As we could now distinguish both the brothers, we instinctively cheered them on drawing towards the landward side of the rock.  They were compelled every minute to crouch and cling to the cliff under which they had taken shelter, as a huge wave burst below their feet, and struck them in its upward violence.  The Wolf-stone could no longer raise its head in dominion over the main.  The surf ran so high immediately around it, that to approach at all closely would only have ended in the destruction of every soul.  We, therefore, hailed them as we stood under its lee, and found that in consequence of their having remained almost all night on this dreary spot, drenched with wet, and chilled with cold, any effort to swim through the surf would probably be fatal in their exhausted state.  What then remained to be done?  We had ropes on board which would be of infinite service, could we only devise means to convey them to the rock.  At this juncture, the services of my old Newfoundlander, Retriever, came forcibly to my mind.  The poor animal had refused to be separated from me when we embarked, and lay at my feet in the boat.  On his exertions therefore depended the lives of our friends.  He soon understood the task he was to perform, and in another second was dashing onwards through the waves.  An affecting scene now took place between the brothers, as to who should first avail himself of the approaching aid.  A gigantic rush of tide, which almost swept entirely over the rock, told them, however, that time was precious.  But Sam was firm.  The younger brother then plunged forward and was soon drawn safely on board.  He informed us, as Retriever again swam away with the rope, that he feared his brother was much more exhausted than himself.  With breathless interest, therefore, we watched Sam tie the rope round his body, and enter the water.  The violence of the gale, at this instant, compelled us to stand further off the rock; indeed, within a few minutes we foresaw that its presence would only be indicated by a low black mass indistinctly seen, amidst the boiling and restless waves of the ocean; an appearance, I was told, which it only presents in the most violent storms.  Poor Sam, now seen, now lost, amid the foaming ridges of the sea, came gradually along till within about forty paces from the boat, when it was evident his strength had failed him.  An arm was shot into the air, then his head and shoulders rose rapidly, and there was a sudden blank in the waters.  “Pull away, my lads, for your lives,” we shouted, “or he is gone!”

* * * * *

“It was a hard run thing, I reckon, sirs,” said Mr. Habbakuk Sheepshanks, who was rather top-heavy that evening, to a numerous party who were assembled round his capacious hearth at the “Ship-aground,” “but all’s well, they say, that ends well, so we’ll even drink the health of the brothers in a glass of the free genuine Cognac.”  “What is that you say!” said the exciseman....