fixed on different
+sides of the rock, so that, whatever wind should blow, there would
+always be one of them on the lee-side available for the carrying on of
+the work.
+
+_Hope's Wharf_ was connected with _Port Erskine_, a pool about twenty
+yards long by three or four wide, and communicated with the side of the
+lighthouse by _Watt's Reach_, a distance of about thirty yards.
+
+About eight o'clock that morning the bell rang for breakfast.  Such of
+the men as were not already up began to get out of their berths and
+hammocks.
+
+To Ruby the scene that followed was very amusing.  Hitherto all had been
+calm and sunshine.  The work, although severe while they were engaged,
+had been of short duration, and the greater part of each day had been
+afterwards spent in light work, or in amusement.  The summons to meals
+had always been a joyful one, and the appetites of the men were keenly
+set.
+
+Now, all this was changed.  The ruddy faces of the men were become
+green, blue, yellow, and purple, according to temperament, but few were
+flesh-coloured or red.  When the bell rang there was a universal groan
+below, and half a dozen ghostlike individuals raised themselves on their
+elbows and looked up with expressions of the deepest woe at the dim
+skylight.  Most of them speedily fell back again, however, partly owing
+to a heavy lurch of the vessel, and partly owing to indescribable
+sensations within.
+
+"Blowin'!" groaned one, as if that single word comprehended the essence
+of all the miseries that seafaring man is heir to.
+
+"O dear!" sighed another, "why did I ever come here?"
+
+"Och! murder, I'm dyin', send for the praist an' me mother!" cried
+O'Connor, as he fell flat down on his back and pressed both hands
+tightly over his mouth.
+
+The poor blacksmith lost control over himself at this point and--found
+partial relief!
+
+The act tended to relieve others.  Most of the men were much too
+miserable to make any remark at all, a few of them had not heart even to
+groan; but five or six sat up on the edge of their beds, with a weak
+intention of turning out.  They sat there swaying about with the motions
+of the ship in helpless indecision, until a tremendous roll sent them
+flying, with unexpected violence, against the starboard bulkheads.
+
+"Come, lads," cried Ruby, leaping out of his hammock, "there's nothing
+like a vigorous jump to put sea-sickness to flight."
+
+"Humbug!" ejaculated Bremner, who owned a little black dog, which lay at
+that time on the pillow gazing into his master's green face, with
+wondering sympathy.
+
+"Ah, Ruby," groaned the smith, "it's all very well for a sea-dog like
+you that's used to it, but--"
+
+James Dove stopped short abruptly.  It is not necessary to explain the
+cause of his abrupt silence.  Suffice it to say that he did not
+thereafter attempt to finish that sentence.
+
+"Steward!" roared Joe Dumsby.
+
+"Ay, ay, shipmate, what's up?" cried the steward, who chanced to pass
+the door of the men's sleeping-place, with a large dish of boiled salt
+pork, at the moment.
+
+"Wot's up?" echoed Dumsby.  "Everythink that ever went into me since I
+was a hinfant must be `up' by this time.  I say, is there any chance of
+gettin' on the rock to-day?"
+
+"O yes.  I heard the cap'n say it would be quite easy, and they seem to
+be makin' ready now, so if any of 'ee want breakfast you'd better turn
+out."
+
+This speech acted like a shock of electricity on the wretched men.  In a
+moment every bed was empty, and the place was in a bustle of confusion
+as they hurriedly threw on their clothes.
+
+Some of them even began to think of the possibility of venturing on a
+hard biscuit and a cup of tea, but a gust of wind sent the fumes of the
+salt pork into the cabin at the moment, and the mere idea of food filled
+them with unutterable loathing.
+
+Presently the bell rang again.  This was the signal for the men to
+muster, the boats being ready alongside.  The whole crew at once rushed
+on deck, some of them thrusting biscuits into their pockets as they
+passed the steward's quarters.  Not a man was absent on the roll being
+called.  Even the smith crawled on deck, and had spirit enough left to
+advise Ruby not to forget the bellows; to which Ruby replied by
+recommending his comrade not to forget the matches.
+
+Then the operation of embarking began.
+
+The sea at the time was running pretty high, with little white flecks of
+foam tipping the crests of the deep blue waves.  The eastern sky was
+dark and threatening.  The black ridges of the Bell Rock were visible
+only at times in the midst of the sea of foam that surrounded them.
+Anyone ignorant of their nature would have deemed a landing absolutely
+impossible.
+
+The _Pharos_, as we have said, was rolling violently from side to side,
+insomuch that those who were in the boats had the greatest difficulty in
+preventing them from being stove in; and getting into these boats had
+much the appearance of an exceedingly difficult and dangerous feat,
+which active and reckless men might undertake for a wager.
+
+But custom reconciles one to almost anything.  Most of the men had had
+sufficient experience by that time to embark with comparative ease.
+Nevertheless, there were a few whose physical conformation was such that
+they could do nothing neatly.
+
+Poor Forsyth was one of these.  Each man had to stand on the edge of the
+lightship, outside the bulwarks, holding on to a rope, ready to let go
+and drop into the boat when it rose up and met the vessel's roll.  In
+order to facilitate the operation a boat went to either side of the
+ship, so that two men were always in the act of watching for an
+opportunity to spring.  The active men usually got in at the first or
+second attempt, but others missed frequently, and were of course
+"chaffed" by their more fortunate comrades.
+
+The embarking of "Long Forsyth" was always a scene in rough weather, and
+many a narrow escape had he of a ducking.  On the present occasion,
+being very sick, he was more awkward than usual.
+
+"Now, Longlegs," cried the men who held the boat on the starboard side,
+as Forsyth got over the side and stood ready to spring, "let's see how
+good you'll be to-day."
+
+He was observed by Joe Dumsby, who had just succeeded in getting into
+the boat on the port side of the ship, and who always took a lively
+interest in his tall comrade's proceedings.
+
+"Hallo! is that the spider?" he cried, as the ship rolled towards him,
+and the said spider appeared towering high on the opposite bulwark,
+sharply depicted against the grey sky.
+
+It was unfortunate for Joe that he chanced to be on the opposite side
+from his friend, for at each roll the vessel necessarily intervened and
+hid him for a few seconds from view.
+
+Next roll, Forsyth did not dare to leap, although the gunwale of the
+boat came within a foot of him.  He hesitated, the moment was lost, the
+boat sank into the hollow of the sea, and the man was swung high into
+the air, where he was again caught sight of by Dumsby.
+
+"What! are you there yet?" he cried.  "You must be fond of a swing--"
+
+Before he could say more the ship rolled over to the other side, and
+Forsyth was hid from view.
+
+"Now, lad, now! now!" shouted the boat's crew, as the unhappy man once
+more neared the gunwale.
+
+Forsyth hesitated.  Suddenly he became desperate and sprang, but the
+hesitation gave him a much higher fall than he would otherwise have had;
+it caused him also to leap wildly in a sprawling manner, so that he came
+down on the shoulders of his comrades "all of a lump".  Fortunately they
+were prepared for something of the sort, so that no damage was done.
+
+When the boats were at last filled they pushed off and rowed towards the
+rock.  On approaching it the men were cautioned to pull steadily by Mr
+Stevenson, who steered the leading boat.
+
+It was a standing order in the landing department that every man should
+use his greatest exertions in giving to the boats sufficient velocity to
+preserve their steerage way in entering the respective creeks at the
+rock, that the contending seas might not overpower them at places where
+the free use of the oars could not be had on account of the surrounding
+rocks or the masses of seaweed with which the water was everywhere
+encumbered at low tide.  This order had been thoroughly impressed upon
+the men, as carelessness or inattention to it might have proved fatal to
+all on board.
+
+As the leading boat entered the fairway, its steersman saw that more
+than ordinary caution would be necessary; for the great green billows
+that thundered to windward of the rock came sweeping down on either side
+of it, and met on the lee-side, where they swept onward with
+considerable, though much abated force.
+
+"Mind your oars, lads; pull steady," said Mr Stevenson, as they began
+to get amongst the seaweed.
+
+The caution was unnecessary as far as the old hands were concerned; but
+two of the men happened to be new hands, who had come off with Ruby, and
+did not fully appreciate the necessity of strict obedience.  One of
+these, sitting at the bow-oar, looked over his shoulder, and saw a heavy
+sea rolling towards the boat, and inadvertently expressed some fear.
+The other man, on hearing this, glanced round, and in doing so missed a
+stroke of his oar.  Such a preponderance was thus given to the rowers on
+the opposite side, that when the wave struck the boat, it caught her on
+the side instead of the bow, and hurled her upon a ledge of shelving
+rocks, where the water left her.  Having been _canted_ to seaward, the
+next billow completely filled her, and, of course, drenched the crew.
+
+Instantly Ruby Brand and one or two of the most active men leaped out,
+and, putting forth all their strength, turned the boat round so as to
+meet the succeeding sea with its bow first.  Then, after making
+considerable efforts, they pushed her off into deep water, and finally
+made the landing-place.  The other boat could render no assistance; but,
+indeed, the whole thing was the work of a few minutes.
+
+As the boats could not conveniently leave the rock till flood-tide, all
+hands set to work with unwonted energy in order to keep themselves warm,
+not, however, before they ate heartily of their favourite dulse--the
+blacksmith being conspicuous for the voracious manner in which he
+devoured it.
+
+Soon the bellows were set up; the fire was kindled, and the ring of the
+anvil heard; but poor Dove and Ruby had little pleasure in their work
+that day; for the wind blew the smoke and sparks about their faces, and
+occasionally a higher wave than ordinary sent the spray flying round
+them, to the detriment of their fire.  Nevertheless they plied the
+hammer and bellows unceasingly.
+
+The other men went about their work with similar disregard of the fury
+of the elements and the wet condition of their garments.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TEN.
+
+THE RISING OF THE TIDE--A NARROW ESCAPE.
+
+The portion of the work that Mr Stevenson was now most anxious to get
+advanced was the beacon.
+
+The necessity of having an erection of this kind was very obvious, for,
+in the event of anything happening to the boats, there would be no
+refuge for the men to fly to; and the tide would probably sweep them all
+away before their danger could be known, or assistance sent from the
+attendant vessels.  Every man felt that his personal safety might depend
+on the beacon during some period of the work.  The energies of all,
+therefore, were turned to the preliminary arrangements for its erection.
+
+As the beacon would require to withstand the utmost fury of the elements
+during all seasons of the year, it was necessary that it should be
+possessed of immense strength.
+
+In order to do this, six cuttings were made in the rock for the
+reception of the ends of the six great beams of the beacon.  Each beam
+was to be fixed to the solid rock by two strong and massive bats, or
+stanchions, of iron.  These bats, for the fixing of the principal and
+diagonal beams and bracing-chains, required fifty-four holes, each
+measuring a foot and a half deep, and two inches wide.  The operation of
+boring such holes into the solid rock, was not an easy or a quick one,
+but by admirable arrangements on the part of the engineer, and steady
+perseverance on the part of the men, they progressed faster than had
+been anticipated.
+
+Three men were attached to each jumper, or boring chisel; one placed
+himself in a sitting posture, to guide the instrument, and give it a
+turn at each blow of the hammer; he also sponged and cleaned out the
+hole, and supplied it occasionally with a little water, while the other
+two, with hammers of sixteen pounds weight, struck the jumper
+alternately, generally bringing the hammer with a swing round the
+shoulder, after the manner of blacksmith work.
+
+Ruby, we may remark in passing, occupied himself at this work as often
+as he could get away from his duties at the forge, being particularly
+fond of it, as it enabled him to get rid of some of his superabundant
+energy, and afforded him a suitable exercise for his gigantic strength.
+It also tended to relieve his feelings when he happened to think of
+Minnie being so near, and he so utterly and hopelessly cut off from all
+communication with her.
+
+But to return to the bat-holes.  The three men relieved each other in
+the operations of wielding the hammers and guiding the jumpers, so that
+the work never flagged for a moment, and it was found that when the
+tools were of a very good temper, these holes could be sunk at the rate
+of one inch per minute, including stoppages.  But the tools were not
+always of good temper; and severely was poor Dove's temper tried by the
+frequency of the scolds which he received from the men, some of whom
+were clumsy enough, Dove said, to spoil the best tempered tool in the
+world.
+
+But the most tedious part of the operation did not lie in the boring of
+these holes.  In order that they should be of the required shape, two
+holes had to be bored a few inches apart from each other, and the rock
+cut away from between them.  It was this latter part of the work that
+took up most time.
+
+Those of the men who were not employed about the beacon were working at
+the foundation-pit.
+
+While the party were thus busily occupied on the Bell Rock, an event
+occurred which rendered the importance of the beacon, if possible, more
+obvious than ever, and which well-nigh put an end to the career of all
+those who were engaged on the rock at that time.
+
+The _Pharos_ floating light lay at a distance of above two miles from
+the Bell Rock; but one of the smaller vessels, the sloop _Smeaton_, lay
+much closer to it, and some of the artificers were berthed aboard of
+her, instead of the floating light.
+
+Some time after the landing of the two boats from the _Pharos_, the
+_Smeaton's_ boat put off and landed eight men on the rock; soon after
+which the crew of the boat pushed off and returned to the _Smeaton_ to
+examine her riding-ropes, and see that they were in good order, for the
+wind was beginning to increase, and the sea to rise.
+
+The boat had no sooner reached the vessel than the latter began to
+drift, carrying the boat along with her.  Instantly those on board
+endeavoured to hoist the mainsail of the _Smeaton_, with the view of
+working her up to the buoy from which she had parted; but it blew so
+hard, that by the time she was got round to make a tack towards the
+rock, she had drifted at least three miles to leeward.
+
+The circumstance of the _Smeaton_ and her boat having drifted was
+observed first by Mr Stevenson, who prudently refrained from drawing
+attention to the fact, and walked slowly to the farther point of the
+rock to watch her.  He was quickly followed by the landing-master, who
+touched him on the shoulder, and in perfect silence, but with a look of
+intense anxiety, pointed to the vessel.
+
+"I see it, Wilson.  God help us if she fails to make the rock within a
+very short time," said Mr Stevenson.
+
+"She will _never_ reach us in time," said Wilson, in a tone that
+convinced his companion he entertained no hope.
+
+"Perhaps she may," he said hurriedly; "she is a good sailer."
+
+"Good sailing," replied the other, "cannot avail against wind and tide
+together.  No human power can bring that vessel to our aid until long
+after the tide has covered the Bell Rock."
+
+Both remained silent for some time, watching with intense anxiety the
+ineffectual efforts of the little vessel to beat up to windward.
+
+In a few minutes the engineer turned to his companion and said, "They
+cannot save us, Wilson.  The two boats that are left--can they hold us
+all?"
+
+The landing-master shook his head.  "The two boats," said he, "will be
+completely filled by their own crews.  For ordinary rough weather they
+would be quite full enough.  In a sea like that," he said, pointing to
+the angry waves that were being gradually lashed into foam by the
+increasing wind, "they will be overloaded."
+
+"Come, I don't know that, Wilson; we may devise something," said Mr
+Stevenson, with a forced air of confidence, as he moved slowly towards
+the place where the men were still working, busy as bees and all
+unconscious of the perilous circumstances in which they were placed.
+
+As the engineer pondered the prospect of deliverance, his thoughts led
+him rather to despair than to hope.  There were thirty-two persons in
+all upon the rock that day, with only two boats, which, even in good
+weather, could not unitedly accommodate more than twenty-four sitters.
+But to row to the floating light with so much wind and in so heavy a
+sea, a complement of eight men for each boat was as much as could with
+propriety be attempted, so that about half of their number was thus
+unprovided for.  Under these circumstances he felt that to despatch one
+of the boats in expectation of either working the _Smeaton_ sooner up to
+the rock, or in hopes of getting her boat brought to their assistance
+would, besides being useless, at once alarm the workmen, each of whom
+would probably insist upon taking to his own boat, and leaving the eight
+men of the _Smeaton_ to their chance.  A scuffle might ensue, and he
+knew well that when men are contending for life the results may be very
+disastrous.
+
+For a considerable time the men remained in ignorance of the terrible
+conflict that was going on in their commander's breast.  As they wrought
+chiefly in sitting or kneeling postures, excavating the rock or boring
+with jumpers, their attention was naturally diverted from everything
+else around them.  The dense volumes of smoke, too, that rose from the
+forge fire, so enveloped them as to render distant objects dim or
+altogether invisible.
+
+While this lasted,--while the numerous hammers were going and the anvil
+continued to sound, the situation of things did not appear so awful to
+the only two who were aware of what had occurred.  But ere long the tide
+began to rise upon those who were at work on the lower parts of the
+beacon and lighthouse.  From the run of the sea upon the rock, the forge
+fire was extinguished sooner than usual; the volumes of smoke cleared
+away, and objects became visible in every direction.
+
+After having had about three hours' work, the men began pretty generally
+to make towards their respective boats for their jackets and socks.
+
+Then it was that they made the discovery that one boat was absent.
+
+Only a few exclamations were uttered.  A glance at the two boats and a
+hurried gaze to seaward were sufficient to acquaint them with their
+awful position.  Not a word was spoken by anyone.  All appeared to be
+silently calculating their numbers, and looking at each other with
+evident marks of perplexity depicted in their countenances.  The
+landing-master, conceiving that blame might attach to him for having
+allowed the boat to leave the rock, kept a little apart from the men.
+
+All eyes were turned, as if by instinct, to Mr Stevenson.  The men
+seemed to feel that the issue lay with him.
+
+The engineer was standing on an elevated part of the rock named Smith's
+Ledge, gazing in deep anxiety at the distant _Smeaton_, in the hope that
+he might observe some effort being made, at least, to pull the boat to
+their rescue.
+
+Slowly but surely the tide rose, overwhelming the lower parts of the
+rock; sending each successive wave nearer and nearer to the feet of
+those who were now crowded on the last ledge that could afford them
+standing-room.
+
+The deep silence that prevailed was awful!  It proved that each mind saw
+clearly the impossibility of anything being devised, and that a deadly
+struggle for precedence was inevitable.
+
+Mr Stevenson had all along been rapidly turning over in his mind
+various schemes which might be put in practice for the general safety,
+provided the men could be kept under command.  He accordingly turned to
+address them on the perilous nature of their circumstances; intending to
+propose that all hands should strip off their upper clothing when the
+higher parts of the rock should be laid under water; that the seamen
+should remove every unnecessary weight and encumbrance from the boats;
+that a specified number of men should go into each boat; and that the
+remainder should hang by the gunwales, while the boats were to be rowed
+gently towards the _Smeaton_, as the course to the floating light lay
+rather to windward of the rock.
+
+But when he attempted to give utterance to his thoughts the words
+refused to come.  So powerful an effect had the awful nature of their
+position upon him, that his parched tongue could not articulate.  He
+learned, from terrible experience, that saliva is as necessary to speech
+as the tongue itself.
+
+Stooping hastily, he dipped his hand into a pool of salt water and
+moistened his mouth.  This produced immediate relief and he was about to
+speak, when Ruby Brand, who had stood at his elbow all the time with
+compressed lips and a stern frown on his brow, suddenly took off his
+cap, and waving it above his head, shouted "A boat! a boat!" with all
+the power of his lungs.
+
+All eyes were at once turned in the direction to which he pointed, and
+there, sure enough, a large boat was seen through the haze, making
+towards the rock.
+
+Doubtless many a heart there swelled with gratitude to God, who had thus
+opportunely and most unexpectedly sent them relief at the eleventh hour;
+but the only sound that escaped them was a cheer, such as men seldom
+give or hear save in cases of deliverance in times of dire extremity.
+
+The boat belonged to James Spink, the Bell Rock pilot, who chanced to
+have come off express from Arbroath that day with letters.
+
+We have said that Spink came off _by chance_; but, when we consider all
+the circumstances of the case, and the fact that boats seldom visited
+the Bell Rock at any time, and _never_ during bad weather, we are
+constrained to feel that God does in His mercy interfere sometimes in a
+peculiar and special manner in human affairs, and that there was
+something more and higher than mere chance in the deliverance of
+Stevenson and his men upon this occasion.
+
+The pilot-boat, having taken on board as many as it could hold, set sail
+for the floating light; the other boats then put off from the rock with
+the rest of the men, but they did not reach the _Pharos_ until after a
+long and weary pull of three hours, during which the waves broke over
+the boats so frequently as to necessitate constant baling.
+
+When the floating light was at last reached, a new difficulty met them,
+for the vessel rolled so much, and the men were so exhausted, that it
+proved to be a work of no little toil and danger to get them all on
+board.
+
+Long Forsyth, in particular, cost them all an infinite amount of labour,
+for he was so sick, poor fellow, that he could scarcely move.  Indeed,
+he did at one time beg them earnestly to drop him into the sea and be
+done with him altogether, a request with which they of course refused to
+comply.  However, he was got up somehow, and the whole of them were
+comforted by a glass of rum and thereafter a cup of hot coffee.
+
+Ruby had the good fortune to obtain the additional comfort of a letter
+from Minnie, which, although it did not throw much light on the
+proceedings of Captain Ogilvy (for that sapient seaman's proceedings
+were usually involved in a species of obscurity which light could not
+penetrate), nevertheless assured him that something was being done in
+his behalf, and that, if he only kept quiet for a time, all would be
+well.
+
+The letter also assured him of the unalterable affection of the writer,
+an assurance which caused him to rejoice to such an extent that he
+became for a time perfectly regardless of all other sublunary things,
+and even came to look upon the Bell Rock as a species of paradise,
+watched over by the eye of an angel with golden hair, in which he could
+indulge his pleasant dreams to the utmost.
+
+That he had to indulge those dreams in the midst of storm and rain and
+smoke, surrounded by sea and seaweed, workmen and hammers, and forges
+and picks, and jumpers and seals, while his strong muscles and endurance
+were frequently tried to the uttermost, was a matter of no moment to
+Ruby Brand.
+
+All experience goes to prove that great joy will utterly overbear the
+adverse influence of physical troubles, especially if those troubles are
+without, and do not touch the seats of life within.  Minnie's love,
+expressed as it was in her own innocent, truthful, and straightforward
+way, rendered his body, big though it was, almost incapable of
+containing his soul.  He pulled the oar, hammered the jumper, battered
+the anvil, tore at the bellows, and hewed the solid Bell Rock with a
+vehemence that aroused the admiration of his comrades, and induced Jamie
+Dove to pronounce him to be the best fellow the world ever produced.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER ELEVEN.
+
+A STORM AND A DISMAL STATE OF THINGS ON BOARD THE PHAROS.
+
+From what has been said at the close of the last chapter, it will not
+surprise the reader to be told that the storm which blew during that
+night had no further effect on Ruby Brand than to toss his hair about,
+and cause a ruddier glow than usual to deepen the tone of his bronzed
+countenance.
+
+It was otherwise with many of his hapless comrades, a few of whom had
+also received letters that day, but whose pleasure was marred to some
+extent by the qualms within.
+
+Being Saturday, a glass of rum was served out in the evening, according
+to custom, and the men proceeded to hold what is known by the name of
+"Saturday night at sea."
+
+This being a night that was usually much enjoyed on board, owing to the
+home memories that were recalled, and the familiar songs that were sung;
+owing, also, to the limited supply of grog, which might indeed cheer,
+but could not by any possibility inebriate, the men endeavoured to shake
+off their fatigue, and to forget, if possible, the rolling of the
+vessel.
+
+The first effort was not difficult, but the second was not easy.  At
+first, however, the gale was not severe, so they fought against
+circumstances bravely for a time.
+
+"Come, lads," cried the smith, in a species of serio-comic desperation,
+when they had all assembled below, "let's drink to sweethearts and
+wives."
+
+"Hear, hear!  Bless their hearts!  Sweethearts and wives!" responded the
+men.  "Hip, hip!"
+
+The cheer that followed was a genuine one.
+
+"Now for a song, boys," cried one of the men, "and I think the last
+arrivals are bound to sing first."
+
+"Hear, hear!  Ruby, lad, you're in for it," said the smith, who sat near
+his assistant.
+
+"What shall I sing?" enquired Ruby.
+
+"Oh! let me see," said Joe Dumsby, assuming the air of one who
+endeavoured to recall something.  "Could you come Beet'oven's symphony
+on B flat?"
+
+"Ah! howld yer tongue, Joe," cried O'Connor, "sure the young man can
+only sing on the sharp kays; ain't he always sharpin' the tools, not to
+speak of his appetite?"
+
+"You've a blunt way of speaking yourself, friend," said Dumsby, in a
+tone of reproof.
+
+"Hallo! stop your jokes," cried the smith; "if you treat us to any more
+o' that sort o' thing we'll have ye dipped over the side, and hung up to
+dry at the end o' the mainyard.  Fire away, Ruby, my tulip!"
+
+"Ay, that's hit," said John Watt.  "Gie us the girl ye left behind ye."
+
+Ruby flushed suddenly, and turned towards the speaker with a look of
+surprise.
+
+"What's wrang, freend?  Hae ye never heard o' that sang?" enquired Watt.
+
+"O yes, I forgot," said Ruby, recovering himself in some confusion.  "I
+know the song--I--I was thinking of something--of--"
+
+"The girl ye left behind ye, av coorse," put in O'Connor, with a wink.
+
+"Come, strike up!" cried the men.
+
+Ruby at once obeyed, and sang the desired song with a sweet, full voice,
+that had the effect of moistening some of the eyes present.
+
+The song was received enthusiastically.
+
+"Your health and song, lads" said Robert Selkirk, the principal builder,
+who came down the ladder and joined them at that moment.
+
+"Thank you, now it's my call," said Ruby.  "I call upon Ned O'Connor for
+a song."
+
+"Or a speech," cried Forsyth.
+
+"A spaitch is it?" said O'Connor, with a look of deep modesty.  "Sure, I
+never made a spaitch in me life, except when I axed Mrs O'Connor to
+marry me, an' I never finished that spaitch, for I only got the length
+of `Och! darlint,' when she cut me short in the middle with `Sure, you
+may have me, Ned, and welcome!'"
+
+"Shame, shame!" said Dove, "to say that of your wife."
+
+"Shame to yersilf," cried O'Connor indignantly.  "Ain't I payin' the
+good woman a compliment, when I say that she had pity on me bashfulness,
+and came to me help when I was in difficulty?"
+
+"Quite right, O'Connor; but let's have a song if you won't speak."
+
+"Would ye thank a cracked tay-kittle for a song?" said Ned.  "Certainly
+not," replied Peter Logan, who was apt to take things too literally.
+
+"Then don't ax _me_ for wan," said the Irishman, "but I'll do this for
+ye, messmates: I'll read ye the last letter I got from the mistress,
+just to show ye that her price is beyond all calkerlation."
+
+A round of applause followed this offer, as Ned drew forth a much-soiled
+letter from the breast pocket of his coat, and carefully unfolding it,
+spread it on his knee.
+
+"It begins," said O'Connor, in a slightly hesitating tone, "with some
+expressions of a--a--raither endearin' charackter, that perhaps I may as
+well pass."
+
+"No, no," shouted the men, "let's have them all.  Out with them, Paddy!"
+
+"Well, well, av ye _will_ have them, here they be.
+
+"`GALWAY.
+
+"`My own purty darlin' as has bin my most luved sin' the day we wos
+marrit, you'll be grieved to larn that the pig's gone to its long
+home.'"
+
+Here O'Connor paused to make some parenthetical remarks with which,
+indeed, he interlarded the whole letter.
+
+"The pig, you must know, lads, was an old sow as belonged to me wife's
+gran'-mother, an' besides bein' a sort o' pet o' the family, was an
+uncommon profitable crature.  But to purceed.  She goes on to say,--`We
+waked her' (that's the pig, boys) `yisterday, and buried her this
+mornin'.  Big Rory, the baist, was for aitin' her, but I wouldn't hear
+of it; so she's at rest, an' so is old Molly Mallone.  She wint away
+just two minutes be the clock before the pig, and wos buried the day
+afther.  There's no more news as I knows of in the parish, except that
+your old flame Mary got married to Teddy O'Rook, an' they've been
+fightin' tooth an' nail ever since, as I towld ye they would long ago.
+No man could live wid that woman.  But the schoolmaster, good man, has
+let me off the cow.  Ye see, darlin', I towld him ye wos buildin' a
+palace in the say, to put ships in afther they wos wrecked on the coast
+of Ameriky, so ye couldn't be expected to send home much money at
+prisint.  An' he just said, "Well, well, Kathleen, you may just kaip the
+cow, and pay me whin ye can."  So put that off yer mind, my swait Ned.
+
+"`I'm sorry to hear the Faries rowls so bad, though what the Faries
+mains is more nor I can tell.'  (I spelled the word quite krect, lads,
+but my poor mistress hain't got the best of eyesight.) `Let me know in
+yer nixt, an' be sure to tell me if Long Forsyth has got the bitter o'
+say-sickness.  I'm koorius about this, bekaise I've got a receipt for
+that same that's infallerable, as his Riverence says.  Tell him, with my
+luv, to mix a spoonful o' pepper, an' two o' salt, an' wan o' mustard,
+an' a glass o' whisky in a taycup, with a sprinklin' o' ginger; fill it
+up with goat's milk, or ass's, av ye can't git goat's; bait it in a pan,
+an' drink it as hot as he can--hotter, if possible.  I niver tried it
+meself, but they say it's a suverin' remidy; and if it don't do no good,
+it's not likely to do much harm, bein' but a waik mixture.  Me own
+belaif is, that the milk's a mistake, but I suppose the doctors know
+best.
+
+"`Now, swaitest of men, I must stop, for Neddy's just come in howlin'
+like a born Turk for his tay; so no more at present from, yours till
+deth, Kathleen O'Connor.'"
+
+"Has she any sisters?" enquired Joe Dumsby eagerly, as Ned folded the
+letter and replaced it in his pocket.
+
+"Six of 'em," replied Ned; "every one purtier and better nor another."
+
+"Is it a long way to Galway?" continued Joe.
+
+"Not long; but it's a coorious thing that Englishmen never come back
+from them parts whin they wance ventur' into them."
+
+Joe was about to retort when the men called for another song.
+
+"Come, Jamie Dove, let's have `Rule, Britannia.'"
+
+Dove was by this time quite yellow in the face, and felt more inclined
+to go to bed than to sing; but he braced himself up, resolved to
+struggle manfully against the demon that oppressed him.
+
+It was in vain!  Poor Dove had just reached that point in the chorus
+where Britons stoutly affirm that they "never, never, never shall be
+slaves," when a tremendous roll of the vessel caused him to spring from
+the locker, on which he sat, and rush to his berth.
+
+There were several of the others whose self-restraint was demolished by
+this example; these likewise fled, amid the laughter of their
+companions, who broke up the meeting and went on deck.
+
+The prospect of things there proved, beyond all doubt, that Britons
+never did, and never will, rule the waves.
+
+The storm, which had been brewing for some time past, was gathering
+fresh strength every moment, and it became abundantly evident that the
+floating light would have her anchors and cables tested pretty severely
+before the gale was over.
+
+About eight o'clock in the evening the wind shifted to east-south-east;
+and at ten it became what seamen term a _hard gale_, rendering it
+necessary to veer out about fifty additional fathoms of the hempen
+cable.  The gale still increasing, the ship rolled and laboured
+excessively, and at midnight eighty fathoms more were veered out, while
+the sea continued to strike the vessel with a degree of force that no
+one had before experienced.
+
+That night there was little rest on board the _Pharos_.  Everyone who
+has been "at sea" knows what it is to lie in one's berth on a stormy
+night, with the planks of the deck only a few inches from one's nose,
+and the water swashing past the little port that _always_ leaks; the
+seas striking against the ship; the heavy sprays falling on the decks;
+and the constant rattle and row of blocks, spars, and cordage overhead.
+But all this was as nothing compared with the state of things on board
+the floating light, for that vessel could not rise to the seas with the
+comparatively free motions of a ship, sailing either with or against the
+gale.  She tugged and strained at her cable, as if with the fixed
+determination of breaking it, and she offered all the opposition of a
+fixed body to the seas.
+
+Daylight, though ardently longed for, brought no relief.  The gale
+continued with unabated violence.  The sea struck so hard upon the
+vessel's bows that it rose in great quantities, or, as Ruby expressed
+it, in "green seas", which completely swept the deck as far aft as the
+quarterdeck, and not unfrequently went completely over the stern of the
+ship.
+
+Those "green seas" fell at last so heavily on the skylights that all the
+glass was driven in, and the water poured down into the cabins,
+producing dire consternation in the minds of those below, who thought
+that the vessel was sinking.
+
+"I'm drowned intirely," roared poor Ned O'Connor, as the first of those
+seas burst in and poured straight down on his hammock, which happened to
+be just beneath the skylight.
+
+Ned sprang out on the deck, missed his footing, and was hurled with the
+next roll of the ship into the arms of the steward, who was passing
+through the place at the time.
+
+Before any comments could be made the dead-lights were put on, and the
+cabins were involved in almost absolute darkness.
+
+"Och! let me in beside ye," pleaded Ned with the occupant of the nearest
+berth.
+
+"Awa' wi' ye!  Na, na," cried John Watt, pushing the unfortunate man
+away.  "Cheinge yer wat claes first, an' I'll maybe let ye in, if ye can
+find me again i' the dark."
+
+While the Irishman was groping about in search of his chest, one of the
+officers of the ship passed him on his way to the companion ladder,
+intending to go on deck.  Ruby Brand, feeling uncomfortable below,
+leaped out of his hammock and followed him.  They had both got about
+halfway up the ladder when a tremendous sea struck the ship, causing it
+to tremble from stem to stern.  At the same moment someone above opened
+the hatch, and putting his head down, shouted for the officer, who
+happened to be just ascending.
+
+"Ay, ay," replied the individual in question.
+
+Just as he spoke, another heavy sea fell on the deck, and, rushing aft
+like a river that has burst its banks, hurled the seaman into the arms
+of the officer, who fell back upon Ruby, and all three came down with
+tons of water into the cabin.
+
+The scene that followed would have been ludicrous, had it not been
+serious.  The still rising sea caused the vessel to roll with excessive
+violence, and the large quantity of water that had burst in swept the
+men, who had jumped out of their beds, and all movable things, from side
+to side in indescribable confusion.  As the water dashed up into the
+lower tier of beds, it was found necessary to lift one of the scuttles
+in the floor, and let it flow into the limbers of the ship.
+
+Fortunately no one was hurt, and Ruby succeeded in gaining the deck
+before the hatch was reclosed and fastened down upon the scene of
+discomfort and misery below.
+
+This state of things continued the whole day.  The seas followed in
+rapid succession, and each, as it struck the vessel, caused her to shake
+all over.  At each blow from a wave the rolling and pitching ceased for
+a few seconds, giving the impression that the ship had broken adrift,
+and was running with the wind; or in the act of sinking; but when
+another sea came, she ranged up against it with great force.  This
+latter effect at last became the regular intimation to the anxious men
+below that they were still riding safely at anchor.
+
+No fires could be lighted, therefore nothing could be cooked, so that
+the men were fain to eat hard biscuits--those of them at least who were
+able to eat at all--and lie in their wet blankets all day.
+
+At ten in the morning the wind had shifted to north-east, and blew, if
+possible, harder than before, accompanied by a much heavier swell of the
+sea; it was therefore judged advisable to pay out more cable, in order
+to lessen the danger of its giving way.
+
+During the course of the gale nearly the whole length of the hempen
+cable, of 120 fathoms, was veered out, besides the chain-moorings, and,
+for its preservation, the cable was carefully "served", or wattled, with
+pieces of canvas round the windlass, and with leather well greased in
+the hawse-hole, where the chafing was most violent.
+
+As may readily be imagined, the gentleman on whom rested nearly all the
+responsibility connected with the work at the Bell Rock, passed an
+anxious and sleepless time in his darkened berth.  During the morning he
+had made an attempt to reach the deck, but had been checked by the same
+sea that produced the disasters above described.
+
+About two o'clock in the afternoon great alarm was felt in consequence
+of a heavy sea that struck the ship, almost filling the waist, and
+pouring down into the berths below, through every chink and crevice of
+the hatches and skylights.  From the motion being suddenly checked or
+deadened, and from the flowing in of the water above, every individual
+on board thought that the ship was foundering--at least all the landsmen
+were fully impressed with that idea.
+
+Mr Stevenson could not remain below any longer.  As soon as the ship
+again began to range up to the sea, he made another effort to get on
+deck.  Before going, however, he went through the various apartments, in
+order to ascertain the state of things below.
+
+Groping his way in darkness from his own cabin he came to that of the
+officers of the ship.  Here all was quiet, as well as dark.  He next
+entered the galley and other compartments occupied by the artificers;
+here also all was dark, but not quiet, for several of the men were
+engaged in prayer, or repeating psalms in a full tone of voice, while
+others were protesting that if they should be fortunate enough to get
+once more ashore, no one should ever see them afloat again; but so loud
+was the creaking of the bulkheads, the dashing of water, and the
+whistling noise of the wind, that it was hardly possible to distinguish
+words or voices.
+
+The master of the vessel accompanied Mr Stevenson, and, in one or two
+instances, anxious and repeated enquiries were made by the workmen as to
+the state of things on deck, to all of which he returned one
+characteristic answer--"It can't blow long in this way, lads; we _must_
+have better weather soon."
+
+The next compartment in succession, moving forward, was that allotted to
+the seamen of the ship.  Here there was a characteristic difference in
+the scene.  Having reached the middle of the darksome berth without the
+inmates being aware of the intrusion, the anxious engineer was somewhat
+reassured and comforted to find that, although they talked of bad
+weather and cross accidents of the sea, yet the conversation was carried
+on in that tone and manner which bespoke ease and composure of mind.
+
+"Well, lads," said Mr Stevenson, accosting the men, "what think you of
+this state of things?  Will the good ship weather it?"
+
+"Nae fear o' her, sir," replied one confidently, "she's light and new;
+it'll tak' a heavy sea to sink her."
+
+"Ay," observed another, "and she's got little hold o' the water, good
+ground-tackle, and no top-hamper; she'll weather anything, sir."
+
+Having satisfied himself that all was right below, Mr Stevenson
+returned aft and went on deck, where a sublime and awful sight awaited
+him.  The waves appeared to be what we hear sometimes termed "mountains
+high."  In reality they were perhaps about thirty feet of unbroken water
+in height, their foaming crests being swept and torn by the furious
+gale.  All beyond the immediate neighbourhood of the ship was black and
+chaotic.
+
+Upon deck everything movable was out of sight, having either been stowed
+away below previous to the gale, or washed overboard.  Some parts of the
+quarter bulwarks were damaged by the breach of the sea, and one of the
+boats was broken, and half-full of water.
+
+There was only one solitary individual on deck, placed there to watch
+and give the alarm if the cable should give way, and this man was Ruby
+Brand, who, having become tired of having nothing to do, had gone on
+deck, as we have seen, and volunteered his services as watchman.
+
+Ruby had no greatcoat on, no overall of any kind, but was simply dressed
+in his ordinary jacket and trousers.  He had thrust his cap into his
+pocket in order to prevent it being blown away, and his brown locks were
+streaming in the wind.  He stood just aft the foremast, to which he had
+lashed himself with a gasket or small rope round his waist, to prevent
+his falling on the deck or being washed overboard.  He was as thoroughly
+wet as if he had been drawn through the sea, and this was one reason why
+he was so lightly clad, that he might wet as few clothes as possible,
+and have a dry change when he went below.
+
+There appeared to be a smile on his lips as he faced the angry gale and
+gazed steadily out upon the wild ocean.  He seemed to be enjoying the
+sight of the grand elemental strife that was going on around him.
+Perchance he was thinking of someone not very far away--with golden
+hair!
+
+Mr Stevenson, coupling this smile on Ruby's face with the remarks of
+the other seamen, felt that things were not so bad as they appeared to
+unaccustomed eyes, nevertheless he deemed it right to advise with the
+master and officers as to the probable result, in the event of the ship
+drifting from her moorings.
+
+"It is my opinion," said the master, on his being questioned as to this,
+"that we have every chance of riding out the gale, which cannot continue
+many hours longer with the same fury; and even if she should part from
+her anchor, the storm-sails have been laid ready to hand, and can be
+bent in a very short time.  The direction of the wind being nor'-east,
+we could sail up the Forth to Leith Roads; but if this should appear
+doubtful, after passing the May we can steer for Tyningham Sands, on the
+western side of Dunbar, and there run the ship ashore.  From the
+flatness of her bottom and the strength of her build, I should think
+there would be no danger in beaching her even in a very heavy sea."
+
+This was so far satisfactory, and for some time things continued in
+pretty much the state we have just described, but soon after there was a
+sudden cessation of the straining motion of the ship which surprised
+everyone.  In another moment Ruby shouted "All hands a-hoy! ship's
+adrift!"
+
+The consternation that followed may be conceived but not described.  The
+windlass was instantly manned, and the men soon gave out that there was
+no strain on the cable.  The mizzen-sail, which was occasionally bent
+for the purpose of making the ship ride easily, was at once set; the
+other sails were hoisted as quickly as possible, and they bore away
+about a mile to the south-westward, where, at a spot that was deemed
+suitable, the best-bower anchor was let go in twenty fathoms water.
+
+Happily the storm had begun to abate before this accident happened.  Had
+it occurred during the height of the gale, the result might have been
+most disastrous to the undertaking at the Bell Rock.
+
+Having made all fast, an attempt was made to kindle the galley fire and
+cook some food.
+
+"Wot are we to 'ave, steward?" enquired Joe Dumsby, in a feeble voice.
+
+"Plumduff, my boy, so cheer up," replied the steward, who was busy with
+the charming ingredients of a suet pudding, which was the only dish to
+be attempted, owing to the ease with which it could be both cooked and
+served up.
+
+Accordingly, the suet pudding was made; the men began to eat; the gale
+began to "take off", as seaman express it; and, although things were
+still very far removed from a state of comfort, they began to be more
+endurable; health began to return to the sick, and hope to those who had
+previously given way to despair.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWELVE.
+
+BELL ROCK BILLOWS--AN UNEXPECTED VISIT--A DISASTER AND A RESCUE.
+
+It is pleasant, it is profoundly enjoyable, to sit on the margin of the
+sea during the dead calm that not unfrequently succeeds a wild storm,
+and watch the gentle undulations of the glass-like surface, which the
+very gulls seem to be disinclined to ruffle with their wings as they
+descend to hover above their own reflected images.
+
+It is pleasant to watch this from the shore, where the waves fall in low
+murmuring ripples, or from the ship's deck, far out upon the sea, where
+there is no sound of water save the laving of the vessel's bow as she
+rises and sinks in the broad-backed swell; but there is something more
+than pleasant, there is, something deeply and peculiarly interesting, in
+the same scene when viewed from such a position as the Bell Rock; for
+there, owing to the position of the rock and the depth of water around
+it, the observer beholds, at the same moment, the presence, as it were,
+of storm and calm.
