And now the stern of the boat got close up to the wreck.  With a wild cry of "Now, lads, now!" four men sprang into the lifeboat.  They were active seamen, or they could not have done it.  Scarcely were they on board, than, looking forward, I saw a tremendous sea come rushing down on the boat.  The coxswain shouted, "Haul in, lads! haul in!"  The crew, with two of the men who had just joined us, hauled away from the wreck, only just in time; for the sea would otherwise have carried us right up on her deck, and either have dashed the boat to pieces or upset her, and sent us all struggling into the water.  The huge wave having broken, again the boat was allowed to approach, and six more of the crew, having unlashed themselves, sprang into her one after the other.  Neither they nor we were in safety.  "Are there any more of you?" asked the coxswain, who was compelled to keep his eye to windward to watch the approaching waves.