Chapter I: Preface

Visiting a Life Saving Station on our coast, and passing a night there, I became deeply interested in the work of the hardy crew. I have examined with an absorbing gratification various reports of the Service. We may fittingly have a national pride in the intent and achievement of this department. The element of the heroic runs through and makes luminous the pages of what on the face are only ordinary governmental reports. May the accompanying story interest our young people in the work of the Life Saving Service. While they accept, make theirs, and build upon the principles of honesty, reverence, and temperance laid down in this story, may they extend their sympathy and prayers also to the brave men who watch the sea while we are sleeping, and whose generous daring may well provoke us to courage and self–sacrifice in other spheres.

CONTENTS.

CHAP. PAGE

I. THE MAN ON THE STEEPLE 7

II. THE WINTER RIDE 16

III. THE LIFE–SAVING STATION 26

IV. THE PATROL 38

V. TURNING THE CORNER 49

VI. THE STORE 62

VII. STANDING FIRM 82

VIII. AT THE STATION 117

IX. THE HALL SERVICE 130

X. THE BOAT–RACE 156

XI. THE SURF–BOY 179

XII. ON HIS BEAT 193

XIII. UNDER FIRE 207

XIV. TWO BAD CASES 220

XV. THE BARNEY LITERARY CLUB 231

XVI. AN UGLY NIGHT 249

XVII. A SOUL IN NEED 274

XVIII. DARK DEPTHS UNCOVERED 286

XIX. A WILD STORM 309

XX. CHRISTMAS 339

FIGHTING THE SEA.