+
+The largest waves there are seen immediately after a storm has passed
+away, not during its continuance, no matter how furious the gale may
+have been, for the rushing wind has a tendency to blow down the waves,
+so to speak, and prevent their rising to their utmost height.  It is
+when the storm is over that the swell rises; but as this swell appears
+only like large undulations, it does not impress the beholder with its
+magnitude until it draws near to the rock and begins to feel the
+checking influence of the bottom of the sea.  The upper part of the
+swell, having then greater velocity than the lower parts assumes more
+and more the form of a billow.  As it comes on it towers up like a great
+green wall of glittering glass, moving with a grand, solemn motion,
+which does not at first give the idea of much force or impetus.  As it
+nears the rock, however, its height (probably fifteen or twenty feet)
+becomes apparent; its velocity increases; the top, with what may be
+termed gentle rapidity, rushes in advance of the base; its dark green
+side becomes concave; the upper edge lips over, then curls majestically
+downwards, as if bowing to a superior power, and a gleam of light
+flashes for a moment on the curling top.  As yet there is no sound; all
+has occurred in the profound silence of the calm, but another instant
+and there is a mighty crash--a deafening roar; the great wall of water
+has fallen, and a very sea of churning foam comes leaping, bursting,
+spouting over rocks and ledges, carrying all before it with a tremendous
+sweep that seems to be absolutely irresistible until it meets the higher
+ledges of rock, when it is hurled back, and retires with a watery hiss
+that suggests the idea of baffled rage.
+
+But it is not conquered.  With the calm majesty of unalterable
+determination, wave after wave comes on, in slow, regular succession,
+like the inexhaustible battalions of an unconquerable foe, to meet with
+a similar repulse again and again.
+
+There is, however, this peculiar difference between the waves on the
+ordinary seashore and the billows on the Bell Rock, that the latter,
+unlike the former, are not always defeated.  The spectator on shore
+plants his foot confidently at the very edge of the mighty sea, knowing
+that "thus far it may come, but no farther."  On the Bell Rock the
+rising tide makes the conflict, for a time, more equal.  Now, the rock
+stands proudly above the sea: anon the sea sweeps furiously over the
+rock with a roar of "Victory!"
+
+Thus the war goes on, and thus the tide of battle daily and nightly ebbs
+and flows all the year round.
+
+But when the cunning hand of man began to interfere, the aspect of
+things was changed, the sea was forced to succumb, and the rock, once a
+dreaded enemy, became a servant of the human race.  True, the former
+rages in rebellion still, and the latter, although compelled to uphold
+the light that warns against itself, continues its perpetual warfare
+with the sea; but both are effectually conquered by means of the
+wonderful intelligence that God has given to man, and the sea for more
+than half a century has vainly beat against the massive tower whose
+foundation is on the Bell Rock.
+
+But all this savours somewhat of anticipation.  Let us return to Ruby
+Brand, in whose interest we have gone into this long digression; for he
+it was who gazed intently at the mingled scene of storm and calm which
+we have attempted to describe, and it was he who thought out most of the
+ideas which we have endeavoured to convey.
+
+Ruby had lent a hand to work the pump at the foundation-pit that
+morning.  After a good spell at it he took his turn of rest, and, in
+order to enjoy it fully, went as far out as he could upon the seaward
+ledges, and sat down on a piece of rock to watch the waves.
+
+While seated there, Robert Selkirk came and sat down beside him.
+Selkirk was the principal builder, and ultimately laid every stone of
+the lighthouse with his own hand.  He was a sedate, quiet man, but full
+of energy and perseverance.  When the stones were landed faster than
+they could be built into their places, he and Bremner, as well as some
+of the other builders, used to work on until the rising tide reached
+their waists.
+
+"It's a grand sight, Ruby," said Selkirk, as a larger wave than usual
+fell, and came rushing in torrents of foam up to their feet, sending a
+little of the spray over their heads.
+
+"It is indeed a glorious sight," said Ruby.  "If I had nothing to do, I
+believe I could sit here all day just looking at the waves and
+thinking."
+
+"Thinkin'?" repeated Selkirk, in a musing tone of voice.  "Can ye tell,
+lad, what ye think about when you're lookin' at the waves?"
+
+Ruby smiled at the oddness of the question.
+
+"Well," said he, "I don't think I ever thought of that before."
+
+"Ah, but _I_ have!" said the other, "an' I've come to the conclusion
+that for the most part we don't think, properly speakin', at all; that
+our thoughts, so to speak, think for us; that they just take the bit in
+their teeth and go rumblin' and tumblin' about anyhow or nohow!"
+
+Ruby knitted his brows and pondered.  He was one of those men who, when
+they don't understand a thing, hold their tongues and think.
+
+"And," continued Selkirk, "it's curious to observe what a lot o'
+nonsense one thinks too when one is lookin' at the waves.  Many a time I
+have pulled myself up, thinkin' the most astonishin' stuff ye could
+imagine."
+
+"I would hardly have expected this of such a grave kind o' man as you,"
+said Ruby.
+
+"Mayhap not.  It is not always the gravest looking that have the gravest
+thoughts."
+
+"But you don't mean to say that you never think sense," continued Ruby,
+"when you sit looking at the waves?"
+
+"By no means," returned his companion; "I'm only talking of the way in
+which one's thoughts will wander.  Sometimes I think seriously enough.
+Sometimes I think it strange that men can look at such a scene as that,
+and scarcely bestow a thought upon Him who made it."
+
+"Speak for yourself, friend," said Ruby, somewhat quickly; "how know you
+that other men don't think about their Creator when they look at His
+works?"
+
+"Because," returned Selkirk, "I find that I so seldom do so myself, even
+although I wish to and often try to; and I hold that every man, no
+matter what he is or feels, is one of a class who think and feel as he
+does; also, because many people, especially Christians, have told me
+that they have had the same experience to a large extent; also, and
+chiefly, because, as far as unbelieving man is concerned, the Bible
+tells me that `God is not in all his thoughts.'  But, Ruby, I did not
+make the remark as a slur upon men in general, I merely spoke of a
+fact,--an unfortunate fact,--that it is not natural to us, and not easy,
+to rise from nature to nature's God, and I thought you would agree with
+me."
+
+"I believe you are right," said Ruby, half-ashamed of the petulance of
+his reply; "at any rate, I confess you are right as far as I am
+concerned."
+
+As Selkirk and Ruby were both fond of discussion, they continued this
+subject some time longer, and there is no saying how far they would have
+gone down into the abstruse depths of theology, had not their converse
+been interrupted by the appearance of a boat rowing towards the rock.
+
+"Is yonder craft a fishing boat, think you?" said Ruby, rising and
+pointing to it.
+
+"Like enough, lad.  Mayhap it's the pilot's, only it's too soon for him
+to be off again with letters.  Maybe it's visitors to the rock, for I
+see something like a woman's bonnet."
+
+As there was only one woman in the world at that time as far as Ruby was
+concerned (of course putting his mother out of the question!), it will
+not surprise the reader to be told that the youth started, that his
+cheek reddened a little, and his heart beat somewhat faster than usual.
+He immediately smiled, however, at the absurdity of supposing it
+possible that the woman in the boat could be Minnie, and as the
+blacksmith shouted to him at that moment, he turned on his heel and
+leaped from ledge to ledge of rock until he gained his wonted place at
+the forge.
+
+Soon he was busy wielding the fore-hammer, causing the sparks to fly
+about himself and his comrade in showers, while the anvil rang out its
+merry peal.
+
+Meanwhile the boat drew near.  It turned out to be a party of visitors,
+who had come off from Arbroath to see the operations at the Bell Rock.
+They had been brought off by Spink, the pilot, and numbered only three--
+namely, a tall soldier-like man, a stout sailor-like man, and a young
+woman with--yes,--with golden hair.
+
+Poor Ruby almost leaped over the forge when he raised his eyes from his
+work and caught sight of Minnie's sweet face.  Minnie had recognised her
+lover before the boat reached the rock, for he stood on an elevated
+ledge, and the work in which he was engaged, swinging the large hammer
+round his shoulder, rendered him very conspicuous.  She had studiously
+concealed her face from him until quite close, when, looking him
+straight in the eyes without the least sign of recognition, she turned
+away.
+
+We have said that the first glance Ruby obtained caused him to leap
+nearly over the forge; the second created such a revulsion of feeling
+that he let the fore-hammer fall.
+
+"Hallo!  Got a spark in yer eye?" enquired Dove, looking up anxiously.
+
+It flashed across Ruby at that instant that the look given him by Minnie
+was meant to warn him not to take any notice of her, so he answered the
+smith's query with "No, no; I've only let the hammer fall, don't you
+see?  Get on, old boy, an don't let the metal cool."
+
+The smith continued his work without further remark, and Ruby assisted,
+resolving in his own mind to be a little more guarded as to the
+expression of his feelings.
+
+Meanwhile Mr Stevenson received the visitors, and showed them over the
+works, pointing out the peculiarities thereof, and the difficulties that
+stood in the way.
+
+Presently he came towards the forge, and said, "Brand, the stout
+gentleman there wishes to speak to you.  He says he knew you in
+Arbroath.  You can spare him for a few minutes, I suppose, Mr Dove?"
+
+"Well, yes, but not for long," replied the smith.  "The tide will soon
+be up, and I've enough to do to get through with all these."
+
+Ruby flung down his hammer at the first word, and hastened to the ledge
+of rock where the visitors were standing, as far apart from the workmen
+as the space of the rock would admit of.
+
+The stout gentleman was no other than his uncle, Captain Ogilvy, who put
+his finger to his lips as his nephew approached, and gave him a look of
+mystery that was quite sufficient to put the latter on his guard.  He
+therefore went forward, pulled off his cap, and bowed respectfully to
+Minnie, who replied with a stiff curtsy, a slight smile, and a decided
+blush.
+
+Although Ruby now felt convinced that they were all acting a part, he
+could scarcely bear this cold reception.  His impulse was to seize
+Minnie in his arms; but he did not even get the comfort of a cold shake
+of the hand.
+
+"Nephy," said the captain in a hoarse whisper, putting his face close to
+that of Ruby, "mum's the word!  Silence, mystery, an' all that sort o'
+thing.  Don't appear to be an old friend, lad; and as to Minnie here--
+
+  "`O no, we never mention her,
+  Her name it's never heard.'
+
+"Allow me to introduce you to Major Stewart, whose house you broke into,
+you know, Ruby, when:--
+
+  "`All in the Downs the fleet was moored,'
+
+"At least when the _Termagant_ was waitin' for you to go aboard."
+
+Here the captain winked and gave Ruby a facetious poke in the ribs,
+which was not quite in harmony with the ignorance of each other he was
+endeavouring to inculcate.
+
+"Young man," said the major quietly, "we have come off to tell you that
+everything is in a prosperous state as regards the investigation into
+your innocence--the private investigation I mean, for the authorities
+happily know nothing of your being here.  Captain Ogilvy has made me his
+confidant in this matter, and from what he tells me I am convinced that
+you had nothing to do with this robbery.  Excuse me if I now add that
+the sight of your face deepens this conviction."
+
+Ruby bowed to the compliment.
+
+"We were anxious to write at once to the captain of the vessel in which
+you sailed," continued the major, "but you omitted to leave his full
+name and address when you left.  We were afraid to write to you, lest
+your name on the letter might attract attention, and induce a premature
+arrest.  Hence our visit to the rock to-day.  Please to write the
+address in this pocket-book."
+
+The major handed Ruby a small green pocket-book as he spoke, in which
+the latter wrote the full name and address of his late skipper.
+
+"Now, nephy," said the captain, "we must, I'm sorry to say, bid ye good
+day, and ask you to return to your work, for it won't do to rouse
+suspicion, lad.  Only keep quiet here, and do yer dooty--`England
+expects _every_ man to do his dooty'--and as sure as your name's Ruby
+all will be shipshape in a few weeks."
+
+"I thank you sincerely," said Ruby, addressing the major, but looking at
+Minnie.
+
+Captain Ogilvy, observing this, and fearing some display of feeling that
+would be recognised by the workmen, who were becoming surprised at the
+length of the interview, placed himself between Minnie and her lover.
+
+"No, no, Ruby," said he, solemnly.  "I'm sorry for ye, lad, but it won't
+do.  Patience is a virtue, which, taken at the flood, leads on to
+fortune."
+
+"My mother?" said Ruby, wishing to prolong the interview.
+
+"Is well," said the captain.  "Now, goodbye, lad, and be off."
+
+"Goodbye, Minnie," cried Ruby, stepping forward suddenly and seizing the
+girl's hand; then, wheeling quickly round, he sprang over the rocks, and
+returned to his post.
+
+"Ha! it's time," cried the smith.  "I thought you would never be done
+makin' love to that there girl.  Come, blaze away!"
+
+Ruby felt so nettled by the necessity that was laid upon him of taking
+no notice of Minnie, that he seized the handle of the bellows
+passionately, and at the first puff blew nearly all the fire away.
+
+"Hallo! messmate," cried the smith, clearing the dust from his eyes;
+"what on airth ails ye?  You've blowed the whole consarn out!"
+
+Ruby made no reply, but, scraping together the embers, heaped them up
+and blew more gently.
+
+In a short time the visitors re-entered their boat, and rowed out of the
+creek in which it had been lying.
+
+Ruby became so exasperated at not being able even to watch the boat
+going away, that he showered terrific blows on the mass of metal the
+smith was turning rapidly on the anvil.
+
+"Not so fast, lad; not so fast," cried Dove hurriedly.
+
+Ruby's chafing spirit blew up just at that point; he hit the iron a
+crack that knocked it as flat as a pancake, and then threw down the
+hammer and deliberately gazed in the direction of the boat.
+
+The sight that met his eyes appalled him.  The boat had been lying in
+the inlet named Port Stevenson.  It had to pass out to the open sea
+through _Wilson's Track_, and past a small outlying rock named _Gray's
+Rock_--known more familiarly among the men as _Johnny Gray_.  The boat
+was nearing this point, when the sea, which had been rising for some
+time, burst completely over the seaward ledges, and swept the boat high
+against the rocks on the left.  The men had scarcely got her again into
+the track when another tremendous billow, such as we have already
+described, swept over the rocks again and swamped the boat, which, being
+heavily ballasted, sank at once to the bottom of the pool.
+
+It was this sight that met the horrified eyes of Ruby when he looked up.
+
+He vaulted over the bellows like an antelope, and, rushing over _Smith's
+Ledge_ and _Trinity Ledge_, sprang across _Port Boyle_, and dived head
+foremost into _Neill's Pool_ before any of the other men, who made a
+general rush, could reach the spot.
+
+A few powerful strokes brought Ruby to the place where the major and the
+captain, neither of whom could swim, were struggling in the water.  He
+dived at once below these unfortunates, and almost in a second,
+reappeared with Minnie in his arms.
+
+A few seconds sufficed to bring him to _Smith's Ledge_, where several of
+his comrades hauled him and his burden beyond the reach of the next
+wave, and where, a moment or two later, the major and captain with the
+crew of the boat were landed in safety.
+
+To bear the light form of Minnie in his strong arms to the highest and
+driest part of the rock were the work of a few moments to Ruby.  Brief
+though those moments were, however, they were precious to the youth
+beyond all human powers of calculation, for Minnie recovered partial
+consciousness, and fancying, doubtless, that she was still in danger,
+flung her arms round his neck, and grasped him convulsively.  Reader, we
+tell you in confidence that if Ruby had at that moment been laid on the
+rack and torn limb from limb, he would have cheered out his life
+triumphantly.  It was not only that he knew she loved him--_that_ he
+knew before,--but he had saved the life of the girl he loved, and a
+higher terrestrial happiness can scarcely be attained by man.
+
+Laying her down as gently as a mother would her first-born, Ruby placed
+a coat under her head, and bade his comrades stand back and give her
+air.  It was fortunate for him that one of the foremen, who understood
+what to do, came up at this moment, and ordered him to leave off chafing
+the girl's hand with his wet fists, and go get some water boiled at the
+forge if he wanted to do her good.
+
+Second words were not needed.  The bellows were soon blowing, and the
+fire glowed in a way that it had not done since the works at the Bell
+Rock began.  Before the water quite boiled some tea was put in, and,
+with a degree of speed that would have roused the jealousy of any living
+waiter, a cup of tea was presented to Minnie, who had recovered almost
+at the moment Ruby left her.
+
+She drank a little, and then closing her eyes, moved her lips silently
+for a few seconds.
+
+Captain Ogilvy, who had attended her with the utmost assiduity and
+tenderness as soon as he had wrung the water out of his own garments,
+here took an opportunity of hastily pouring something into the cup out
+of a small flask.  When Minnie looked up again and smiled, he presented
+her with the cup.  She thanked him, and drank a mouthful or two before
+perceiving that it had been tampered with.
+
+"There's something in it," she said hurriedly.
+
+"So there is, my pet," said the captain, with a benignant smile, "a
+little nectar, that will do you more good than all the tea.  Come now,
+don't shake your head, but down with it all, like a good child."
+
+But Minnie was proof against persuasion, and refused to taste any more.
+
+"Who was it that saved me, uncle?"  (She had got into the way of calling
+the captain "uncle.")
+
+"Ruby Brand did it, my darlin'," said the old man with a look of pride.
+"Ah! you're better now; stay, don't attempt to rise."
+
+"Yes, yes, uncle," she said, getting up and looking round, "it is time
+that we should go now; we have a long way to go, you know.  Where is the
+boat?"
+
+"The boat, my precious, is at the bottom of the sea."
+
+As he said this, he pointed to the mast, half of which was seen rising
+out of the pool where the boat had gone down.
+
+"But you don't need to mind," continued the captain, "for they're goin'
+to send us in one o' their own boats aboord the floatin' lightship,
+where we'll get a change o' clothes an' somethin' to eat."
+
+As he spoke, one of the sailors came forward and announced that the boat
+was ready, so the captain and the major assisted Minnie into the boat,
+which soon pushed off with part of the workmen from the rock.  It was to
+be sent back for the remainder of the crew, by which time the tide would
+render it necessary that all should leave.
+
+Ruby purposely kept away from the group while they were embarking, and
+after they were gone proceeded to resume work.
+
+"You took a smart dive that time, lad," observed Joe Dumsby as they went
+along.
+
+"Not more than anyone would do for a girl," said Ruby.
+
+"An' such a purty wan, too," said O'Connor.  "Ah! av she's not Irish,
+she should ha' bin."
+
+"Ye're a lucky chap to hae sic a chance," observed John Watt.
+
+"Make up to her, lad," said Forsyth; "I think she couldn't refuse ye
+after doin' her such service."
+
+"Time enough to chaff after work is over," cried Ruby with a laugh, as
+he turned up his sleeves, and, seizing the hammer, began, as his friend
+Dove said, "to work himself dry."
+
+In a few minutes, work was resumed, and for another hour all continued
+busy as bees, cutting and pounding at the flinty surface of the Bell
+Rock.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
+
+A SLEEPLESS BUT A PLEASANT NIGHT.
+
+The evening which followed the day that has just been described was
+bright, calm, and beautiful, with the starry host unclouded and
+distinctly visible to the profoundest depths of space.
+
+As it was intended to send the _Smeaton_ to Arbroath next morning for a
+cargo of stones from the building-yard, the wrecked party were prevailed
+on to remain all night on board the _Pharos_, instead of going ashore in
+one of the ship's boats, which could not well be spared at the time.
+
+This arrangement, we need hardly say, gave inexpressible pleasure to
+Ruby, and was not altogether distasteful to Minnie, although she felt
+anxious about Mrs Brand, who would naturally be much alarmed at the
+prolonged absence of herself and the captain.  However, "there was no
+help for it"; and it was wonderful the resignation which she displayed
+in the circumstances.
+
+It was not Ruby's duty to watch on deck that night, yet, strange to say,
+Ruby kept watch the whole night long!
+
+There was no occasion whatever for Minnie to go on deck after it was
+dark, yet, strange to say, Minnie kept coming on deck at intervals
+_nearly_ the whole night long!  Sometimes to "look at the stars",
+sometimes to "get a mouthful of fresh air", frequently to find out what
+"that strange noise could be that had alarmed her", and at last--
+especially towards the early hours of morning--for no reason whatever,
+except that "she could not sleep below."
+
+It was very natural that when Minnie paced the quarterdeck between the
+stern and the mainmast, and Ruby paced the forepart of the deck between
+the bows and the mainmast, the two should occasionally meet at the
+mainmast.  It was also very natural that when they did meet, the girl
+who had been rescued should stop and address a few words of gratitude to
+the man who had saved her.  But it was by no means natural--nay, it was
+altogether unnatural and unaccountable, that, when it became dark, the
+said man and the said girl should get into a close and confidential
+conversation, which lasted for hours, to the amusement of Captain Ogilvy
+and the major, who quite understood it, and to the amazement of many of
+the ship's crew, who couldn't understand it at all.
+
+At last Minnie bade Ruby a final good night and went below, and Ruby,
+who could not persuade himself that it was final, continued to walk the
+deck until his eyes began to shut and open involuntarily like those of a
+sick owl.  Then he also went below, and, before he fell quite asleep
+(according to his own impression), was awakened by the bell that called
+the men to land on the rock and commence work.
+
+It was not only Ruby who found it difficult to rouse himself that
+morning.  The landing-bell was rung at four o'clock, as the tide suited
+at that early hour, but the men were so fatigued that they would gladly
+have slept some hours longer.  This, however, the nature of the service
+would not admit of.  The building of the Bell Rock Lighthouse was a
+peculiar service.  It may be said to have resembled duty in the trenches
+in military warfare.  At times the work was light enough, but for the
+most part it was severe and irregular, as the men had to work in all
+kinds of weather, as long as possible, in the face of unusual
+difficulties and dangers, and were liable to be called out at all
+unseasonable hours.  But they knew and expected this, and faced the work
+like men.
+
+After a growl or two, and a few heavy sighs, they all tumbled out of
+their berths, and, in a very short time, were mustered on deck, where a
+glass of rum and a biscuit were served to each, being the regular
+allowance when they had to begin work before breakfast.  Then they got
+into the boats and rowed away.
+
+Ruby's troubles were peculiar on this occasion.  He could not bear the
+thought of leaving the _Pharos_ without saying goodbye to Minnie; but as
+Minnie knew nothing of such early rising, there was no reasonable hope
+that she would be awake.  Then he wished to put a few questions to his
+uncle which he had forgotten the day before, but his uncle was at that
+moment buried in profound repose, with his mouth wide open, and a
+trombone solo proceeding from his nose, which sadly troubled the
+unfortunates who lay near him.
+
+As there was no way of escape from these difficulties, Ruby, like a wise
+man, made up his mind to cast them aside, so, after swallowing his
+allowance, he shouldered his big bellows, heaved a deep sigh, and took
+his place in one of the boats alongside.
+
+The lassitude which strong men feel when obliged to rise before they
+have had enough of rest soon wears off.  The two boats had not left the
+_Pharos_ twenty yards astern, when Joe Dumsby cried, "Ho! boys, let's
+have a race."
+
+"Hooray!" shouted O'Connor, whose elastic spirits were always equal to
+anything, "an' sure Ruby will sing us `The girl we've left behind us.'
+Och! an' there she is, av I'm not draymin'."
+
+At that moment a little hand was waved from one of the ports of the
+floating light.  Ruby at once waved his in reply, but as the attention
+of the men had been directed to the vessel by Ned's remark, each saw the
+salutation, and, claiming it as a compliment to himself, uttered a loud
+cheer, which terminated in a burst of laughter, caused by the sight of
+Ruby's half-angry, half-ashamed expression of face.
+
+As the other boat had shot ahead, however, at the first mention of the
+word "race", the men forgot this incident in their anxiety to overtake
+their comrades.  In a few seconds both boats were going at full speed,
+and they kept it up all the way to the rock.
+
+While this was going on, the _Smeaton's_ boat was getting ready to take
+the strangers on board the sloop, and just as the workmen landed on the
+rock, the _Smeaton_ cast loose her sails, and proceeded to Arbroath.
+
+There were a few seals basking on the Bell Rock this morning when the
+men landed.  These at once made off, and were not again seen during the
+day.
+
+At first, seals were numerous on the rock.  Frequently from fifty to
+sixty of them were counted at one time, and they seemed for a good while
+unwilling to forsake their old quarters, but when the forge was set up
+they could stand it no longer.  Some of the boldest ventured to sun
+themselves there occasionally, but when the clatter of the anvil and the
+wreaths of smoke became matters of daily occurrence, they forsook the
+rock finally, and sought the peace and quiet which man denied them there
+in other regions of the deep.
+
+The building of the lighthouse was attended with difficulties at every
+step.  As a short notice of some of these, and an account of the mode in
+which the great work was carried on, cannot fail to be interesting to
+all who admire those engineering works which exhibit prominently the
+triumph of mind over matter, we shall turn aside for a brief space to
+consider this subject.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOURTEEN.
+
+SOMEWHAT STATISTICAL.
+
+It has been already said that the Bell Rock rises only a few feet out of
+the sea at low tide.  The foundation of the tower, sunk into the solid
+rock, was just three feet three inches above low water of the lowest
+spring-tides, so that the lighthouse may be said with propriety to be
+founded beneath the waves.
+
+One great point that had to be determined at the commencement of the
+operations was the best method of landing the stones of the building,
+this being a delicate and difficult process, in consequence of the
+weight of the stones and their brittle nature, especially in those parts
+which were worked to a delicate edge or formed into angular points.  As
+the loss of a single stone, too, would stop the progress of the work
+until another should be prepared at the workyard in Arbroath and sent
+off to the rock, it may easily be imagined that this matter of the
+landing was of the utmost importance, and that much consultation was
+held in regard to it.
+
+It would seem that engineers, as well as doctors, are apt to differ.
+Some suggested that each particular stone should be floated to the rock,
+with a cork buoy attached to it; while others proposed an air-tank,
+instead of the cork buoy.  Others, again, proposed to sail over the rock
+at high water in a flat-bottomed vessel, and drop the stones one after
+another when over the spot they were intended to occupy.  A few, still
+more eccentric and daring in their views, suggested that a huge
+cofferdam or vessel should be built on shore, and as much of the
+lighthouse built in this as would suffice to raise the building above
+the level of the highest tides; that then it should be floated off to
+its station on the rock, which should be previously prepared for its
+reception; that the cofferdam should be scuttled, and the ponderous mass
+of masonry, weighing perhaps 1000 tons, allowed to sink at once into its
+place!
+
+All these plans, however, were rejected by Mr Stevenson, who resolved
+to carry the stones to the rock in boats constructed for the purpose.
+These were named praam boats.  The stones were therefore cut in
+conformity with exactly measured moulds in the workyard at Arbroath, and
+conveyed thence in the sloops already mentioned to the rock, where the
+vessels were anchored at a distance sufficient to enable them to clear
+it in case of drifting.  The cargoes were then unloaded at the moorings,
+and laid on the decks of the praam boats, which conveyed them to the
+rock, where they were laid on small trucks, run along the temporary
+rails, to their positions, and built in at once.
+
+Each stone of this building was treated with as much care and solicitude
+as if it were a living creature.  After being carefully cut and
+curiously formed, and conveyed to the neighbourhood of the rock, it was
+hoisted out of the hold and laid on the vessel's deck, when it was
+handed over to the landing-master, whose duty it became to transfer it,
+by means of a combination of ropes and blocks, to the deck of the praam
+boat, and then deliver it at the rock.
+
+As the sea was seldom calm during the building operations, and
+frequently in a state of great agitation, lowering the stones on the
+decks of the praam boats was a difficult matter.
+
+In the act of working the apparatus, one man was placed at each of the
+guy-tackles.  This man assisted also at the purchase-tackles for raising
+the stones; and one of the ablest and most active of the crew was
+appointed to hold on the end of the fall-tackle, which often required
+all his strength and his utmost agility in letting go, for the purpose
+of lowering the stone at the instant the word "lower" was given.  In a
+rolling sea, much depended on the promptitude with which this part of
+the operation was performed.  For the purpose of securing this, the man
+who held the tackle placed himself before the mast in a sitting, more
+frequently in a lying posture, with his feet stretched under the winch
+and abutting against the mast, as by this means he was enabled to exert
+his greatest strength.
+
+The signal being given in the hold that the tackle was hooked to the
+stone and all ready, every man took his post, the stone was carefully,
+we might almost say tenderly, raised, and gradually got into position
+over the praam boat; the right moment was intently watched, and the word
+"lower" given sternly and sharply.  The order was obeyed with exact
+promptitude, and the stone rested on the deck of the praam boat.  Six
+blocks of granite having been thus placed on the boat's deck, she was
+rowed to a buoy, and moored near the rock until the proper time of the
+tide for taking her into one of the landing creeks.
+
+We are thus particular in describing the details of this part of the
+work, in order that the reader may be enabled to form a correct estimate
+of what may be termed the minor difficulties of the undertaking.
+
+The same care was bestowed upon the landing of every stone of the
+building; and it is worthy of record, that notwithstanding the
+difficulty of this process in such peculiar circumstances, not a single
+stone was lost, or even seriously damaged, during the whole course of
+the erection of the tower, which occupied four years in building, or
+rather, we should say, four _seasons_, for no work was or could be done
+during winter.
+
+A description of the first entire course of the lower part of the tower,
+which was built solid, will be sufficient to give an idea of the general
+nature of the whole work.
+
+This course or layer consisted of 123 blocks of stone, those in the
+interior being sandstone, while the outer casing was of granite.  Each
+stone was fastened to its neighbour above, below, and around by means of
+dovetails, joggles, oaken trenails, and mortar.  Each course was thus
+built from its centre to its circumference, and as all the courses from
+the foundation to a height of thirty feet were built in this way, the
+tower, up to that height, became a mass of solid stone, as strong and
+immovable as the Bell Rock itself.  Above this, or thirty feet from the
+foundation, the entrance-door was placed, and the hollow part of the
+tower began.
+
+Thus much, then, as to the tower itself, the upper part of which will be
+found described in a future chapter.  In regard to the subsidiary works,
+the erection of the beacon house was in itself a work of considerable
+difficulty, requiring no common effort of engineering skill.  The
+principal beams of this having been towed to the rock by the _Smeaton_,
+all the stanchions and other material for setting them up were landed,
+and the workmen set about erecting them as quickly as possible, for if a
+single day of bad weather should occur before the necessary fixtures
+could be made, the whole apparatus would be infallibly swept away.
+
+The operation being, perhaps, the most important of the season, and one
+requiring to be done with the utmost expedition, all hands were, on the
+day in which its erection was begun, gathered on the rock, besides ten
+additional men engaged for the purpose, and as many of the seamen from
+the _Pharos_ and other vessels as could be spared.  They amounted
+altogether to fifty-two in number.
+
+About half-past eight o'clock in the morning a derrick, or mast, thirty
+feet high, was erected, and properly supported with guy-ropes for
+suspending the block for raising the first principal beam of the beacon,
+and a winch-machine was bolted down to the rock for working the
+purchase-tackle.  The necessary blocks and tackle were likewise laid to
+hand and properly arranged.  The men were severally allotted in squads
+to different stations; some were to bring the principal beams to hand,
+others were to work the tackles, while a third set had the charge of the
+iron stanchions, bolts, and wedges, so that the whole operation of
+raising the beams and fixing them to the rock might go forward in such a
+mariner that some provision might be made, in any stage of the work, for
+securing what had been accomplished, in case of an adverse change of
+weather.
+
+The raising of the derrick was the signal for three hearty cheers, for
+this was a new era in the operations.  Even that single spar, could it
+be preserved, would have been sufficient to have saved the workmen on
+that day when the _Smeaton_ broke adrift and left them in such peril.
+
+This was all, however, that could be accomplished that tide.  Next day,
+the great beams, each fifty feet long, and about sixteen inches square,
+were towed to the rock about seven in the morning, and the work
+immediately commenced, although they had gone there so much too early in
+the tide that the men had to work a considerable time up to their middle
+in water.  Each beam was raised by the tackle affixed to the derrick,
+until the end of it could be placed or "stepped" into the hole which had
+been previously prepared for its reception; then two of the great iron
+stanchions or supports were set into their respective holes on each side
+of the beam, and a rope passed round them to keep it from slipping,
+until it could be more permanently fixed.
+
+This having been accomplished, the first beam became the means of
+raising the second, and when the first and second were fastened at the
+top, they formed a pair of shears by which the rest were more easily
+raised to their places.  The heads of the beams were then fitted
+together and secured with ropes in a temporary manner, until the falling
+of the tide would permit the operations to be resumed.
+
+Thus the work went on, each man labouring with all his might, until this
+important erection was completed.
+
+The raising of the first beams took place on a Sunday.  Indeed, during
+the progress of the works at the Bell Rock, the men were accustomed to
+work regularly on Sundays when possible; but it is right to say that it
+was not done in defiance of, or disregard to, God's command to cease
+from labour on the Sabbath day, but because of the urgent need of a
+lighthouse on a rock which, unlighted, would be certain to wreck
+numerous vessels and destroy many lives in time to come, as it had done
+in time past.  Delay in this matter might cause death and disaster,
+therefore it was deemed right to carry on the work on Sundays.  [See
+note 1.]
+
+An accident happened during the raising of the last large beam of the
+beacon, which, although alarming, fortunately caused no damage.
+Considering the nature of the work, it is amazing, and greatly to the
+credit of all engaged, that so few accidents occurred during the
+building of the lighthouse.
+
+When they were in the act of hoisting the sixth and last log, and just
+about to cant it into its place, the iron hook of the principal
+purchase-block gave way, and the great beam, measuring fifty feet in
+length, fell upon the rock with a terrible crash; but although there
+were fifty-two men around the beacon at the time, not one was touched,
+and the beam itself received no damage worth mentioning.
+
+Soon after the beacon had been set up, and partially secured to the
+rock, a severe gale sprang up, as if Ocean were impatient to test the
+handiwork of human engineers.  Gales set in from the eastward,
+compelling the attending sloops to slip from their moorings, and run for
+the shelter of Arbroath and Saint Andrews, and raising a sea on the Bell
+Rock which was described as terrific, the spray rising more than thirty
+feet in the air above it.
+
+In the midst of all this turmoil the beacon stood securely, and after
+the weather moderated, permitting the workmen once more to land, it was
+found that no damage had been done by the tremendous breaches of the sea
+over the rock.
+
+That the power of the waves had indeed been very great, was evident from
+the effects observed on the rock itself, and on materials left there.
+Masses of rock upwards of a ton in weight had been cast up by the sea,
+and then, in their passage over the Bell Rock, had made deep and
+indelible ruts.  An anchor of a ton weight, which had been lost on one
+side of the rock, was found to have been washed up and _over_ it to the
+other side.  Several large blocks of granite that had been landed and
+left on a ledge, were found to have been swept away like pebbles, and
+hurled into a hole at some distance; and the heavy hearth of the smith's
+forge, with the ponderous anvil, had been washed from their places of
+supposed security.
+
+From the time of the setting up of the beacon a new era in the work
+began.  Some of the men were now enabled to remain on the rock all day,
+working at the lighthouse when the tide was low, and betaking themselves
+to the beacon when it rose, and leaving it at night; for there was much
+to do before this beacon could be made the habitable abode which it
+finally became; but it required the strictest attention to the state of
+the weather, in case of their being overtaken with a gale, which might
+prevent the possibility of their being taken off the rock.
+
+At last the beacon was so far advanced and secured that it was deemed
+capable of withstanding any gale that might blow.  As yet it was a great
+ungainly pile of logs, iron stanchions, and bracing-chains, without
+anything that could afford shelter to man from winds or waves, but with
+a platform laid from its cross-beams at a considerable height above
+high-water mark.
+
+The works on the rock were in this state, when two memorable
+circumstances occurred in the Bell Rock annals, to which we shall devote
+a separate chapter.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Note 1.  It was always arranged, however, to have public worship on
+Sundays when practicable.  And this arrangement was held to during the
+continuance of the work.  Indeed, the manner in which Mr Stevenson
+writes in regard to the conclusion of the day's work at the beacon,
+which we have described, shows clearly that he felt himself to be acting
+in this matter in accordance with the spirit of our Saviour, who wrought
+many of His works of mercy on the Sabbath day.  Mr Stevenson writes
+thus:--
+
+  "All hands having returned to their respective ships, they got a shift
+  of dry clothes, and some refreshment.  Being Sunday, they were
+  afterwards convened by signal on board of the lighthouse yacht, when
+  prayers were read, for every heart upon this occasion felt gladness,
+  and every mind was disposed to be thankful for the happy and
+  successful termination of the operations of this day."
+
+It is right to add that the men, although requested, were not
+constrained to work on Sundays.  They were at liberty to decline if they
+chose.  A few conscientiously refused at first, but were afterwards
+convinced of the necessity of working on all opportunities that offered,
+and agreed to do so.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTEEN.
+
+RUBY HAS A RISE IN LIFE, AND A FALL.
+
+James Dove, the blacksmith, had, for some time past, been watching the
+advancing of the beacon-works with some interest, and a good deal of
+impatience.  He was tired of working so constantly up to the knees in
+water, and aspired to a drier and more elevated workshop.
+
+One morning he was told by the foreman that orders had been given for
+him to remove his forge to the beacon, and this removal, this
+"flitting", as he called it, was the first of the memorable events
+referred to in the last chapter.
+
+"Hallo!  Ruby, my boy," cried the elated son of Vulcan, as he descended
+the companion ladder, "we're goin' to flit, lad.  We're about to rise in
+the world, so get up your bellows.  It's the last time we shall have to
+be bothered with them in the boat, I hope."
+
+"That's well," said Ruby, shouldering the unwieldy bellows; "they have
+worn my shoulders threadbare, and tried my patience almost beyond
+endurance."
+
+"Well, it's all over now, lad," rejoined the smith.  "In future you
+shall have to blow up in the beacon yonder; so come along."
+
+"Come, Ruby, that ought to comfort the cockles o' yer heart," said
+O'Connor, who passed up the ladder as he spoke; "the smith won't need to
+blow you up any more, av you're to blow yourself up in the beacon in
+futur'.  Arrah! there's the bell again.  Sorrow wan o' me iver gits to
+slape, but I'm turned up immadiately to go an' poke away at that rock--
+faix, it's well named the Bell Rock, for it makes me like to _bell_ow me
+lungs out wid vexation."
+
+"That pun is _bel_ow contempt," said Joe Dumsby, who came up at the
+moment.
+
+"That's yer sort, laddies; ye're guid at ringing the changes on that
+head onyway," cried Watt.
+
+"I say, we're gittin' a _bell_y-full of it," observed Forsyth, with a
+rueful look.  "I hope nobody's goin' to give us another!"
+
+"It'll create a re_bell_ion," said Bremner, "if ye go on like that."
+
+"It'll bring my _bell_ows down on the head o' the next man that speaks!"
+cried Ruby, with indignation.
+
+"Don't you hear the bell, there?" cried the foreman down the hatchway.
+
+There was a burst of laughter at this unconscious continuation of the
+joke, and the men sprang up the ladder,--down the side, and into the
+boats, which were soon racing towards the rock.
+
+The day, though not sunny, was calm and agreeable, nevertheless the
+landing at the rock was not easily accomplished, owing to the swell
+caused by a recent gale.  After one or two narrow escapes of a ducking,
+however, the crews landed, and the bellows, instead of being conveyed to
+their usual place at the forge, were laid at the foot of the beacon.
+
+The carriage of these bellows to and fro almost daily had been a subject
+of great annoyance to the men, owing to their being so much in the way,
+and so unmanageably bulky, yet so essential to the progress of the
+works, that they did not dare to leave them on the rock, lest they
+should be washed away, and they had to handle them tenderly, lest they
+should get damaged.
+
+"Now, boys, lend a hand with the forge," cried the smith, hurrying
+towards his anvil.
+
+Those who were not busy eating dulse responded to the call, and in a
+short time the ponderous _materiel_ of the smithy was conveyed to the
+beacon, where, in process of time, it was hoisted by means of tackle to
+its place on the platform to which reference has already been made.
+
+When it was safely set up and the bellows placed in position, Ruby went
+to the edge of the platform, and, looking down on his comrades below,
+took off his cap and shouted in the tone of a Stentor, "Now, lads, three
+cheers for the Dovecot!"
+
+This was received with a roar of laughter and three tremendous cheers.
+
+"Howld on, boys," cried O'Connor, stretching out his hand as if to
+command silence; "you'll scare the dove from his cot altogether av ye
+roar like that!"
+
+"Surely they're sendin' us a fire to warm us," observed one of the men,
+pointing to a boat which had put off from the _Smeaton_, and was
+approaching the rock by way of _Macurich's Track_.
+
+"What can'd be, I wonder?" said Watt; "I think I can smell somethin'."
+
+"I halways thought you 'ad somethink of an old dog in you," said Dumsby.
+
+"Ay, man!" said the Scot with a leer, "I ken o' war beasts than auld
+dowgs."
+
+"Do you? come let's 'ear wat they are," said the Englishman.
+
+"Young puppies," answered the other.
+
+"Hurrah! dinner, as I'm a Dutchman," cried Forsyth.
+
+This was indeed the case.  Dinner had been cooked on board the _Smeaton_
+and sent hot to the men; and this,--the first dinner ever eaten on the
+Bell Rock,--was the second of the memorable events before referred to.
+
+The boat soon ran into the creek and landed the baskets containing the
+food on _Hope's Wharf_.
+
+The men at once made a rush at the viands, and bore them off exultingly
+to the flattest part of the rock they could find.
+
+"A regular picnic," cried Dumsby in high glee, for unusual events, of
+even a trifling kind, had the effect of elating those men more than one
+might have expected.
+
+"Here's the murphies," cried O'Connor, staggering over the slippery weed
+with a large smoking tin dish.
+
+"Mind you don't let 'em fall," cried one.
+
+"Have a care," shouted the smith; "if you drop them I'll beat you
+red-hot, and hammer ye so flat that the biggest flatterer as ever walked
+won't be able to spread ye out another half-inch."
+
+"Mutton! oh!" exclaimed Forsyth, who had been some time trying to wrench
+the cover off the basket containing a roast leg, and at last succeeded.
+
+"Here, spread them all out on this rock.  You han't forgot the grog, I
+hope, steward?"
+
+"No fear of him: he's a good feller, is the steward, when he's asleep
+partiklerly.  The grog's here all right."
+
+"Dinna let Dumsby git haud o't, then," cried Watt.  "What! hae ye begood
+a'ready?  Patience, man, patience.  Is there ony saut?"
+
+"Lots of it, darlin', in the say.  Sure this shape must have lost his
+tail somehow.  Och, murther! if there isn't Bobby Selkirk gone an'
+tumbled into Port Hamilton wid the cabbage, av it's not the carrots!"
+
+"There now, don't talk so much, boys," cried Peter Logan.  "Let's drink
+success to the Bell Rock Lighthouse."
+
+It need scarcely be said that this toast was drunk with enthusiasm, and
+that it was followed up with "three times three."
+
+"Now for a song.  Come, Joe Dumsby, strike up," cried one of the men.
+
+O'Connor, who was one of the most reckless of men in regard to duty and
+propriety, here shook his head gravely, and took upon himself to read
+his comrade a lesson.
+
+"Ye shouldn't talk o' sitch things in workin' hours," said he.  "Av we
+wos all foolish, waake-hidded cratures like _you_, how d'ye think we'd
+iver git the lighthouse sot up!  Ate yer dinner, lad, and howld yer
+tongue."
