But after many trials, Grace’s father climbed upon the wreck, while Grace herself held the boat.  Then one by one the worn-out crew were helped on board.  It was all that the girl could do to keep the frail boat from being drifted away, or broken upon the sharp edges of the rock.

Then her father clam-bered back into his place.  Strong hands grasped the oars, and by and by all were safe in the lighthouse.  There Grace proved to be no less tender as a nurse than she had been brave as a sailor.  She cared most kindly for the ship-wrecked men until the storm had died away and they were strong enough to go to their own homes.

All this happened a long time ago, but the name of Grace Darling will never be forgotten.  She lies buried now in a little church-yard by the sea, not far from her old home.  Every year many people go there to see her grave; and there a mon-u-ment has been placed in honor of the brave girl.  It is not a large mon-u-ment, but it is one that speaks of the noble deed which made Grace Darling famous.  It is a figure carved in stone of a woman lying at rest, with a boat’s oar held fast in her right hand.

THE STORY OF WILLIAM TELL.

The people of Swit-zer-land were not always free and happy as they are to-day.  Many years ago a proud tyrant, whose name was Gessler, ruled over them, and made their lot a bitter one indeed.

One day this tyrant set up a tall pole in the public square, and put his own cap on the top of it; and then he gave orders that every man who came into the town should bow down before it.  But there was one man, named William Tell, who would not do this.  He stood up straight with folded arms, and laughed at the swinging cap.  He would not bow down to Gessler himself.

When Gessler heard of this, he was very angry.  He was afraid that other men would disobey, and that soon the whole country would rebel against him.  So he made up his mind to punish the bold man.

William Tell’s home was among the mountains, and he was a famous hunter.  No one in all the land could shoot with bow and arrow so well as he.  Gessler knew this, and so he thought of a cruel plan to make the hunter’s own skill bring him to grief.  He ordered that Tell’s little boy should be made to stand up in the public square with an apple on his head; and then he bade Tell shoot the apple with one of his arrows.

Tell begged the tyrant not to have him make this test of his skill.  What if the boy should move?  What if the bow-man’s hand should tremble?  What if the arrow should not carry true?

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“Will you make me kill my boy?” he said.

“Say no more,” said Gessler.  “You must hit the apple with your one arrow.  If you fail, my sol-diers shall kill the boy before your eyes.”

Then, without another word, Tell fitted the arrow to his bow.  He took aim, and let it fly.  The boy stood firm and still.  He was not afraid, for he had all faith in his father’s skill.