Cheers and many a shake of hand
greeted every party as, weary-eyed and worn, it landed and climbed the
slippery steps. From such moments even those still in the shadow of
terrible fear plucked a little courage and brightened hopes. Then each of
the returned fishermen, with his own clinging to him, set face homeward--a
rejoicing stream of little separate processions, every one heralding a
saved life. There crept thus inland wives smiling through the mist of dead
tears, old mothers hobbling beside their bearded sons, young mothers
pouring blessing on proud sailor boys, sweethearts, withered ancients,
daughters, sons, little children. Sad beyond power of thought were the
hearts of all as they had hastened to the pierhead at early morning light;
now the sorrowful still remained there, but those who came away rejoiced,
for none returned without their treasures.
Thomasin stood with many another care-stricken soul, but her fears grew
greater as the delay increased; for the Tregenza lugger was big and fast,
yet many boats of less fame had already come home. All the fishermen told
the same story. Bursting out of an ominous peace the storm had fallen
suddenly upon them when westward of the Scilly Islands. One or two were
believed to have made neighboring ports in the isles, but the fleet was
driven before the gale and had experienced those grave hazards reserved for
small vessels in a heavy sea.
Pages:
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390