again.--The signal of some vessel in distress. The sound seemed near the
shore.--Mr. Percy and Godfrey hastened immediately to the coast.--Their
servants and some people from the neighbouring village, whom they summoned,
quickly followed. They found that a vessel had struck upon a rock, and from
the redoubled signals it appeared that the danger must be imminent.

The boatmen, who were just wakened, were surly, and swore that they would
not stir; that whoever she was, she might weather out the night, for that,
till daybreak, they couldn't get alongside of her. Godfrey instantly jumped
into a boat, declaring he would go out directly at all hazards.--Mr. Percy
with as much intrepidity, but, as became his age, with more prudence,
provided whatever assistance was necessary from the villagers, who declared
they would go any where with him; the boatmen, then ashamed, or afraid of
losing the offered reward, pushed aside the _land lubbers_, and were ready
to put out to sea.

Out they rowed--and they were soon so near the vessel, that they could hear
the cries and voices of the crew. The boats hailed her, and she answered
that she was Dutch, homeward bound--had mistaken the lights upon the
coast--had struck on a rock--was filling with water--and must go down in
half an hour.

The moment the boats came alongside of her, the crew crowded into them so
fast, and with such disorder and precipitation, that they were in great
danger of being overset, which, Mr. Percy seeing, called out in a loud and
commanding voice to stop several who were in the act of coming down the
ship's side, and promised to return for them if they would wait. But just
as he gave the order for his boatmen to _push off_, a French voice called
out "Monsieur!--Monsieur l'Anglois!--one moment."