+
+"O Ned, I didn't think your jealousy would show out so strong," retorted
+his comrade.  "Now, then, Dumsby, fire away, if it was only to aggravate
+him."
+
+Thus pressed, Joe Dumsby took a deep draught of the small-beer with
+which the men were supplied, and began a song of his own composition.
+
+When the song was finished the meal was also concluded, and the men
+returned to their labours on the rock; some to continue their work with
+the picks at the hard stone of the foundation-pit, others to perform
+miscellaneous jobs about the rock, such as mixing the mortar and
+removing _debris_, while James Dove and his fast friend Ruby Brand
+mounted to their airy "cot" on the beacon, from which in a short time
+began to proceed the volumes of smoke and the clanging sounds that had
+formerly arisen from "Smith's Ledge."
+
+While they were all thus busily engaged, Ruby observed a boat advancing
+towards the rock from the floating light.  He was blowing the bellows at
+the time, after a spell at the fore-hammer.
+
+"We seem to be favoured with unusual events to-day, Jamie," said he,
+wiping his forehead with the corner of his apron with one hand, while he
+worked the handle of the bellows with the other, "yonder comes another
+boat; what can it be, think you?"
+
+"Surely it can't be tea!" said the smith with a smile, as he turned the
+end of a pickaxe in the fire, "it's too soon after dinner for that."
+
+"It looks like the boat of our friends the fishermen, Big Swankie and
+Davy Spink," said Ruby, shading his eyes with his hand, and gazing
+earnestly at the boat as it advanced towards them.
+
+"Friends!" repeated the smith, "rascally smugglers, both of them;
+they're no friends of mine."
+
+"Well, I didn't mean bosom friends," replied Ruby, "but after all, Davy
+Spink is not such a bad fellow, though I can't say that I'm fond of his
+comrade."
+
+The two men resumed their hammers at this point in the conversation, and
+became silent as long as the anvil sounded.
+
+The boat had reached the rock when they ceased, and its occupants were
+seen to be in earnest conversation with Peter Logan.
+
+There were only two men in the boat besides its owners, Swankie and
+Spink.
+
+"What can they want?" said Dove, looking down on them as he turned to
+thrust the iron on which he was engaged into the fire.
+
+As he spoke the foreman looked up.
+
+"Ho!  Ruby Brand," he shouted, "come down here; you're wanted."
+
+"Hallo!  Ruby," exclaimed the smith, "_more_ friends o' yours!  Your
+acquaintance is extensive, lad, but there's no girl in the case this
+time."
+
+Ruby made no reply, for an indefinable feeling of anxiety filled his
+breast as he threw down the fore-hammer and prepared to descend.
+
+On reaching the rock he advanced towards the strangers, both of whom
+were stout, thickset men, with grave, stern countenances.  One of them
+stepped forward and said, "Your name is--"
+
+"Ruby Brand," said the youth promptly, at the same time somewhat
+proudly, for he knew that he was in the hands of the Philistines.
+
+The man who first spoke hereupon drew a small instrument from his
+pocket, and tapping Ruby on the shoulder, said--
+
+"I arrest you, Ruby Brand, in the name of the King."
+
+The other man immediately stepped forward and produced a pair of
+handcuffs.
+
+At sight of these Ruby sprang backward, and the blood rushed violently
+to his forehead, while his blue eyes glared with the ferocity of those
+of a tiger.
+
+"Come, lad, it's of no use, you know," said the man, pausing; "if you
+won't come quietly we must find ways and means to compel you."
+
+"Compel me!" cried Ruby, drawing himself up with a look of defiance and
+a laugh of contempt, that caused the two men to shrink back in spite of
+themselves.
+
+"Ruby," said the foreman, gently, stepping forward and laying his hand
+on the youth's shoulder, "you had better go quietly, for there's no
+chance of escape from these fellows.  I have no doubt it's a mistake,
+and that you'll come off with flyin' colours, but it's best to go
+quietly whatever turns up."
+
+While Logan was speaking, Ruby dropped his head on his breast, the
+officer with the handcuffs advanced, and the youth held out his hands,
+while the flush of anger deepened into the crimson blush of shame.
+
+It was at this point that Jamie Dove, wondering at the prolonged absence
+of his friend and assistant, looked down from the platform of the
+beacon, and beheld what was taking place.
+
+The stentorian roar of amazement and rage that suddenly burst from him,
+attracted the attention of all the men on the rock, who dropped their
+tools and looked up in consternation, expecting, no doubt, to behold
+something terrible.
+
+Their eyes at once followed those of the smith, and no sooner did they
+see Ruby being led in irons to the boat, which lay in _Port Hamilton_,
+close to _Sir Ralph the Rover's Ledge_, than they uttered a yell of
+execration, and rushed with one accord to the rescue.
+
+The officers, who were just about to make their prisoner step into the
+boat, turned to face the foe,--one, who seemed to be the more courageous
+of the two, a little in advance of the other.
+
+Ned O'Connor, with that enthusiasm which seems to be inherent in Irish
+blood, rushed with such irresistible force against this man that he
+drove him violently back against his comrade, and sent them both head
+over heels into Port Hamilton.  Nay, with such momentum was this act
+performed, that Ned could not help but follow them, falling on them both
+as they came to the surface and sinking them a second time, amid screams
+and yells of laughter.
+
+O'Connor was at once pulled out by his friends.  The officers also were
+quickly landed.
+
+"I ax yer parding, gintlemen," said the former, with an expression of
+deep regret on his face, "but the say-weed _is_ so slippy on them rocks
+we're almost for iver doin' that sort o' thing be the merest accident.
+But av yer as fond o' cowld wather as meself ye won't objec' to it,
+although it do come raither onexpected."
+
+The officers made no reply, but, collaring Ruby, pushed him into the
+boat.
+
+Again the men made a rush, but Peter Logan stood between them and the
+boat.
+
+"Lads," said he, holding up his hand, "it's of no use resistin' the law.
+These are King's officers, and they are only doin' their duty.  Sure am
+I that Ruby Brand is guilty of no crime, so they've only to enquire into
+it and set him free."
+
+The men hesitated, but did not seem quite disposed to submit without
+another struggle.
+
+"It's a shame to let them take him," cried the smith.
+
+"So it is.  I vote for a rescue," cried Joe Dumsby.
+
+"Hooray! so does I," cried O'Connor, stripping off his waist-coat, and
+for once in his life agreeing with Joe.
+
+"Na, na, lads," cried John Watt, rolling up his sleeves, and baring his
+brawny arms as if about to engage in a fight, "it'll niver do to
+interfere wi' the law; but what d'ye say to gie them anither dook?"
+
+Seeing that the men were about to act upon Watt's suggestion, Ruby
+started up in the boat, and turning to his comrade, said:
+
+"Boys, it's very kind of you to be so anxious to save me but you
+can't--"
+
+"Faix, but we can, darlin'," interrupted O'Connor.
+
+"No, you can't," repeated Ruby firmly, "because I won't let you.  I
+don't think I need say to you that I am innocent," he added, with a look
+in which truth evidently shone forth like a sunbeam, "but now that they
+have put these irons on me I will not consent that they shall be taken
+off except by the law which put them on."
+
+While he was speaking the boat had been pushed off, and in a few seconds
+it was beyond the reach of the men.
+
+"Depend upon it, comrades," cried Ruby, as they pulled away, "that I
+shall be back again to help you to finish the work on the Bell Rock."
+
+"So you will, lad, so you will," cried the foreman.
+
+"My blessin' on ye," shouted O'Connor.  "Ach! ye dirty villains, ye
+low-minded spalpeens," he added, shaking his fist at the officers of
+justice.
+
+"Don't be long away, Ruby," cried one.
+
+"Never say die," shouted another, earnestly.
+
+"Three cheers for Ruby Brand!" exclaimed Forsyth, "hip! hip! hip!--"
+
+The cheer was given with the most vociferous energy, and then the men
+stood in melancholy silence on _Ralph the Rover's Ledge_, watching the
+boat that bore their comrade to the shore.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIXTEEN.
+
+NEW ARRANGEMENTS--THE CAPTAIN'S PHILOSOPHY IN REGARD TO PIPEOLOGY.
+
+That night our hero was lodged in the common jail of Arbroath.  Soon
+after, he was tried, and, as Captain Ogilvy had prophesied, was
+acquitted.  Thereafter he went to reside for the winter with his mother,
+occupying the same room as his worthy uncle, as there was not another
+spare one in the cottage, and sleeping in a hammock, slung parallel with
+and close to that of the captain.
+
+On the night following his release from prison, Ruby lay on his back in
+his hammock meditating intently on the future, and gazing at the
+ceiling, or rather at the place where he knew the ceiling to be, for it
+was a dark night, and there was no light in the room, the candle having
+just been extinguished.
+
+We are not strictly correct, however, in saying that there was _no_
+light in the room, for there was a deep red glowing spot of fire near to
+Captain Ogilvy's head, which flashed and grew dim at each alternate
+second of time.  It was, in fact, the captain's pipe, a luxury in which
+that worthy man indulged morning, noon, and night.  He usually rested
+the bowl of the pipe on and a little over the edge of his hammock, and,
+lying on his back, passed the mouthpiece over the blankets into the
+corner of his mouth, where four of his teeth seemed to have agreed to
+form an exactly round hole suited to receive it.  At each draw the fire
+in the bowl glowed so that the captain's nose was faintly illuminated;
+in the intervals the nose disappeared.
+
+The breaking or letting fall of this pipe was a common incident in the
+captain's nocturnal history, but he had got used to it, from long habit,
+and regarded the event each time it occurred with the philosophic
+composure of one who sees and makes up his mind to endure an inevitable
+and unavoidable evil.
+
+"Ruby," said the captain, after the candle was extinguished.
+
+"Well, uncle?"
+
+"I've bin thinkin', lad,--"
+
+Here the captain drew a few whiffs to prevent the pipe from going out,
+in which operation he evidently forgot himself and went on thinking, for
+he said nothing more.
+
+"Well, uncle, what have you been thinking?"
+
+"Eh! ah, yes, I've bin thinkin', lad (pull), that you'll have to
+(puff)--there's somethin' wrong with the pipe to-night, it don't draw
+well (puff)--you'll have to do somethin' or other in the town, for it
+won't do to leave the old woman, lad, in her delicate state o' health.
+Had she turned in when you left the kitchen?"
+
+"Oh yes, an hour or more."
+
+"An' Blue Eyes,--
+
+  "`The tender bit flower that waves in the breeze,
+  And scatters its fragrance all over the seas.'
+
+"Has she turned in too?"
+
+"She was just going to when I left," replied Ruby; "but what has that to
+do with the question?"
+
+"I didn't say as it had anything to do with it, lad.  Moreover, there
+ain't no question between us as I knows on (puff); but what have you to
+say to stoppin' here all winter?"
+
+"Impossible," said Ruby, with a sigh.
+
+"No so, lad; what's to hinder?--Ah! there she goes."
+
+The pipe fell with a crash to the floor, and burst with a bright shower
+of sparks, like a little bombshell.
+
+"That's the third, Ruby, since I turned in," said the captain, getting
+slowly over the side of his hammock, and alighting on the floor heavily.
+"I won't git up again if it goes another time."
+
+After knocking off the chimney-piece five or six articles which appeared
+to be made of tin from the noise they made in falling, the captain
+succeeded in getting hold of another pipe and the tinder-box, for in
+those days flint and steel were the implements generally used in
+procuring a light.  With much trouble he re-lit the pipe.
+
+"Now, Ruby, lad, hold it till I tumble in."
+
+"But I can't see the stem, uncle."
+
+"What a speech for a seaman to make!  Don't you see the fire in the
+bowl?"
+
+"Yes, of course."
+
+"Well, just make a grab two inches astarn of the bowl and you'll hook
+the stem."
+
+The captain was looking earnestly into the bowl while he spoke, stuffing
+down the burning tobacco with the end of his little finger.  Ruby,
+acting in rather too prompt obedience to the instructions, made a "grab"
+as directed, and caught his uncle by the nose.
+
+A yell and an apology followed of course, in the midst of which the
+fourth pipe was demolished.
+
+"Oh! uncle, what a pity!"
+
+"Ah!  Ruby, that comes o' inconsiderate youth, which philosophers tell
+us is the nat'ral consequence of unavoidable necessity, for you can't
+put a young head on old shoulders, d'ye see?"
+
+From the tone in which this was said Ruby knew that the captain was
+shaking his head gravely, and from the noise of articles being kicked
+about and falling, he became aware that the unconquerable man was
+filling a fifth pipe.
+
+This one was more successfully managed, and the captain once more got
+into his hammock, and began to enjoy himself.
+
+"Well, Ruby, where was I?  O ay; what's to hinder you goin' and gettin'
+employed in the Bell Rock workyard?  There's plenty to do, and good
+wages there."
+
+It may be as well to inform the reader here, that although the
+operations at the Bell Rock had come to an end for the season about the
+beginning of October, the work of hewing the stones for the lighthouse
+was carried on briskly during the winter at the workyard on shore; and
+as the tools, etcetera, required constant sharpening and mending, a
+blacksmith could not be dispensed with.
+
+"Do you think I can get in again?" enquired Ruby.
+
+"No doubt of it, lad.  But the question is, are ye willin' to go if
+they'll take you?"
+
+"Quite willing, uncle."
+
+"Good: then that's all square, an' I knows how to lay my course--up
+anchor to-morrow mornin', crowd all sail, bear down on the workyard,
+bring-to off the countin'-room, and open fire on the superintendent."
+
+The captain paused at this point, and opened fire with his pipe for some
+minutes.
+
+"Now," he continued, "there's another thing I want to ax you.  I'm goin'
+to-morrow afternoon to take a cruise along the cliffs to the east'ard in
+the preventive boat, just to keep up my sea legs.  They've got scent o'
+some smugglin' business that's goin' on, an' my friend Leftenant Lindsay
+has asked me to go.  Now, Ruby, if you want a short cruise of an hour or
+so you may come with me."
+
+Ruby smiled at the manner in which this offer was made, and replied:
+
+"With pleasure, uncle."
+
+"So, then, that's settled too.  Good night, nephy."
+
+The captain turned on his side, and dropped the pipe on the floor, where
+it was shivered to atoms.
+
+It must not be supposed that this was accidental.
+
+It was done on purpose.  Captain Ogilvy had found from experience that
+it was not possible to stretch out his arm to its full extent and lay
+the pipe on the chimney-piece, without waking himself up just at that
+critical moment when sleep was consenting to be wooed.  He also found
+that on the average he broke one in every four pipes that he thus
+attempted to deposit.  Being a philosophical and practical man, he came
+to the conclusion that it would be worth while to pay something for the
+comfort of being undisturbed at the minute of time that lay between the
+conclusion of smoking and the commencement of repose.  He therefore got
+a sheet of foolscap and a pencil, and spent a whole forenoon in abstruse
+calculations.  He ascertained the exact value of three hundred and
+sixty-five clay pipes.  From this he deducted a fourth for breakage that
+would have certainly occurred in the old system of laying the pipes down
+every night, and which, therefore, he felt, in a confused sort of way,
+ought not to be charged in the estimates of a new system.  Then he added
+a small sum to the result for probable extra breakages, such as had
+occurred that night, and found that the total was not too high a price
+for a man in his circumstances to pay for the blessing he wished to
+obtain.
+
+From that night forward he deliberately dropped his pipe every night
+over the side of his hammock before going to sleep.
+
+The captain, in commenting on this subject, was wont to observe that
+everything in life, no matter how small, afforded matter of thought to
+philosophical men.  He had himself found a pleasing subject of study
+each morning in the fact that some of the pipes survived the fall of the
+previous night.  This led him to consider the nature of clay pipes in
+general, and to test them in various ways.  It is true he did not say
+that anything of importance resulted from his peculiar studies, but he
+argued that a true philosopher looks for facts, and leaves results
+alone.  One discovery he undoubtedly did make, which was, that the pipes
+obtained from a certain maker in the town _invariably_ broke, while
+those obtained from another maker broke only occasionally.  Hence he
+came to the conclusion that one maker was an honest man, the other a
+doubtful character, and wisely bestowed his custom in accordance with
+that opinion.
+
+About one minute after the falling of the pipe Ruby Brand fell asleep,
+and about two minutes after that Captain Ogilvy began to snore, both of
+which conditions were maintained respectively and uninterruptedly until
+the birds began to whistle and the sun began to shine.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.
+
+A MEETING WITH OLD FRIENDS, AND AN EXCURSION.
+
+Next morning the captain and his nephew "bore down", as the former
+expressed it, on the workyard, and Ruby was readily accepted, his good
+qualities having already been well tested at the Bell Rock.
+
+"Now, boy, we'll go and see about the little preventive craft," said the
+captain on quitting the office.
+
+"But first," said Ruby, "let me go and tell my old comrade Dove that I
+am to be with him again."
+
+There was no need to enquire the way to the forge, the sound of the
+anvil being distinctly heard above all the other sounds of that busy
+spot.
+
+The workyard at Arbroath, where the stones for the lighthouse were
+collected and hewn into shape before being sent off to the rock, was an
+enclosed piece of ground, extending to about three-quarters of an acre,
+conveniently situated on the northern side of the Lady Lane, or Street,
+leading from the western side of the harbour.
+
+Here were built a row of barracks for the workmen, and several
+apartments connected with the engineer's office, mould-makers'
+department, stores, workshops for smiths and joiners, stables, etcetera,
+extending 150 feet along the north side of the yard.  All of these were
+fully occupied, there being upwards of forty men employed permanently.
+
+Sheds of timber were also constructed to protect the workmen in wet
+weather; and a kiln was built for burning lime.  In the centre of the
+yard stood a circular platform of masonry on which the stones were
+placed when dressed, so that each stone was tested and marked, and each
+"course" or layer of the lighthouse fitted up and tried, before being
+shipped to the rock.
+
+The platform measured 44 feet in diameter.  It was founded with large
+broad stones at a depth of about 2 feet 6 inches, and built to within 10
+inches of the surface with rubble work, on which a course of neatly
+dressed and well-jointed masonry was laid, of the red sandstone from the
+quarries to the eastward of Arbroath, which brought the platform on a
+level with the surface of the ground.  Here the dressed part of the
+first entire course, or layer, of the lighthouse was lying, and the
+platform was so substantially built as to be capable of supporting any
+number of courses which it might be found convenient to lay upon it in
+the further progress of the work.
+
+Passing this platform, the captain and Ruby threaded their way through a
+mass of workyard _debris_ until they came to the building from which the
+sounds of the anvil proceeded.  For a few minutes they stood looking at
+our old friend Jamie Dove, who, with bared arms, was causing the sparks
+to fly, and the glowing metal to yield, as vigorously as of old.
+Presently he ceased hammering, and turning to the fire thrust the metal
+into it.  Then he wiped his brow, and glanced towards the door.
+
+"What! eh!  Ruby Brand?" he shouted in surprise.
+
+"Och! or his ghost!" cried Ned O'Connor, who had been appointed to
+Ruby's vacant situation.
+
+"A pretty solid ghost you'll find me," said Ruby with a laugh, as he
+stepped forward and seized the smith by the hand.
+
+"Musha! but it's thrue," cried O'Connor, quitting the bellows, and
+seizing Ruby's disengaged hand, which he shook almost as vehemently as
+the smith did the other.
+
+"Now, then, don't dislocate him altogether," cried the captain, who was
+much delighted with this warm reception; "he's goin' to jine you, boys,
+so have mercy on his old timbers."
+
+"Jine us!" cried the smith.
+
+"Ay, been appointed to the old berth," said Ruby, "so I'll have to
+unship _you_, Ned."
+
+"The sooner the better; faix, I niver had much notion o' this fiery
+style o' life; it's only fit for sallymanders and bottle-imps.  But when
+d'ye begin work, lad?"
+
+"To-morrow, I believe.  At least, I was told to call at the office
+to-morrow.  To-day I have an engagement."
+
+"Ay, an' it's time we was under weigh," said Captain Ogilvy, taking his
+nephew by the arm.  "Come along, lad, an' don't keep them waiting."
+
+So saying they bade the smith goodbye, and, leaving the forge, walked
+smartly towards that part of the harbour where the boats lay.
+
+"Ruby," said the captain, as they went along, "it's lucky it's such a
+fine day, for Minnie is going with us."
+
+Ruby said nothing, but the deep flush of pleasure that overspread his
+countenance proved that he was not indifferent to the news.
+
+"You see she's bin out of sorts," continued the captain, "for some time
+back; and no wonder, poor thing, seein' that your mother has been so
+anxious about you, and required more than usual care, so I've prevailed
+on the leftenant to let her go.  She'll get good by our afternoon's
+sail, and we won't be the worse of her company.  What say ye to that,
+nephy?"
+
+Ruby said that he was glad to hear it, but he thought a great deal more
+than he said, and among other things he thought that the lieutenant
+might perhaps be rather in the way; but as his presence was unavoidable
+he made up his mind to try to believe that he, the lieutenant, would in
+all probability be an engaged man already.  As to the possibility of his
+seeing Minnie and being indifferent to her (in the event of his being a
+free man), he felt that such an idea was preposterous!  Suddenly a
+thought flashed across him and induced a question--
+
+"Is the lieutenant married, uncle?"
+
+"Not as I know of, lad; why d'ye ask?"
+
+"Because--because--married men are so much pleasanter than--"
+
+Ruby stopped short, for he just then remembered that his uncle was a
+bachelor.
+
+"'Pon my word, youngster! go on, why d'ye stop in your purlite remark?"
+
+"Because," said Ruby, laughing, "I meant to say that _young_ married men
+were so much more agreeable than _young_ bachelors."
+
+"Humph!" ejaculated the captain, who did not see much force in the
+observation, "and how d'ye know the leftenant's a _young_ man?  I didn't
+say he was young; mayhap he's old.  But here he is, so you'll judge for
+yourself."
+
+At the moment a tall, deeply-bronzed man of about thirty years of age
+walked up and greeted Captain Ogilvy familiarly as his "buck",
+enquiring, at the same time, how his "old timbers" were, and where the
+"bit of baggage" was.
+
+"She's to be at the end o' the pier in five minutes," said the captain,
+drawing out and consulting a watch that was large enough to have been
+mistaken for a small eight-day clock.  "This is my nephy, Ruby.  Ruby
+Brand--Leftenant Lindsay.  True blues, both of ye--
+
+  "`When shall we three meet again?
+  Where the stormy winds do blow, do blow, do blow,
+  And the thunder, lightenin', and the rain,
+  Riots up above, and also down below, below, below.'
+
+"Ah! here comes the pretty little craft."
+
+Minnie appeared as he spoke, and walked towards them with a modest, yet
+decided air that was positively bewitching.
+
+She was dressed in homely garments, but that served to enhance the
+beauty of her figure, and she had on the plainest of little bonnets, but
+that only tended to make her face more lovely.  Ruby thought it was
+perfection.  He glanced at Lieutenant Lindsay, and perceiving that he
+thought so too (as how could he think otherwise?) a pang of jealousy
+shot into his breast.  But it passed away when the lieutenant, after
+politely assisting Minnie into the boat, sat down beside the captain and
+began to talk earnestly to him, leaving Minnie entirely to her lover.
+We may remark here, that the title of "leftenant", bestowed on Lindsay
+by the captain was entirely complimentary.
+
+The crew of the boat rowed out of the harbour, and the lieutenant
+steered eastward, towards the cliffs that have been mentioned in an
+earlier part of our tale.
+
+The day turned out to be one of those magnificent and exceptional days
+which appear to have been cut out of summer and interpolated into
+autumn.  It was bright, warm, and calm, so calm that the boat's sail was
+useless, and the crew had to row; but this was, in Minnie's estimation,
+no disadvantage, for it gave her time to see the caves and picturesque
+inlets which abound all along that rocky coast.  It also gave her time
+to--but no matter.
+
+"O how very much I should like to have a little boat," said Minnie, with
+enthusiasm, "and spend a long day rowing in and out among these wild
+rocks, and exploring the caves!  Wouldn't it be delightful, Ruby?"
+
+Ruby admitted that it would, and added, "You shall have such a day,
+Minnie, if we live long."
+
+"Have you ever been in the _Forbidden Cave_?" enquired Minnie.
+
+"I'll warrant you he has," cried the captain, who overheard the
+question; "you may be sure that wherever Ruby is forbidden to go, there
+he'll be sure to go!"
+
+"Ay, is he so self-willed?" asked the lieutenant, with a smile, and a
+glance at Minnie.
+
+"A mule; a positive mule," said the captain.
+
+"Come, uncle, you know that I don't deserve such a character, and it's
+too bad to give it to me to-day.  Did I not agree to come on this
+excursion at once, when you asked me?"
+
+"Ay, but you wouldn't if I had _ordered_ you," returned the captain.
+
+"I rather think he would," observed the lieutenant, with another smile,
+and another glance at Minnie.
+
+Both smiles and glances were observed and noticed by Ruby, whose heart
+felt another pang shoot through it; but this, like the former, subsided
+when the lieutenant again addressed the captain, and devoted himself to
+him so exclusively, that Ruby began to feel a touch of indignation at
+his want of appreciation of _such_ a girl as Minnie.
+
+"He's a stupid ass," thought Ruby to himself, and then, turning to
+Minnie, directed her attention to a curious natural arch on the cliffs,
+and sought to forget all the rest of the world.
+
+In this effort he was successful, and had gradually worked himself into
+the firm belief that the world was paradise, and that he and Minnie were
+its sole occupants--a second edition, as it were, of Adam and Eve--when
+the lieutenant rudely dispelled the sweet dream by saying sharply to the
+man at the bow-oar--
+
+"Is that the boat, Baker?  You ought to know it pretty well."
+
+"I think it is, sir," answered the man, resting on his oar a moment, and
+glancing over his shoulder; "but I can't be sure at this distance."
+
+"Well, pull easy," said the lieutenant; "you see, it won't do to scare
+them, Captain Ogilvy, and they'll think we're a pleasure party when they
+see a woman in the boat."
+
+Ruby thought they would not be far wrong in supposing them a pleasure
+party.  He objected, mentally, however, to Minnie being styled a
+"woman"--not that he would have had her called a man, but he thought
+that _girl_ would have been more suitable--angel, perhaps, the most
+appropriate term of all.
+
+"Come, captain, I think I will join you in a pipe," said the lieutenant,
+pulling out a tin case, in which he kept the blackest of little cutty
+pipes.  "In days of old our ancestors loved to fight--now we degenerate
+souls love to smoke the pipe of peace."
+
+"I did not know that your ancestors were enemies," said Minnie to the
+captain.
+
+"Enemies, lass! ay, that they were.  What! have ye never heard tell o'
+the great fight between the Ogilvys and Lindsays?"
+
+"Never," said Minnie.
+
+"Then, my girl, your education has been neglected, but I'll do what I
+can to remedy that defect."
+
+Here the captain rekindled his pipe (which was in the habit of going
+out, and requiring to be relighted), and, clearing his throat with the
+emphasis of one who is about to communicate something of importance,
+held forth as follows.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.
+
+THE BATTLE OF ARBROATH, AND OTHER WARLIKE MATTERS.
+
+"It was in the year 1445--that's not far short o' four hundred years
+ago--ah! _tempus fugit_, which is a Latin quotation, my girl, from
+Horace Walpole, I believe, an' signifies time and tide waits for no man;
+that's what they calls a free translation, you must know; well, it was
+in the winter o' 1445 that a certain Alexander Ogilvy of Inverquharity,
+was chosen to act as Chief Justiciar in these parts--I suppose that
+means a kind of upper bailiff, a sort o' bo's'n's mate, to compare great
+things with small.  He was set up in place of one o' the Lindsay family,
+who, it seems, was rather extravagant, though whether his extravagance
+lay in wearin' a beard (for he was called Earl Beardie), or in spendin'
+too much cash, I can't take upon me for to say.  Anyhow, Beardie refused
+to haul down his colours, so the Ogilvys mustered their men and friends,
+and the Lindsays did the same, and they went at it, hammer and tongs,
+and fowt what ye may call the Battle of Arbroath, for it was close to
+the old town where they fell to.
+
+"It was a most bloody affair.  The two families were connected with many
+o' the richest and greatest people in the land, and these went to lend a
+hand when they beat to quarters, and there was no end o' barbed horses,
+as they call them--which means critters with steel spikes in their
+noses, I'm told--and lots of embroidered banners and flags, though I
+never heard that anyone hoisted the Union Jack; but, however that may
+be, they fowt like bluejackets, for five hundred men were left dead on
+the field, an' among them a lot o' the great folk.
+
+"But I'm sorry to say that the Ogilvys were licked, though I say it that
+shouldn't," continued the captain, with a sigh, as he relighted his
+pipe.  "Howsever,--
+
+  "`Never ventur', never win,
+  Blaze away an' don't give in,'
+
+"As Milton remarks in his preface to the _Pilgrim's Progress_."
+
+"True, captain," said the lieutenant, "and you know that he who fights
+and runs away, shall live to fight another day."
+
+"Leftenant," said the captain gravely, "your quotation, besides bein' a
+kind o' desecration, is not applicable; 'cause the Ogilvys did _not_ run
+away.  They fowt on that occasion like born imps, an' they would ha'
+certainly won the day, if they hadn't been, every man jack of 'em, cut
+to pieces before the battle was finished."
+
+"Well said, uncle," exclaimed Ruby, with a laugh.  "No doubt the Ogilvys
+would lick the Lindsays _now_ if they had a chance."
+
+"I believe they would," said the lieutenant, "for they have become a
+race of heroes since the great day of the Battle of Arbroath.  No doubt,
+Miss Gray," continued the lieutenant, turning to Minnie with an arch
+smile, "no doubt you have heard of that more recent event, the
+threatened attack on Arbroath by the French fire-eater, Captain Fall,
+and the heroic part played on that occasion by an Ogilvy--an uncle, I am
+told, of my good friend here?"
+
+"I have heard of Captain Fall, of course," replied Minnie, "for it was
+not many years before I was born that his visit took place, and Mrs
+Brand has often told me of the consternation into which the town was
+thrown by his doings; but I never heard of the deeds of the Ogilvy to
+whom you refer."
+
+"No?  Now, that _is_ surprising!  How comes it, captain, that you have
+kept so silent on this subject?"
+
+"'Cause it ain't true," replied the captain stoutly, yet with a peculiar
+curl about the corners of his mouth, that implied something in the mind
+beyond what he expressed with the lips.
+
+"Ah!  I see--modesty," said Lindsay.  "Your uncle is innately modest,
+Miss Gray, and never speaks of anything that bears the slightest
+resemblance to boasting.  See, the grave solemnity with which he smokes
+while I say this proves the truth of my assertion.  Well, since he has
+never told you, I will tell yell myself.  You have no objection,
+captain?"
+
+The captain sent a volume of smoke from his lips, and followed it up
+with--"Fire away, shipmet."
+
+The lieutenant, having drawn a few whiffs in order to ensure the
+continued combustion of his pipe, related the following anecdote, which
+is now matter of history, as anyone may find by consulting the archives
+of Arbroath.
+
+"In the year 1781, on a fine evening of the month of May, the seamen of
+Arbroath who chanced to be loitering about the harbour observed a
+strange vessel manoeuvring in the offing.  They watched and commented on
+the motions of the stranger with considerable interest, for the wary
+skill displayed by her commander proved that he was unacquainted with
+the navigation of the coast, and from the cut of her jib they knew that
+the craft was a foreigner.  After a time she took up a position, and
+cast anchor in the bay, directly opposite the town.
+
+"At that time we were, as we still are, and as it really appears likely
+to me we ever shall be, at war with France; but as the scene of the war
+was far removed from Arbroath, it never occurred to the good people that
+the smell of powder could reach their peaceful town.  That idea was
+somewhat rudely forced upon them when the French flag was run up to the
+mizzentop, and a white puff of smoke burst from the vessel, which was
+followed by a shot, that went hissing over their heads, and plumped
+right into the middle of the town!
+
+"That shot knocked over fifteen chimney-pots and two weathercocks in
+Market-gate, went slap through a house in the suburbs, and finally stuck
+in the carcass of an old horse belonging to the Provost of the town,
+which didn't survive the shock--the horse, I mean, not the Provost.
+
+"It is said that there was an old gentleman lying in bed in a room of
+the house that the shot went through.  He was a sort of `hipped'
+character, and believed that he could not walk, if he were to try ever
+so much.  He was looking quietly at the face of a great Dutch clock when
+the shot entered and knocked the clock inside out, sending its contents
+in a shower over the old gentleman, who jumped up and rushed out of the
+house like a maniac!  He was cured completely from that hour.  At least,
+so it's said, but I don't vouch for the truth of the story.
+
+"However, certain it is that the shot was fired, and was followed up by
+two or three more; after which the Frenchman ceased firing, and a boat
+was seen to quit the side of the craft, bearing a flag of truce.
+
+"The consternation into which the town was thrown is said to have been
+tremendous."
+
+"That's false," interrupted the captain, removing his pipe while he
+spoke.  "The word ain't appropriate.  The men of Arbroath doesn't know
+nothin' about no such word as `consternation.'  They was _surprised_, if
+ye choose, an' powerfully enraged mayhap, but they wasn't consternated
+by no means."
+
+"Well, I don't insist on the point," said the lieutenant, "but
+chroniclers write so--
+
+"Chroniclers write lies sometimes," interrupted the captain curtly.
+
+"Perhaps they do; but you will admit, I dare say, that the women and
+children were thrown into a great state of alarm."
+
+"I'm not so sure of that," interposed Ruby.  "In a town where the men
+were so bold, the women and children would be apt to feel very much at
+their ease.  At all events, I am acquainted with _some_ women who are
+not easily frightened."
+
+"Really, I think it is not fair to interrupt the story in this way,"
+said Minnie, with a laugh.
+
+"Right, lass, right," said the captain.  "Come, leftenant, spin away at
+yer yarn, and don't ventur' too much commentary thereon, 'cause it's apt
+to lead to error, an' ye know, as the poet says--
+
+  "`Errors in the heart breed errors in the brain,
+  An' these are apt to twist ye wrong again.'
+
+"I'm not 'xactly sure o' the precise words in this case, but that's the
+sentiment, and everybody knows that sentiment is everything in poetry,
+whether ye understand it or not.  Fire away, leftenant, an' don't be
+long-winded if ye can help it."
+
+"Well, to return to the point," resumed Lindsay.  "The town was
+certainly thrown into a tremendous state of _some_ sort, for the people
+had no arms of any kind wherewith to defend themselves.  There were no
+regular soldiers, no militia, and no volunteers.  Everybody ran wildly
+about in every direction, not knowing what to do.  There was no leader,
+and, in short, the town was very like a shoal of small fish in a pool
+when a boy wades in and makes a dash amongst them.
+
+"At last a little order was restored by the Provost, who was a sensible
+old man, and an old soldier to boot, but too infirm to take as active a
+part in such an emergency as he would have done had he been a dozen
+years younger.  He, with several of the principal men of the town, went
+down to the beach to receive the bearers of the flag of truce.
+
+"The boat was manned by a crew of five or six seamen, armed with
+cutlasses and arquebusses.  As soon as its keel grated on the sand a
+smart little officer leaped ashore, and presented to the Provost a
+letter from Captain Fall, which ran somewhat in this fashion:--
+
+"`At Sea, _May twenty-third_.
+
+"`Gentlemen,--I send these two words to inform you, that I will have you
+to bring-to the French colour in less than a quarter of an hour, or I
+set the town on fire directly.  Such is the order of my master, the King
+of France, I am sent by.  Send directly the Mair and chiefs of the town
+to make some agreement with me, or I'll make my duty.  It is the will of
+yours,--G. FALL.
+
+"`To Monsieur Mair of the town called Arbrought, or in his absence to
+the chief man after him in Scotland.'
+
+"On reading this the Provost bowed respectfully to the officer, and
+begged of him to wait a few minutes while he should consult with his
+chief men.  This was agreed to, and the Provost said to his friends, as
+he walked to a neighbouring house--
+
+"`Ye see, freens, this whipper-snapper o' a tade-eater has gotten the
+whup hand o' us; but we'll be upsides wi' him.  The main thing is to get
+delay, so cut away, Tam Cargill, and tak' horse to Montrose for the
+sodgers.  Spare na the spur, lad, an' gar them to understan' that the
+case is urgent.'
+
+"While Tam Cargill started away on his mission, the Provost, whose chief
+aim was to gain time and cause delay, penned an epistle to the
+Frenchman, in which he stated that he had neglected to name the terms on
+which he would consent to spare the town, and that he would consider it
+extremely obliging if he would, as speedily as possible, return an
+answer, stating them, in order that they might be laid before the chief
+men of the place."
+
+"When the Provost, who was a grave, dignified old man, with a strong
+dash of humour in him, handed this note to the French officer, he did so
+with a humble obeisance that appeared to afford much gratification to
+the little man.  As the latter jumped into the boat and ordered the men
+to push off, the Provost turned slowly to his brother magistrates with a
+wink and a quiet smile that convulsed them with suppressed laughter, and
+did more to encourage any of the wavering or timid inhabitants than if
+he had harangued them heroically for an hour.
+
+"Some time after the boat returned with a reply, which ran thus:--
+
+"`At Sea, _eight o'clock in the Afternoon_.'
+
+"`Gentlemen,--I received just now your answer, by which you say I ask no
+terms.  I thought it was useless, since I asked you to come aboard for
+agreement.  But here are my terms:--I will have 30,000 pounds sterling
+at least, and six of the chiefs men of the town for otage.  Be speedy,
+or I shot your town away directly, and I set fire to it.  I am,
+gentlemen, your servant,--G. FALL.
+
+"`I sent some of my crew to you, but if some harm happens to them,
+you'll be sure we'll hang up the mainyard all the prisoners we have
+aboard.
+
+"`To Monsieurs the chiefs men of Arbrought in Scotland.'
+
+"I'm not quite certain," continued the lieutenant, "what were the exact
+words of the Provost's reply to this letter, but they conveyed a
+distinct and contemptuous refusal to accede to any terms, and, I
+believe, invited Fall to come ashore, where, if he did not get precisely
+what he had asked, he would be certain to receive a great deal more than
+he wanted.
+
+"The enraged and disappointed Frenchman at once began a heavy fire upon
+the town, and continued it for a long time, but fortunately it did
+little or no harm, as the town lay in a somewhat low position, and
+Fall's guns being too much elevated, the shot passed over it.
+
+"Next day another letter was sent to the Provost by some fishermen, who
+were captured while fishing off the Bell Rock.  This letter was as
+tremendous as the two former.  I can give it to you, word for word, from
+memory.
+
+"`At Sea, _May_ 24th.'
+
+"`Gentlemen,--See whether you will come to some terms with me, or I come
+in presently with my cutter into the arbour, and I will cast down the
+town all over.  Make haste, because I have no time to spare.  I give you
+a quarter of an hour to your decision, and after I'll make my duty.  I
+think it would be better for you, gentlemen, to come some of you aboard
+presently, to settle the affairs of your town.  You'll sure no to be
+hurt.  I give you my parole of honour.  I am your, G. FALL.'
+
+"When the Provost received this he looked round and said, `Now,
+gentlemen all, we'll hae to fight.  Send me Ogilvy.'
+
+"`Here I am, Provost,' cried a stout, active young fellow; something
+like what the captain must have been when he was young, I should think!"
+
+"Ahem!" coughed the captain.
+
+"Well," continued Lindsay, "the Provost said, `Now, Ogilvy, you're a
+smart cheel, an' ken aboot war and strategy and the like: I charge ye to
+organise the men o' the toon without delay, and tak' what steps ye think
+adveesable.  Meanwhile, I'll away and ripe oot a' the airms and guns I
+can find.  Haste ye, lad, an' mak' as muckle noise aboot it as ye can.'
+
+"`Trust me,' said Ogilvy, who appeared to have been one of those men who
+regard a fight as a piece of good fun.
+
+"Turning to the multitude, who had heard the commission given, and were
+ready for anything, he shouted, `Now, boys, ye heard the Provost.  I
+need not ask if you are all ready to fight--'
+
+"A deafening cheer interrupted the speaker, who, when it ceased,
+proceeded--
+
+"`Well, then, I've but one piece of advice to give ye: _Obey orders at
+once_.  When I tell ye to halt, stop dead like lampposts; when I say,
+"Charge!" go at them like wild cats, and drive the Frenchmen into the
+sea!'  `Hurrah!' yelled the crowd, for they were wild with excitement
+and rage, and only wanted a leader to organise them and make them
+formidable.  When the cheer ceased, Ogilvy cried, `Now, then, every man
+who knows how to beat a kettledrum and blow a trumpet come here.'
+
+"About twenty men answered to the summons, and to these Ogilvy said
+aloud, in order that all might hear, `Go, get you all the trumpets,
+drums, horns, bugles, and trombones in the town; beat the drums till
+they split, and blow the bugles till they burst, and don't give in till
+ye can't go on.  The rest of you,' he added, turning to the crowd, `go,
+get arms, guns, swords, pistols, scythes, pitchforks, pokers--any thing,
+everything--and meet me at the head of Market-gate--away!'
+
+"No king of necromancers ever dispersed his legions more rapidly than
+did Ogilvy on that occasion.  They gave one final cheer, and scattered
+like chaff before the wind, leaving their commander alone, with a select
+few, whom he kept by him as a sort of staff to consult with and despatch
+with orders.
+
+"The noise that instantly ensued in the town was something
+pandemoniacal.  Only three drums were found, but tin kettles and pans
+were not wanting, and these, superintended by Hugh Barr, the town
+drummer, did great execution.  Three key-bugles, an old French horn, and
+a tin trumpet of a mail-coach guard, were sounded at intervals in every
+quarter of the town, while the men were marshalled, and made to march
+hither and thither in detached bodies, as if all were busily engaged in
+making preparations for a formidable defence.
+
+"In one somewhat elevated position a number of men were set to work with
+spades, picks, and shovels, to throw up an earthwork.  When it had
+assumed sufficiently large dimensions to attract the attention of the
+French, a body of men, with blue jackets, and caps with bits of red
+flannel hanging down the sides, were marched up behind it at the double,
+and posted there.
+
+"Meanwhile Ogilvy had prepared a dummy field piece, by dismounting a
+cart from its wheels and fixing on the axle a great old wooden pump, not
+unlike a big gun in shape; another cart was attached to this to
+represent a limber; four horses were harnessed to the affair; two men
+mounted these, and, amid a tremendous flourish of trumpets and beating
+of drums, the artillery went crashing along the streets and up the
+eminence crowned by the earthwork, where they wheeled the gun into
+position.
+
+"The artillerymen sprang at the old pump like true Britons, and began to
+sponge it out as if they had been bred to gunnery from childhood, while
+the limber was detached and galloped to the rear.  In this operation the
+cart was smashed to pieces, and the two hindmost horses were thrown; but
+this mattered little, as they had got round a corner, and the French did
+not see it.
+
+"Fall and his brave men seem to have been upset altogether by these
+warlike demonstrations, for the moment the big gun made its appearance
+the sails were shaken loose, and the French privateer sheered off;
+capturing as he left the bay, however, several small vessels, which he
+carried off as prizes to France.  And so," concluded the lieutenant,
+"Captain Fall sailed away, and never was heard of more."
