It was quite dark now, but a beautiful transparent darkness, with the sky one glorious arch of glittering points, and the sea a mirror in which those diamond sparks were reflected. The phosphorescence that had been so beautiful on the night when his brother was out with Josh and Will was absent, save a faint pale glow now and then, seen when a wave curled over and broke upon the great bird rock. All was wonderfully still, and they sat for some time listening to the distant singing of some of the fishermen, whose voices sounded deliciously soft and melodious as the tones of the old west-country part-song floated over the heaving sea. Suddenly Arthur started, for Dick exclaimed: "This is just lovely. I wish father were here." "Ay! I wish he weer," said Josh. "I often pity you poor people who come from big towns and don't know what it is to be in such a place as this. Beautiful, arn't it, Master Rorthur, sir?" "Ye-es," said Arthur, "it's a beautiful night." "Ay, it be," assented Josh; "and in a snug harbour like this there's no fear of a steamer or ship coming to run you down." Arthur shuddered. "Rather awkward for them among the rocks, eh, Josh?" said Will. "Awk'ard arn't the word," said Josh. "'Member the Cape packet being wrecked here, my lad?" "Oh, yes! I recollect it well," said Will. "It was just here, wasn't it?" "Just yonder," said Josh. "She went on the rocks about ten fathom beyond where our grapnel lies." "Was anyone hurt?" said Arthur, who shivered at the idea of a wreck having been anywhere near them. "Hurt, my lad? Why, it was in one of the worst storms I can 'member. Tell him about the poor souls, Will." "The packet ran right on the rocks, Master Arthur," said Will solemnly. "Where we are is one mass of tossing foam in a storm, and the froth and spray fly over the Mew Rock here. Directly the packet had struck a great wave came in and lifted her right up and then dropped her again across the ridge yonder, and she broke right in two." "Like a radish," said Josh. "And one end went down in the deep water one side, the other end the other side." "Ay," said Josh, "it's very deep water out there, and they used to be at work regular for months and months getting out the cargo and engines when the weather was calm." "But the people--the people?" cried Arthur. "What became of them?" "Hah!" ejaculated Josh. "What come o' them?" "Were they drowned?" said Dick. "Every poor creature on board," said Will. "And none of you fishermen went out in your boats to help them?" cried Dick indignantly. "Just hark at him," cried Josh. "A mussy me! He's never seed the sea in a storm when--Look out, Master Awthur," he whispered.