Lord Mar, seizing the helm from the stupefied master, called to Wallace, "While you keep the men to their duty," cried he, "I will steer." The earl being perfectly acquainted with the coast, Wallace gladly saw the helm in his hand.

But he had scarcely stepped forward himself to give some necessary directions, when a heavy sea, breaking over the deck, carried two of the poor mariners overboard.

Wallace instantly threw out a couple of ropes.

Then, amidst a spray so blinding that the vessel appeared in a cloud, and while buffeted on each side by the raging of waves, which seemed contending to tear her to pieces, she lay to for a few minutes, to rescue the men from the yawning gulf; one caught a rope and was saved, but the other was seen no more.
Again the bark was set loose to the current.

Wallace, now with two rowers only, applied his whole strength to their aid.