+
+"Well told; well told, leftenant," cried the captain, whose eyes
+sparkled at the concluding account of the defensive operations, "and
+true every word of it."
+
+"That's good testimony to my truthfulness, then," said Lindsay,
+laughing, "for you were there yourself!"
+
+"There yourself, uncle?" repeated Minnie, with a glance of surprise that
+quickly changed into a look of intelligence, as she exclaimed, with a
+merry laugh, "Ah!  I see.  It was _you_, uncle, who did it all; who
+commanded on that occasion--"
+
+"My child," said the captain, resuming his pipe with an expression of
+mild reproof on his countenance, "don't go for to pry too deep into
+things o' the past.  I _may_ have been a fire-eater once--I _may_ have
+been a gay young feller as could--; but no matter.  Avast musin'!  As
+Lord Bacon says--
+
+  "`The light of other days is faded,
+  An' all their glory's past;
+  My boots no longer look as they did,
+  But, like my coat, are goin' fast.'
+
+"But I say, leftenant, how long do you mean to keep pullin' about here,
+without an enemy, or, as far as I can see, an object in view?  Don't you
+think we might land, and let Minnie see some of the caves?"
+
+"With all my heart, captain, and here is a convenient bay to run the
+boat ashore."
+
+As he spoke the boat shot past one of those bold promontories of red
+sandstone which project along that coast in wild picturesque forms,
+terminating in some instances in detached headlands, elsewhere in
+natural arches.  The cliffs were so close to the boat that they could
+have been touched by the oars, while the rocks, rising to a considerable
+height, almost overhung them.  Just beyond this a beautiful bay opened
+up to view, with a narrow strip of yellow shingle round the base of the
+cliffs, which here lost for a short distance their rugged character,
+though not their height, and were covered with herbage.  A zigzag path
+led to the top, and the whole neighbourhood was full of ocean-worn coves
+and gullies, some of them dry, and many filled with water, while others
+were filled at high tide, and left empty when the tides fell.
+
+"O how beautiful! and what a place for smugglers!" was Minnie's
+enthusiastic exclamation on first catching sight of the bay.
+
+"The smugglers and you would appear to be of one mind," said Ruby, "for
+they are particularly fond of this place."
+
+"So fond of it," said the lieutenant, "that I mean to wait for them here
+in anticipation of a moonlight visit this night, if my fair passenger
+will consent to wander in such wild places at such late hours, guarded
+from the night air by my boat-cloak, and assured of the protection of my
+stout boatmen in case of any danger, although there is little prospect
+of our meeting with any greater danger than a breeze or a shower of
+rain."
+
+Minnie said that she would like nothing better; that she did not mind
+the night air; and, as to danger from men, she felt that she should be
+well cared for in present circumstances.
+
+As she uttered the last words she naturally glanced at Ruby, for Minnie
+was of a dependent and trusting nature; but as Ruby happened to be
+regarding her intently, though quite accidentally, at the moment, she
+dropped her eyes and blushed.
+
+It is wonderful the power of a little glance at times.  The glance
+referred to made Ruby perfectly happy.  It conveyed to him the assurance
+that Minnie regarded the protection of the entire boat's crew, including
+the lieutenant, as quite unnecessary, and that she deemed his single arm
+all that she required or wanted.
+
+The sun was just dipping behind the tall cliffs, and his parting rays
+were kissing the top of Minnie's head as if they positively could not
+help it, and had recklessly made up their mind to do it, come what
+might!
+
+Ruby looked at the golden light kissing the golden hair, and he felt--
+
+Oh! you know, reader; if you have ever been in similar circumstances,
+you _understand_ what he felt; if you have not, no words from me, or
+from any other man, can ever convey to you the most distant idea of
+_what_ Ruby felt on that occasion!
+
+On reaching the shore they all went up to the green banks at the foot of
+the cliffs, and turned round to watch the men as they pulled the boat to
+a convenient point for re-embarking at a moment's notice.
+
+"You see," said the lieutenant, pursuing a conversation which he had
+been holding with the captain, "I have been told that Big Swankie, and
+his mate Davy Spink (who, it seems, is not over-friendly with him just
+now), mean to visit one of the luggers which is expected to come in
+to-night, before the moon rises, and bring off some kegs of Auchmithie
+water, which, no doubt, they will try to hide in Dickmont's Den.  I
+shall lie snugly here on the watch, and hope to nab them before they
+reach that celebrated old smuggler's abode."
+
+"Well, I'll stay about here," said the captain, "and show Minnie the
+caves.  I would like to have taken her to see the Gaylet Pot, which is
+one o' the queerest hereabouts; but I'm too old for such rough work
+now."
+
+"But _I_ am not too old for it," interposed Ruby, "so if Minnie would
+like to go--"
+
+"But I won't desert _you_, uncle," said Minnie hastily.
+
+"Nay, lass, call it not desertion.  I can smoke my pipe here, an'
+contemplate.  I'm fond of contemplation--
+
+  "`By the starry light of the summer night,
+  On the banks of the blue Moselle,'
+
+"Though, for the matter o' that, moonlight'll do, if there's no stars.
+I think it's good for the mind, Minnie, and keeps all taut.
+Contemplation is just like takin' an extra pull on the lee braces.  So
+you may go with Ruby, lass."
+
+Thus advised, and being further urged by Ruby himself, and being
+moreover exceedingly anxious to see this cave, Minnie consented; so the
+two set off together, and, climbing to the summit of the cliffs,
+followed the narrow footpath that runs close to their giddy edge all
+along the coast.
+
+In less than half an hour they reached the Giel or Gaylet Pot.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER NINETEEN.
+
+AN ADVENTURE--SECRETS REVEALED, AND A PRIZE.
+
+The Giel or Gaylet Pot, down into which Ruby, with great care and
+circumspection, led Minnie, is one of the most curious of Nature's
+freaks among the cliffs of Arbroath.
+
+In some places there is a small scrap of pebbly beach at the base of
+those perpendicular cliffs; in most places there is none--the cliffs
+presenting to the sea almost a dead wall, where neither ship nor boat
+could find refuge from the storm.
+
+The country, inland, however, does not partake of the rugged nature of
+the cliffs.  It slopes gradually towards them--so gradually that it may
+be termed flat, and if a stranger were to walk towards the sea over the
+fields in a dark night, the first intimation he would receive of his
+dangerous position would be when his foot descended into the terrible
+abyss that would receive his shattered frame a hundred feet below.
+
+In one of the fields there is a hole about a hundred yards across, and
+as deep as the cliffs in that part are high.  It is about fifty or
+eighty yards from the edge of the cliffs, and resembles an old quarry;
+but it is cut so sharply out of the flat field that it shows no sign of
+its existence until the traveller is close upon it.  The rocky sides,
+too, are so steep, that at first sight it seems as if no man could
+descend into it.  But the most peculiar point about this hole is, that
+at the foot of it there is the opening of a cavern, through which the
+sea rolls into the hole, and breaks in wavelets on a miniature shore.
+The sea has forced its way inland and underground until it has burst
+into the bottom of this hole, which is not inaptly compared to a pot
+with water boiling at the bottom of it.  When a spectator looks into the
+cave, standing at the bottom of the "Pot", he sees the seaward opening
+at the other end--a bright spot of light in the dark interior.
+
+"You won't get nervous, Minnie?" said Ruby, pausing when about halfway
+down the steep declivity, where the track, or rather the place of
+descent, became still more steep and difficult; "a slip here would be
+dangerous."
+
+"I have no fear, Ruby, as long as you keep by me."
+
+In a few minutes they reached the bottom, and, looking up, the sky
+appeared above them like a blue circular ceiling, with the edges of the
+Gaylet Pot sharply defined against it.
+
+Proceeding over a mass of fallen rock, they reached the pebbly strand at
+the cave's inner mouth.
+
+"I can see the interior now, as my eyes become accustomed to the dim
+light," said Minnie, gazing up wistfully into the vaulted roof, where
+the edges of projecting rocks seemed to peer out of darkness.  "Surely
+this must be a place for smugglers to come to!"
+
+"They don't often come here.  The place is not so suitable as many of
+the other caves are."
+
+From the low, subdued tones in which they both spoke, it was evident
+that the place inspired them with feelings of awe.
+
+"Come, Minnie," said Ruby, at length, in a more cheerful tone, "let us
+go into this cave and explore it."
+
+"But the water may be deep," objected Minnie; "besides, I do not like to
+wade, even though it be shallow."
+
+"Nay, sweet one; do you think I would ask you to wet your pretty feet?
+There is very little wading required.  See, I have only to raise you in
+my arms and take two steps into the water, and a third step to the left
+round that projecting rock, where I can set you down on another beach
+inside the cave.  Your eyes will soon get used to the subdued light, and
+then you will see things much more clearly than you would think it
+possible viewed from this point."
+
+Minnie did not require much pressing.  She had perfect confidence in her
+lover, and was naturally fearless in disposition, so she was soon placed
+on the subterranean beach of the Gaylet Cave, and for some time wandered
+about in the dimly-lighted place, leaning on Ruby's arm.
+
+Gradually their eyes became accustomed to the place, and then its
+mysterious beauty and wildness began to have full effect on their minds,
+inducing them to remain for a long time, silent, as they sat side by
+side on a piece of fallen rock.
+
+They sat looking in the direction of the seaward entrance to the cavern,
+where the light glowed brightly on the rocks, gradually losing its
+brilliancy as it penetrated the cave, until it became quite dim in the
+centre.  No part of the main cave was quite dark, but the offshoot, in
+which the lovers sat, was almost dark.  To anyone viewing it from the
+outer cave it would have appeared completely so.
+
+"Is that a sea-gull at the outlet?" enquired Minnie, after a long pause.
+
+Ruby looked intently for a moment in the direction indicated.
+
+"Minnie," he said quickly, and in a tone of surprise, "that is a large
+gull, if it be one at all, and uses oars instead of wings.  Who can it
+be?  Smugglers never come here that I am aware of, and Lindsay is not a
+likely man to waste his time in pulling about when he has other work to
+do."
+
+"Perhaps it may be some fishermen from Auchmithie," suggested Minnie,
+"who are fond of exploring, like you and me."
+
+"Mayhap it is, but we shall soon see, for here they come.  We must keep
+out of sight, my girl."
+
+Ruby rose and led Minnie into the recesses of the cavern, where they
+were speedily shrouded in profound darkness, and could not be seen by
+anyone, although they themselves could observe all that occurred in the
+space in front of them.
+
+The boat, which had entered the cavern by its seaward mouth, was a small
+one, manned by two fishermen, who were silent as they rowed under the
+arched roof; but it was evident that their silence did not proceed from
+caution, for they made no effort to prevent or check the noise of the
+oars.
+
+In a few seconds the keel grated on the pebbles, and one of the men
+leaped out.
+
+"Noo, Davy," he said, in a voice that sounded deep and hollow under that
+vaulted roof, "oot wi' the kegs.  Haste ye, man."
+
+"'Tis Big Swankie," whispered Ruby.
+
+"There's nae hurry," objected the other fisherman, who, we need scarcely
+inform the reader, was our friend, Davy Spink.
+
+"Nae hurry!" repeated his comrade angrily.  "That's aye yer cry.  Half
+o' oor ventures hae failed because ye object to hurry."
+
+"Hoot, man! that's enough o't," said Spink, in the nettled tone of a man
+who has been a good deal worried.  Indeed, the tones of both showed that
+these few sentences were but the continuation of a quarrel which had
+begun elsewhere.
+
+"It's plain to me that we must pairt, freen'," said Swankie in a dogged
+manner, as he lifted a keg out of the boat and placed it on the ground.
+
+"Ay," exclaimed Spink, with something of a sneer, "an' d'ye think I'll
+pairt without a diveesion o' the siller tea-pots and things that ye
+daurna sell for fear o' bein' fund out?"
+
+"I wonder ye dinna claim half o' the jewels and things as weel,"
+retorted Swankie; "ye hae mair right to _them_, seein' ye had a hand in
+findin' them."
+
+"_Me_ a hand in findin' them," exclaimed Spink, with sudden indignation.
+"Was it _me_ that fand the deed body o' the auld man on the Bell Rock?
+Na, na, freend.  I hae naething to do wi' deed men's jewels."
+
+"Have ye no?" retorted the other.  "It's strange, then, that ye should
+entertain such sma' objections to deed men's siller."
+
+"Weel-a-weel, Swankie, the less we say on thae matters the better.
+Here, tak' haud o' the tither keg."
+
+The conversation ceased at this stage abruptly.  Evidently each had
+touched on the other's weak point, so both tacitly agreed to drop the
+subject.
+
+Presently Big Swankie took out a flint and steel, and proceeded to
+strike a light.  It was some some time before the tinder would catch.
+At each stroke of the steel a shower of brilliant sparks lit up his
+countenance for an instant, and this momentary glance showed that its
+expression was not prepossessing by any means.
+
+Ruby drew Minnie farther into the recess which concealed them, and
+awaited the result with some anxiety, for he felt that the amount of
+knowledge with which he had become possessed thus unintentionally, small
+though it was, was sufficient to justify the smugglers in regarding him
+as a dangerous enemy.
+
+He had scarcely drawn himself quite within the shadow of the recess,
+when Swankie succeeded in kindling a torch, which filled the cavern with
+a lurid light, and revealed its various forms, rendering it, if
+possible, more mysterious and unearthly than ever.
+
+"Here, Spink," cried Swankie, who was gradually getting into better
+humour, "haud the light, and gie me the spade."
+
+"Ye better put them behind the rock, far in," suggested Spink.
+
+The other seemed to entertain this idea for a moment, for he raised the
+torch above his head, and, advancing into the cave, carefully examined
+the rocks at the inner end.
+
+Step by step he drew near to the place where Ruby and Minnie were
+concealed, muttering to himself, as he looked at each spot that might
+possibly suit his purpose, "Na, na, the waves wad wash the kegs oot o'
+that if it cam' on to blaw."
+
+He made another step forward, and the light fell almost on the head of
+Ruby, who felt Minnie's arm tremble.  He clenched his hands with that
+feeling of resolve that comes over a man when he has made up his mind to
+fight.
+
+Just then an exclamation of surprise escaped from his comrade.
+
+"Losh! man, what have we here?" he cried, picking up a small object that
+glittered in the light.
+
+Minnie's heart sank, for she could see that the thing was a small brooch
+which she was in the habit of wearing in her neckerchief, and which must
+have been detached when Ruby carried her into the cave.
+
+She felt assured that this would lead to their discovery; but it had
+quite the opposite effect, for it caused Swankie to turn round and
+examine the trinket with much curiosity.
+
+A long discussion as to how it could have come there immediately ensued
+between the smugglers, in the midst of which a wavelet washed against
+Swankie's feet, reminding him that the tide was rising, and that he had
+no time to lose.
+
+"There's nae place behint the rocks," said he quickly, putting the
+brooch in his pocket, "so we'll just hide the kegs amang the stanes.
+Lucky for us that we got the rest o' the cargo run ashore at Auchmithie.
+This'll lie snugly here, and we'll pull past the leftenant, who thinks
+we havena seen him, with oor heeds up and oor tongues in oor cheeks."
+
+They both chuckled heartily at the idea of disappointing the preventive
+officer, and while one held the torch the other dug a hole in the beach
+deep enough to contain the two kegs.
+
+"In ye go, my beauties," said Swankie, covering them up.  "Mony's the
+time I've buried ye."
+
+"Ay, an' mony's the time ye've helped at their resurrection," added
+Spink, with a laugh.
+
+"Noo, we'll away an' have a look at the kegs in the Forbidden Cave,"
+said Swankie, "see that they're a' richt, an' then have our game wi' the
+land-sharks."
+
+Next moment the torch was dashed against the stones and extinguished,
+and the two men, leaping into their boat, rowed away.  As they passed
+through the outer cavern, Ruby heard them arrange to go back to
+Auchmithie.  Their voices were too indistinct to enable him to ascertain
+their object in doing so, but he knew enough of the smugglers to enable
+him to guess that it was for the purpose of warning some of their
+friends of the presence of the preventive boat, which their words proved
+that they had seen.
+
+"Now, Minnie," said he, starting up as soon as the boat had disappeared,
+"this is what I call good luck, for not only shall we be able to return
+with something to the boat, but we shall be able to intercept big
+Swankie and his comrade, and offer them a glass of their own gin!"
+
+"Yes, and I shall be able to boast of having had quite a little
+adventure," said Minnie, who, now that her anxiety was ever, began to
+feel elated.
+
+They did not waste time in conversation, however, for the digging up of
+two kegs from a gravelly beach with fingers instead of a spade was not a
+quick or easy thing to do; so Ruby found as he went down on his knees in
+that dark place and began the work.
+
+"Can I help you?" asked his fair companion after a time.
+
+"Help me!  What?  Chafe and tear your little hands with work that all
+but skins mine?  Nay, truly.  But here comes one, and the other will
+soon follow.  Yo, heave, _Ho_!"
+
+With the well-known nautical shout Ruby put forth an herculean effort,
+and tore the kegs out of the earth.  After a short pause he carried
+Minnie out of the cavern, and led her to the field above by the same
+path by which they had descended.
+
+Then he returned for the kegs of gin.  They were very heavy, but not too
+heavy for the strength of the young giant, who was soon hastening with
+rapid strides towards the bay, where they had left their friends.  He
+bore a keg under each arm, and Minnie tripped lightly by his side,--and
+laughingly, too, for she enjoyed the thought of the discomfiture that
+was in store for the smugglers.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY.
+
+THE SMUGGLERS ARE "TREATED" TO GIN AND ASTONISHMENT.
+
+They found the lieutenant and Captain Ogilvy stretched on the grass,
+smoking their pipes together.  The daylight had almost deepened into
+night, and a few stars were beginning to twinkle in the sky.
+
+"Hey! what have we here--smugglers?" cried the captain, springing up
+rather quickly, as Ruby came unexpectedly on them.
+
+"Just so, uncle," said Minnie, with a laugh.  "We have here some gin,
+smuggled all the way from Holland, and have come to ask your opinion of
+it."
+
+"Why, Ruby, how came you by this?" enquired Lindsay in amazement, as he
+examined the kegs with critical care.
+
+"Suppose I should say that I have been taken into confidence by the
+smugglers and then betrayed them."
+
+"I should reply that the one idea was improbable, and the other
+impossible," returned the lieutenant.
+
+"Well, I have at all events found out their secrets, and now I reveal
+them."
+
+In a few words Ruby acquainted his friends with all that has just been
+narrated.
+
+The moment he had finished, the lieutenant ordered his men to launch the
+boat.  The kegs were put into the stern-sheets, the party embarked, and,
+pushing off, they rowed gently out of the bay, and crept slowly along
+the shore, under the deep shadow of the cliffs.
+
+"How dark it is getting!" said Minnie, after they had rowed for some
+time in silence.
+
+"The moon will soon be up," said the lieutenant.  "Meanwhile I'll cast a
+little light on the subject by having a pipe.  Will you join me,
+captain?"
+
+This was a temptation which the captain never resisted; indeed, he did
+not regard it as a temptation at all, and would have smiled at the idea
+of resistance.
+
+"Minnie, lass," said he, as he complacently filled the blackened bowl,
+and calmly stuffed down the glowing tobacco with the end of that
+marvellously callous little fingers, "it's a wonderful thing that baccy.
+I don't know what man would do without it."
+
+"Quite as well as woman does, I should think," replied Minnie.
+
+"I'm not so sure of that, lass.  It's more nat'ral for man to smoke than
+for woman.  Ye see, woman, lovely woman, should be `all my fancy painted
+her, both lovely and divine.'  It would never do to have baccy perfumes
+hangin' about her rosy lips."
+
+"But, uncle, why should man have the disagreeable perfumes you speak of
+hanging about _his_ lips?"
+
+"I don't know, lass.  It's all a matter o' feeling.  `'Twere vain to
+tell thee all I feel, how much my heart would wish to say;' but of this
+I'm certain sure, that I'd never git along without my pipe.  It's like
+compass, helm, and ballast all in one.  Is that the moon, leftenant?"
+
+The captain pointed to a faint gleam of light on the horizon, which he
+knew well enough to be the moon; but he wished to change the subject.
+
+"Ay is it, and there comes a boat.  Steady, men! lay on your oars a
+bit."
+
+This was said earnestly.  In one instant all were silent, and the boat
+lay as motionless as the shadows of the cliffs among which it was
+involved.
+
+Presently the sound of oars was heard.  Almost at the same moment, the
+upper edge of the moon rose above the horizon, and covered the sea with
+rippling silver.  Ere long a boat shot into this stream of light, and
+rowed swiftly in the direction of Arbroath.
+
+"There are only two men in it," whispered the lieutenant.
+
+"Ay, these are my good friends Swankie and Spink, who know a deal more
+about other improper callings besides smuggling, if I did not greatly
+mistake their words," cried Ruby.
+
+"Give way, lads!" cried the lieutenant.
+
+The boat sprang at the word from her position under the cliffs, and was
+soon out upon the sea in full chase of the smugglers, who bent to their
+oars more lustily, evidently intending to trust to their speed.
+
+"Strange," said the lieutenant, as the distance between the two began
+sensibly to decrease, "if these be smugglers, with an empty boat, as you
+lead me to suppose they are, they would only be too glad to stop and let
+us see that they had nothing aboard that we could touch.  It leads me to
+think that you are mistaken, Ruby Brand, and that these are not your
+friends."
+
+"Nay, the same fact convinces me that they are the very men we seek; for
+they said they meant to have some game with you, and what more amusing
+than to give you a long, hard chase for nothing?"
+
+"True; you are right.  Well, we will turn the tables on them.  Take the
+helm for a minute, while I tap one of the kegs."
+
+The tapping was soon accomplished, and a quantity of the spirit was
+drawn off into the captain's pocket-flask.
+
+"Taste it, captain, and let's have your opinion."  Captain Ogilvy
+complied.  He put the flask to his lips, and, on removing it, smacked
+them, and looked at the party with that extremely grave, almost solemn
+expression, which is usually assumed by a man when strong liquid is
+being put to the delicate test of his palate.
+
+"Oh!" exclaimed the captain, opening his eyes very wide indeed.
+
+What "oh" meant, was rather doubtful at first; but when the captain put
+the flask again to his lips, and took another pull, a good deal longer
+than the first, much, if not all of the doubt was removed.
+
+"Prime! nectar!" he murmured, in a species of subdued ecstasy, at the
+end of the second draught.
+
+"Evidently the right stuff," said Lindsay, laughing.
+
+  "Liquid streams--celestial nectar,
+  Darted through the ambient sky,--"
+
+Said the captain; "liquid, ay, liquid is the word."
+
+He was about to test the liquid again:--
+
+"Stop! stop! fair play, captain; it's my turn now," cried the
+lieutenant, snatching the flask from his friend's grasp, and applying it
+to his own lips.
+
+Both the lieutenant and Ruby pronounced the gin perfect, and as Minnie
+positively refused either to taste or to pronounce judgment, the flask
+was returned to its owner's pocket.
+
+They were now close on the smugglers, whom they hailed, and commanded to
+lay on their oars.
+
+The order was at once obeyed, and the boats were speedily rubbing sides
+together.
+
+"I should like to examine your boat, friends," said the lieutenant as he
+stepped across the gunwales.
+
+"Oh! sir, I'm thankfu' to find you're not smugglers," said Swankie, with
+an assumed air of mingled respect and alarm.
+
+"If we'd only know'd ye was preventives we'd ha' backed oars at once.
+There's nothin' here; ye may seek as long's ye please."
+
+The hypocritical rascal winked slyly to his comrade as he said this.
+Meanwhile Lindsay and one of the men examined the contents of the boat,
+and, finding nothing contraband, the former said--
+
+"So, you're honest men, I find.  Fishermen, doubtless?"
+
+"Ay, some o' yer crew ken us brawly," said Davy Spink with a grin.
+
+"Well, I won't detain you," rejoined the lieutenant; "it's quite a
+pleasure to chase honest men on the high seas in these times of war and
+smuggling.  But it's too bad to have given you such a fright, lads, for
+nothing.  What say you to a glass of gin?"
+
+Big Swankie and his comrade glanced at each other in surprise.  They
+evidently thought this an unaccountably polite Government officer, and
+were puzzled.  However, they could do no less than accept such a
+generous offer.
+
+"Thank'ee, sir," said Big Swankie, spitting out his quid and
+significantly wiping his mouth.  "I hae nae objection.  Doubtless it'll
+be the best that the like o' you carries in yer bottle."
+
+"The best, certainly," said the lieutenant, as he poured out a bumper,
+and handed it to the smuggler.  "It was smuggled, of course, and you see
+His Majesty is kind enough to give his servants a little of what they
+rescue from the rascals, to drink his health."
+
+"Weel, I drink to the King," said Swankie, "an' confusion to all his
+enemies, 'specially to smugglers."
+
+He tossed off the gin with infinite gusto, and handed back the cup with
+a smack of the lips and a look that plainly said, "More, if you please!"
+
+But the hint was not taken.  Another bumper was filled and handed to
+Davy Spink, who had been eyeing the crew of the boat with great
+suspicion.  He accepted the cup, nodded curtly, and said--
+
+"Here's t'ye, gentlemen, no forgettin' the fair leddy in the
+stern-sheets."
+
+While he was drinking the gin the lieutenant turned to his men--
+
+"Get out the keg, lads, from which that came, and refill the flask.
+Hold it well up in the moonlight, and see that ye don't spill a single
+drop, as you value your lives.  Hey! my man, what ails you?  Does the
+gin disagree with your stomach, or have you never seen a smuggled keg of
+spirits before, that you stare at it as if it were a keg of ghosts!"
+
+The latter part of this speech was addressed to Swankie, who no sooner
+beheld the keg than his eyes opened up until they resembled two great
+oysters.  His mouth slowly followed suit.  Davy Spink's attention having
+been attracted, he became subject to similar alterations of visage.
+
+"Hallo!" cried the captain, while the whole crew burst into a laugh,
+"you must have given them poison.  Have you a stomach-pump, doctor?" he
+said, turning hastily to Ruby.
+
+"No, nothing but a penknife and a tobacco-stopper.  If they're of any
+use to you--"
+
+He was interrupted by a loud laugh from Big Swankie, who quickly
+recovered his presence of mind, and declared that he had never tasted
+such capital stuff in his life.
+
+"Have ye much o't, sir?"
+
+"O yes, a good deal.  I have _two_ kegs of it" (the lieutenant grinned
+very hard at this point), "and we expect to get a little more to-night."
+
+"Ha!" exclaimed Davy Spink, "there's no doot plenty o't in the coves
+hereaway, for they're an awfu' smugglin' set.  Whan did ye find the twa
+kegs, noo, if I may ask?"
+
+"Oh, certainly.  I got them not more than an hour ago."
+
+The smugglers glanced at each other and were struck dumb; but they were
+now too much on their guard to let any further evidence of surprise
+escape them.
+
+"Weel, I wush ye success, sirs," said Swankie, sitting down to his oar.
+"It's likely ye'll come across mair if ye try Dickmont's Den.  There's
+usually somethin' hidden thereaboots."
+
+"Thank you, friend, for the hint," said the lieutenant, as he took his
+place at the tiller-ropes, "but I shall have a look at the Gaylet Cove,
+I think, this evening."
+
+"What! the Gaylet Cove?" cried Spink.  "Ye might as weel look for kegs
+at the bottom o' the deep sea."
+
+"Perhaps so; nevertheless, I have taken a fancy to go there.  If I find
+nothing, I will take a look into the _Forbidden Cave_."
+
+"The Forbidden Cave!" almost howled Swankie.  "Wha iver heard o'
+smugglers hidin' onything there?  The air in't wad pushen a rotten."
+
+"Perhaps it would, yet I mean to try."
+
+"Weel-a-weel, ye may try, but ye might as weel seek for kegs o' gin on
+the Bell Rock."
+
+"Ha! it's not the first time that strange things have been found on the
+Bell Rock," said Ruby suddenly.  "I have heard of _jewels_, even, being
+discovered there."
+
+"Give way, men; shove off," cried the lieutenant.  "A pleasant pull to
+you, lads.  Good night."
+
+The two boats parted, and while the lieutenant and his friends made for
+the shore, the smugglers rowed towards Arbroath in a state of mingled
+amazement and despair at what they had heard and seen.
+
+"It was Ruby Brand that spoke last, Davy."
+
+"Ay; he was i' the shadow o' Captain Ogilvy and I couldna see his face,
+but I thought it like his voice when he first spoke."
+
+"Hoo _can_ he hae come to ken aboot the jewels?"
+
+"That's mair than I can tell."
+
+"I'll bury them," said Swankie, "an' then it'll puzzle onybody to tell
+whaur they are."
+
+"Ye'll please yoursell," said Spink.
+
+Swankie was too angry to make any reply, or to enter into further
+conversation with his comrade about the kegs of gin, so they continued
+their way in silence.
+
+Meanwhile, as Lieutenant Lindsay and his men had a night of work before
+them, the captain suggested that Minnie, Ruby, and himself should be
+landed within a mile of the town, and left to find their way thither on
+foot.  This was agreed to; and while the one party walked home by the
+romantic pathway at the top of the cliffs, the other rowed away to
+explore the dark recesses of the Forbidden Cave.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.
+
+THE BELL ROCK AGAIN--A DREARY NIGHT IN A STRANGE HABITATION.
+
+During that winter Ruby Brand wrought diligently in the workyard at the
+lighthouse materials, and, by living economically, began to save a small
+sum of money, which he laid carefully by with a view to his marriage
+with Minnie Gray.
+
+Being an impulsive man, Ruby would have married Minnie, then and there,
+without looking too earnestly to the future.  But his mother had advised
+him to wait till he should have laid by a little for a "rainy day."  The
+captain had recommended patience, tobacco, and philosophy, and had
+enforced his recommendations with sundry apt quotations from dead and
+living novelists, dramatists, and poets.  Minnie herself, poor girl,
+felt that she ought not to run counter to the wishes of her best and
+dearest friends, so she too advised delay for a "little time"; and Ruby
+was fain to content himself with bewailing his hard lot internally, and
+knocking Jamie Dove's bellows, anvils, and sledge-hammers about in a way
+that induced that son of Vulcan to believe his assistant had gone mad!
+
+As for big Swankie, he hid his ill-gotten gains under the floor of his
+tumble-down cottage, and went about his evil courses as usual in company
+with his comrade Davy Spink, who continued to fight and make it up with
+him as of yore.
+
+It must not be supposed that Ruby forgot the conversation he had
+overheard in the Gaylet Cove.  He and Minnie and his uncle had frequent
+discussions in regard to it, but to little purpose; for although Swankie
+and Spink had discovered old Mr Brand's body on the Bell Rock, it did
+not follow that any jewels or money they had found there were
+necessarily his.  Still Ruby could not divest his mind of the feeling
+that there was some connexion between the two, and he was convinced,
+from what had fallen from Davy Spink about "silver teapots and things",
+that Swankie was the man of whose bad deeds he himself had been
+suspected.
+
+As there seemed no possibility of bringing the matter home to him,
+however, he resolved to dismiss the whole affair from his mind in the
+meantime.
+
+Things were very much in this state when, in the spring, the operations
+at the Bell Rock were resumed.
+
+Jamie Dove, Ruby, Robert Selkirk, and several of the principal workmen,
+accompanied the engineers on their first visit to the rock, and they
+sailed towards the scene of their former labours with deep and peculiar
+interest, such as one might feel on renewing acquaintance with an old
+friend who had passed through many hard and trying struggles since the
+last time of meeting.
+
+The storms of winter had raged round the Bell Rock as usual--as they had
+done, in fact, since the world began; but that winter the handiwork of
+man had also been exposed to the fury of the elements there.  It was
+known that the beacon had survived the storms, for it could be seen by
+telescope from the shore in clear weather--like a little speck on the
+seaward horizon.  Now they were about to revisit the old haunt, and have
+a close inspection of the damage that it was supposed must certainly
+have been done.
+
+To the credit of the able engineer who planned and carried out the whole
+works, the beacon was found to have resisted winds and waves
+successfully.
+
+It was on a bitterly cold morning about the end of March that the first
+visit of the season was paid to the Bell Rock.  Mr Stevenson and his
+party of engineers and artificers sailed in the lighthouse yacht; and,
+on coming within a proper distance of the rock, two boats were lowered
+and pushed off.  The sea ran with such force upon the rock that it
+seemed doubtful whether a landing could be effected.  About half-past
+eight, when the rock was fairly above water, several attempts were made
+to land, but the breach of the sea was still so great that they were
+driven back.
+
+On the eastern side the sea separated into two distinct waves, which
+came with a sweep round the western side, where they met, and rose in a
+burst of spray to a considerable height.  Watching, however, for what
+the sailors termed a _smooth_, and catching a favourable opportunity,
+they rowed between the two seas dexterously, and made a successful
+landing at the western creek.
+
+The sturdy beacon was then closely examined.  It had been painted white
+at the end of the previous season, but the lower parts of the posts were
+found to have become green--the sea having clothed them with a soft
+garment of weed.  The sea-birds had evidently imagined that it was put
+up expressly for their benefit; for a number of cormorants and large
+herring-gulls had taken up their quarters on it--finding it, no doubt,
+conveniently near to their fishing-grounds.
+
+A critical inspection of all its parts showed that everything about it
+was in a most satisfactory state.  There was not the slightest
+indication of working or shifting in the great iron stanchions with
+which the beams were fixed, nor of any of the joints or places of
+connexion; and, excepting some of the bracing-chains which had been
+loosened, everything wars found in the same entire state in which it had
+been left the previous season.
+
+Only those who know what that beacon had been subjected to can form a
+correct estimate of the importance of this discovery, and the amount of
+satisfaction it afforded to those most interested in the works at the
+Bell Rock.  To say that the party congratulated themselves would be far
+short of the reality.  They hailed the event with cheers, and their
+looks seemed to indicate that some piece of immense and unexpected good
+fortune had befallen each individual.
+
+From that moment Mr Stevenson saw the practicability and propriety of
+fitting up the beacon, not only as a place of refuge in case of
+accidents to the boats in landing, but as a residence for the men during
+the working months.
+
+From that moment, too, poor Jamie Dove began to see the dawn of happier
+days; for when the beacon should be fitted up as a residence he would
+bid farewell to the hated floating light, and take up his abode, as he
+expressed it, "on land."
+
+"On land!"  It is probable that this Jamie Dove was the first man, since
+the world began, who had entertained the till then absurdly preposterous
+notion that the fatal Bell Rock was "land," or that it could be made a
+place of even temporary residence.
+
+A hundred years ago men would have laughed at the bare idea.  Fifty
+years ago that idea was realised; for more than half a century that
+sunken reef has been, and still is, the safe and comfortable home of
+man!
+
+Forgive, reader, our tendency to anticipate.  Let us proceed with our
+inspection.
+
+Having ascertained that the foundations of the beacon were all right,
+the engineers next ascended to the upper parts, where they found the
+cross-beams and their fixtures in an equally satisfactory condition.
+
+On the top a strong chest had been fixed the preceding season, in which
+had been placed a quantity of sea-biscuits and several bottles of water,
+in case of accident to the boats, or in the event of shipwreck occurring
+on the rock.  The biscuit, having been carefully placed in tin
+canisters, was found in good condition, but several of the water-bottles
+had burst, in consequence, it was supposed, of frost during the winter.
+Twelve of the bottles, however, remained entire, so that the Bell Rock
+may be said to have been transformed, even at that date, from a point of
+destruction into a place of comparative safety.
+
+While the party were thus employed, the landing-master reminded them
+that the sea was running high, and that it would be necessary to set off
+while the rock afforded anything like shelter to the boats, which by
+that time had been made fast to the beacon and rode with much agitation,
+each requiring two men with boat-hooks to keep them from striking each
+other, or ranging up against the beacon.  But under these circumstances
+the greatest confidence was felt by everyone, from the security afforded
+by that temporary erection; for, supposing that the wind had suddenly
+increased to a gale, and that it had been found inadvisable to go into
+the boats; or supposing they had drifted or sprung a leak from striking
+upon the rocks, in any of these possible, and not at all improbable,
+cases, they had now something to lay hold of, and, though occupying the
+dreary habitation of the gull and the cormorant, affording only bread
+and water, yet _life_ would be preserved, and, under the circumstances,
+they would have been supported by the hope of being ultimately relieved.
+
+Soon after this the works at the Bell Rock were resumed, with, if
+possible, greater vigour than before, and ere long the "house" was fixed
+to the top of the beacon, and the engineer and his men took up their
+abode there.
+
+Think of this, reader.  Six great wooden beams were fastened to a rock,
+over which the waves roared twice every day, and on the top of these a
+pleasant little marine residence was nailed, as one might nail a dovecot
+on the top of a pole!
+
+This residence was ultimately fitted up in such a way as to become a
+comparatively comfortable and commodious abode.  It contained four
+storeys.  The first was the mortar-gallery, where the mortar for the
+lighthouse was mixed as required; it also supported the forge.  The
+second was the cook-room.  The third the apartment of the engineer and
+his assistants; and the fourth was the artificers' barrack-room.  This
+house was of course built of wood, but it was firmly put together, for
+it had to pass through many a terrific ordeal.
+
+In order to give some idea of the interior, we shall describe the cabin
+of Mr Stevenson.  It measured four feet three inches in breadth on the
+floor, and though, from the oblique direction of the beams of the
+beacon, it widened towards the top, yet it did not admit of the full
+extension of the occupant's arms when he stood on the floor.  Its length
+was little more than sufficient to admit of a cot-bed being suspended
+during the night.  This cot was arranged so as to be triced up to the
+roof during the day, thus leaving free room for occasional visitors, and
+for comparatively free motion.  A folding table was attached with hinges
+immediately under the small window of the apartment.  The remainder of
+the space was fitted up with books, barometer, thermometer, portmanteau,
+and two or three camp-stools.
+
+The walls were covered with green cloth, formed into panels with red
+tape, a substance which, by the way, might have had an _accidental_
+connexion with the Bell Rock Lighthouse, but which could not, by any
+possibility, have influenced it as a _principle_, otherwise that
+building would probably never have been built, or, if built, would
+certainly not have stood until the present day!  The bed was festooned
+with yellow cotton stuff, and the diet being plain, the paraphernalia of
+the table was proportionally simple.
+
+It would have been interesting to know the individual books required and
+used by the celebrated engineer in his singular abode, but his record
+leaves no detailed account of these.  It does, however, contain a
+sentence in regard to one volume which we deem it just to his character
+to quote.  He writes thus:--
+
+"If, in speculating upon the abstract wants of man in such a state of
+exclusion, one were reduced to a single book, the Sacred Volume, whether
+considered for the striking diversity of its story, the morality of its
+doctrine, or the important truths of its gospel, would have proved by
+far the greatest treasure."
+
+It may be easily imagined that in a place where the accommodation of the
+principal engineer was so limited, that of the men was not extensive.
+Accordingly, we find that the barrack-room contained beds for twenty-one
+men.
+
+But the completion of the beacon house, as we have described it, was not
+accomplished in one season.  At first it was only used as a smith's
+workshop, and then as a temporary residence in fine weather.
+
+One of the first men who remained all night upon it was our friend
+Bremner.  He became so tired of the floating light that he earnestly
+solicited, and obtained, permission to remain on the beacon.
+
+At the time it was only in a partially sheltered state.  The joiners had
+just completed the covering of the roof with a quantity of tarpaulin,
+which the seamen had laid over with successive coats of hot tar, and the
+sides of the erection had been painted with three coats of white lead.
+Between the timber framing of the habitable part, the interstices were
+stuffed with moss, but the green baize cloth with which it was
+afterwards lined had not been put on when Bremner took possession.
+
+It was a splendid summer evening when the bold man made his request, and
+obtained permission to remain.  None of the others would join him.  When
+the boats pushed off and left him the solitary occupant of the rock, he
+felt a sensation of uneasiness, but, having formed his resolution, he
+stuck by it, and bade his comrades good night cheerfully.
+
+"Good night, and good_bye_," cried Forsyth, as he took his seat at the
+oar.
+
+"Farewell, dear," cried O'Connor, wiping his eyes with a _very_ ragged
+pocket handkerchief.
+
+"You won't forget me?" retorted Bremner.
+
+"Never," replied Dumsby, with fervour.
+
+"Av the beacon should be carried away, darlin'," cried O'Connor, "howld
+tight to the provision-chest, p'raps ye'll be washed ashore."
+
+"I'll drink your health in water, Paddy," replied Bremner.
+
+"Faix, I hope it won't be salt wather," retorted Ned.
+
+They continued to shout good wishes, warnings, and advice to their
+comrade until out of hearing, and then waved adieu to him until he was
+lost to view.
+
+We have said that Bremner was alone, yet he was not entirely so; he had
+a comrade with him, in the shape of his little black dog, to which
+reference has already been made.  This creature was of that very thin
+and tight-skinned description of dog, that trembles at all times as if
+afflicted with chronic cold, summer and winter.  Its thin tail was
+always between its extremely thin legs, as though it lived in a
+perpetual condition of wrong-doing, and were in constant dread of
+deserved punishment.  Yet no dog ever belied its looks more than did
+this one, for it was a good dog, and a warm-hearted dog, and never did a
+wicked thing, and never was punished, so that its excessive humility and
+apparent fear and trembling were quite unaccountable.  Like all dogs of
+its class it was passionately affectionate, and intensely grateful for
+the smallest favour.  In fact, it seemed to be rather thankful than
+otherwise for a kick when it chanced to receive one, and a pat on the
+head, or a kind word made it all but jump out of its black skin for very
+joy.
+
+Bremner called it "Pup."  It had no other name, and didn't seem to wish
+for one.  On the present occasion it was evidently much perplexed, and
+very unhappy, for it looked at the boat, and then wistfully into its
+master's face, as if to say, "This is awful; have you resolved that we
+shall perish together?"
+
+"Now, Pup," said Bremner, when the boat disappeared in the shades of
+evening, "you and I are left alone on the Bell Rock!"
+
+There was a touch of sad uncertainty in the wag of the tail with which
+Pup received this remark.
+
+"But cheer up, Pup," cried Bremner with a sudden burst of animation that
+induced the creature to wriggle and dance on its hind legs for at least
+a minute, "you and I shall have a jolly night together on the beacon; so
+come along."
+
+Like many a night that begins well, that particular night ended ill.
+Even while the man spoke, a swell began to rise, and, as the tide had by
+that time risen a few feet, an occasional billow swept over the rocks
+and almost washed the feet of Bremner as he made his way over the
+ledges.  In five minutes the sea was rolling all round the foot of the
+beacon, and Bremner and his friend were safely ensconced on the
+mortar-gallery.
+
+There was no storm that night, nevertheless there was one of those heavy
+ground swells that are of common occurrence in the German Ocean.
+
+It is supposed that this swell is caused by distant westerly gales in
+the Atlantic, which force an undue quantity of water into the North Sea,
+and thus produce the apparent paradox of great rolling breakers in calm
+weather.
