The men pressed eagerly around him, and as eagerly dispersed under his quick command.

Galloping at his heels was a team with the whale-boat, brought from the river, miles away.

He was here, there, and everywhere; catching the line thrown by the rocket from the ship, marshaling the men to haul it in, answering the hail from those on board above the tempest, pervading everything and everybody with the fury of the storm; loud, imperious, domineering, self-asserting, all-sufficient, and successful! And when the boat was launched, the last mighty impulse came from his shoulder.

He rode at the helm into the first hanging wall of foam, erect and triumphant! Dazzled, bewildered, crying and laughing, she hated him more than ever.
The boat made three trips, bringing off, with the aid of the hawser, all but the sailors she had seen perish before her own eyes.

The passengers,--they were few,--the captain and officers, found refuge in her father's house, and were loud in their praises of Sol.Catlin.