THE LAST TO LEAVE THE SHIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21100, 6 February 1932, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE LAST TO LEAVE THE SHIP.

Day was at hand, and the gale was abating. A group of fisher-folk had collected outside one of tho cottages that nested under the cliff. There were women and boys, and behind were sonic dozen stalwart fishermen, their rough clothing still dripping with salt water. Two hours ago the signal for help had sounded from the little merchant vessel as she struck on tho rocks outside To Whiri Bay. Tho men iiad manned a boatold David Trevelyan, best of steersmen, at tho helm —and reached the ship's side after a terrible Hpur of toil and danger. They found the " Neptune " in sorry plight; her boats swept away, and her crew driven up on deck by the water flowing in below. ThVe were two passengers, a gentleman and his little daughter, » child of four. She lay in her father'i arms, unconscious from a blow on th# head, having been thrown out of her berth when tho ship struck. On their return in safety to the shore she was carried to Trevelyan's house, and tended by his wife, while their grandson, Jim, was sent for tho doctor. The doctor's visit was long, but at last tho patient watchers saw him coming out. "SI " She has come to herself, thank God! But she is crying her heart out now for' her little kid! It seems they had a goat on board, and the child made a great pet of its kid. - I thought when she began calling for ' Billy,' that someone had been left on the ship, but it was only the kid she meant. Get her off to sleep somehow, Mrs. Trevelyan, "or she'll be in a j fever before the day's out!" Jim Trevelyan and his mate, Micky I J'engelley, crept upstairs after Mrs.