+
+On this night there was no wind at all, but there was a higher swell
+than usual, so that each great billow passed over the rock with a roar
+that was rendered more than usually terrible, in consequence of the
+utter absence of all other sounds.
+
+At first Bremner watched the rising tide, and as he sat up there in the
+dark he felt himself dreadfully forsaken and desolate, and began to
+comment on things in general to his dog, by way of inducing a more
+sociable and cheery state of mind.
+
+"Pup, this is a lugubrious state o' things.  Wot d'ye think o't?"
+
+Pup did not say, but he expressed such violent joy at being noticed,
+that he nearly fell off the platform of the mortar-gallery in one of his
+extravagant gyrations.
+
+"That won't do, Pup," said Bremner, shaking his head at the creature,
+whose countenance expressed deep contrition.  "Don't go on like that,
+else you'll fall into the sea and be drownded, and then I shall be left
+alone.  What a dark night it is, to be sure!  I doubt if it was wise of
+me to stop here.  Suppose the beacon were to be washed away?"
+
+Bremner paused, and Pup wagged his tail interrogatively, as though to
+say, "What then?"
+
+"Ah! it's of no use supposin'," continued the man slowly.  "The beacon
+has stood it out all winter, and it ain't likely it's goin' to be washed
+away to-night.  But suppose I was to be took bad?"
+
+Again the dog seemed to demand, "What then?"
+
+"Well, that's not very likely either, for I never was took bad in my
+life since I took the measles, and that's more than twenty years ago.
+Come, Pup, don't let us look at the black side o' things, let us try to
+be cheerful, my dog.  Hallo!"
+
+The exclamation was caused by the appearance of a green billow, which in
+the uncertain light seemed to advance in a threatening attitude towards
+the beacon as if to overwhelm it, but it fell at some distance, and only
+rolled in a churning sea of milky foam among the posts, and sprang up
+and licked the beams, as a serpent might do before swallowing them.
+
+"Come, it was the light deceived me.  If I go for to start at every wave
+like that I'll have a poor night of it, for the tide has a long way to
+rise yet.  Let's go and have a bit supper, lad."
+
+Bremner rose from the anvil, on which he had seated himself, and went up
+the ladder into the cook-house above.  Here all was pitch dark, owing to
+the place being enclosed all round, which the mortar-gallery was not,
+but a light was soon struck, a lamp trimmed, and the fire in the stove
+kindled.
+
+Bremner now busied himself in silently preparing a cup of tea, which,
+with a quantity of sea-biscuit, a little cold salt pork, and a hunk of
+stale bread, constituted his supper.  Pup watched his every movement
+with an expression of earnest solicitude, combined with goodwill, in his
+sharp intelligent eyes.
+
+When supper was ready Pup had his share, then, feeling that the duties
+of the day were now satisfactorily accomplished, he coiled himself up at
+his master's feet, and went to sleep.  His master rolled himself up in a
+rug, and lying down before the fire, also tried to sleep, but without
+success for a long time.
+
+As he lay there counting the number of seconds of awful silence that
+elapsed between the fall of each successive billow, and listening to the
+crash and the roar as wave after wave rushed underneath him, and caused
+his habitation to tremble, he could not avoid feeling alarmed in some
+degree.  Do what he would, the thought of the wrecks that had taken
+place there, the shrieks that must have often rung above these rocks,
+and the dead and mangled bodies that must have lain among them, _would_
+obtrude upon him and banish sleep from his eyes.
+
+At last he became somewhat accustomed to the rush of waters and the
+tremulous motion of the beacon.  His frame, too, exhausted by a day of
+hard toil, refused to support itself, and he sank into slumber.  But it
+was not unbroken.  A falling cinder from the sinking fire would awaken
+him with a start; a larger wave than usual would cause him to spring up
+and look round in alarm; or a shrieking sea-bird, as it swooped past,
+would induce a dream, in which the cries of drowning men arose, causing
+him to awake with a cry that set Pup barking furiously.
+
+Frequently during that night, after some such dream, Bremner would get
+up and descend to the mortar-gallery to see that all was right there.
+He found the waves always hissing below, but the starry sky was calm and
+peaceful above, so he returned to his couch comforted a little, and fell
+again into a troubled sleep, to be again awakened by frightful dreams of
+dreadful sights, and scenes of death and danger on the sea.
+
+Thus the hours wore slowly away.  As the tide fell the noise of waves
+retired a little from the beacon, and the wearied man and dog sank
+gradually at last into deep, untroubled slumber.
+
+So deep was it, that they did not hear the increasing noise of the gulls
+as they wheeled round the beacon after having breakfasted near it; so
+deep, that they did not feel the sun as it streamed through an opening
+in the woodwork and glared on their respective faces; so deep, that they
+were ignorant of the arrival of the boats with the workmen, and were
+dead to the shouts of their companions, until one of them, Jamie Dove,
+put his head up the hatchway and uttered one of his loudest roars, close
+to their ears.
+
+Then indeed Bremner rose up and looked bewildered, and Pup, starting up,
+barked as furiously as if its own little black body had miraculously
+become the concentrated essence of all the other noisy dogs in the wide
+world rolled into one!
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.
+
+LIFE IN THE BEACON--STORY OF THE EDDYSTONE LIGHTHOUSE.
+
+Some time after this a number of the men took up their permanent abode
+in the beacon house, and the work was carried on by night as well as by
+day, when the state of the tide and the weather permitted.
+
+Immense numbers of fish called poddlies were discovered to be swimming
+about at high water.  So numerous were they, that the rock was sometimes
+hidden by the shoals of them.  Fishing for these thenceforth became a
+pastime among the men, who not only supplied their own table with fresh
+fish, but at times sent presents of them to their friends in the
+vessels.
+
+All the men who dwelt on the beacon were volunteers, for Mr Stevenson
+felt that it would be cruel to compel men to live at such a post of
+danger.  Those who chose, therefore, remained in the lightship or the
+tender, and those who preferred it went to the beacon.  It is scarcely
+necessary to add, that among the latter were found all the "sea-sick
+men!"
+
+These bold artificers were not long of having their courage tested.
+Soon after their removal to the beacon they experienced some very rough
+weather, which shook the posts violently, and caused them to twist in a
+most unpleasant way.
+
+But it was not until some time after that a storm arose, which caused
+the stoutest-hearted of them all to quail more than once.
+
+It began on the night of as fine a day as they had had the whole season.
+
+In order that the reader may form a just conception of what we are about
+to describe, it may not be amiss to note the state of things at the
+rock, and the employment of the men at the time.
+
+A second forge had been put up on the higher platform of the beacon, but
+the night before that of which we write, the lower platform had been
+burst up by a wave, and the mortar and forge thereon, with all the
+implements, were cast down.  The damaged forge was therefore set up for
+the time on its old site, near the foundation-pit of the lighthouse,
+while the carpenters were busy repairing the mortar-gallery.
+
+The smiths were as usual busy sharpening picks and irons, and making
+bats and stanchions, and other iron work connected with the building
+operations.  The landing-master's crew were occupied in assisting the
+millwrights to lay the railways to hand, and joiners were kept almost
+constantly employed in fitting picks to their handles, which latter were
+very frequently broken.
+
+Nearly all the miscellaneous work was done by seamen.  There was no such
+character on the Bell Rock as the common labourer.  The sailors
+cheerfully undertook the work usually performed by such men, and they
+did it admirably.
+
+In consequence of the men being able to remain on the beacon, the work
+went on literally "by double tides"; and at night the rock was often
+ablaze with torches, while the artificers wrought until the waves drove
+them away.
+
+On the night in question there was a low spring-tide, so that a
+night-tide's work of five hours was secured.  This was one of the
+longest spells they had had since the beginning of the operations.
+
+The stars shone brightly in a very dark sky.  Not a breath of air was
+felt.  Even the smoke of the forge fire rose perpendicularly a short
+way, until an imperceptible zephyr wafted it gently to the west.  Yet
+there was a heavy swell rolling in from the eastward, which caused
+enormous waves to thunder on Ralph the Rover's Ledge, as if they would
+drive down the solid rock.
+
+Mingled with this solemn, intermittent roar of the sea was the
+continuous clink of picks, chisels, and hammers, and the loud clang of
+the two forges; that on the beacon being distinctly different from the
+other, owing to the wooden erection on which it stood rendering it deep
+and thunderous.  Torches and forge fires cast a glare over all,
+rendering the foam pale green and the rocks deep red.  Some of the
+active figures at work stood out black and sharp against the light,
+while others shone in its blaze like red-hot fiends.  Above all sounded
+an occasional cry from the sea-gulls, as they swooped down into the
+magic circle of light, and then soared away shrieking into darkness.
+
+"Hard work's not easy," observed James Dove, pausing in the midst of his
+labours to wipe his brow.
+
+"True for ye; but as we've got to arn our brid be the sweat of our
+brows, we're in the fair way to fortin," said Ned O'Connor, blowing away
+energetically with the big bellows.
+
+Ned had been reappointed to this duty since the erection of the second
+forge, which was in Ruby's charge.  It was our hero's hammer that
+created such a din up in the beacon, while Dove wrought down on the
+rock.
+
+"We'll have a gale to-night," said the smith; "I know that by the
+feelin' of the air."
+
+"Well, I can't boast o' much knowledge o' feelin'," said O'Connor; "but
+I believe you're right, for the fish towld me the news this mornin'."
+
+This remark of Ned had reference to a well-ascertained fact, that, when
+a storm was coming, the fish invariably left the neighbourhood of the
+rock; doubtless in order to seek the security of depths which are not
+affected by winds or waves.
+
+While Dove and his comrade commented on this subject, two of the other
+men had retired to the south-eastern end of the rock to take a look at
+the weather.  These were Peter Logan, the foreman, whose position
+required him to have a care for the safety of the men as well as for the
+progress of the work, and our friend Bremner, who had just descended
+from the cooking-room, where he had been superintending the preparation
+of supper.
+
+"It will be a stiff breeze, I fear, to-night," said Logan.
+
+"D'ye think so I" said Bremner; "it seems to me so calm that I would
+think a storm a'most impossible.  But the fish never tell lies."
+
+"True.  You got no fish to-day, I believe?" said Logan.
+
+"Not a nibble," replied the other.
+
+As he spoke, he was obliged to rise from a rock on which he had seated
+himself, because of a large wave, which, breaking on the outer reefs,
+sent the foam a little closer to his toes than was agreeable.
+
+"That was a big one, but yonder is a bigger," cried Logan.
+
+The wave to which he referred was indeed a majestic wall of water.  It
+came on with such an awful appearance of power, that some of the men who
+perceived it could not repress a cry of astonishment.
+
+In another moment it fell, and, bursting over the rocks with a terrific
+roar, extinguished the forge fire, and compelled the men to take refuge
+in the beacon.
+
+Jamie Dove saved his bellows with difficulty.  The other men, catching
+up their things as they best might, crowded up the ladder in a more or
+less draggled condition.
+
+The beacon house was gained by means of one of the main beams, which had
+been converted into a stair, by the simple process of nailing small
+battens thereon, about a foot apart from each other.  The men could only
+go up one at a time, but as they were active and accustomed to the work,
+were all speedily within their place of refuge.  Soon afterwards the sea
+covered the rock, and the place where they had been at work was a mass
+of seething foam.
+
+Still there was no wind; but dark clouds had begun to rise on the
+seaward horizon.
+
+The sudden change in the appearance of the rock after the last torches
+were extinguished was very striking.  For a few seconds there seemed to
+be no light at all.  The darkness of a coal mine appeared to have
+settled down on the scene.  But this soon passed away, as the men's eyes
+became accustomed to the change, and then the dark loom of the advancing
+billows, the pale light of the flashing foam, and occasional gleams of
+phosphorescence, and glimpses of black rocks in the midst of all, took
+the place of the warm, busy scene which the spot had presented a few
+minutes before.
+
+"Supper, boys!" shouted Bremner.
+
+Peter Bremner, we may remark in passing, was a particularly useful
+member of society.  Besides being small and corpulent, he was a capital
+cook.  He had acted during his busy life both as a groom and a
+house-servant; he had been a soldier, a sutler, a writer's clerk, and an
+apothecary--in which latter profession he had acquired the art of
+writing and suggesting recipes, and a taste for making collections in
+natural history.  He was very partial to the use of the lancet, and
+quite a terrible adept at tooth-drawing.  In short, Peter was the
+_factotum_ of the beacon house, where, in addition to his other offices,
+he filled those of barber and steward to the admiration of all.
+
+But Bremner came out in quite a new and valuable light after he went to
+reside in the beacon--namely, as a storyteller.  During the long periods
+of inaction that ensued, when the men were imprisoned there by storms,
+he lightened many an hour that would have otherwise hung heavily on
+their hands, and he cheered the more timid among them by speaking
+lightly of the danger of their position.
+
+On the signal for supper being given, there was a general rush down the
+ladders into the kitchen, where as comfortable a meal as one could wish
+for was smoking in pot and pan and platter.
+
+As there were twenty-three to partake, it was impossible, of course, for
+all to sit down to table.  They were obliged to stow themselves away on
+such articles of furniture as came most readily to hand, and eat as they
+best could.  Hungry men find no difficulty in doing this.  For some time
+the conversation was restricted to a word or two.  Soon, however, as
+appetite began to be appeased, tongues began to loosen.  The silence was
+first broken by a groan.
+
+"Ochone!" exclaimed O'Connor, as well as a mouthful of pork and potatoes
+would allow him; "was it _you_ that groaned like a dyin' pig?"
+
+The question was put to Forsyth, who was holding his head between his
+hands, and swaying his body to and fro in agony.
+
+"Hae ye the colic, freen'?" enquired John Watt, in a tone of sympathy.
+
+"No-n-o," groaned Forsyth, "it's a--a--too-tooth!"
+
+"Och! is that all?"
+
+"Have it out, man, at once."
+
+"Ram a red-hot skewer into it."
+
+"No, no; let it alone, and it'll go away."
+
+Such was the advice tendered, and much more of a similar nature, to the
+suffering man.
+
+"There's nothink like 'ot water an' cold," said Joe Dumsby in the tones
+of an oracle.  "Just fill your mouth with bilin' 'ot Water, an' dip your
+face in a basin o' cold, and it's sartain to cure."
+
+"Or kill," suggested Jamie Dove.
+
+"It's better now," said Forsyth, with a sigh of relief.  "I scrunched a
+bit o' bone into it; that was all."
+
+"There's nothing like the string and the red-hot poker," suggested Ruby
+Brand.  "Tie the one end o' the string to a post and t'other end to the
+tooth, an' stick a red-hot poker to your nose.  Away it comes at once."
+
+"Hoot! nonsense," said Watt.  "Ye might as weel tie a string to his lug
+an' dip him into the sea.  Tak' my word for't, there's naethin' like
+pooin'."
+
+"D'you mean pooh pooin'?" enquired Dumsby.
+
+Watt's reply was interrupted by a loud gust of wind, which burst upon
+the beacon house at that moment and shook it violently.
+
+Everyone started up, and all clustered round the door and windows to
+observe the appearance of things without.  Every object was shrouded in
+thick darkness, but a flash of lightning revealed the approach of the
+storm which had been predicted, and which had already commenced to blow.
+
+All tendency to jest instantly vanished, and for a time some of the men
+stood watching the scene outside, while others sat smoking their pipes
+by the fire in silence.
+
+"What think ye of things?" enquired one of the men, as Ruby came up from
+the mortar-gallery, to which he had descended at the first gust of the
+storm.
+
+"I don't know what to think," said he gravely.  "It's clear enough that
+we shall have a stiffish gale.  I think little of that with a tight
+craft below me and plenty of sea-room; but I don't know what to think of
+a _beacon_ in a gale."
+
+As he spoke another furious burst of wind shook the place, and a flash
+of vivid lightning was speedily followed by a crash of thunder, that
+caused some hearts there to beat faster and harder than usual.
+
+"Pooh!" cried Bremner, as he proceeded coolly to wash up his dishes,
+"that's nothing, boys.  Has not this old timber house weathered all the
+gales o' last winter, and d'ye think it's goin' to come down before a
+summer breeze?  Why, there's a lighthouse in France, called the Tour de
+Cordouan, which rises light out o' the sea, an' I'm told it had some
+fearful gales to try its metal when it was buildin'.  So don't go an'
+git narvous."
+
+"Who's gittin' narvous?" exclaimed George Forsyth, at whom Bremner had
+looked when he made the last remark.
+
+"Sure ye misjudge him," cried O'Connor.  "It's only another twist o' the
+toothick.  But it's all very well in you to spake lightly o' gales in
+that fashion.  Wasn't the Eddystone Lighthouse cleared away one stormy
+night, with the engineer and all the men, an' was niver more heard on?"
+
+"That's true," said Ruby.  "Come, Bremner, I have heard you say that you
+had read all about that business.  Let's hear the story; it will help to
+while away the time, for there's no chance of anyone gettin' to sleep
+with such a row outside."
+
+"I wish it may be no worse than a row outside," said Forsyth in a
+doleful tone, as he shook his head and looked round on the party
+anxiously.
+
+"Wot! another fit o' the toothick?" enquired O'Connor ironically.
+
+"Don't try to put us in the dismals," said Jamie Dove, knocking the
+ashes out of his pipe, and refilling that solace of his leisure hours.
+"Let us hear about the Eddystone, Bremner; it'll cheer up our spirits a
+bit."
+
+"Will it though?" said Bremner, with a look that John Watt described as
+"awesome", "Well, we shall see."
+
+"You must know, boys--"
+
+"'Ere, light your pipe, my 'earty," said Dumsby.
+
+"Hold yer tongue, an' don't interrupt him," cried one of the men,
+flattening Dumsby's cap over his eyes.
+
+"And don't drop yer _h_aitches," observed another, "'cause if ye do
+they'll fall into the sea an' be drownded, an' then ye'll have none left
+to put into their wrong places when ye wants 'em."
+
+"Come, Bremner, go on."
+
+"Well, then, boys," began Bremner, "you must know that it is more than a
+hundred years since the Eddystone Lighthouse was begun--in the year
+1696, if I remember rightly--that would be just a hundred and thirteen
+years to this date.  Up to that time these rocks were as great a terror
+to sailors as the Bell Rock is now, or, rather, as it was last year, for
+now that this here comfortable beacon has been put up, it's no longer a
+terror to nobody--"
+
+"Except Geordie Forsyth," interposed O'Connor.
+
+"Silence," cried the men.
+
+"Well," resumed Bremner, "as you all know, the Eddystone Rocks lie in
+the British Channel, fourteen miles from Plymouth and ten from the Ram
+Head, an' open to a most tremendious sea from the Bay o' Biscay and the
+Atlantic, as I knows well, for I've passed the place in a gale, close
+enough a'most to throw a biscuit on the rocks.
+
+"They are named the Eddystone Rocks because of the whirls and eddies
+that the tides make among them; but for the matter of that, the Bell
+Rock might be so named on the same ground.  Howsever, it's six o' one
+an' half a dozen o' t'other.  Only there's this difference, that the
+highest point o' the Eddystone is barely covered at high water, while
+here the rock is twelve or fifteen feet below water at high tide.
+
+"Well, it was settled by the Trinity Board in 1696, that a lighthouse
+should be put up, and a Mr Winstanley was engaged to do it.  He was an
+uncommon clever an' ingenious man.  He used to exhibit wonderful
+waterworks in London; and in his house, down in Essex, he used to
+astonish his friends, and frighten them sometimes, with his queer
+contrivances.  He had invented an easy chair which laid hold of anyone
+that sat down in it, and held him prisoner until Mr Winstanley set him
+free.  He made a slipper also, and laid it on his bedroom floor, and
+when anyone put his foot into it he touched a spring that caused a ghost
+to rise from the hearth.  He made a summer house, too, at the foot of
+his garden, on the edge of a canal, and if anyone entered into it and
+sat down, he very soon found himself adrift on the canal.
+
+"Such a man was thought to be the best for such a difficult work as the
+building of a lighthouse on the Eddystone, so he was asked to undertake
+it, and agreed, and began it well.  He finished it, too, in four years,
+his chief difficulty being the distance of the rock from land, and the
+danger of goin' backwards and forwards.  The light was first shown on
+the 14th November, 1698.  Before this the engineer had resolved to pass
+a night in the building, which he did with a party of men; but he was
+compelled to pass more than a night, for it came on to blow furiously,
+and they were kept prisoners for eleven days, drenched with spray all
+the time, and hard up for provisions.
+
+"It was said the sprays rose a hundred feet above the lantern of this
+first Eddystone Lighthouse.  Well, it stood till the year 1703, when
+repairs became necessary, and Mr Winstanley went down to Plymouth to
+superintend.  It had been prophesied that this lighthouse would
+certainly be carried away.  But dismal prophecies are always made about
+unusual things.  If men were to mind prophecies there would be precious
+little done in this world.  Howsever, the prophecies unfortunately came
+true.  Winstanley's friends advised him not to go to stay in it, but he
+was so confident of the strength of his work that he said he only wished
+to have the chance o' bein' there in the greatest storm that ever blew,
+that he might see what effect it would have on the buildin'.  Poor man!
+he had his wish.  On the night of the 26th November a terrible storm
+arose, the worst that had been for many years, and swept the lighthouse
+entirely away.  Not a vestige of it or the people on it was ever seen
+afterwards.  Only a few bits of the iron fastenings were left fixed in
+the rocks."
+
+"That was terrible," said Forsyth, whose uneasiness was evidently
+increasing with the rising storm.
+
+"Ay, but the worst of it was," continued Bremner, "that, owing to the
+absence of the light, a large East Indiaman went on the rocks
+immediately after, and became a total wreck.  This, however, set the
+Trinity House on putting up another, which was begun in 1706, and the
+light shown in 1708.  This tower was ninety-two feet high, built partly
+of wood and partly of stone.  It was a strong building, and stood for
+forty-nine years.  Mayhap it would have been standin' to this day but
+for an accident, which you shall hear of before I have done.  While this
+lighthouse was building, a French privateer carried off all the workmen
+prisoners to France, but they were set at liberty by the King, because
+their work was of such great use to all nations.
+
+"The lighthouse, when finished, was put in charge of two keepers, with
+instructions to hoist a flag when anything was wanted from the shore.
+One of these men became suddenly ill, and died.  Of course his comrade
+hoisted the signal, but the weather was so bad that it was found
+impossible to send a boat off for four weeks.  The poor keeper was so
+afraid that people might suppose he had murdered his companion that he
+kept the corpse beside him all that time.  What his feelin's could have
+been I don't know, but they must have been awful; for, besides the
+horror of such a position in such a lonesome place, the body decayed to
+an extent--"
+
+"That'll do, lad; don't be too partickler," said Jamie Dove.
+
+The others gave a sigh of relief at the interruption, and Bremner
+continued--
+
+"There were always _three_ keepers in the Eddystone after that.  Well,
+it was in the year 1755, on the 2nd December, that one o' the keepers
+went to snuff the candles, for they only burned candles in the
+lighthouses at that time, and before that time great open grates with
+coal fires were the most common; but there were not many lights either
+of one kind or another in those days.  On gettin' up to the lantern he
+found it was on fire.  All the efforts they made failed to put it out,
+and it was soon burned down.  Boats put off to them, but they only
+succeeded in saving the keepers; and of them, one went mad on reaching
+the shore, and ran off, and never was heard of again; and another, an
+old man, died from the effects of melted lead which had run down his
+throat from the roof of the burning lighthouse.  They did not believe
+him when he said he had swallowed lead, but after he died it was found
+to be a fact.
+
+"The tower became red-hot, and burned for five days before it was
+utterly destroyed.  This was the end o' the second Eddystone.  Its
+builder was a Mr John Rudyerd, a silk mercer of London.
+
+"The third Eddystone, which has now stood for half a century as firm as
+the rock itself, and which bids fair to stand till the end of time, was
+begun in 1756 and completed in 1759.  It was lighted by means of
+twenty-four candles.  Of Mr Smeaton, the engineer who built it, those
+who knew him best said that `he had never undertaken anything without
+completing it to the satisfaction of his employers.'
+
+"D'ye know, lads," continued Bremner in a half-musing tone, "I've
+sometimes been led to couple this character of Smeaton with the text
+that he put round the top of the first room of the lighthouse--`Except
+the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it;' and also
+the words, `Praise God,' which he cut in Latin on the last stone, the
+lintel of the lantern door.  I think these words had somethin' to do
+with the success of the last Eddystone Lighthouse."
+
+"I agree with you," said Robert Selkirk, with a nod of hearty approval;
+"and, moreover, I think the Bell Rock Lighthouse stands a good chance of
+equal success, for whether he means to carve texts on the stones or not
+I don't know, but I feel assured that _our_ engineer is animated by the
+same spirit."
+
+When Bremner's account of the Eddystone came to a close, most of the men
+had finished their third or fourth pipes, yet no one proposed going to
+rest.
+
+The storm without raged so furiously that they felt a strong
+disinclination to separate.  At last, however, Peter Logan rose, and
+said he would turn in for a little.  Two or three of the others also
+rose, and were about to ascend to their barrack, when a heavy sea struck
+the building, causing it to quiver to its foundation.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.
+
+THE STORM.
+
+"'Tis a fearful night," said Logan, pausing with his foot on the first
+step of the ladder.  "Perhaps we had better sit up."
+
+"What's the use?" said O'Connor, who was by nature reckless.  "Av the
+beacon howlds on, we may as well slape as not; an' if it don't howld on,
+why, we'll be none the worse o' slapin' anyhow."
+
+"_I_ mean to sit up," said Forsyth, whose alarm was aggravated by
+another fit of violent toothache.
+
+"So do I," exclaimed several of the men, as another wave dashed against
+the beacon, and a quantity of spray came pouring down from the rooms
+above.
+
+This latter incident put an end to further conversation.  While some
+sprang up the ladder to see where the leak had occurred, Ruby opened the
+door, which was on the lee-side of the building, and descended to the
+mortar-gallery to look after his tools, which lay there.
+
+Here he was exposed to the full violence of the gale, for, as we have
+said, this first floor of the beacon was not protected by sides.  There
+was sufficient light to enable him to see all round for a considerable
+distance.  The sight was not calculated to comfort him.
+
+The wind was whistling with what may be termed a vicious sound among the
+beams, to one of which Ruby was obliged to cling to prevent his being
+carried away.  The sea was bursting, leaping, and curling wildly over
+the rocks, which were now quite covered, and as he looked down through
+the chinks in the boards of the floor, he could see the foam whirling
+round the beams of his trembling abode, and leaping up as if to seize
+him.  As the tide rose higher and higher, the waves roared straight
+through below the floor, their curling backs rising terribly near to
+where he stood, and the sprays drenching him and the whole edifice
+completely.
+
+As he gazed into the dark distance, where the turmoil of waters seemed
+to glimmer with ghostly light against a sky of the deepest black, he
+missed the light of the _Smeaton_, which, up to that time, had been
+moored as near to the lee of the rock as was consistent with safety.  He
+fancied she must have gone down, and it was not till next day that the
+people on the beacon knew that she had parted her cables, and had been
+obliged to make for the Firth of Forth for shelter from the storm.
+
+While he stood looking anxiously in the direction of the tender, a wave
+came so near to the platform that he almost involuntarily leaped up the
+ladder for safety.  It broke before reaching the beacon, and the spray
+dashed right over it, carrying away several of the smith's tools.
+
+"Ho, boys! lend a hand here, some of you," shouted Ruby, as he leaped
+down on the mortar-gallery again.
+
+Jamie Dove, Bremner, O'Connor, and several others were at his side in a
+moment, and, in the midst of tremendous sprays, they toiled to secure
+the movable articles that lay there.  These were passed up to the
+sheltered parts of the house; but not without great danger to all who
+stood on the exposed gallery below.
+
+Presently two of the planks were torn up by a sea, and several bags of
+coal, a barrel of small-beer, and a few casks containing lime and sand,
+were all swept away.  The men would certainly have shared the fate of
+these, had they not clung to the beams until the sea had passed.
+
+As nothing remained after that which could be removed to the room above,
+they left the mortar-gallery to its fate, and returned to the kitchen,
+where they were met by the anxious glances and questions of their
+comrades.
+
+The fire, meanwhile, could scarcely be got to burn, and the whole place
+was full of smoke, besides being wet with the sprays that burst over the
+roof, and found out all the crevices that had not been sufficiently
+stopped up.  Attending to these leaks occupied most of the men at
+intervals during the night.  Ruby and his friend the smith spent much of
+the time in the doorway, contemplating the gradual destruction of their
+workshop.
+
+For some time the gale remained steady, and the anxiety of the men began
+to subside a little, as they became accustomed to the ugly twisting of
+the great beams, and found that no evil consequences followed.
+
+In the midst of this confusion, poor Forsyth's anxiety of mind became as
+nothing compared with the agony of his toothache!
+
+Bremner had already made several attempts to persuade the miserable man
+to have it drawn, but without success.
+
+"I could do it quite easy," said he, "only let me get a hold of it, an'
+before you could wink I'd have it out."
+
+"Well, you may try," cried Forsyth in desperation, with a face of ashy
+paleness.
+
+It was an awful situation truly.  In danger of his life; suffering the
+agonies of toothache, and with the prospect of torments unbearable from
+an inexpert hand; for Forsyth did not believe in Bremner's boasted
+powers.
+
+"What'll you do it with?" he enquired meekly.
+
+"Jamie Dove's small pincers.  Here they are," said Bremner, moving about
+actively in his preparations, as if he enjoyed such work uncommonly.
+
+By this time the men had assembled round the pair, and almost forgot the
+storm in the interest of the moment.
+
+"Hold him, two of you," said Bremner, when his victim was seated
+submissively on a cask.
+
+"You don't need to hold me," said Forsyth, in a gentle tone.
+
+"Don't we!" said Bremner.  "Here, Dove, Ned, grip his arms, and some of
+you stand by to catch his legs; but you needn't touch them unless he
+kicks.  Ruby, you're a strong fellow; hold his head."
+
+The men obeyed.  At that moment Forsyth would have parted with his
+dearest hopes in life to have escaped, and the toothache, strange to
+say, left him entirely; but he was a plucky fellow at bottom; having
+agreed to have it done, he would not draw back.
+
+Bremner introduced the pincers slowly, being anxious to get a good hold
+of the tooth.  Forsyth uttered a groan in anticipation!  Alarmed lest he
+should struggle too soon, Bremner made a sudden grasp and caught the
+tooth.  A wrench followed; a yell was the result, and the pincers
+slipped!
+
+This was fortunate, for he had caught the wrong tooth.
+
+"Now be aisy, boy," said Ned O'Connor, whose sympathies were easily
+roused.
+
+"Once more," said Bremner, as the unhappy man opened his mouth.  "Be
+still, and it will be all the sooner over."
+
+Again Bremner inserted the instrument, and fortunately caught the right
+tooth.  He gave a terrible tug, that produced its corresponding howl;
+but the tooth held on.  Again! again! again! and the beacon house
+resounded with the deadly yells of the unhappy man, who struggled
+violently, despite the strength of those who held him.
+
+"Och! poor sowl!" ejaculated O'Connor.
+
+Bremner threw all his strength into a final wrench, which tore away the
+pincers and left the tooth as firm as ever!
+
+Forsyth leaped up and dashed his comrades right and left.
+
+"That'll do," he roared, and darted up the ladder into the apartment
+above, through which he ascended to the barrack-room, and flung himself
+on his bed.  At the same time a wave burst on the beacon with such force
+that every man there, except Forsyth, thought it would be carried away.
+The wave not only sprang up against the house, but the spray, scarcely
+less solid than the wave, went quite over it, and sent down showers of
+water on the men below.
+
+Little cared Forsyth for that.  He lay almost stunned on his couch,
+quite regardless of the storm.  To his surprise, however, the toothache
+did not return.  Nay, to make a long story short, it never again
+returned to that tooth till the end of his days!
+
+The storm now blew its fiercest, and the men sat in silence in the
+kitchen listening to the turmoil, and to the thundering blows given by
+the sea to their wooden house.  Suddenly the beacon received a shock so
+awful, and so thoroughly different from any that it had previously
+received, that the men sprang to their feet in consternation.
+
+Ruby and the smith were looking out at the doorway at the time, and both
+instinctively grasped the woodwork near them, expecting every instant
+that the whole structure would be carried away; but it stood fast.  They
+speculated a good deal on the force of the blow they had received, but
+no one hit on the true cause; and it was not until some days later that
+they discovered that a huge rock of fully a ton weight had been washed
+against the beams that night.
+
+While they were gazing at the wild storm, a wave broke up the
+mortar-gallery altogether, and sent its remaining contents into the sea.
+All disappeared in a moment; nothing was left save the powerful beams
+to which the platform had been nailed.
+
+There was a small boat attached to the beacon.  It hung from two davits,
+on a level with the kitchen, about thirty feet above the rock.  This had
+got filled by the sprays, and the weight of water proving too much for
+the tackling, it gave way at the bow shortly after the destruction of
+the mortar-gallery, and the boat hung suspended by the stern-tackle.
+Here it swung for a few minutes, and then was carried away by a sea.
+The same sea sent an eddy of foam round towards the door and drenched
+the kitchen, so that the door had to be shut, and as the fire had gone
+out, the men had to sit and await their fate by the light of a little
+oil-lamp.
+
+They sat in silence, for the noise was now so great that it was
+difficult to hear voices, unless when they were raised to a high pitch.
+
+Thus passed that terrible night; and the looks of the men, the solemn
+glances, the closed eyes, the silently moving lips, showed that their
+thoughts were busy reviewing bygone days and deeds; perchance in making
+good resolutions for the future--"if spared!"
+
+Morning brought a change.  The rush of the sea was indeed still
+tremendous, but the force of the gale was broken and the danger was
+past.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.
+
+A CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS.
+
+Time rolled on, and the lighthouse at length began to grow.
+
+It did not rise slowly, as does an ordinary building.  The courses of
+masonry having been formed and fitted on shore during the winter, had
+only to be removed from the workyard at Arbroath to the rock, where they
+were laid, mortared, wedged, and trenailed, as fast as they could be
+landed.
+
+Thus, foot by foot it grew, and soon began to tower above its
+foundation.
+
+From the foundation upwards for thirty feet it was built solid.  From
+this point rose the spiral staircase leading to the rooms above.  We
+cannot afford space to trace its erection step by step, neither is it
+desirable that we should do so.  But it is proper to mention, that there
+were, as might be supposed, leading points in the process--eras, as it
+were, in the building operations.
+
+The first of these, of course, was the laying of the foundation stone,
+which was done ceremoniously, with all the honours.  The next point was
+the occasion when the tower showed itself for the first time above water
+at full tide.  This was a great event.  It was proof positive that the
+sea had been conquered; for many a time before that event happened had
+the sea done its best to level the whole erection with the rock.
+
+Three cheers announced and celebrated the fact, and a "glass" all round
+stamped it on the memories of the men.
+
+Another noteworthy point was the connexion--the marriage, if the simile
+may be allowed--of the tower and the beacon.  This occurred when the
+former rose to a few feet above high-water mark, and was effected by
+means of a rope-bridge, which was dignified by the sailors with the name
+of "Jacob's ladder."
+
+Heretofore the beacon and lighthouse had stood in close relation to each
+other.  They were thenceforward united by a stronger tie; and it is
+worthy of record that their attachment lasted until the destruction of
+the beacon after the work was done.  Jacob's ladder was fastened a
+little below the doorway of the beacon.  Its other end rested on, and
+rose with, the wall of the tower.  At first it sloped downward from
+beacon to tower; gradually it became horizontal; then it sloped upward.
+When this happened it was removed, and replaced by a regular wooden
+bridge, which extended from the doorway of the one structure to that of
+the other.
+
+Along this way the men could pass to and fro at all tides, and during
+any time of the day or night.
+
+This was a matter of great importance, as the men were no longer so
+dependent on tides as they had been, and could often work as long as
+their strength held out.
+
+Although the work was regular, and, as some might imagine, rather
+monotonous, there were not wanting accidents and incidents to enliven
+the routine of daily duty.  The landing of the boats in rough weather
+with stones, etcetera, was a never-failing source of anxiety, alarm, and
+occasionally amusement.  Strangers sometimes visited the rock, too, but
+these visits were few and far between.
+
+Accidents were much less frequent, however, than might have been
+expected in a work of the kind.  It was quite an event, something to
+talk about for days afterwards, when poor John Bonnyman, one of the
+masons, lost a finger.  The balance crane was the cause of this
+accident.  We may remark, in passing, that this balance crane was a very
+peculiar and clever contrivance, which deserves a little notice.
+
+It may not have occurred to readers who are unacquainted with mechanics
+that the raising of ponderous stones to a great height is not an easy
+matter.  As long as the lighthouse was low, cranes were easily raised on
+the rock, but when it became too high for the cranes to reach their
+heads up to the top of the tower, what was to be done?  Block-tackles
+could not be fastened to the skies!  Scaffolding in such a situation
+would not have survived a moderate gale.
+
+In these circumstances Mr Stevenson constructed a _balance_ crane,
+which was fixed in the centre of the tower, and so arranged that it
+could be raised along with the rising works.  This crane resembled a
+cross in form.  At one arm was hung a movable weight, which could be run
+out to its extremity, or fixed at any part of it.  The other arm was the
+one by means of which the stones were hoisted.  When a stone had to be
+raised, its weight was ascertained, and the movable weight was so fixed
+as _exactly_ to counterbalance it.  By this simple contrivance all the
+cumbrous and troublesome machinery of long guys and bracing-chains
+extending from the crane to the rock below were avoided.
+
+Well, Bonnyman was attending to the working of the crane, and directing
+the lowering of a stone into its place, when he inadvertently laid his
+left hand on a part of the machinery where it was brought into contact
+with the chain, which passed over his forefinger, and cut it so nearly
+off that it was left hanging by a mere shred of skin.  The poor man was
+at once sent off in a fast rowing boat to Arbroath, where the finger was
+removed and properly dressed.  [See note 1.]
+
+A much more serious accident occurred at another time, however, which
+resulted in the death of one of the seamen belonging to the _Smeaton_.
+
+It happened thus.  The _Smeaton_ had been sent from Arbroath with a
+cargo of stones one morning, and reached the rock about half-past six
+o'clock a.m.  The mate and one of the men, James Scott, a youth of
+eighteen years of age, got into the sloop's boat to make fast the hawser
+to the floating buoy of her moorings.
+
+The tides at the time were very strong, and the mooring-chain when
+sweeping the ground had caught hold of a rock or piece of wreck, by
+which the chain was so shortened, that when the tide flowed the buoy got
+almost under water, and little more than the ring appeared at the
+surface.  When the mate and Scott were in the act of making the hawser
+fast to the ring, the chain got suddenly disentangled at the bottom, and
+the large buoy, measuring about seven feet in length by three in
+diameter in the middle, vaulted upwards with such force that it upset
+the boat, which instantly filled with water.  The mate with great
+difficulty succeeded in getting hold of the gunwale, but Scott seemed to
+have been stunned by the buoy, for he lay motionless for a few minutes
+on the water, apparently unable to make any exertion to save himself,
+for he did not attempt to lay hold of the oars or thwarts which floated
+near him.
+
+A boat was at once sent to the rescue, and the mate was picked up, but
+Scott sank before it reached the spot.
+
+This poor lad was a great favourite in the service, and for a time his
+melancholy end cast a gloom over the little community at the Bell Rock.
+The circumstances of the case were also peculiarly distressing in
+reference to the boy's mother, for her husband had been for three years
+past confined in a French prison, and her son had been the chief support
+of the family.  In order in some measure to make up to the poor woman
+for the loss of the monthly aliment regularly allowed her by her lost
+son, it was suggested that a younger brother of the deceased might be
+taken into the service.  This appeared to be a rather delicate
+proposition, but it was left to the landing-master to arrange according
+to circumstances.  Such was the resignation, and at the same time the
+spirit of the poor woman, that she readily accepted the proposal, and in
+a few days the younger Scott was actually afloat in the place of his
+brother.  On this distressing case being represented to the Board, the
+Commissioners granted an annuity of 5 pounds to the lad's mother.
+
+The painter who represents only the sunny side of nature portrays a
+one-sided, and therefore a false view of things, for, as everyone knows,
+nature is not all sunshine.  So, if an author makes his pen-and-ink
+pictures represent only the amusing and picturesque view of things, he
+does injustice to his subject.
+
+We have no pleasure, good reader, in saddening you by accounts of "fatal
+accidents", but we have sought to convey to you a correct impression of
+things, and scenes, and incidents at the building of the Bell Rock
+Lighthouse, as they actually were, and looked, and occurred.  Although
+there was much, _very_ much, of risk, exposure, danger, and trial
+connected with the erection of that building, there was, in the good
+providence of God, _very_ little of severe accident or death.  Yet that
+little must be told,--at least touched upon,--else will our picture
+remain incomplete as well as untrue.
+
+Now, do not imagine, with a shudder, that these remarks are the prelude
+to something that will harrow up your feelings.  Not so.  They are
+merely the apology, if apology be needed, for the introduction of
+another "accident."
+
+Well, then.  One morning the artificers landed on the rock at a
+quarter-past six, and as all hands were required for a piece of special
+work that day, they breakfasted on the beacon, instead of returning to
+the tender, and spent the day on the rock.
+
+The special work referred to was the raising of the crane from the
+eighth to the ninth course--an operation which required all the strength
+that could be mustered for working the guy-tackles.  This, be it
+remarked, was before the balance crane, already described, had been set
+up; and as the top of the crane stood at the time about thirty-five feet
+above the rock, it became much more unmanageable than heretofore.
+
+At the proper hour all hands were called, and detailed to their several
+posts on the tower, and about the rock.  In order to give additional
+purchase or power in tightening the tackle, one of the blocks of stone
+was suspended at the end of the movable beam of the crane, which, by
+adding greatly to the weight, tended to slacken the guys or
+supporting-ropes in the direction to which the beam with the stone was
+pointed, and thereby enabled the men more easily to brace them one after
+another.
+
+While the beam was thus loaded, and in the act of swinging round from
+one guy to another, a great strain was suddenly brought upon the
+opposite tackle, with the end of which the men had very improperly
+neglected to take a turn round some stationary object, which would have
+given them the complete command of the tackle.
+
+Owing to this simple omission, the crane, with the large stone at the
+end of the beam, got a preponderancy to one side, and, the tackle
+alluded to having rent, it fell upon the building with a terrible crash.
+
+The men fled right and left to get out of its way; but one of them,
+Michael Wishart, a mason, stumbled over an uncut trenail and rolled on
+his back, and the ponderous crane fell upon him.  Fortunately it fell so
+that his body lay between the great shaft and the movable beam, and thus
+he escaped with his life, but his feet were entangled with the
+wheel-work, and severely injured.
+
+Wishart was a robust and spirited young fellow, and bore his sufferings
+with wonderful firmness while he was being removed.  He was laid upon
+one of the narrow frame-beds of the beacon, and despatched in a boat to
+the tender.  On seeing the boat approach with the poor man stretched on
+a bed covered with blankets, and his face overspread with that deadly
+pallor which is the usual consequence of excessive bleeding, the
+seamen's looks betrayed the presence of those well-known but
+indescribable sensations which one experiences when brought suddenly
+into contact with something horrible.  Relief was at once experienced,
+however, when Wishart's voice was heard feebly accosting those who first
+stepped into the boat.
+
+He was immediately sent on shore, where the best surgical advice was
+obtained, and he began to recover steadily, though slowly.  Meanwhile,
+having been one of the principal masons, Robert Selkirk was appointed to
+his vacant post.
+
+And now let us wind up this chapter of accidents with an account of the
+manner in which a party of strangers, to use a slang but expressive
+phrase, came to grief during a visit to the Bell Rock.
+
+One morning, a trim little vessel was seen by the workmen making for the
+rock at low tide.  From its build and size, Ruby at once judged it to be
+a pleasure yacht.  Perchance some delicate shades in the seamanship,
+displayed in managing the little vessel, had influenced the sailor in
+forming his opinion.  Be this as it may, the vessel brought up under the
+lee of the rock and cast anchor.
+
+It turned out to be a party of gentlemen from Leith, who had run down
+the firth to see the works.  The weather was fine, and the sea calm, but
+these yachters had yet to learn that fine weather and a calm sea do not
+necessarily imply easy or safe landing at the Bell Rock!  They did not
+know that the _swell_ which had succeeded a recent gale was heavier than
+it appeared to be at a distance; and, worst of all, they did not know,
+or they did not care to remember, that "there is a time for all things,"
+and that the time for landing at the Bell Rock is limited.
+
+Seeing that the place was covered with workmen, the strangers lowered
+their little boat and rowed towards them.
+
+"They're mad," said Logan, who, with a group of the men, watched the
+motions of their would-be visitors.
+
+"No," observed Joe Dumsby; "they are brave, but hignorant."
+
+"_Faix_, they won't be ignorant long!" cried Ned O'Connor, as the little
+boat approached the rock, propelled by two active young rowers in
+Guernsey shirts, white trousers, and straw hats.  "You're stout, lads,
+both of ye, an' purty good hands at the oar, _for gintlemen_; but av ye
+wos as strong as Samson it would puzzle ye to stem these breakers, so ye
+better go back."
+
+The yachters did not hear the advice, and they would not have taken it
+if they had heard it.  They rowed straight up towards the landing-place,
+and, so far, showed themselves expert selectors of the right channel;
+but they soon came within the influence of the seas, which burst on the
+rock and sent up jets of spray to leeward.
+
+These jets had seemed very pretty and harmless when viewed from the deck
+of the yacht, but they were found on a nearer approach to be quite able,
+and, we might almost add, not unwilling, to toss up the boat like a
+ball, and throw it and its occupants head over heels into the air.
+
+But the rowers, like most men of their class, were not easily cowed.
+They watched their opportunity--allowed the waves to meet and rush on,
+and then pulled into the midst of the foam, in the hope of crossing to
+the shelter of the rock before the approach of the next wave.
+
+Heedless of a warning cry from Ned O'Connor, whose anxiety began to make
+him very uneasy, the amateur sailors strained every nerve to pull
+through, while their companion who sat at the helm in the stern of the
+boat seemed to urge them on to redoubled exertions.  Of course their
+efforts were in vain.  The next billow caught the boat on its foaming
+crest, and raised it high in the air.  For one moment the wave rose
+between the boat and the men on the rock, and hid her from view, causing
+Ned to exclaim, with a genuine groan, "Arrah! they's gone!"
+
+But they were not; the boat's head had been carefully kept to the sea,
+and, although she had been swept back a considerable way, and nearly
+half-filled with water, she was still afloat.
+
+The chief engineer now hailed the gentlemen, and advised them to return
+and remain on board their vessel until the state of the tide would
+permit him to send a proper boat for them.
+
+In the meantime, however, a large boat from the floating light, pretty
+deeply laden with lime, cement, and sand, approached, when the
+strangers, with a view to avoid giving trouble, took their passage in
+her to the rock.  The accession of three passengers to a boat, already
+in a lumbered state, put her completely out of trim, and, as it
+unluckily happened, the man who steered her on this occasion was not in
+the habit of attending the rock, and was not sufficiently aware of the
+run of the sea at the entrance of the eastern creek.
+
+Instead, therefore, of keeping close to the small rock called _Johnny
+Gray_, he gave it, as Ruby expressed it, "a wide berth."  A heavy sea
+struck the boat, drove her to leeward, and, the oars getting entangled
+among the rocks and seaweed, she became unmanageable.  The next sea
+threw her on a ledge, and, instantly leaving her, she canted seaward
+upon her gunwale, throwing her crew and part of her cargo into the
+water.
+
+All this was the work of a few seconds.  The men had scarce time to
+realise their danger ere they found themselves down under the water; and
+when they rose gasping to the surface, it was to behold the next wave
+towering over them, ready to fall on their heads.  When it fell it
+scattered crew, cargo, and boat in all directions.
+
+Some clung to the gunwale of the boat, others to the seaweed, and some
+to the thwarts and oars which floated about, and which quickly carried
+them out of the creek to a considerable distance from the spot where the
+accident happened.
+
+The instant the boat was overturned, Ruby darted towards one of the rock
+boats which lay near to the spot where the party of workmen who manned
+it had landed that morning.  Wilson, the landing-master, was at his side
+in a moment.
+
+"Shove off, lad, and jump in!" cried Wilson.
+
+There was no need to shout for the crew of the boat.  The men were
+already springing into her as she floated off.  In a few minutes all the
+men in the water were rescued, with the exception of one of the
+strangers, named Strachan.
+
+This gentleman had been swept out to a small insulated rock, where he
+clung to the seaweed with great resolution, although each returning sea
+laid him completely under water, and hid him for a second or two from
+the spectators on the rock.  In this situation he remained for ten or
+twelve minutes; and those who know anything of the force of large waves
+will understand how severely his strength and courage must have been
+tried during that time.
+
+When the boat reached the rock the most difficult part was still to
+perform, as it required the greatest nicety of management to guide her
+in a rolling sea, so as to prevent her from being carried forcibly
+against the man whom they sought to save.
+
+"Take the steering-oar, Ruby; you are the best hand at this," said
+Wilson.
+
+Ruby seized the oar, and, notwithstanding the breach of the seas and the
+narrowness of the passage, steered the boat close to the rock at the
+proper moment.
+
+"Starboard, noo, stiddy!" shouted John Watt, who leant suddenly over the
+bow of the boat and seized poor Strachan by the hair.  In another moment
+he was pulled inboard with the aid of Selkirk's stout arms, and the boat
+was backed out of danger.
+
+"Now, a cheer, boys!" cried Ruby.
+
+The men did not require urging to this.  It burst from them with
+tremendous energy, and was echoed back by their comrades on the rock, in
+the midst of whose wild hurrah, Ned O'Connor's voice was distinctly
+heard to swell from a cheer into a yell of triumph!
+
+The little rock on which this incident occurred was called _Strachan's
+Ledge_, and it is known by that name at the present day.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Note 1.  It is right to state that this man afterwards obtained a
+light-keeper's situation from the Board of Commissioners of Northern
+Lights, who seem to have taken a kindly interest in all their servants,
+especially those of them who had suffered in the service.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.
+
+THE BELL ROCK IN A FOG--NARROW ESCAPE OF THE SMEATON.
+
+Change of scene is necessary to the healthful working of the human mind;
+at least, so it is said.  Acting upon the assumption that the saying is
+true, we will do our best in this chapter for the human minds that
+condescend to peruse these pages, by leaping over a space of time, and
+by changing at least the character of the scene, if not the locality.
+
+We present the Bell Rock under a new aspect, that of a dense fog and a
+dead calm.
+
+This is by no means an unusual aspect of things at the Bell Rock, but as
+we have hitherto dwelt chiefly on storms it may be regarded as new to
+the reader.
+
+It was a June morning.  There had been few breezes and no storms for
+some weeks past, so that the usual swell of the ocean had gone down, and
+there were actually no breakers on the rock at low water, and no
+ruffling of the surface at all at high tide.  The tide had, about two
+hours before, overflowed the rock and driven the men into the beacon
+house, where, having breakfasted, they were at the time enjoying
+themselves with pipes and small talk.
+
+The lighthouse had grown considerably by this time.  Its unfinished top
+was more than eighty feet above the foundation; but the fog was so dense
+that only the lower part of the column could be seen from the beacon,
+the summit being lost, as it were, in the clouds.
+
+Nevertheless that summit, high though it was, did not yet project beyond
+the reach of the sea.  A proof of this had been given in a very striking
+manner, some weeks before the period about which we now write, to our
+friend George Forsyth.
+
+George was a studious man, and fond of reading the Bible critically.  He
+was proof against laughter and ridicule, and was wont sometimes to urge
+the men into discussions.  One of his favourite arguments was somewhat
+as follows--
+
+"Boys," he was wont to say, "you laugh at me for readin' the Bible
+carefully.  You would not laugh at a schoolboy for reading his books
+carefully, would you?  Yet the learnin' of the way of salvation is of
+far more consequence to me than book learnin' is to a schoolboy.  An
+astronomer is never laughed at for readin' his books o' geometry an'
+suchlike day an' night--even to the injury of his health--but what is an
+astronomer's business to _him_ compared with the concerns of my soul to
+_me_?  Ministers tell me there are certain things I must know and
+believe if I would be saved--such as the death and resurrection of our
+Saviour Jesus Christ; and they also point out that the Bible speaks of
+certain Christians, who did well in refusin' to receive the Gospel at
+the hands of the apostles, without first enquirin' into these things, to
+see if they were true.  Now, lads, _if_ these things that so many
+millions believe in, and that _you_ all profess to believe in, are lies,
+then you may well laugh at me for enquirin' into them; but if they be
+true, why, I think the devils themselves must be laughing at _you_ for
+_not_ enquirin' into them!"
+
+Of course, Forsyth found among such a number of intelligent men, some
+who could argue with him, as well as some who could laugh at him.  He
+also found one or two who sympathised openly, while there were a few who
+agreed in their hearts, although they did not speak.
+
+Well, it was this tendency to study on the part of Forsyth, that led him
+to cross the wooden bridge between the beacon and the lighthouse during
+his leisure hours, and sit reading at the top of the spiral stair, near
+one of the windows of the lowest room.
+
+Forsyth was sitting at his usual window one afternoon at the end of a
+storm.  It was a comfortless place, for neither sashes nor glass had at
+that time been put in, and the wind howled up and down the shaft
+dreadfully.  The man was robust, however, and did not mind that.
+
+The height of the building was at that time fully eighty feet.  While he
+was reading there a tremendous breaker struck the lighthouse with such
+force that it trembled distinctly.  Forsyth started up, for he had never
+felt this before, and fancied the structure was about to fall.  For a
+moment or two he remained paralysed, for he heard the most terrible and
+inexplicable sounds going on overhead.  In fact, the wave that shook the
+building had sent a huge volume of spray right over the top, part of
+which fell into the lighthouse, and what poor Forsyth heard was about a
+ton of water coming down through storey after storey, carrying lime,
+mortar, buckets, trowels, and a host of other things, violently along
+with it.
+
+To plunge down the spiral stair, almost headforemost, was the work of a
+few seconds.  Forsyth accompanied the descent with a yell of terror,
+which reached the ears of his comrades in the beacon, and brought them
+to the door, just in time to see their comrade's long legs carry him
+across the bridge in two bounds.  Almost at the same instant the water
+and rubbish burst out of the doorway of the lighthouse, and flooded the
+bridge.
+
+But let us return from this digression, or rather, this series of
+digressions, to the point where we branched off: the aspect of the
+beacon in the fog, and the calm of that still morning in June.
+
+Some of the men inside were playing draughts, others were finishing
+their breakfast; one was playing "Auld Lang Syne", with many extempore
+flourishes and trills, on a flute, which was very much out of tune.  A
+few were smoking, of course (where exists the band of Britons who can
+get on without that!) and several were sitting astride on the
+cross-beams below, bobbing--not exactly for whales, but for any monster
+of the deep that chose to turn up.
+
+The men fishing, and the beacon itself, loomed large and mysterious in
+the half-luminous fog.  Perhaps this was the reason that the sea-gulls
+flew so near them, and gave forth an occasional and very melancholy cry,
+as if of complaint at the changed appearance of things.
+
+"There's naethin' to be got the day," said John Watt, rather peevishly,
+as he pulled up his line and found the bait gone.
+
+Baits are _always_ found gone when lines are pulled up!  This would seem
+to be an angling law of nature.  At all events, it would seem to have
+been a very aggravating law of nature on the present occasion, for John
+Watt frowned and growled to himself as he put on another bait.
+
+"There's a bite!" exclaimed Joe Dumsby, with a look of doubt, at the
+same time feeling his line.
+
+"Poo'd in then," said Watt ironically.
+
+"No, 'e's hoff," observed Joe.
+
+"Hm! he never was on," muttered Watt.
+
+"What are you two growling at?" said Ruby, who sat on one of the beams
+at the other side.
+
+"At our luck, Ruby," said Joe.  "Ha! was that a nibble?"  ("Naethin' o'
+the kind," from Watt.) "It was! as I live it's large; an 'addock, I
+think."
+
+"A naddock!" sneered Watt; "mair like a bit o' tangle than--eh! losh me!
+it _is_ a fish--"
+
+"Well done, Joe!" cried Bremner, from the doorway above, as a large
+rock-cod was drawn to the surface of the water.
+
+"Stay, it's too large to pull up with the line.  I'll run down and gaff
+it," cried Ruby, fastening his own line to the beam, and descending to
+the water by the usual ladder, on one of the main beams.  "Now, draw him
+this way--gently, not too roughly--take time.  Ah! that was a miss--he's
+off; no!  Again; now then--"
+
+Another moment, and a goodly cod of about ten pounds weight was
+wriggling on the iron hook which Ruby handed up to Dumsby, who mounted
+with his prize in triumph to the kitchen.
+
+From that moment the fish began to "take."
+
+While the men were thus busily engaged, a boat was rowing about in the
+fog, vainly endeavouring to find the rock.
+
+It was the boat of two fast friends, Jock Swankie and Davy Spink.
+
+These worthies were in a rather exhausted condition, having been rowing
+almost incessantly from daybreak.
+
+"I tell 'ee what it is," said Swankie; "I'll be hanged if I poo another
+stroke."
+
+He threw his oar into the boat, and looked sulky.
+
+"It's my belief," said his companion, "that we ought to be near aboot
+Denmark be this time."
+
+"Denmark or Rooshia, it's a' ane to me," rejoined Swankie; "I'll hae a
+smoke."
+
+So saying, he pulled out his pipe and tobacco-box, and began to cut the
+tobacco.  Davy did the same.
+
+Suddenly both men paused, for they heard a sound.  Each looked
+enquiringly at the other, and then both gazed into the thick fog.
+
+"Is that a ship?" said Davy Spink.
+
+They seized their oars hastily.
+
+"The beacon, as I'm a leevin' sinner!" exclaimed Swankie.
+
+If Spink had not backed his oar at that moment, there is some
+probability that Swankie would have been a dead, instead of a living,
+sinner in a few minutes, for they had almost run upon the north-east end
+of the Bell Rock, and distinctly heard the sound of voices on the
+beacon.  A shout settled the question at once, for it was replied to by
+a loud holloa from Ruby.
+
+In a short time the boat was close to the beacon, and the water was so
+very calm that day, that they were able to venture to hand the packet of
+letters with which they had come off into the beacon, even although the
+tide was full.
+
+"Letters," said Swankie, as he reached out his hand with the packet.
+
+"Hurrah!" cried the men, who were all assembled on the mortar-gallery,
+looking down at the fishermen, excepting Ruby, Watt, and Dumsby, who
+were still on the cross-beams below.
+
+"Mind the boat; keep her aff," said Swankie, stretching out his hand
+with the packet to the utmost, while Dumsby descended the ladder and
+held out _his_ hand to receive it.
+
+"Take care," cried the men in chorus, for news from shore was always a
+very exciting episode in their career, and the idea of the packet being
+lost filled them with sudden alarm.
+
+The shout and the anxiety together caused the very result that was
+dreaded.  The packet fell into the sea and sank, amid a volley of yells.
+
+It went down slowly.  Before it had descended a fathom, Ruby's head
+cleft the water, and in a moment he returned to the surface with the
+packet in his hand amid a wild cheer of joy; but this was turned into a
+cry of alarm, as Ruby was carried away by the tide, despite his utmost
+efforts to regain the beacon.
+
+The boat was at once pushed off but so strong was the current there,
+that Ruby was carried past the rock, and a hundred yards away to sea,
+before the boat overtook him.
+
+The moment he was pulled into her he shook himself, and then tore off
+the outer covering of the packet in order to save the letters from being
+wetted.  He had the great satisfaction of finding them almost uninjured.
+He had the greater satisfaction, thereafter, of feeling that he had
+done a deed which induced every man in the beacon that night to thank
+him half a dozen times over; and he had the greatest possible
+satisfaction in finding that among the rest he had saved two letters
+addressed to himself, one from Minnie Gray, and the other from his
+uncle.
+
+The scene in the beacon when the contents of the packet were delivered
+was interesting.  Those who had letters devoured them, and in many cases
+read them (unwittingly) half-aloud.  Those who had none read the
+newspapers, and those who had neither papers nor letters listened.
+
+Ruby's letter ran as follows (we say his _letter_, because the other
+letter was regarded, comparatively, as nothing):--
+
+  "ARBROATH, etcetera.
+
+  "DARLING RUBY,--I have just time to tell you that we have made a
+  discovery which will surprise you.  Let me detail it to you
+  circumstantially.  Uncle Ogilvy and I were walking on the pier a few
+  days ago, when we overheard a conversation between two sailors, who
+  did not see that we were approaching.  We would not have stopped to
+  listen, but the words we heard arrested our attention, so--O what a
+  pity! there, Big Swankie has come for our letters.  Is it not strange
+  that _he_ should be the man to take them off?  I meant to have given
+  you _such_ an account of it, especially a description of the case.
+  They won't wait.  Come ashore as soon as you can, dearest Ruby."
+
+The letter broke off here abruptly.  It was evident that the writer had
+been obliged to close it abruptly, for she had forgotten to sign her
+name.
+
+"`A description of the case;' _what_ case?" muttered Ruby in vexation.
+"O Minnie, Minnie, in your anxiety to go into details you have omitted
+to give me the barest outline.  Well, well, darling, I'll just take the
+will for the deed, but I _wish_ you had--"
+
+Here Ruby ceased to mutter, for Captain Ogilvy's letter suddenly
+occurred to his mind.  Opening it hastily, he read as follows:--
+
+  "DEAR NEFFY,--I never was much of a hand at spellin', an' I'm not
+  rightly sure o' that word, howsever, it reads all square, so ittle do.
+  If I had been the inventer o' writin' I'd have had signs for a lot o'
+  words.  Just think how much better it would ha' bin to have put a
+  regular D like that instead o' writin' s-q-u-a-r-e.  Then _round_
+  would have bin far better O, like that.  An' crooked thus," (draws a
+  squiggly line); "see how significant an' suggestive, if I may say so;
+  no humbug--all fair an' above-board, as the pirate said, when he ran
+  up the black flag to the peak.
+
+  "But avast speckillatin' (shiver my timbers! but that last was a
+  pen-splitter), that's not what I sat down to write about.  My object
+  in takin' up the pen, neffy, is two-fold,
+
+  "`Double, double, toil an' trouble,'
+
+  "as Macbeath said,--if it wasn't Hamlet.
+
+  "We want you to come home for a day or two, if you can git leave, lad,
+  about this strange affair.  Minnie said she was goin' to give you a
+  full, true, and partikler account of it, so it's of no use my goin'
+  over the same course.  There's that blackguard Swankie come for the
+  letters.  Ha! it makes me chuckle.  No time for more--"
+
+This letter also concluded abruptly, and without a signature.
+
+"There's a pretty kettle o' fish!" exclaimed Ruby aloud.
+
+"So 'tis, lad; so 'tis," said Bremner, who at that moment had placed a
+superb pot of codlings on the fire; "though why ye should say it so
+positively when nobody's denyin' it, is more nor I can tell."
+
+Ruby laughed, and retired to the mortar-gallery to work at the forge and
+ponder.  He always found that he pondered best while employed in
+hammering, especially if his feelings were ruffled.
+
+Seizing a mass of metal, he laid it on the anvil, and gave it five or
+six heavy blows to straighten it a little, before thrusting it into the
+fire.
+
+Strange to say, these few blows of the hammer were the means, in all
+probability, of saving the sloop _Smeaton_ from being wrecked on the
+Bell Rock!
+
+That vessel had been away with Mr Stevenson at Leith, and was
+returning, when she was overtaken by the calm and the fog.  At the
+moment that Ruby began to hammer, the _Smeaton_ was within a stone's
+cast of the beacon, running gently before a light air which had sprung
+up.
+
+No one on board had the least idea that the tide had swept them so near
+the rock, and the ringing of the anvil was the first warning they got of
+their danger.
+
+The lookout on board instantly sang out, "Starboard har-r-r-d-! beacon
+ahead!" and Ruby looked up in surprise, just as the _Smeaton_ emerged
+like a phantom-ship out of the fog.  Her sails fluttered as she came up
+to the wind, and the crew were seen hurrying to and fro in much alarm.
+
+Mr Stevenson himself stood on the quarterdeck of the little vessel, and
+waved his hand to assure those on the beacon that they had sheered off
+in time, and were safe.
+
+This incident tended to strengthen the engineer in his opinion that the
+two large bells which were being cast for the lighthouse, to be rung by
+the machinery of the revolving light, would be of great utility in foggy
+weather.
+
+While the _Smeaton_ was turning away, as if with a graceful bow to the
+men on the rock, Ruby shouted:
+
+"There are letters here for you, sir."
+
+The mate of the vessel called out at once, "Send them off in the
+shore-boat; we'll lay-to."
+
+No time was to be lost, for if the _Smeaton_ should get involved in the
+fog it might be very difficult to find her; so Ruby at once ran for the
+letters, and, hailing the shore-boat which lay quite close at hand,
+jumped into it and pushed off.
+
+They boarded the _Smeaton_ without difficulty and delivered the letters.
+
+Instead of returning to the beacon, however, Ruby was ordered to hold
+himself in readiness to go to Arbroath in the shore-boat with a letter
+from Mr Stevenson to the superintendent of the workyard.
+
+"You can go up and see your friends in the town, if you choose," said
+the engineer, "but be sure to return by tomorrow's forenoon tide.  We
+cannot dispense with your services longer than a few hours, my lad, so I
+shall expect you to make no unnecessary delay."
+
+"You may depend upon me, sir," said Ruby, touching his cap, as he turned
+away and leaped into the boat.
+
+A light breeze was now blowing, so that the sails could be used.  In
+less than a quarter of an hour sloop and beacon were lost in the fog,
+and Ruby steered for the harbour of Arbroath, overjoyed at this
+unexpected and happy turn of events, which gave him an opportunity of
+solving the mystery of the letters, and of once more seeing the sweet
+face of Minnie Gray.
+
+But an incident occurred which delayed these desirable ends, and utterly
+changed the current of Ruby's fortunes for a time.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.
+
+A SUDDEN AND TREMENDOUS CHANGE IN RUBY'S FORTUNES.
+
+What a variety of appropriate aphorisms there are to express the great
+truths of human experience!  "There is many a slip 'twixt the cup and
+the lip" is one of them.  Undoubtedly there is.  So is there "many a
+miss of a sweet little kiss."  "The course of true love," also, "never
+did run smooth."  Certainly not.  Why should it?  If it did we should
+doubt whether the love were true.  Our own private belief is that the
+course of true love is always uncommonly rough, but collective human
+wisdom has seen fit to put the idea in the negative form.  So let it
+stand.
+
+Ruby had occasion to reflect on these things that day, but the
+reflection afforded him no comfort whatever.
+
+The cause of his inconsolable state of mind is easily explained.
+
+The boat had proceeded about halfway to Arbroath when they heard the
+sound of oars, and in a few seconds a ship's gig rowed out of the fog
+towards them.  Instead of passing them the gig was steered straight for
+the boat, and Ruby saw that it was full of men-of-war's men.
+
+He sprang up at once and seized an oar.
+
+"Out oars!" he cried.  "Boys, if ever you pulled hard in your lives, do
+so now.  It's the press-gang!"
+
+Before those few words were uttered the two men had seized the oars, for
+they knew well what the press-gang meant, and all three pulled with such
+vigour that the boat shot over the smooth sea with double speed.  But
+they had no chance in a heavy fishing boat against the picked crew of
+the light gig.  If the wind had been a little stronger they might have
+escaped, but the wind had decreased, and the small boat overhauled them
+yard by yard.
+
+Seeing that they had no chance, Ruby said, between his set teeth:
+
+"Will ye fight, boys?"
+
+"_I_ will," cried Davy Spink sternly, for Davy had a wife and little
+daughter on shore, who depended entirely on his exertions for their
+livelihood, so he had a strong objection to go and fight in the wars of
+his country.
+
+"What's the use?" muttered Big Swankie, with a savage scowl.  He, too,
+had a strong disinclination to serve in the Royal Navy, being a lazy
+man, and not overburdened with courage.  "They've got eight men of a
+crew, wi' pistols an' cutlashes."
+
+"Well, it's all up with us," cried Ruby, in a tone of sulky anger, as he
+tossed his oar overboard, and, folding his arms on his breast, sat
+sternly eyeing the gig as it approached.
+
+Suddenly a beam of hope shot into his heart.  A few words will explain
+the cause thereof.
+
+About the time the works at the Bell Rock were in progress, the war with
+France and the Northern Powers was at its height, and the demand for men
+was so great that orders were issued for the establishment of an impress
+service at Dundee, Arbroath, and Aberdeen.  It became therefore
+necessary to have some protection for the men engaged in the works.  As
+the impress officers were extremely rigid in the execution of their
+duty, it was resolved to have the seamen carefully identified, and,
+therefore, besides being described in the usual manner in the
+protection-bills granted by the Admiralty, each man had a ticket given
+to him descriptive of his person, to which was attached a silver medal
+emblematical of the lighthouse service.
+
+That very week Ruby had received one of the protection-medals and
+tickets of the Bell Rock, a circumstance which he had forgotten at the
+moment.  It was now in his pocket, and might perhaps save him.
+
+When the boat ranged up alongside, Ruby recognised in the officer at the
+helm the youth who had already given him so much annoyance.  The officer
+also recognised Ruby, and, with a glance of surprise and pleasure,
+exclaimed:
+
+"What! have I bagged you at last, my slippery young lion?"
+
+Ruby smiled as he replied, "Not _quite_ yet, my persevering young
+jackall."  (He was sorely tempted to transpose the word into jackass,
+but he wisely restrained himself.) "I'm not so easily caught as you
+think."
+
+"Eh! how? what mean you?" exclaimed the officer, with an expression of
+surprise, for he knew that Ruby was now in his power.  "I have you safe,
+my lad, unless you have provided yourself with a pair of wings.  Of
+course, I shall leave one of you to take your boat into harbour, but you
+may be sure that I'll not devolve that pleasant duty upon _you_."
+
+"I have not provided myself with wings exactly," returned Ruby, pulling
+out his medal and ticket; "but here is something that will do quite as
+well."
+
+The officer's countenance fell, for he knew at once what it was.  He
+inspected it, however, closely.
+
+"Let me see," said he, reading the description on the ticket, which ran
+thus:--
+
+  "Bell Rock Workyard, Arbroath,
+
+  "20th June, 1810.
+
+  "_Ruby Brand, seaman and blacksmith, in the service of the Honourable
+  the Commissioners of the Northern Lighthouses, aged_ 25 _years_, 5
+  _feet_ 10 _inches high, very powerfully made, fair complexion,
+  straight nose, dark-blue eyes, and curling auburn hair_."
+
+This description was signed by the engineer of the works; and on the
+obverse was written, "_The bearer, Ruby Brand, is serving as a
+blacksmith in the erection of the Bell Rock Lighthouse_."
+
+"This is all very well, my fine fellow," said the officer, "but I have
+been deceived more than once with these medals and tickets.  How am I to
+know that you have not stolen it from someone?"
+
+"By seeing whether the description agrees," replied Ruby.
+
+"Of course, I know that as well as you, and I don't find the description
+quite perfect.  I would say that your hair is light-brown, now, not
+auburn, and your nose is a little Roman, if anything; and there's no
+mention of whiskers, or that delicate moustache.  Why, look here," he
+added, turning abruptly to Big Swankie, "this might be the description
+of your comrade as well as, if not better than, yours.  What's your
+name?"
+
+"Swankie, sir," said that individual ruefully, yet with a gleam of hope
+that the advantages of the Bell Rock medal might possibly, in some
+unaccountable way, accrue to himself, for he was sharp enough to see
+that the officer would be only too glad to find any excuse for securing
+Ruby.
+
+"Well, Swankie, stand up, and let's have a look at you," said the
+officer, glancing from the paper to the person of the fisherman, and
+commenting thereon.  "Here we have `very powerfully made'--no mistake
+about that--strong as Samson; `fair complexion'--that's it exactly;
+`auburn hair'--so it is.  Auburn is a very undecided colour; there's a
+great deal of red in it, and no one can deny that Swankie has a good
+deal of red in _his_ hair."
+
+There was indeed no denying this, for it was altogether red, of an
+intense carroty hue.
+
+"You see, friend," continued the officer, turning to Ruby, "that the
+description suits Swankie very well."
+
+"True, as far as you have gone," said Ruby, with a quiet smile; "but
+Swankie is six feet two in his stockings, and his nose is turned up, and
+his hair don't curl, and his eyes are light-green, and his complexion is
+sallow, if I may not say yellow--"
+
+"Fair, lad; fair," said the officer, laughing in spite of himself.  "Ah!
+Ruby Brand, you are jealous of him!  Well, I see that I'm fated not to
+capture you, so I'll bid you good day.  Meanwhile your companions will
+be so good as to step into my gig."
+
+The two men rose to obey.  Big Swankie stepped over the gunwale, with
+the fling of a sulky, reckless man, who curses his fate and submits to
+it.  Davy Spink had a very crestfallen, subdued look.  He was about to
+follow, when a thought seemed to strike him.  He turned hastily round,
+and Ruby was surprised to see that his eyes were suffused with tears,
+and that his features worked with the convulsive twitching of one who
+struggles powerfully to restrain his feelings.
+
+"Ruby Brand," said he, in a deep husky voice, which trembled at first,
+but became strong as he went on; "Ruby Brand, I deserve nae good at your
+hands, yet I'll ask a favour o' ye.  Ye've seen the wife and the bairn,
+the wee ane wi' the fair curly pow.  Ye ken the auld hoose.  It'll be
+mony a lang day afore I see them again, if iver I come back ava.
+There's naebody left to care for them.  They'll be starvin' soon, lad.
+Wull ye--wull ye look-doon?"
+
+Poor Davy Spink stopped here, and covered his face with his big sunburnt
+hands.
+
+A sudden gush of sympathy filled Ruby's heart.  He started forward, and
+drawing from his pocket the letter with which he was charged, thrust it
+into Spink's hand, and said hurriedly--
+
+"Don't fail to deliver it the first thing you do on landing.  And
+hark'ee, Spink, go to Mrs Brand's cottage, and tell them there _why_ I
+went away.  Be sure you see them _all_, and explain _why it was_.  Tell
+Minnie Gray that I will be _certain_ to return, if God spares me."
+
+Without waiting for a reply he sprang into the gig, and gave the other
+boat a shove, that sent it several yards off.
+
+"Give way, lads," cried the officer, who was delighted at this
+unexpected change in affairs, though he had only heard enough of the
+conversation to confuse him as to the cause of it.
+
+"Stop! stop!" shouted Spink, tossing up his arms.
+
+"I'd rather not," returned the officer.
+
+Davy seized the oars, and, turning his boat in the direction of the gig,
+endeavoured to overtake it.  As well might the turkey-buzzard attempt to
+catch the swallow.  He was left far behind, and when last seen faintly
+through the fog, he was standing up in the stern of the boat wringing
+his hands.
+
+Ruby had seated himself in the bow of the gig, with his face turned
+steadily towards the sea, so that no one could see it.  This position he
+maintained in silence until the boat ranged up to what appeared like the
+side of a great mountain, looming through the mist.
+
+Then he turned round, and, whatever might have been the struggle within
+his breast, all traces of it had left his countenance, which presented
+its wonted appearance of good-humoured frankness.
+
+We need scarcely say that the mountain turned out to be a British
+man-of-war.  Ruby was quickly introduced to his future messmates, and
+warmly received by them.  Then he was left to his own free will during
+the remainder of that day, for the commander of the vessel was a kind
+man, and did not like to add to the grief of the impressed men by
+setting them to work at once.
+
+Thus did our hero enter the Royal Navy; and many a long and weary day
+and month passed by before he again set foot in his native town.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.
+
+OTHER THINGS BESIDES MURDER "WILL OUT."
+
+Meanwhile Davy Spink, with his heart full, returned slowly to the shore.
+
+He was long of reaching it, the boat being very heavy for one man to
+pull.  On landing he hurried up to his poor little cottage, which was in
+a very low part of the town, and in a rather out-of-the-way corner of
+that part.
+
+"Janet," said he, flinging himself into a rickety old armchair that
+stood by the fireplace, "the press-gang has catched us at last, and
+they've took Big Swankie away, and, worse than that--"
+
+"Oh!" cried Janet, unable to wait for more, "that's the best news I've
+heard for mony a day.  Ye're sure they have him safe?"
+
+"Ay, sure enough," said Spink dryly; "but ye needna be sae glad aboot
+it, for.  Swankie was aye good to _you_."
+
+"Ay, Davy," cried Janet, putting her arm round her husband's neck, and
+kissing him, "but he wasna good to _you_.  He led ye into evil ways mony
+a time when ye would rather hae keepit oot o' them.  Na, na, Davy, ye
+needna shake yer heed; I ken'd fine."
+
+"Weel, weel, hae'd yer ain way, lass, but Swankie's awa' to the wars,
+and so's Ruby Brand, for they've gotten him as weel."
+
+"Ruby Brand!" exclaimed the woman.
+
+"Ay, Ruby Brand; and this is the way they did it."
+
+Here Spink detailed to his helpmate, who sat with folded hands and
+staring eyes opposite to her husband, all that had happened.  When he
+had concluded, they discussed the subject together.  Presently the
+little girl came bouncing into the room, with rosy cheeks, sparkling
+eyes, a dirty face, and fair ringlets very much dishevelled, and with a
+pitcher of hot soup in her hands.
+
+Davy caught her up, and kissing her, said abruptly, "Maggie, Big
+Swankie's awa' to the wars."
+
+The child looked enquiringly in her father's face, and he had to repeat
+his words twice before she quite realised the import of them.
+
+"Are ye jokin', daddy?"
+
+"No, Maggie; it's true.  The press-gang got him and took him awa', an' I
+doot we'll never see him again."
+
+The little girl's expression changed while he spoke, then her lip
+trembled, and she burst into tears.
+
+"See there, Janet," said Spink, pointing to Maggie, and looking
+earnestly at his wife.
+
+"Weel-a-weel," replied Janet, somewhat softened, yet with much firmness,
+"I'll no deny that the man was fond o' the bairn, and it liked him weel
+enough; but, my certes! he wad hae made a bad man o' you if he could.
+But I'm real sorry for Ruby Brand; and what'll the puir lassie Gray do?
+Ye'll hae to gang up an' gie them the message."
+
+"So I will; but that's like somethin' to eat, I think?"
+
+Spink pointed to the soup.
+
+"Ay, it's a' we've got, so let's fa' to; and haste ye, lad.  It's a sair
+heart she'll hae this night--wae's me!"
+
+While Spink and his wife were thus employed, Widow Brand, Minnie Gray,
+and Captain Ogilvy were seated at tea, round the little table in the
+snug kitchen of the widow's cottage.
+
+It might have been observed that there were two teapots on the table, a
+large one and a small, and that the captain helped himself out of the
+small one, and did not take either milk or sugar.  But the captain's
+teapot did not necessarily imply tea.  In fact, since the death of the
+captain's mother, that small teapot had been accustomed to strong drink
+only.  It never tasted tea.
+
+"I wonder if Ruby will get leave of absence," said the captain, throwing
+himself back in his armchair, in order to be able to admire, with
+greater ease, the smoke, as it curled towards the ceiling from his mouth
+and pipe.
+
+"I do hope so," said Mrs Brand, looking up from her knitting, with a
+little sigh.  Mrs Brand usually followed up all her remarks with a
+little sigh.  Sometimes the sigh was _very_ little.  It depended a good
+deal on the nature of her remark whether the sigh was of the little,
+less, or least description; but it never failed, in one or other degree,
+to close her every observation.
+
+"I _think_ he will," said Minnie, as she poured a second cup of tea for
+the widow.
+
+"Ay, that's right, lass," observed the captain; "there's nothin' like
+hope--
+
+  "`The pleasures of hope told a flatterin' tale
+  Regardin' the fleet when Lord Nelson set sail.'
+
+"Fill me out another cup of tea, Hebe."
+
+It was a pleasant little fiction with the captain to call his beverage
+"tea".  Minnie filled out a small cupful of the contents of the little
+teapot, which did, indeed, resemble tea, but which smelt marvellously
+like hot rum and water.
+
+"Enough, enough.  Come on, Macduff!  Ah!  Minnie, this is prime Jamaica;
+it's got such a--but I forgot; you don't understand nothin' about nectar
+of this sort."
+
+The captain smoked in silence for a few minutes, and then said, with a
+sudden chuckle--
+
+"Wasn't it odd, sister, that we should have found it all out in such an
+easy sort o' way?  If criminals would always tell on themselves as
+plainly as Big Swankie did, there would be no use for lawyers."
+
+"Swankie would not have spoken so freely," said Minnie, with a laugh,
+"if he had known that we were listening."
+
+"That's true, girl," said the captain, with sudden gravity; "and I don't
+feel quite easy in my mind about that same eavesdropping.  It's a dirty
+thing to do--especially for an old sailor, who likes everything to be
+fair and above-board; but then, you see, the natur' o' the words we
+couldn't help hearin' justified us in waitin' to hear more.  Yes, it was
+quite right, as it turned out.  A little more tea, Minnie.  Thank'ee,
+lass.  Now go, get the case, and let us look over it again."
+
+The girl rose, and, going to a drawer, quickly returned with a small red
+leather case in her hand.  It was the identical jewel-case that Swankie
+had found on the dead body at the Bell Rock!
+
+"Ah! that's it; now, let us see; let us see."  He laid aside his pipe,
+and for some time felt all his pockets, and looked round the room, as if
+in search of something.
+
+"What are you looking for, uncle?"
+
+"The specs, lass; these specs'll be the death o' me."
+
+Minnie laughed.  "They're on your brow, uncle!"
+
+"So they are!  Well, well--"
+
+The captain smiled deprecatingly, and, drawing his chair close to the
+table, began to examine the box.
+
+Its contents were a strange mixture, and it was evident that the case
+had not been made to hold them.
+
+There was a lady's gold watch, of very small size, and beautifully
+formed; a set of ornaments, consisting of necklace, bracelets, ring, and
+ear-rings of turquoise and pearls set in gold, of the most delicate and
+exquisite chasing; also, an antique diamond cross of great beauty,
+besides a number of rings and bracelets of considerable value.
+
+As the captain took these out one by one, and commented on them, he made
+use of Minnie's pretty hand and arm to try the effect of each, and truly
+the ornaments could not have found a more appropriate resting-place
+among the fairest ladies of the land.
+
+Minnie submitted to be made use of in this way with a pleased and amused
+expression; for, while she greatly admired the costly gems, she could
+not help smiling at the awkwardness of the captain in putting them on.
+
+"Read the paper again," said Minnie, after the contents of the box had
+been examined.
+
+The captain took up a small parcel covered with oiled cloth, which
+contained a letter.  Opening it, he began to read, but was interrupted
+by Mrs Brand, who had paid little attention to the jewels.
+
+"Read it out loud, brother," said she, "I don't hear you well.  Read it
+out; I love to hear of my darling's gallant deeds."
+
+The captain cleared his throat, raised his voice, and read slowly:--
+
+  "`Lisbon, 10th March, 1808.
+
+  "`Dear Captain Brand,--I am about to quit this place for the East in a
+  few days, and shall probably never see you again.  Pray accept the
+  accompanying case of jewels as a small token of the love and esteem in
+  which you are held by a heart-broken father.  I feel assured that if
+  it had been in the power of man to have saved my drowning child your
+  gallant efforts would have been successful.  It was ordained
+  otherwise; and I now pray that I may be enabled to say "God's will be
+  done."  But I cannot bear the sight of these ornaments.  I have no
+  relatives--none at least who deserve them half so well as yourself.
+  Do not pain me by refusing them.  They may be of use to you if you are
+  ever in want of money, being worth, I believe, between three and four
+  hundred pounds.  Of course, you cannot misunderstand my motive in
+  mentioning this.  No amount of money could in any measure represent
+  the gratitude I owe to the man who risked his life to save my child.
+  May God bless you, sir.'"
+
+The letter ended thus, without signature; and the captain ceased to read
+aloud.  But there was an addition to the letter written in pencil, in
+the hand of the late Captain Brand, which neither he nor Minnie had yet
+found courage to read to the poor widow.  It ran thus:--
+
+  "Our doom is sealed.  My schooner is on the Bell Rock.  It is blowing
+  a gale from the North East, and she is going to pieces fast.  We are
+  all standing under the lee of a ledge of rock--six of us.  In half an
+  hour the tide will be roaring over the spot.  God in Christ help us!
+  It is an awful end.  If this letter and box is ever found, I ask the
+  finder to send it, with my blessing, to Mrs Brand, my beloved wife,
+  in Arbroath."
+
+The writing was tremulous, and the paper bore the marks of having been
+soiled with seaweed.  It was unsigned.  The writer had evidently been
+obliged to close it hastily.
+
+After reading this in silence the captain refolded the letter.
+
+"No wonder, Minnie, that Swankie did not dare to offer such things for
+sale.  He would certainly have been found out.  Wasn't it lucky that we
+heard him tell Spink the spot under his floor where he had hidden them?"
+
+At that moment there came a low knock to the door.  Minnie opened it,
+and admitted Davy Spink, who stood in the middle of the room twitching
+his cap nervously, and glancing uneasily from one to another of the
+party.
+
+"Hallo, Spink!" cried the captain, pushing his spectacles up on his
+forehead, and gazing at the fisherman in surprise, "you don't seem to be
+quite easy in your mind.  Hope your fortunes have not sprung a leak!"
+
+"Weel, Captain Ogilvy, they just have; gone to the bottom, I might
+a'most say.  I've come to tell ye--that--the fact is, that the
+press-gang have catched us at last, and ta'en awa' my mate, Jock
+Swankie, better kenn'd as Big Swankie."
+
+"Hem--well, my lad, in so far as that does damage to you, I'm sorry for
+it; but as regards society at large, I rather think that Swankie havin'
+tripped his anchor is a decided advantage.  If you lose by this in one
+way, you gain much in another; for your mate's companionship did ye no
+good.  Birds of a feather should flock together.  You're better apart,
+for I believe you to be an honest man, Spink."
+
+Davy looked at the captain in unfeigned astonishment.
+
+"Weel, ye're the first man that iver said that, an' I thank 'ee, sir,
+but you're wrang, though I wush ye was right.  But that's no' what I
+cam' to tell ye."
+
+Here the fisherman's indecision of manner returned.
+
+"Come, make a clean breast of it, lad.  There are none here but
+friends."
+
+"Weel, sir, Ruby Brand--"
+
+He paused, and Minnie turned deadly pale, for she jumped at once to the
+right conclusion.  The widow, on the other hand, listened for more with
+deep anxiety, but did not guess the truth.
+
+"The fact is, Ruby's catched too, an' he's awa' to the wars, and he sent
+me to--ech, sirs! the auld wuman's fentit."
+
+Poor Widow Brand had indeed fallen back in her chair in a state
+bordering on insensibility.  Minnie was able to restrain her feelings so
+as to attend to her.  She and the captain raised her gently, and led her
+into her own room, from whence the captain returned, and shut the door
+behind him.
+
+"Now, Spink," said he, "tell me all about it, an' be partic'lar."
+
+Davy at once complied, and related all that the reader already knows, in
+a deep, serious tone of voice, for he felt that in the captain he had a
+sympathetic listener.
+
+When he had concluded, Captain Ogilvy heaved a sigh so deep that it
+might have been almost considered a groan, then he sat down on his
+armchair, and, pointing to the chair from which the widow had recently
+risen, said, "Sit down, lad."
+
+As he advanced to comply, Spink's eyes for the first time fell on the
+case of jewels.  He started, paused, and looked with a troubled air at
+the captain.
+
+"Ha!" exclaimed the latter with a grin; "you seem to know these things;
+old acquaintances, eh?"
+
+"It wasna' me that stole them," said Spink hastily.
+
+"I did not say that anyone stole them."
+
+"Weel, I mean that--that--"
+
+He stopped abruptly, for he felt that in whatever way he might attempt
+to clear himself, he would unavoidably criminate, by implication, his
+absent mate.
+
+"I know what you mean, my lad; sit down."
+
+Spink sat down on the edge of the chair, and looked at the other
+uneasily.
+
+"Have a cup of tea?" said the captain abruptly, seizing the small pot
+and pouring out a cupful.
+
+"Thank 'ee--I--I niver tak' tea."
+
+"Take it to-night, then.  It will do you good."
+
+Spink put the cup to his lips, and a look of deep surprise overspread
+his rugged countenance as he sipped the contents.  The captain nodded.
+Spink's look of surprise changed into a confidential smile; he also
+nodded, winked, and drained the cup to the bottom.
+
+"Yes," resumed the captain; "you mean that you did not take the case of
+jewels from old Brand's pocket on that day when you found his body on
+the Bell Rock, though you were present, and saw your comrade pocket the
+booty.  You see I know all about it, Davy, an' your only fault lay in
+concealing the matter, and in keepin' company with that scoundrel."
+
+The gaze of surprise with which Spink listened to the first part of this
+speech changed to a look of sadness towards the end of it.
+
+"Captain Ogilvy," said he, in a tone of solemnity that was a strong
+contrast to his usual easy, careless manner of speaking, "you ca'd me an
+honest man, an' ye think I'm clear o' guilt in this matter, but ye're
+mista'en.  Hoo ye cam' to find oot a' this I canna divine, but I can
+tell ye somethin' mair than ye ken.  D'ye see that bag?"
+
+He pulled a small leather purse out of his coat pocket, and laid it with
+a little bang on the table.
+
+The captain nodded.
+
+"Weel, sir, that was _my_ share o' the plunder, thretty goolden
+sovereigns.  We tossed which o' us was to hae them, an' the siller fell
+to me.  But I've niver spent a boddle o't.  Mony a time have I been
+tempit, an' mony a time wad I hae gi'en in to the temptation, but for a
+certain lass ca'd Janet, that's been an angel, it's my belief, sent doon
+frae heeven to keep me frae gawin to the deevil a'thegither.  But be
+that as it may, I've brought the siller to them that owns it by right,
+an' so my conscience is clear o't at lang last."
+
+The sigh of relief with which Davy Spink pushed the bag of gold towards
+his companion, showed that the poor man's mind was in truth released
+from a heavy load that had crushed it for years.
+
+The captain, who had lit his pipe, stared at the fisherman through the
+smoke for some time in silence; then he began to untie the purse, and
+said slowly, "Spink, I said you were an honest man, an' I see no cause
+to alter my opinion."
+
+He counted out the thirty gold pieces, put them back into the bag, and
+the bag into his pocket.  Then he continued, "Spink, if this gold was
+mine I would--but no matter, it's not mine, it belongs to Widow Brand,
+to whom I shall deliver it up.  Meantime, I'll bid you good night.  All
+these things require reflection.  Call back here to-morrow, my fine
+fellow, and I'll have something to say to you.  Another cup of tea?"
+
+"Weel, I'll no objec'."
+
+Davy Spink rose, swallowed the beverage, and left the cottage.  The
+captain returned, and stood for some time irresolute with his hand on
+the handle of the door of his sister's room.  As he listened, he heard a
+sob, and the tones of Minnie's voice as if in prayer.  Changing his
+mind, he walked softly across the kitchen into his own room, where,
+having trimmed the candle, refilled and lit his pipe, he sat down at the
+table, and, resting his arms thereon, began to meditate.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT.
+
+THE LIGHTHOUSE COMPLETED--RUBY'S ESCAPE FROM TROUBLE BY A DESPERATE
+VENTURE.
+
+There came a time at last when the great work of building the Bell Rock
+Lighthouse drew to a close.  Four years after its commencement it was
+completed, and on the night of the 1st of February, 1811, its bright
+beams were shed for the first time far and wide over the sea.
+
+It must not be supposed, however, that this lighthouse required four
+years to build it.  On the contrary, the seasons in which work could be
+done were very short.  During the whole of the first season of 1807, the
+aggregate time of low-water work, caught by snatches of an hour or two
+at a tide, did not amount to fourteen days of ten hours! while in 1808
+it fell short of four weeks.
+
+A great event is worthy of very special notice.  We should fail in our
+duty to our readers if we were to make only passing reference to this
+important event in the history of our country.
+
+That 1st of February, 1811, was the birthday of a new era, for the
+influence of the Bell Rock Light on the shipping interests of the
+kingdom (not merely of Scotland, by any means), was far greater than
+people generally suppose.
+
+Here is a _fact_ that may well be weighed with attention; that might be
+not inappropriately inscribed in diamond letters over the lintel of the
+lighthouse door.  Up to the period of the building of the lighthouse,
+the known history of the Bell Rock was a black record of wreck, ruin,
+and death.  Its unknown history, in remote ages, who shall conceive,
+much less tell?  _Up_ to that period, seamen dreaded the rock and
+shunned it--ay, so earnestly as to meet destruction too often in their
+anxious efforts to avoid it.  _From_ that period the Bell Rock has been
+a friendly point, a guiding star--hailed as such by storm-tossed
+mariners--marked as such on the charts of all nations.  _From_ that date
+not a single night for more than half a century has passed, without its
+wakeful eye beaming on the waters, or its fog-bells sounding on the air;
+and, best of all, _not a single wreck has occurred on that rock from
+that period down to the present day_!
+
+Say not, good reader, that much the same may be said of all lighthouses.
+In the first place, the history of many lighthouses is by no means so
+happy as that of this one.  In the second place, all lighthouses are not
+of equal importance.  Few stand on an equal footing with the Bell Rock,
+either in regard to its national importance or its actual pedestal.  In
+the last place, it is our subject of consideration at present, and we
+object to odious comparisons while we sing its praises!
+
+Whatever may be said of the other lights that guard our shores, special
+gratitude is due to the Bell Rock--to those who projected it--to the
+engineer who planned and built it--to God, who inspired the will to
+dare, and bestowed the skill to accomplish, a work so difficult, so
+noble, so prolific of good to man!
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+The nature of our story requires that we should occasionally annihilate
+time and space.
+
+Let us then leap over both, and return to our hero, Ruby Brand.
+
+His period of service in the Navy was comparatively brief, much more so
+than either he or his friends anticipated.  Nevertheless, he spent a
+considerable time in his new profession, and, having been sent to
+foreign stations, he saw a good deal of what is called "service", in
+which he distinguished himself, as might have been expected, for
+coolness and courage.
+
+But we must omit all mention of his warlike deeds, and resume the record
+of his history at that point which bears more immediately on the subject
+of our tale.
+
+It was a wild, stormy night in November.  Ruby's ship had captured a
+French privateer in the German Ocean, and, a prize crew having been put
+aboard, she was sent away to the nearest port, which happened to be the
+harbour of Leith, in the Firth of Forth.  Ruby had not been appointed
+one of the prize crew; but he resolved not to miss the chance of again
+seeing his native town, if it should only be a distant view through a
+telescope.  Being a favourite with his commander, his plea was received
+favourably, and he was sent on board the Frenchman.
+
+Those who know what it is to meet with an unexpected piece of great good
+fortune, can imagine the delight with which Ruby stood at the helm on
+the night in question, and steered for _home_!  He was known by all on
+board to be the man who understood best the navigation of the Forth, so
+that implicit trust was placed in him by the young officer who had
+charge of the prize.
+
+The man-of-war happened to be short-handed at the time the privateer was
+captured, owing to her boats having been sent in chase of a suspicious
+craft during a calm.  Some of the French crew were therefore left on
+board to assist in navigating the vessel.
+
+This was unfortunate, for the officer sent in charge turned out to be a
+careless man, and treated the Frenchmen with contempt.  He did not keep
+strict watch over them, and the result was, that, shortly after the
+storm began, they took the English crew by surprise, and overpowered
+them.
+
+Ruby was the first to fall.  As he stood at the wheel, indulging in
+pleasant dreams, a Frenchman stole up behind him, and felled him with a
+handspike.  When he recovered he found that he was firmly bound, along
+with his comrades, and that the vessel was lying-to.  One of the
+Frenchmen came forward at that moment, and addressed the prisoners in
+broken English.
+
+"Now, me boys," said he, "you was see we have konker you again.  You
+behold the sea?" pointing over the side; "well, that bees your bed
+to-night if you no behave.  Now, I wants to know, who is best man of you
+as onderstand die cost?  Speak de trut', else you die."
+
+The English lieutenant at once turned to Ruby.
+
+"Well, cast him loose; de rest of you go b'low--good day, ver' moch
+indeed."
+
+Here the Frenchman made a low bow to the English, who were led below,
+with the exception of Ruby.
+
+"Now, my goot mans, you onderstand dis cost?"
+
+"Yes.  I know it well."
+
+"It is dangereoux?"
+
+"It is--very; but not so much so as it used to be before the Bell Rock
+Light was shown."
+
+"Have you see dat light?"
+
+"No; never.  It was first lighted when I was at sea; but I have seen a
+description of it in the newspapers, and should know it well."
+
+"Ver goot; you will try to come to dat light an' den you will steer out
+from dis place to de open sea.  Afterwards we will show you to France.
+If you try mischief--voila!"
+
+The Frenchman pointed to two of his comrades who stood, one on each side
+of the wheel, with pistols in their hands, ready to keep Ruby in order.
+
+"Now, cut him free.  Go, sare; do your dooty."
+
+Ruby stepped to the wheel at once, and, glancing at the compass,
+directed the vessel's head in the direction of the Bell Rock.
+
+The gale was rapidly increasing, and the management of the helm required
+his undivided attention; nevertheless his mind was busy with anxious
+thoughts and plans of escape.  He thought with horror of a French
+prison, for there were old shipmates of his who had been captured years
+before, and who were pining in exile still.  The bare idea of being
+separated indefinitely, perhaps for ever, from Minnie, was so terrible,
+that for a moment he meditated an attack, single-handed, on the crew;
+but the muzzle of a pistol on each side of him induced him to pause and
+reflect!  Reflection, however, only brought him again to the verge of
+despair.  Then he thought of running up to Leith, and so take the
+Frenchmen prisoners; but this idea was at once discarded, for it was
+impossible to pass up to Leith Roads without seeing the Bell Rock light,
+and the Frenchmen kept a sharp lookout.  Then he resolved to run the
+vessel ashore and wreck her, but the thought of his comrades down below
+induced him to give that plan up.
+
+Under the influence of these thoughts he became inattentive, and steered
+rather wildly once or twice.
+
+"Stiddy.  Ha! you tink of how you escape?"
+
+"Yes, I do," said Ruby, doggedly.
+
+"Good, and have you see how?"
+
+"No," replied Ruby, "I tell you candidly that I can see no way of
+escape."
+
+"Ver good, sare; mind your helm."
+
+At that moment a bright star of the first magnitude rose on the horizon,
+right ahead of them.
+
+"Ha! dat is a star," said the Frenchman, after a few moments'
+observation of it.
+
+"Stars don't go out," replied Ruby, as the light in question
+disappeared.
+
+"It is de light'ouse den?"
+
+"I don't know," said Ruby, "but we shall soon see."
+
+Just then a thought flashed into Ruby's mind.  His heart beat quick, his
+eye dilated, and his lip was tightly compressed as it came and went.
+Almost at the same moment another star rose right ahead of them.  It was
+of a deep red colour; and Ruby's heart beat high again, for he was now
+certain that it was the revolving light of the Bell Rock, which shows a
+white and red light alternately every two minutes.
+
+"_Voila_! that must be him now," exclaimed the Frenchman, pointing to
+the light, and looking enquiringly at Ruby.
+
+"I have told you," said the latter, "that I never saw the light before.
+I believe it to be the Bell Rock Light; but it would be as well to run
+close and see.  I think I could tell the very stones of the tower, even
+in a dark night.  Anyhow, I know the rock itself too well to mistake
+it."
+
+"Be there plenty watter?"
+
+"Ay; on the east side, close to the rock, there is enough water to float
+the biggest ship in your navy."
+
+"Good; we shall go close."
+
+There was a slight lull in the gale at this time, and the clouds broke a
+little, allowing occasional glimpses of moonlight to break through and
+tinge the foaming crests of the waves.  At last the light, that had at
+first looked like a bright star, soon increased, and appeared like a
+glorious sun in the stormy sky.  For a few seconds it shone intensely
+white and strong, then it slowly died away and disappeared; but almost
+before one could have time to wonder what had become of it, it returned
+in the form of a brilliant red sun, which also shone for a few seconds,
+steadily, and then, like the former, slowly died out.  Thus,
+alternating, the red and white suns went round.
+
+In a few minutes the tall and graceful column itself became visible,
+looking pale and spectral against the black sky.  At the same time the
+roar of the surf broke familiarly on Ruby's ears.  He steered close past
+the north end of the rock, so close that he could see the rocks, and
+knew that it was low water.  A gleam of moonlight broke out at the time,
+as if to encourage him.
+
+"Now," said Ruby, "you had better go about, for if we carry on at this
+rate, in the course we are going, in about an hour you will either be a
+dead man on the rocks of Forfar, or enjoying yourself in a Scotch
+prison!"
+
+"Ha! ha!" laughed the Frenchman, who immediately gave the order to put
+the vessel about; "good, ver good; bot I was not wish to see the
+Scottish prison, though I am told the mountains be ver superb."
+
+While he was speaking, the little vessel lay over on her new course, and
+Ruby steered again past the north side of the rock.  He shaved it so
+close that the Frenchman shouted, "_Prenez garde_," and put a pistol to
+Ruby's ear.
+
+"Do you think I wish to die?" asked Ruby, with a quiet smile.  "Now,
+captain, I want to point out the course, so as to make you sure of it.
+Bid one of your men take the wheel, and step up on the bulwarks with me,
+and I will show you."
+
+This was such a natural remark in the circumstances, and moreover so
+naturally expressed, that the Frenchman at once agreed.  He ordered a
+seaman to take the wheel, and then stepped with Ruby upon the bulwarks
+at the stern of the vessel.
+
+"Now, you see the position of the lighthouse," said Ruby, "well, you
+must keep your course due east after passing it.  If you steer to the
+nor'ard o' that, you'll run on the Scotch coast; if you bear away to the
+south'ard of it, you'll run a chance, in this state o' the tide, of
+getting wrecked among the Farne Islands; so keep her head _due east_."
+
+Ruby said this very impressively; so much so, that the Frenchman looked
+at him in surprise.
+
+"Why you so particulare?" he enquired, with a look of suspicion.
+
+"Because I am going to leave you," said Ruby, pointing to the Bell Rock,
+which at that moment was not much more than a hundred yards to leeward.
+Indeed, it was scarcely so much, for the outlying rock at the northern
+end named _Johnny Gray_, lay close under their lee as the vessel passed.
+Just then a great wave burst upon it, and, roaring in wild foam over
+the ledges, poured into the channels and pools on the other side.  For
+one instant Ruby's courage wavered, as he gazed at the flood of boiling
+foam.
+
+"What you say?" exclaimed the Frenchman, laying his hand on the collar
+of Ruby's jacket.
+
+The young sailor started, struck the Frenchman a backhanded blow on the
+chest, which hurled him violently against the man at the wheel, and,
+bending down, sprang with a wild shout into the sea.
+
+So close had he steered to the rock, in order to lessen the danger of
+his reckless venture, that the privateer just weathered it.  There was
+not, of course, the smallest chance of recapturing Ruby.  No ordinary
+boat could have lived in the sea that was running at the time, even in
+open water, much less among the breakers of the Bell Rock.  Indeed, the
+crew felt certain that the English sailor had allowed despair to
+overcome his judgment, and that he must infallibly be dashed to pieces
+on the rocks, so they did not check their onward course, being too glad
+to escape from the immediate neighbourhood of such a dangerous spot.
+
+Meanwhile Ruby buffeted the billows manfully.  He was fully alive to the
+extreme danger of the attempt, but he knew exactly what he meant to do.
+He trusted to his intimate knowledge of every ledge and channel and
+current, and had calculated his motions to a nicety.
+
+He knew that at the particular state of the tide at the time, and with
+the wind blowing as it then did, there was a slight eddy at the point of
+_Cunningham's Ledge_.  His life, he felt, depended on his gaining that
+eddy.  If he should miss it, he would be dashed against _Johnny Gray's_
+rock, or be carried beyond it and cast upon _Strachan's Ledge_ or
+_Scoreby's Point_, and no man, however powerful he might be, could have
+survived the shock of being launched on any of these rocks.  On the
+other hand, if, in order to avoid these dangers, he should swim too much
+to windward, there was danger of his being carried on the crest of a
+billow and hurled upon the weather-side of _Cunningham's Ledge_, instead
+of getting into the eddy under its lee.
+
+All this Ruby had seen and calculated when he passed the north end of
+the rock the first time, and he had fixed the exact spot where he should
+take the plunge on repassing it.  He acted so promptly that a few
+minutes sufficed to carry him towards the eddy, the tide being in his
+favour.  But when he was about to swim into it, a wave burst completely
+over the ledge, and, pouring down on his head, thrust him back.  He was
+almost stunned by the shock, but retained sufficient presence of mind to
+struggle on.  For a few seconds he managed to bear up against wind and
+tide, for he put forth his giant strength with the energy of a desperate
+man, but gradually he was carried away from the rock, and for the first
+time his heart sank within him.
+
+Just then one of those rushes or swirls of water, which are common among
+rocks in such a position, swept him again forward, right into the eddy
+which he had struggled in vain to reach, and thrust him violently
+against the rock.  This back current was the precursor of a tremendous
+billow, which came towering on like a black moving wall.  Ruby saw it,
+and, twining his arm amongst the seaweed, held his breath.
+
+The billow fell!  Only those who have seen the Bell Rock in a storm can
+properly estimate the roar that followed.  None but Ruby himself could
+tell what it was to feel that world of water rushing overhead.  Had it
+fallen directly upon him, it would have torn him from his grasp and
+killed him, but its full force had been previously spent on
+_Cunningham's Ledge_.  In another moment it passed, and Ruby, quitting
+his hold, struck out wildly through the foam.  A few strokes carried him
+through _Sinclair's_ and _Wilson's_ tracks into the little pool formerly
+mentioned as _Port Stevenson_.
+
+[The author has himself bathed in Port Stevenson, so that the reader may
+rely on the fidelity of this description of it and the surrounding
+ledges.]
+
+Here he was in comparative safety.  True, the sprays burst over the
+ledge called _The Last Hope_ in heavy masses, but these could do him no
+serious harm, and it would take a quarter of an hour at least for the
+tide to sweep into the pool.  Ruby therefore swam quietly to _Trinity
+Ledge_, where he landed, and, stepping over it, sat down to rest, with a
+thankful heart, on _Smith's Ledge_, the old familiar spot where he and
+Jamie Dove had wrought so often and so hard at the forge in former days.
+
+He was now under the shadow of the Bell Rock Lighthouse, which towered
+high above his head; and the impression of immovable solidity which its
+cold, grey, stately column conveyed to his mind, contrasted powerfully
+with the howling wind and the raging sea around.  It seemed to him, as
+he sat there within three yards of its granite base, like the
+impersonation of repose in the midst of turmoil; of peace surrounded by
+war; of calm and solid self-possession in the midst of fretful and
+raging instability.
+
+No one was there to welcome Ruby.  The lightkeepers, high up in the
+apartments in their wild home, knew nothing and heard nothing of all
+that had passed so near them.  The darkness of the night and the roaring
+of the storm was all they saw or heard of the world without, as they sat
+in their watch tower reading or trimming their lamps.
+
+But Ruby was not sorry for this; he felt glad to be alone with God, to
+thank Him for his recent deliverance.
+
+Exhausting though the struggle had been, its duration was short, so that
+he soon recovered his wonted strength.  Then, rising, he got upon the
+iron railway, or "rails", as the men used to call it, and a few steps
+brought him to the foot of the metal ladder conducting to the
+entrance-door.
+
+Climbing up, he stood at last in a place of safety, and disappeared
+within the doorway of the lighthouse.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY NINE.
+
+THE WRECK.
+
+Meantime the French privateer sped onward to her doom.
+
+The force with which the French commander fell when Ruby cast him off,
+had stunned him so severely that it was a considerable time before he
+recovered.  The rest of the crew were therefore in absolute ignorance of
+how to steer.
+
+In this dilemma they lay-to for a short time, after getting away to a
+sufficient distance from the dangerous rock, and consulted what was to
+be done.  Some advised one course, and some another, but it was finally
+suggested that one of the English prisoners should be brought up and
+commanded to steer out to sea.
+
+This advice was acted on, and the sailor who was brought up chanced to
+be one who had a partial knowledge of the surrounding coasts.  One of
+the Frenchmen who could speak a few words of English, did his best to
+convey his wishes to the sailor, and wound up by producing a pistol,
+which he cocked significantly.
+
+"All right," said the sailor, "I knows the coast, and can run ye
+straight out to sea.  That's the Bell Rock Light on the weather-bow, I
+s'pose."
+
+"Oui, dat is de Bell Roke."
+
+"Wery good; our course is due nor'west."
+
+So saying, the man took the wheel and laid the ship's course
+accordingly.
+
+Now, he knew quite well that this course would carry the vessel towards
+the harbour of Arbroath, into which he resolved to run at all hazards,
+trusting to the harbour-lights to guide him when he should draw near.
+He knew that he ran the strongest possible risk of getting himself shot
+when the Frenchmen should find out his faithlessness, but he hoped to
+prevail on them to believe the harbour-lights were only another
+lighthouse, which they should have to pass on their way out to sea, and
+then it would be too late to put the vessel about and attempt to escape.
+
+But all his calculations were useless, as it turned out, for in half an
+hour the men at the bow shouted that there were breakers ahead, and
+before the helm could be put down, they struck with such force that the
+topmasts went overboard at once, and the sails, bursting their sheets
+and tackling, were blown to ribbons.
+
+Just then a gleam of moonlight struggled through the wrack of clouds,
+and revealed the dark cliffs of the Forfar coast, towering high above
+them.  The vessel had struck on the rocks at the entrance to one of
+those rugged bays with which that coast is everywhere indented.
+
+At the first glance, the steersman knew that the doom of all on board
+was fixed, for the bay was one of those which are surrounded by almost
+perpendicular cliffs; and although, during calm weather, there was a
+small space between the cliffs and the sea, which might be termed a
+beach, yet during a storm the waves lashed with terrific fury against
+the rocks, so that no human being might land there.
+
+It chanced at the time that Captain Ogilvy, who took great delight in
+visiting the cliffs in stormy weather, had gone out there for a midnight
+walk with a young friend, and when the privateer struck, he was standing
+on the top of the cliffs.
+
+He knew at once that the fate of the unfortunate people on board was
+almost certain, but, with his wonted energy, he did his best to prevent
+the catastrophe.
+
+"Run, lad, and fetch men, and ropes, and ladders.  Alarm the whole town,
+and use your legs well.  Lives depend on your speed," said the captain,
+in great excitement.
+
+The lad required no second bidding.  He turned and fled like a
+greyhound.
+
+The lieges of Arbroath were not slow to answer the summons.  There were
+neither lifeboats nor mortar-apparatus in those days, but there were the
+same willing hearts and stout arms then as now, and in a marvellously
+short space of time, hundreds of the able-bodied men of the town, gentle
+and semple, were assembled on these wild cliffs, with torches, rope,
+etcetera; in short, with all the appliances for saving life that the
+philanthropy of the times had invented or discovered.
+
+But, alas! these appliances were of no avail.  The vessel went to pieces
+on the outer point of rocks, and part of the wreck, with the crew
+clinging to it, drifted into the bay.
+
+The horrified people on the cliffs looked down into that dreadful abyss
+of churning water and foam, into which no one could descend.  Ropes were
+thrown again and again, but without avail.  Either it was too dark to
+see, or the wrecked men were paralysed.  An occasional shriek was heard
+above the roar of the tempest, as, one after another, the exhausted men
+fell into the water, or were wrenched from their hold of the piece of
+wreck.
+
+At last one man succeeded in catching hold of a rope, and was carefully
+hauled up to the top of the cliff.
+
+It was found that this was one of the English sailors.  He had taken the
+precaution to tie the rope under his arms, poor fellow, having no
+strength left to hold on to it; but he was so badly bruised as to be in
+a dying state when laid on the grass.
+
+"Keep back and give him air," said Captain Ogilvy, who had taken a
+prominent part in the futile efforts to save the crew, and who now
+kneeled at the sailor's side, and moistened his lips with a little
+brandy.
+
+The poor man gave a confused and rambling account of the circumstances
+of the wreck, but it was sufficiently intelligible to make the captain
+acquainted with the leading particulars.
+
+"Were there many of your comrades aboard?" he enquired.  The dying man
+looked up with a vacant expression.  It was evident that he did not
+quite understand the question, but he began again to mutter in a partly
+incoherent manner.
+
+"They're all gone," said he, "every man of 'em but me!  All tied
+together in the hold.  They cast us loose, though, after she struck.
+All gone! all gone!"
+
+After a moment he seemed to try to recollect something.
+
+"No," said he, "we weren't all together.  They took Ruby on deck, and I
+never saw _him_ again.  I wonder what they did--"
+
+Here he paused.
+
+"Who, did you say?" enquired the captain with deep anxiety.
+
+"Ruby--Ruby Brand," replied the man.
+
+"What became of him, said you?"
+
+"Don't know."
+
+"Was _he_ drowned?"
+
+"Don't know," repeated the man.
+
+The captain could get no other answer from him, so he was compelled to
+rest content, for the poor man appeared to be sinking.
+
+A sort of couch had been prepared for him, on which he was carried into
+the town, but before he reached it he was dead.  Nothing more could be
+done that night, but next day, when the tide was out, men were lowered
+down the precipitous sides of the fatal bay, and the bodies of the
+unfortunate seamen were sent up to the top of the cliffs by means of
+ropes.  These ropes cut deep grooves in the turf, as the bodies were
+hauled up one by one and laid upon the grass, after which they were
+conveyed to the town, and decently interred.
+
+The spot where this melancholy wreck occurred is now pointed out to the
+visitor as "The Seamen's Grave", and the young folk of the town have,
+from the time of the wreck, annually recut the grooves in the turf,
+above referred to, in commemoration of the event, so that these grooves
+may be seen there at the present day.
+
+It may easily be imagined that poor Captain Ogilvy returned to Arbroath
+that night with dark forebodings in his breast.
+
+He could not, however, imagine how Ruby came to be among the men on
+board of the French prize; and tried to comfort himself with the thought
+that the dying sailor had perhaps been a comrade of Ruby's at some time
+or other, and was, in his wandering state of mind, mixing him up with
+the recent wreck.
+
+As, however, he could come to no certain conclusion on this point, he
+resolved not to tell what he had heard either to his sister or Minnie,
+but to confine his anxieties, at least for the present, to his own
+breast.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY.
+
+OLD FRIENDS IN NEW CIRCUMSTANCES.
+
+Let us now return to Ruby Brand; and in order that the reader may
+perfectly understand the proceedings of that bold youth, let us take a
+glance at the Bell Rock Lighthouse in its completed condition.
+
+We have already said that the lower part, from the foundation to the
+height of thirty feet, was built of solid masonry, and that at the top
+of this solid part stood the entrance-door of the building--facing
+towards the south.
+
+The position of the door was fixed after the solid part had been exposed
+to a winter's storms.  The effect on the building was such that the most
+sheltered or lee-side was clearly indicated; the weather-side being
+thickly covered with limpets, barnacles, and short green seaweed, while
+the lee-side was comparatively free from such incrustations.
+
+The walls at the entrance-door are nearly seven feet thick, and the
+short passage that pierces them leads to the foot of a spiral staircase,
+which conducts to the lowest apartment in the tower, where the walls
+decrease in thickness to three feet.  This room is the provision store.
+Here are kept water-tanks and provisions of all kinds, including fresh
+vegetables which, with fresh water, are supplied once a fortnight to the
+rock all the year round.  The provision store is the smallest apartment,
+for, as the walls of the tower decrease in thickness as they rise, the
+several apartments necessarily increase as they ascend.
+
+The second floor is reached by a wooden staircase or ladder, leading up
+through a "manhole" in the ceiling.  Here is the lightroom store, which
+contains large tanks of polished metal for the oil consumed by the
+lights.  A whole year's stock of oil, or about 1100 gallons, is stored
+in these tanks.  Here also is a small carpenter's bench and tool-box,
+besides an endless variety of odds and ends,--such as paint-pots,
+brushes, flags, waste for cleaning the reflectors, etcetera, etcetera.
+
+Another stair, similar to the first, leads to the third floor, which is
+the kitchen of the building.  It stands about sixty-six feet above the
+foundation.  We shall have occasion to describe it and the rooms above
+presently.  Meanwhile, let it suffice to say, that the fourth floor
+contains the men's sleeping-berths, of which there are six, although
+three men is the usual complement on the rock.  The fifth floor is the
+library, and above that is the lantern; the whole building, from base to
+summit, being 115 feet high.
+
+At the time when Ruby entered the door of the Bell Rock Lighthouse, as
+already described, there were three keepers in the building, one of whom
+was on his watch in the lantern, while the other two were in the
+kitchen.
+
+These men were all old friends.  The man in the lantern was George
+Forsyth, who had been appointed one of the light-keepers in
+consideration of his good services and steadiness.  He was seated
+reading at a small desk.  Close above him was the blazing series of
+lights, which revolved slowly and steadily by means of machinery, moved
+by a heavy weight.  A small bell was struck slowly but regularly by the
+same machinery, in token that all was going on well.  If that bell had
+ceased to sound, Forsyth would at once have leaped up to ascertain what
+was wrong with the lights.  So long as it continued to ring he knew that
+all was well, and that he might continue his studies peacefully--not
+quietly, however, for, besides the rush of wind against the thick
+plate-glass of the lantern, there was the never-ceasing roar of the
+ventilator, in which the heated air from within and the cold air from
+without met and kept up a terrific war.  Keepers get used to that sound,
+however, and do not mind it.
+
+Each keeper's duty was to watch for three successive hours in the
+lantern.
+
+Not less familiar were the faces of the occupants of the kitchen.  To
+this apartment Ruby ascended without anyone hearing him approach, for
+one of the windows was open, and the roar of the storm effectually
+drowned his light footfall.  On reaching the floor immediately below the
+kitchen he heard the tones of a violin, and when his head emerged
+through the manhole of the kitchen floor, he paused and listened with
+deep interest, for the air was familiar.
+
+Peeping round the corner of the oaken partition that separated the
+manhole from the apartment, he beheld a sight which filled his heart
+with gladness, for there, seated on a camp-stool, with his back leaning
+against the dresser, his face lighted up by the blaze of a splendid
+fire, which burned in a most comfortable-looking kitchen range, and his
+hands drawing forth most pathetic music from a violin, sat his old
+friend Joe Dumsby, while opposite to him on a similar camp-stool, with
+his arm resting on a small table, and a familiar black pipe in his
+mouth, sat that worthy son of Vulcan, Jamie Dove.
+
+The little apartment glowed with ruddy light, and to Ruby, who had just
+escaped from a scene of such drear and dismal aspect, it appeared, what
+it really was, a place of the most luxurious comfort.
+
+Dove was keeping time to the music with little puffs of smoke, and Joe
+was in the middle of a prolonged shake, when Ruby passed through the
+doorway and stood before them.
+
+Dove's eyes opened to their widest, and his jaw dropt, so did his pipe,
+and the music ceased abruptly, while the face of both men grew pale.
+
+"I'm not a ghost, boys," said Ruby, with a laugh, which afforded immense
+relief to his old comrades.  "Come, have ye not a welcome for an old
+messmate who swims off to visit you on such a night as this?"
+
+Dove was the first to recover.  He gasped, and, holding out both arms,
+exclaimed, "Ruby Brand!"
+
+"And no mistake!" cried Ruby, advancing and grasping his friend warmly
+by the hands.
+
+For at least half a minute the two men shook each other's hands lustily
+and in silence.  Then they burst into a loud laugh, while Joe, suddenly
+recovering, went crashing into a Scotch reel with energy so great that
+time and tune were both sacrificed.  As if by mutual impulse, Ruby and
+Dove began to dance!  But this was merely a spurt of feeling, more than
+half-involuntary.  In the middle of a bar Joe flung down the fiddle,
+and, springing up, seized Ruby round the neck and hugged him, an act
+which made him aware of the fact that he was dripping wet.
+
+"Did ye _swim_ hoff to the rock?" he enquired, stepping back, and gazing
+at his friend with a look of surprise, mingled with awe.
+
+"Indeed I did."
+
+"But how? why? what mystery are ye rolled up in?" exclaimed the smith.
+
+"Sit down, sit down, and quiet yourselves," said Ruby, drawing a stool
+near to the fire, and seating himself.  "I'll explain, if you'll only
+hold your tongues, and not look so scared like."
+
+"No, Ruby; no, lad, you must change yer clothes first," said the smith,
+in a tone of authority; "why, the fire makes you steam like a washin'
+biler.  Come along with me, an' I'll rig you out."
+
+"Ay, go hup with 'im, Ruby.  Bless me, this is the most amazin'
+hincident as ever 'appened to me.  Never saw nothink like it."
+
+As Dove and Ruby ascended to the room above, Joe went about the kitchen
+talking to himself, poking the fire violently, overturning the
+camp-stools, knocking about the crockery on the dresser, and otherwise
+conducting himself like a lunatic.
+
+Of course Ruby told Dove parts of his story by fits and starts as he was
+changing his garments; of course he had to be taken up to the lightroom
+and go through the same scene there with Forsyth that had occurred in
+the kitchen; and, of course, it was not until all the men, himself
+included, had quite exhausted themselves, that he was able to sit down
+at the kitchen fire and give a full and connected account of himself,
+and of his recent doings.
+
+After he had concluded his narrative, which was interrupted by frequent
+question and comment, and after he had refreshed himself with a cup of
+tea, he rose and said--
+
+"Now, boys, it's not fair to be spending all the night with you here,
+while my old comrade Forsyth sits up yonder all alone.  I'll go up and
+see him for a little."
+
+"We'll go hup with 'ee, lad," said Dumsby.
+
+"No ye won't," replied Ruby; "I want him all to myself for a while; fair
+play and no favour, you know, used to be our watchword on the rock in
+old times.  Besides, his watch will be out in a little, so ye can come
+up and fetch him down."
+
+"Well, go along with you," said the smith.  "Hallo! that must have been
+a big 'un."
+
+This last remark had reference to a distinct tremor in the building,
+caused by the falling of a great wave upon it.
+
+"Does it often get raps like that?" enquired Ruby, with a look of
+surprise.
+
+"Not often," said Dove, "once or twice durin' a gale, mayhap, when a
+bigger one than usual chances to fall on us at the right angle.  But the
+lighthouse shakes worst just the gales begin to take off and when the
+swell rolls in heavy from the east'ard."
+
+"Ay, that's the time," quoth Joe.  "W'y, I've 'eard all the cups and
+saucers on the dresser rattle with the blows o' them heavy seas, but the
+gale is gittin' to be too strong to-night to shake us much."
+
+"Too strong!" exclaimed Ruby.
+
+"Ay.  You see w'en it blows very hard, the breakers have not time to
+come down on us with a 'eavy tellin' blow, they goes tumblin' and
+swashin' round us and over us, hammerin' away wildly everyhow, or nohow,
+or anyhow, just like a hexcited man fightin' in a hurry.  The
+after-swell, _that's_ wot does it.  _That's_ wot comes on slow, and big,
+and easy but powerful, like a great prize-fighter as knows what he can
+do, and means to do it."
+
+"A most uncomfortable sort of residence," said Ruby, as he turned to
+quit the room.
+
+"Not a bit, when ye git used to it," said the smith.  "At first we was
+rather skeered, but we don't mind now.  Come, Joe, give us `Rule,
+Britannia'--`pity she don't rule the waves straighter,' as somebody
+writes somewhere."
+
+So saying, Dove resumed his pipe, and Dumsby his fiddle, while Ruby
+proceeded to the staircase that led to the rooms above.
+
+Just as he was about to ascend, a furious gust of wind swept past,
+accompanied by a wild roar of the sea; at the same moment a mass of
+spray dashed against the small window at his side.  He knew that this
+window was at least sixty feet above the rock, and he was suddenly
+filled with a strong desire to have a nearer view of the waves that had
+force to mount so high.  Instead, therefore, of ascending to the
+lantern, he descended to the doorway, which was open, for, as the storm
+blew from the eastward, the door was on the lee-side.
+
+There were two doors--one of metal, with thick plate-glass panels at the
+inner end of the passage; the other, at the outer end of it, was made of
+thick solid wood bound with metal, and hung so as to open outwards.
+When the two leaves of this heavy door were shut they were flush with
+the tower, so that nothing was presented for the waves to act upon.  But
+this door was never closed except in cases of storm from the southward.
+
+The scene which presented itself to our hero when he stood in the
+entrance passage was such as neither pen nor pencil can adequately
+depict.  The tide was full, or nearly so, and had the night been calm
+the water would have stood about twelve or fourteen feet on the sides of
+the tower, leaving a space of about the same height between its surface
+and the spot at the top of the copper ladder where Ruby stood; but such
+was the wild commotion of the sea that this space was at one moment
+reduced to a few feet, as the waves sprang up towards the doorway, or
+nearly doubled, as they sank hissing down to the very rock.
+
+Acres of white, leaping, seething foam covered the spot where the
+terrible Bell Rock lay.  Never for a moment did that boiling cauldron
+get time to show one spot of dark-coloured water.  Billow after billow
+came careering on from the open sea in quick succession, breaking with
+indescribable force and fury just a few yards to windward of the
+foundations of the lighthouse, where the outer ledges of the rock,
+although at the time deep down in the water, were sufficiently near the
+surface to break their first full force, and save the tower from
+destruction, though not from many a tremendous blow and overwhelming
+deluge of water.
+
+When the waves hit the rock they were so near that the lighthouse
+appeared to receive the shock.  Rushing round it on either side, the
+cleft billows met again to leeward, just opposite the door, where they
+burst upwards in a magnificent cloud of spray to a height of full thirty
+feet.  At one time, while Ruby held on by the man-ropes at the door and
+looked over the edge, he could see a dark abyss with the foam shimmering
+pale far below; another instant, and the solid building perceptibly
+trembled, as a green sea hit it fair on the weather-side.  A continuous
+roar and hiss followed as the billow swept round, filled up the dark
+abyss, and sent the white water gleaming up almost into the doorway.  At
+the same moment the sprays flew by on either side of the column, so high
+that a few drops were thrown on the lantern.  To Ruby's eye these sprays
+appeared to be clouds driving across the sky, so high were they above
+his head.  A feeling of awe crept over him as his mind gradually began
+to realise the world of water which, as it were, overwhelmed him--water
+and foam roaring and flying everywhere--the heavy seas thundering on the
+column at his back--the sprays from behind arching almost over the
+lighthouse, and meeting those that burst up in front, while an eddy of
+wind sent a cloud swirling in at the doorway, and drenched him to the
+skin!  It was an exhibition of the might of God in the storm such as he
+had never seen before, and a brief sudden exclamation of thanksgiving
+burst from the youth's lips, as he thought of how hopeless his case
+would have been had the French vessel passed the lighthouse an hour
+later than it did.
+
+The contrast between the scene outside and that inside the Bell Rock
+Lighthouse at that time was indeed striking.  Outside there was madly
+raging conflict; inside there were peace, comfort, security: Ruby, with
+his arms folded, standing calmly in the doorway; Jamie Dove and Joe
+Dumsby smoking and fiddling in the snug kitchen; George Forsyth reading
+(the _Pilgrim's Progress_ mayhap, or _Robinson Crusoe_, for both works
+were in the Bell Rock library) by the bright blaze of the crimson and
+white lamps, high up in the crystal lantern.
+
+If a magician had divided the tower in two from top to bottom while some
+ship was staggering past before the gale, he would have presented to the
+amazed mariners the most astonishing picture of "war without and peace
+within" that the world ever saw!
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY ONE.
+
+MIDNIGHT CHAT IN A LANTERN.
+
+"I'll have to borrow another shirt and pair of trousers from you, Dove,"
+said Ruby with a laugh, as he returned to the kitchen.
+
+"What! been having another swim?" exclaimed the smith.
+
+"Not exactly, but you see I'm fond o' water.  Come along, lad."
+
+In a few minutes the clothes were changed, and Ruby was seated beside
+Forsyth, asking him earnestly about his friends on shore.
+
+"Ah!  Ruby," said Forsyth, "I thought it would have killed your old
+mother when she was told of your bein' caught by them sea-sharks, and
+taken off to the wars.  You must know I came to see a good deal of your
+friends, through--through--hoot! what's the name? the fair-haired lass
+that lives with--"
+
+"Minnie?" suggested Ruby, who could not but wonder that any man living
+should forget _her_ name for a moment.
+
+"Ay, Minnie it is.  She used to come to see my wife about some work they
+wanted her to do, and I was now and again sent up with a message to the
+cottage, and Captain Ogilvy always invited me in to take a glass out of
+his old teapot.  Your mother used to ask me ever so many questions about
+you, an' what you used to say and do on the rock when this lighthouse
+was buildin'.  She looked so sad and pale, poor thing; I really thought
+it would be all up with her, an' I believe it would, but for Minnie.  It
+was quite wonderful the way that girl cheered your mother up, by readin'
+bits o' the Bible to her, an' tellin' her that God would certainly send
+you back again.  She looked and spoke always so brightly too."
+
+"Did she do that?" exclaimed Ruby, with emotion.
+
+Forsyth looked for a moment earnestly at his friend.
+
+"I mean," continued Ruby, in some confusion, "did she look bright when
+she spoke of my bein' away?"
+
+"No lad, it was when she spoke of you comin' back; but I could see that
+her good spirits was partly put on to keep up the old woman."
+
+For a moment or two the friends remained silent.
+
+Suddenly Forsyth laid his hand on the other's shoulder, and said
+impressively: "Ruby Brand, it's my belief that that girl is rather fond
+of you."
+
+Ruby looked up with a bright smile, and said, "D'you think so?  Well,
+d'ye know, I believe she is."
+
+"Upon my word, youngster," exclaimed the other, with a look of evident
+disgust, "your conceit is considerable.  I had thought to be somewhat
+confidential with you in regard to this idea of mine, but you seem to
+swallow it so easy, and to look upon it as so natural a thing, that--
+that--Do you suppose you've nothin' to do but ask the girl to marry you
+and she'll say `Yes' at once?"
+
+"I do," said Ruby quietly; "nay, I am sure of it."
+
+Forsyth's eyes opened very wide indeed at this.  "Young man," said he,
+"the sea must have washed all the modesty you once had out of you--"
+
+"I hope not," interrupted the other, "but the fact is that I put the
+question you have supposed to Minnie long ago, and she _did_ say `Yes'
+to it then, so it's not likely she's goin' to draw back now."
+
+"Whew! that alters the case," cried Forsyth, seizing his friend's hand,
+and wringing it heartily.
+
+"Hallo! you two seem to be on good terms, anyhow," observed Jamie Dove,
+whose head appeared at that moment through the hole in the floor by
+which the lantern communicated with the room below.  "I came to see if
+anything had gone wrong, for your time of watch is up."
+
+"So it is," exclaimed Forsyth, rising and crossing to the other side of
+the apartment, where he applied his lips to a small tube in the wall.
+
+"What are you doing?" enquired Ruby.
+
+"Whistling up Joe," said Forsyth.  "This pipe runs down to the sleepin'
+berths, where there's a whistle close to Joe's ear.  He must be asleep.
+I'll try again."
+
+He blew down the tube a second time and listened for a reply, which came
+up a moment or two after in a sharp whistle through a similar tube
+reversed; that is, with the mouthpiece below and the whistle above.
+
+Soon after, Joe Dumsby made his appearance at the trap-door, looking
+very sleepy.
+
+"I feels as 'eavy as a lump o' lead," said he.  "Wot an 'orrible thing
+it is to be woke out o' a comf'r'able sleep."
+
+Just as he spoke the lighthouse received a blow so tremendous that all
+the men started and looked at each other for a moment in surprise.
+
+"I say, is it warranted to stand _anything_?" enquired Ruby seriously.
+
+"I hope it is," replied the smith, "else it'll be a blue lookout for
+_us_.  But we don't often get such a rap as that.  D'ye mind the first
+we ever felt o' that sort, Forsyth?  It happened last month.  I was on
+watch at the time, Forsyth was smokin' his pipe in the kitchen, and
+Dumsby was in bed, when a sea struck us with such force that I thought
+we was done for.  In a moment Forsyth and Joe came tumblin' up the
+ladder--Joe in his shirt.  `It must have been a ship sailed right
+against us,' says Forsyth, and with that we all jumped on the rail that
+runs round the lantern there and looked out, but no ship could be seen,
+though it was a moonlight night.  You see there's plenty o' water at
+high tide to let a ship of two hundred tons, drawin' twelve feet, run
+slap into us, and we've sometimes feared this in foggy weather; but it
+was just a blow of the sea.  We've had two or three like it since, and
+are gettin' used to it now."
+
+"Well, we can't get used to do without sleep," said Forsyth, stepping
+down through the trap-door, "so I'll bid ye all good night."
+
+"'Old on!  Tell Ruby about Junk before ye go," cried Dumsby.  "Ah! well,
+I'll tell 'im myself.  You must know, Ruby, that we've got what they
+calls an hoccasional light-keeper ashore, who larns the work out 'ere in
+case any of us reg'lar keepers are took ill, so as 'e can supply our
+place on short notice.  Well, 'e was out 'ere larnin' the dooties one
+tremendous stormy night, an' the poor fellow was in a mortial fright for
+fear the lantern would be blowed right hoff the top o' the stone column,
+and 'imself along with it.  You see, the door that covers the manhole
+there is usually shut when we're on watch, but Junk (we called 'im Junk
+'cause 'e wos so like a lump o' fat pork), 'e kep the door open all the
+time an' sat close beside it, so as to be ready for a dive.  Well, it
+was my turn to watch, so I went up, an' just as I puts my fut on the
+first step o' the lantern-ladder there comes a sea like wot we had a
+minit ago; the wind at the same time roared in the wentilators like a
+thousand fiends, and the spray dashed agin the glass.  Junk gave a yell,
+and dived.  He thought it wos all over with 'im, and wos in sich a funk
+that he came down 'ead foremost, and would sartinly 'ave broke 'is neck
+if 'e 'adn't come slap into my buzzum!  I tell 'e it was no joke, for 'e
+wos fourteen stone if 'e wos an ounce, an'--"
+
+"Come along, Ruby," said Dove, interrupting; "the sooner we dive too the
+better, for there's no end to that story when Dumsby get off in full
+swing.  Good night!"
+
+"Good night, lads, an' better manners t'ye!" said Joe, as he sat down
+beside the little desk where the lightkeepers were wont during the
+lonely watch-hours of the night to read, or write, or meditate.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY TWO.
+
+EVERYDAY LIFE ON THE BELL ROCK, AND OLD MEMORIES RECALLED.
+
+The sun shone brightly over the sea next morning; so brightly and
+powerfully that it seemed to break up and disperse by force the great
+storm-clouds which hung about the sky, like the fragments of an army of
+black bullies who had done their worst and been baffled.
+
+The storm was over; at least, the wind had moderated down to a fresh,
+invigorating breeze.  The white crests of the billows were few and far
+between, and the wild turmoil of waters had given place to a grand
+procession of giant waves, that thundered on the Bell Rock Lighthouse,
+at once with more dignity and more force than the raging seas of the
+previous night.
+
+It was the sun that awoke Ruby, by shining in at one of the small
+windows of the library, in which he slept.  Of course it did not shine
+in his face, because of the relative positions of the library and the
+sun, the first being just below the lantern, and the second just above
+the horizon, so that the rays struck upwards, and shone with dazzling
+brilliancy on the dome-shaped ceiling.  This was the second time of
+wakening for Ruby that night, since he lay down to rest.  The first
+wakening was occasioned by the winding up of the machinery which kept
+the lights in motion, and the chain of which, with a ponderous weight
+attached to it, passed through a wooden pilaster close to his ear,
+causing such a sudden and hideous din that the sleeper, not having been
+warned of it, sprang like a Jack-in-the-box out of bed into the middle
+of the room, where he first stared vacantly around him like an unusually
+surprised owl, and then, guessing the cause of the noise, smiled
+pitifully, as though to say, "Poor fellow, you're easily frightened,"
+and tumbled back into bed, where he fell asleep again instantly.
+
+On the second time of wakening Ruby rose to a sitting posture, yawned,
+looked about him, yawned again, wondered what o'clock it was, and then
+listened.
+
+No sound could be heard save the intermittent roar of the magnificent
+breakers that beat on the Bell Rock.  His couch was too low to permit of
+his seeing anything but sky out of his windows, three of which, about
+two feet square, lighted the room.  He therefore jumped up, and, while
+pulling on his garments, looked towards the east, where the sun greeted
+and almost blinded him.  Turning to the north window, a bright smile lit
+up his countenance, and "A blessing rest on you" escaped audibly from
+his lips, as he kissed his hand towards the cliffs of Forfarshire, which
+were seen like a faint blue line on the far-off horizon, with the town
+of Arbroath just rising above the morning mists.
+
+He gazed out at this north window, and thought over all the scenes that
+had passed between him and Minnie from the time they first met, down to
+the day when they last parted.  One of the sweetest of the mental
+pictures that he painted that morning with unwonted facility, was that
+of Minnie sitting at his mother's feet, comforting her with the words of
+the Bible.
+
+At length he turned with a sigh to resume his toilette.  Looking out at
+the southern window, he observed that the rocks were beginning to be
+uncovered, and that the "rails", or iron pathway that led to the foot of
+the entrance-door ladder, were high enough out of the water to be walked
+upon.  He therefore hastened to descend.
+
+We know not what appearance the library presented at the time when Ruby
+Brand slept in it; but we can tell, from personal experience, that, at
+the present day, it is a most comfortable and elegant apartment.  The
+other rooms of the lighthouse, although thoroughly substantial in their
+furniture and fittings, are quite plain and devoid of ornament, but the
+library, or "stranger's room", as it is sometimes called, being the
+guest-chamber, is fitted up in a style worthy of a lady's boudoir, with
+a Turkey carpet, handsome chairs, and an elaborately carved oak table,
+supported appropriately by a centre stem of three twining dolphins.  The
+dome of the ceiling is painted to represent stucco panelling, and the
+partition which cuts off the small segment of this circular room that is
+devoted to passage and staircase, is of panelled oak.  The thickness of
+this partition is just sufficient to contain the bookcase; also a
+cleverly contrived bedstead, which can be folded up during the day out
+of sight.  There is also a small cupboard of oak, which serves the
+double purpose of affording shelf accommodation and concealing the iron
+smoke-pipe which rises from the kitchen, and, passing through the
+several storeys, projects a few feet above the lantern.  The centre
+window is ornamented with marble sides and top, and above it stands a
+marble bust of Robert Stevenson, the engineer of the building, with a
+marble slab below bearing testimony to the skill and energy with which
+he had planned and executed the work.
+
+If not precisely what we have described it to be at the present time,
+the library must have been somewhat similar on that morning when our
+hero issued from it and descended to the rock.
+
+The first stair landed him at the entrance to the sleeping-berths.  He
+looked into one, and observed Forsyth's head and arms lying in the bed,
+in that peculiarly negligent style that betokens deep and sweet repose.
+Dumsby's rest was equally sound in the next berth.  This fact did not
+require proof by ocular demonstration; his nose announced it sonorously
+over the whole building.
+
+Passing to the kitchen, immediately below, Ruby found his old messmate,
+Jamie Dove, busy in the preparation of breakfast.
+
+"Ha!  Ruby, good mornin'; you keep up your early habits, I see.  Can't
+shake yer paw, lad, 'cause I'm up to the elbows in grease, not to speak
+o' sutt an' ashes."
+
+"When did you learn to cook, Jamie?" said Ruby, laughing.
+
+"When I came here.  You see we've all got to take it turn and turn
+about, and it's wonderful how soon a feller gets used to it.  I'm rather
+fond of it, d'ye know?  We haven't overmuch to work on in the way o'
+variety, to be sure, but what we have there's lots of it, an' it gives
+us occasion to exercise our wits to invent somethin' new.  It's
+wonderful what can be done with fresh beef, cabbage, carrots, potatoes,
+flour, tea, bread, mustard, sugar, pepper, an' the like, if ye've got a
+talent that way."
+
+"You've got it all off by heart, I see," said Ruby.
+
+"True, boy, but it's not so easy to get it all off yer stomach
+sometimes.  What with confinement and want of exercise we was troubled
+with indigestion at first, but we're used to it now, and I have acquired
+quite a fancy for cooking.  No doubt you'll hear Forsyth and Joe say
+that I've half-pisoned them four or five times, but that's all envy;
+besides, a feller can't learn a trade without doin' a little damage to
+somebody or something at first.  Did you ever taste blackbird pie?"
+
+"No," replied Ruby, "never."
+
+"Then you shall taste one to-day, for we caught fifty birds last week."
+
+"Caught fifty birds?"
+
+"Ay, but I'll tell ye about it some other time.  Be off just now, and
+get as much exercise out o' the rock as ye can before breakfast."
+
+The smith resumed his work as he said this, and Ruby descended.
+
+He found the sea still roaring over the rock, but the rails were so far
+uncovered that he could venture on them, yet he had to keep a sharp
+lookout, for, whenever a larger breaker than usual struck the rock, the
+gush of foaming water that flew over it was so great that a spurt or two
+would sometimes break up between the iron bars, and any one of these
+spurts would have sufficed to give him a thorough wetting.
+
+In a short time, however, the sea went back and left the rails free.
+Soon after that Ruby was joined by Forsyth and Dumsby, who had come down
+for their morning promenade.
+
+They had to walk in single file while taking exercise, as the tramway
+was not wide enough for two, and the rock, even when fully uncovered,
+did not afford sufficient level space for comfortable walking, although
+at low water (as the reader already knows) it afforded fully a hundred
+yards of scrambling ground, if not more.
+
+They had not walked more than a few minutes when they were joined by
+Jamie Dove, who announced breakfast, and proceeded to take two or three
+turns by way of cooling himself.  Thereafter the party returned to the
+kitchen, where they sat down to as good a meal as any reasonable man
+could desire.
+
+There was cold boiled beef--the remains of yesterday's dinner--and a bit
+of broiled cod, a native of the Bell Rock, caught from the doorway at
+high water the day before.  There was tea also, and toast--buttered
+toast, hot out of the oven.
+
+Dove was peculiarly good at what may be styled toast-cooking.  Indeed,
+all the lightkeepers were equally good.  The bread was cut an inch
+thick, and butter was laid on as plasterers spread plaster with a
+trowel.  There was no scraping off a bit here to put it on there; no
+digging out pieces from little caverns in the bread with the point of
+the knife; no repetition of the work to spread it thinner, and, above
+all, no omitting of corners and edges;--no, the smallest conceivable fly
+could not have found the minutest atom of dry footing on a Bell Rock
+slice of toast, from its centre to its circumference.  Dove had a
+liberal heart, and he laid on the butter with a liberal hand.  Fair play
+and no favour was his motto, quarter-inch thick was his gauge, railway
+speed his practice.  The consequence was that the toast floated, as it
+were, down the throats of the men, and compensated to some extent for
+the want of milk in the tea.
+
+"Now, boys, sit in," cried Dove, seizing the teapot.
+
+"We have not much variety," observed Dumsby to Ruby, in an apologetic
+tone.
+
+"Variety!" exclaimed Forsyth, "what d'ye call that?" pointing to the
+fish.
+
+"Well, that _is_ a hextra morsel, I admit," returned Joe; "but we don't
+get that every day; 'owsever, wot there is is good, an' there's plenty
+of it, so let's fall to."
+
+Forsyth said grace, and then they all "fell to", with appetites peculiar
+to that isolated and breezy spot, where the wind blows so fresh from the
+open sea that the nostrils inhale culinary odours, and the palates seize
+culinary products, with unusual relish.
+
+There was something singularly unfeminine in the manner in which the
+duties of the table were performed by these stalwart guardians of the
+Rock.  We are accustomed to see such duties performed by the tender
+hands of woman, or, it may be, by the expert fingers of trained
+landsmen; but in places where woman may not or can not act with
+propriety,--as on shipboard, or in sea-girt towers,--men go through such
+feminine work in a way that does credit to their versatility,--also to
+the strength of culinary materials and implements.
+
+The way in which Jamie Dove and his comrades knocked about the pans,
+teapots, cups and saucers, etcetera, without smashing them, would have
+astonished, as well as gratified, the hearts of the fraternity of
+tinsmiths and earthenware manufacturers.
+
+We have said that everything in the lighthouse was substantial and very
+strong.  All the woodwork was oak, the floors and walls of solid
+stone,--hence, when Dove, who had no nerves or physical feelings,
+proceeded with his cooking, the noise he caused was tremendous.  A man
+used to woman's gentle ways would, on seeing him poke the fire, have
+expected that the poker would certainly penetrate not only the coals,
+but the back of the grate also, and perchance make its appearance at the
+outside of the building itself, through stones, joggles, dovetails,
+trenails, pozzolano mortar, and all the strong materials that have
+withstood the fury of winds and waves for the last half-century!
+
+Dove treated the other furniture in like manner; not that he treated it
+ill,--we would not have the reader imagine this for a moment.  He was
+not reckless of the household goods.  He was merely indifferent as to
+the row he made in using them.
+
+But it was when the cooking was over, and the table had to be spread,
+that the thing culminated.  Under the impulse of lightheartedness,
+caused by the feeling that his labours for the time were nearly ended,
+and that his reward was about to be reaped, he went about with
+irresistible energy, like the proverbial bull in a china shop, without
+reaching that creature's destructive point.  It was then that a beaming
+smile overspread his countenance, and he raged about the kitchen with
+Vulcan-like joviality.  He pulled out the table from the wall to the
+centre of the apartment, with a swing that produced a prolonged crash.
+Up went its two leaves with two minor crashes.  Down went the four
+plates and the cups and saucers, with such violence and rapidity that
+they all seemed to be dancing on the board together.  The beef all but
+went over the side of its dish by reason of the shock of its sudden
+stoppage on touching the table, and the pile of toast was only saved
+from scatteration by the strength of the material, so to speak, with
+which its successive layers were cemented.
+
+When the knives, forks, and spoons came to be laid down, the storm
+seemed to lull, because these were comparatively light implements, so
+that this period--which in shore-going life is usually found to be the
+exasperating one--was actually a season of relief.  But it was always
+followed by a terrible squall of scraping wooden legs and clanking human
+feet when the camp-stools were set, and the men came in and sat down to
+the meal.
+
+The pouring out of the tea, however, was the point that would have
+called forth the admiration of the world--had the world seen it.  What a
+contrast between the miserable, sickly, slow-dribbling silver and other
+teapots of the land, and this great teapot of the sea!  The Bell Rock
+teapot had no sham, no humbug about it.  It was a big, bold-looking one,
+of true Britannia metal, with vast internal capacity and a gaping mouth.
+
+Dove seized it in his strong hand as he would have grasped his biggest
+fore-hammer.  Before you could wink, a sluice seemed to burst open; a
+torrent of rich brown tea spouted at your cup, and it was full--the
+saucer too, perhaps--in a moment.
+
+But why dwell on these luxurious scenes?  Reader, you can never know
+them from experience unless you go to visit the Bell Rock; we will
+therefore cease to tantalise you.
+
+During breakfast it was discussed whether or not the signal-ball should
+be hoisted.
+
+The signal-ball was fixed to a short staff on the summit of the
+lighthouse, and the rule was that it should be hoisted at a fixed hour
+every morning _when all was well_, and kept up until an answering signal
+should be made from a signal-tower in Arbroath where the keepers'
+families dwelt, and where each keeper in succession spent a fortnight
+with his family, after a spell of six weeks on the rock.  It was the
+duty of the keeper on shore to watch for the hoisting of the ball (the
+"All's well" signal) each morning on the lighthouse, and to reply to it
+with a similar ball on the signal-tower.
+
+If, on any occasion, the hour for signalling should pass without the
+ball on the lighthouse being shown, then it was understood that
+something was wrong, and the attending boat of the establishment was
+sent off at once to ascertain the cause, and afford relief if necessary.
+The keeping down of the ball was, however, an event of rare occurrence,
+so that when it did take place the poor wives of the men on the rock
+were usually thrown into a state of much perturbation and anxiety, each
+naturally supposing that her husband must be seriously ill, or have met
+with a bad accident.
+
+It was therefore natural that there should be some hesitation about
+keeping down the ball merely for the purpose of getting a boat off to
+send Ruby ashore.
+
+"You see," said Forsyth, "the day after to-morrow the `relief boat' is
+due, and it may be as well just to wait for that, Ruby, and then you can
+go ashore with your friend Jamie Dove, for it's his turn this time."
+
+"Ay, lad, just make up your mind to stay another day," said the smith;
+"as they don't know you're here they can't be wearyin' for you, and I'll
+take ye an' introduce you to my little wife, that I fell in with on the
+cliffs of Arbroath not long after ye was kidnapped.  Besides, Ruby,
+it'll do ye good to feed like a fighting cock out here another day.
+Have another cup o' tea?"
+
+"An' a junk o' beef?" said Forsyth.
+
+"An' a slice o' toast?" said Dumsby.
+
+Ruby accepted all these offers, and soon afterwards the four friends
+descended to the rock, to take as much exercise as they could on its
+limited surface, during the brief period of low water that still
+remained to them.
+
+It may easily be imagined that this ramble was an interesting one, and
+was prolonged until the tide drove them into their tower of refuge.
+Every rock, every hollow, called up endless reminiscences of the busy
+building seasons.  Ruby went over it all step by step with somewhat of
+the feelings that influence a man when he revisits the scene of his
+childhood.
+
+There was the spot where the forge had stood.
+
+"D'ye mind it, lad?" said Dove.  "There are the holes where the hearth
+was fixed, and there's the rock where you vaulted over the bellows when
+ye took that splendid dive after the fair-haired lassie into the pool
+yonder."
+
+"Mind it?  Ay, I should think so!"
+
+Then there were the holes where the great beams of the beacon had been
+fixed, and the iron bats, most of which latter were still left in the
+rock, and some of which may be seen there at the present day.  There was
+also the pool into which poor Selkirk had tumbled with the vegetables on
+the day of the first dinner on the rock, and that other pool into which
+Forsyth had plunged after the mermaids; and, not least interesting among
+the spots of note, there was the ledge, now named the "Last Hope", on
+which Mr Stevenson and his men had stood on the day when the boat had
+been carried away, and they had expected, but were mercifully preserved
+from, a terrible tragedy.
+
+After they had talked much on all these things, and long before they
+were tired of it, the sea drove them to the rails; gradually, as it rose
+higher, it drove them into the lighthouse, and then each man went to his
+work--Jamie Dove to his kitchen, in order to clean up and prepare
+dinner, and the other two to the lantern, to scour and polish the
+reflectors, refill and trim the lamps, and, generally, to put everything
+in order for the coming night.
+
+Ruby divided his time between the kitchen and lantern, lending a hand in
+each, but, we fear, interrupting the work more than he advanced it.
+
+That day it fell calm, and the sun shone brightly.
+
+"We'll have fog to-night," observed Dumsby to Brand, pausing in the
+operation of polishing a reflector, in which his fat face was mirrored
+with the most indescribable and dreadful distortions.
+
+"D'ye think so?"
+
+"I'm sure of it."
+
+"You're right," remarked Forsyth, looking from his elevated position to
+the seaward horizon, "I can see it coming now."
+
+"I say, what smell is that?" exclaimed Ruby, sniffing.
+
+"Somethink burnin'," said Dumsby, also sniffing.
+
+"Why, what can it be?" murmured Forsyth, looking round and likewise
+sniffing.  "Hallo!  Joe, look out; you're on fire!"
+
+Joe started, clapped his hand behind him, and grasped his
+inexpressibles, which were smouldering warmly.  Ruby assisted, and the
+fire was soon put out, amidst much laughter.
+
+"'Ang them reflectors!" said Joe, seating himself, and breathing hard
+after his alarm and exertions; "it's the third time they've set me
+ablaze."
+
+"The reflectors, Joe?" said Ruby.
+
+"Ay, don't ye see?  They've nat'rally got a focus, an' w'en I 'appen to
+be standin' on a sunny day in front of 'em, contemplatin' the face o'
+natur', as it wor, through the lantern panes, if I gits into the focus
+by haccident, d'ye see, it just acts like a burnin'-glass."
+
+Ruby could scarcely believe this, but after testing the truth of the
+statement by actual experiment he could no longer doubt it.
+
+Presently a light breeze sprang up, rolling the fog before it, and then
+dying away, leaving the lighthouse enshrouded.
+
+During fog there is more danger to shipping than at any other time.  In
+the daytime, in ordinary weather, rocks and lighthouses can be seen.  At
+night, lights can be seen, but during fog nothing can be seen until
+danger may be too near to be avoided.  The two great fog-bells of the
+lighthouse were therefore set a-going, and they rang out their slow
+deep-toned peal all that day and all that night, as the bell of the
+Abbot of Aberbrothoc is said to have done in days of yore.
+
+That night Ruby was astonished, and then he was stunned!  First, as to
+his astonishment.  While he was seated by the kitchen fire chatting with
+his friend the smith, sometime between nine o'clock and midnight, Dumsby
+summoned him to the lantern to "help in catching to-morrow's dinner!"
+
+Dove laughed at the summons, and they all went up.
+
+The first thing that caught Ruby's eye at one of the window panes was
+the round visage of an owl, staring in with its two large eyes as if it
+had gone mad with amazement, and holding on to the iron frame with its
+claws.  Presently its claws lost hold, and it fell off into outer
+darkness.
+
+"What think ye o' that for a beauty?" said Forsyth.
+
+Ruby's eyes, being set free from the fascination of the owl's stare, now
+made him aware of the fact that hundreds of birds of all kinds--crows,
+magpies, sparrows, tomtits, owls, larks, mavises, blackbirds, etcetera,
+etcetera--were fluttering round the lantern outside, apparently bent on
+ascertaining the nature of the wonderful light within.
+
+"Ah! poor things," said Forsyth, in answer to Ruby's look of wonder,
+"they often visit us in foggy weather.  I suppose they get out to sea in
+the fog and can't find their way back to land, and then some of them
+chance to cross our light and take refuge on it."
+
+"Now I'll go out and get to-morrow's dinner," said Dumsby.  He went out
+accordingly, and, walking round the balcony that encircled the base of
+the lantern, was seen to put his hand up and quietly take down and wring
+the necks of such birds as he deemed suitable for his purpose.  It
+seemed a cruel act to Ruby, but when he came to think of it he felt
+that, as they were to be stewed at any rate, the more quickly they were
+killed the better!
+
+He observed that the birds kept fluttering about, alighting for a few
+moments and flying off again, all the time that Dumsby was at work, yet
+Dumsby never failed to seize his prey.
+
+Presently the man came in with a small basket full of _game_.  "Now,
+Ruby," said he, "I'll bet a sixpence that you don't catch a bird within
+five minutes."
+
+"I don't bet such large sums usually, but I'll try," said Ruby, going
+out.
+
+He tried and failed.  Just as the five minutes were expiring, however,
+the owl happened to alight before his nose, so he "nabbed" it, and
+carried it in triumphantly.
+
+"_That_ ain't a bird," said Dumsby.
+
+"It's not a fish," retorted Ruby; "but how is it that you caught them so
+easily, and I found it so difficult?"
+
+"Because, lad, you must do it at the right time.  You watch w'en the
+focus of a revolvin' light is comin' full in a bird's face.  The moment
+it does so 'e's dazzled, and you grab 'im.  If you grab too soon or too
+late, 'e's away.  That's 'ow it is, and they're capital heatin', as
+you'll _find_."
+
+Thus much for Ruby's astonishment.  Now for his being stunned.
+
+Late that night the fog cleared away, and the bells were stopped.  After
+a long chat with his friends, Ruby mounted to the library and went to
+bed.  Later still the fog returned, and the bells were again set
+a-going.  Both of them being within a few feet of Ruby's head, they
+awakened him with a bang that caused him to feel as if the room in which
+he lay were a bell and his own head the tongue thereof.
+
+At first the sound was solemnising, then it was saddening.  After a time
+it became exasperating, and then maddening.  He tried to sleep, but he
+only tossed.  He tried to meditate, but he only wandered--not "in
+dreams", however.  He tried to laugh, but the laugh degenerated into a
+growl.  Then he sighed, and the sigh ended in a groan.  Finally, he got
+up and walked up and down the floor till his legs were cold, when he
+turned into bed again, very tired, and fell asleep, but not to rest--to
+dream.
+
+He dreamt that he was at the forge again, and that he and Dove were
+trying to smash their anvils with the sledge-hammers--bang and bang
+about.  But the anvil would not break.  At last he grew desperate, hit
+the horn off, and then, with another terrific blow, smashed the whole
+affair to atoms!
+
+This startled him a little, and he awoke sufficiently to become aware of
+the fog-bells.
+
+Again he dreamed.  Minnie was his theme now, but, strange to say, he
+felt little or no tenderness towards her.  She was beset by a hundred
+ruffians in pea-jackets and sou'westers.  Something stirred him to
+madness.  He rushed at the foe, and began to hit out at them right and
+left.  The hitting was slow, but sure--regular as clock-work.  First the
+right, then the left, and at each blow a seaman's nose was driven into
+his head, and a seaman's body lay flat on the ground.  At length they
+were all floored but one--the last and the biggest.  Ruby threw all his
+remaining strength into one crashing blow, drove his fist right through
+his antagonist's body, and awoke with a start to find his knuckles
+bleeding.
+
+"Hang these bells!" he exclaimed, starting up and gazing round him in
+despair.  Then he fell back on his pillow in despair, and went to sleep
+in despair.
+
+Once more he dreamed.  He was going to church now, dressed in a suit of
+the finest broadcloth, with Minnie on his arm, clothed in pure white,
+emblematic, it struck him, of her pure gentle spirit.  Friends were with
+him, all gaily attired, and very happy, but unaccountably silent.
+Perhaps it was the noise of the wedding-bells that rendered their voices
+inaudible.  He was struck by the solemnity as well as the pertinacity of
+these wedding-bells as he entered the church.  He was puzzled too, being
+a Presbyterian, why he was to be married in church, but being a man of
+liberal mind, he made no objection to it.
+
+They all assembled in front of the pulpit, into which the clergyman, a
+very reverend but determined man, mounted with a prayer book in his
+hand.  Ruby was puzzled again.  He had not supposed that the pulpit was
+the proper place, but modestly attributed this to his ignorance.
+
+"Stop those bells!" said the clergyman, with stern solemnity; but they
+went on.
+
+"Stop them, I say!" he roared in a voice of thunder.
+
+The sexton, pulling the ropes in the middle of the church, paid no
+attention.
+
+Exasperated beyond endurance, the clergyman hurled the prayer book at
+the sexton's head, and felled him!  Still the bells went on of their own
+accord.
+
+"Stop! sto-o-o-op!  I say," he yelled fiercely, and, hitting the pulpit
+with his fist, he split it from top to bottom.
+
+Minnie cried "Shame!" at this, and from that moment the bells ceased.
+
+Whether it was that the fog-bells ceased at that time, or that Minnie's
+voice charmed Ruby's thoughts away, we cannot tell, but certain it is
+that the severely tried youth became entirely oblivious of everything.
+The marriage-party vanished with the bells; Minnie, alas, faded away
+also; finally, the roar of the sea round the Bell Rock, the rock itself,
+its lighthouse and its inmates, and all connected with it, faded from
+the sleeper's mind, and:--
+
+  "Like the baseless fabric of a vision
+  Left not a wrack behind."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTY THREE.
+
+CONCLUSION.
+
+Facts are facts; there is no denying that.  They cannot be controverted;
+nothing can overturn them, or modify them, or set them aside.  There
+they stand in naked simplicity; mildly contemptuous alike of sophists
+and theorists.
+
+Immortal facts!  Bacon founded on you; Newton found you out; Dugald
+Stewart and all his fraternity reasoned on you, and followed in your
+wake.  What _would_ this world be without facts?  Rest assured, reader,
+that those who ignore facts and prefer fancies are fools.  We say it
+respectfully.  We have no intention of being personal, whoever you may
+be.
+
+On the morning after Ruby was cast on the Bell Rock, our old friend Ned
+O'Connor (having been appointed one of the lighthouse-keepers, and
+having gone for his fortnight ashore in the order of his course) sat on
+the top of the signal-tower at Arbroath with a telescope at his eye
+directed towards the lighthouse, and became aware of a fact,--a fact
+which seemed to be contradicted by those who ought to have known better.
+
+Ned soliloquised that morning.  His soliloquy will explain the
+circumstances to which we refer; we therefore record it here.  "What's
+that?  Sure there's something wrong wid me eye intirely this mornin'.
+Howld on," (he wiped it here, and applying it again to the telescope,
+proceeded); "wan, tshoo, three, _four_!  No mistake about it.  Try agin.
+Wan, tshoo, three, FOUR!  An' yet the ball's up there as cool as a
+cookumber, tellin' a big lie; ye know ye are," continued Ned,
+apostrophising the ball, and readjusting the glass.  "There ye are, as
+bold as brass--av ye're not copper--tellin' me that everythin's goin' on
+as usual, whin I can see with me two eyes (one after the other) that
+there's _four_ men on the rock, whin there should be only _three_!
+Well, well," continued Ned, after a pause, and a careful examination of
+the Bell Rock, which being twelve miles out at sea could not be seen
+very distinctly in its lower parts, even through a good glass, "the day
+afther to-morrow'll settle the question, Misther Ball, for then the
+Relief goes off, and faix, if I don't guv' ye the lie direct I'm not an
+Irishman."
+
+With this consolatory remark, Ned O'Connor descended to the rooms below,
+and told his wife, who immediately told all the other wives and the
+neighbours, so that ere long the whole town of Arbroath became aware
+that there was a mysterious stranger, a _fourth_ party, on the Bell
+Rock!
+
+Thus it came to pass that, when the relieving boat went off, numbers of
+fishermen and sailors and others watched it depart in the morning, and
+increased numbers of people of all sorts, among whom were many of the
+old hands who had wrought at the building of the lighthouse, crowded the
+pier to watch its return in the afternoon.
+
+As soon as the boat left the rock, those who had "glasses" announced
+that there was an "extra man in her."
+
+Speculation remained on tiptoe for nearly three hours, at the end of
+which time the boat drew near.
+
+"It's a man, anyhow," observed Captain Ogilvy, who was one of those near
+the outer end of the pier.
+
+"I say," observed his friend the "leftenant", who was looking through a
+telescope, "if--that's--not--Ruby--Brand--I'll eat my hat without
+sauce!"
+
+"You don't mean--let me see," cried the captain, snatching the glass out
+of his friend's hand, and applying it to his eye.  "I do believe!--yes!
+it is Ruby, or his ghost!"
+
+By this time the boat was near enough for many of his old friends to
+recognise him, and Ruby, seeing that some of the faces were familiar to
+him, rose in the stern of the boat, took off his hat and waved it.
+
+This was the signal for a tremendous cheer from those who knew our hero;
+and those who did not know him, but knew that there was something
+peculiar and romantic in his case, and in the manner of his arrival,
+began to cheer from sheer sympathy; while the little boys, who were
+numerous, and who love to cheer for cheering's sake alone, yelled at the
+full pitch of their lungs, and waved their ragged caps as joyfully as if
+the King of England were about to land upon their shores!
+
+The boat soon swept into the harbour, and Ruby's friends, headed by
+Captain Ogilvy, pressed forward to receive and greet him.  The captain
+embraced him, the friends surrounded him, and almost pulled him to
+pieces; finally, they lifted him on their shoulders, and bore him in
+triumphal procession to his mother's cottage.
+
+And where was Minnie all this time?  She had indeed heard the rumour
+that something had occurred at the Bell Rock; but, satisfied from what
+she heard that it would be nothing very serious, she was content to
+remain at home and wait for the news.  To say truth, she was too much
+taken up with her own sorrows and anxieties to care as much for public
+matters as she had been wont to do.
+
+When the uproarious procession drew near, she was sitting at Widow
+Brand's feet, "comforting her" in her usual way.
+
+Before the procession turned the corner of the street leading to his
+mother's cottage, Ruby made a desperate effort to address the crowd, and
+succeeded in arresting their attention.
+
+"Friends, friends!" he cried, "it's very good of you, very kind; but my
+mother is old and feeble; she might be hurt if we were to come on her in
+this fashion.  We must go in quietly."
+
+"True, true," said those who bore him, letting him down, "so, good day,
+lad; good day.  A shake o' your flipper; give us your hand; glad you're
+back, Ruby; good luck to 'ee, boy!"
+
+Such were the words, followed by three cheers, with which his friends
+parted from him, and left him alone with the captain.
+
+"We must break it to her, nephy," said the captain, as they moved
+towards the cottage.
+
+  "`Still so gently o'er me stealin',
+  Memory will bring back the feelin'.'
+
+"It won't do to go slap into her, as a British frigate does into a
+French line-o'-battle ship.  I'll go in an' do the breakin' business,
+and send out Minnie to you."
+
+Ruby was quite satisfied with the captain's arrangement, so, when the
+latter went in to perform his part of this delicate business, the former
+remained at the door-post, expectant.
+
+"Minnie, lass, I want to speak to my sister," said the captain, "leave
+us a bit--and there's somebody wants to see _you_ outside."
+
+"Me, uncle!"
+
+"Ay, _you_; look alive now."
+
+Minnie went out in some surprise, and had barely crossed the threshold
+when she found herself pinioned in a strong man's arms!  A cry escaped
+her as she struggled, for one instant, to free herself; but a glance was
+sufficient to tell who it was that held her.  Dropping her head on
+Ruby's breast, the load of sorrow fell from her heart.  Ruby pressed his
+lips upon her forehead, and they both _rested_ there.
+
+It was one of those pre-eminently sweet resting-places which are
+vouchsafed to some, though not to all, of the pilgrims of earth, in
+their toilsome journey through the wilderness towards that eternal rest,
+in the blessedness of which all minor resting-places shall be forgotten,
+whether missed or enjoyed by the way.
+
+Their rest, however, was not of long duration, for in a few minutes the
+captain rushed out, and exclaiming "she's swounded, lad," grasped Ruby
+by the coat and dragged him into the cottage, where he found his mother
+lying in a state of insensibility on the floor.
+
+Seating himself by her side on the floor, he raised her gently, and
+placing her in a half-sitting, half-reclining position in his lap, laid
+her head tenderly on his breast.  While in this position Minnie
+administered restoratives, and the widow, ere long opened her eyes and
+looked up.  She did not speak at first, but, twining her arms round
+Ruby's neck, gazed steadfastly into his face; then, drawing him closer
+to her heart, she fervently exclaimed "Thank God!" and laid her head
+down again with a deep sigh.
+
+She too had found a resting-place by the way on that day of her
+pilgrimage.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Now, reader, we feel bound to tell you in confidence that there are few
+things more difficult than drawing a story to a close!  Our tale is
+done, for Ruby is married to Minnie, and the Bell Rock Lighthouse is
+finished, and most of those who built it are scattered beyond the
+possibility of reunion.  Yet we are loath to shake hands with them and
+to bid _you_ farewell.
+
+Nevertheless, so it must be, for if we were to continue the narrative of
+the after-careers of our friends of the Bell Rock, the books that should
+be written would certainly suffice to build a new lighthouse.
+
+But we cannot make our bow without a parting word or two.
+
+Ruby and Minnie, as we have said, were married.  They lived in the
+cottage with their mother, and managed to make it sufficiently large to
+hold them all by banishing the captain into the scullery.
+
+Do not suppose that this was done heartlessly, and without the captain's
+consent.  By no means.  That worthy son of Neptune assisted at his own
+banishment.  In fact, he was himself the chief cause of it, for when a
+consultation was held after the honeymoon, as to "what was to be done
+now," he waved his hand, commanded silence, and delivered himself as
+follows:--
+
+"Now, shipmates all, give ear to me, an' don't ventur' to interrupt.
+It's nat'ral an' proper, Ruby, that you an' Minnie and your mother
+should wish to live together; as the old song says, `Birds of a feather
+flock together,' an' the old song's right; and as the thing ought to be,
+an' you all want it to be, so it _shall_ be.  There's only one little
+difficulty in the way, which is, that the ship's too small to hold us,
+by reason of the after-cabin bein' occupied by an old seaman of the name
+of Ogilvy.  Now, then, not bein' pigs, the question is, what's to be
+done?  I will answer that question: the seaman of the name of Ogilvy
+shall change his quarters."
+
+Observing at this point that both Ruby and his bride opened their mouths
+to speak, the captain held up a threatening finger, and sternly said,
+"Silence!"  Then he proceeded--
+
+"I speak authoritatively on this point, havin' conversed with the seaman
+Ogilvy, and diskivered his sentiments.  That seaman intends to resign
+the cabin to the young couple, and to hoist his flag for the futur' in
+the fogs'l."
+
+He pointed, in explanation, to the scullery; a small, dirty-looking
+apartment off the kitchen, which was full of pots and pans and
+miscellaneous articles of household, chiefly kitchen, furniture.
+
+Ruby and Minnie laughed at this, and the widow looked perplexed, but
+perfectly happy and at her ease, for she knew that whatever arrangement
+the captain should make, it would be agreeable in the end to all
+parties.
+
+"The seaman Ogilvy and I," continued the captain, "have gone over the
+fogs'l" (meaning the forecastle) "together, and we find that, by the use
+of mops, buckets, water, and swabs, the place can be made clean.  By the
+use of paper, paint, and whitewash, it can be made respectable; and, by
+the use of furniture, pictures, books, and 'baccy, it can be made
+comfortable.  Now, the question that I've got to propound this day to
+the judge and jury is--Why not?"
+
+Upon mature consideration, the judge and jury could not answer "why
+not?" therefore the thing was fixed and carried out and the captain
+thereafter dwelt for years in the scullery, and the inmates of the
+cottage spent so much of their time in the scullery that it became, as
+it were, the parlour, or boudoir, or drawing-room of the place.  When,
+in course of time, a number of small Brands came to howl and tumble
+about the cottage, they naturally gravitated towards the scullery, which
+then virtually became the nursery, with a stout old seaman, of the name
+of Ogilvy, usually acting the part of head nurse.  His duties were
+onerous, by reason of the strength of constitution, lungs, and muscles
+of the young Brands, whose ungovernable desire to play with that
+dangerous element from which heat is evolved, undoubtedly qualified them
+for the honorary title of Fire-Brands.
+
+With the proceeds of the jewel-case Ruby bought a little coasting
+vessel, with which he made frequent and successful voyages.  "Absence
+makes the heart grow fonder," no doubt, for Minnie grew fonder of Ruby
+every time he went away, and every time he came back.  Things prospered
+with our hero, and you may be sure that he did not forget his old
+friends of the lighthouse.  On the contrary, he and his wife became
+frequent visitors at the signal-tower, and the families of the
+lighthouse-keepers felt almost as much at home in "the cottage" as they
+did in their own houses.  And each keeper, on returning from his six
+weeks' spell on the rock to take his two weeks' spell at the
+signal-tower, invariably made it his first business, _after_ kissing his
+wife and children, to go up to the Brands and smoke a pipe in the
+scullery with that eccentric old seafaring nursery-maid of the name of
+Ogilvy.
+
+In time Ruby found it convenient to build a top flat on the cottage, and
+above this a small turret, which overlooked the opposite houses, and
+commanded a view of the sea.  This tower the captain converted into a
+point of lookout, and a summer smoking-room,--and many a time and oft,
+in the years that followed, did he and Ruby climb up there about
+nightfall, to smoke the pipe of peace, with Minnie beside them, and to
+watch the bright flashing of the red and white light on the Bell Rock,
+as it shone over the waters far and wide, like a star of the first
+magnitude, a star of hope and safety, guiding sailors to their desired
+haven; perchance reminding them of that star of Bethlehem which guided
+the shepherds to Him who is the Light of the World and the Rock of Ages.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Lighthouse, by R.M. Ballantyne
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