The girl, however, realizing the urgency of the appeal for a pilot, reproached the men with being afraid of the weather, and under the pressure of her taunts they got their boat out to go to the assistance of the NEPTUNE, the girl accompanying them. When they got near the ship they found that, owing to the heavy surge, it was impossible to get close to the ship’s side. A rope was thrown to them, and caught by the girl, who twisted it round her waist and arm, then jumped into the sea and was hauled on board the steamer; the two men thereupon followed her example. This help was most welcome, and the Captain was the more pleased to receive it owing to his cargo having shifted. With the assistance of the Norwegians the rest of the voyage was safely accomplished. There were eight lady passengers on board the NEPTUNE, who made much of the Norse “Grace Darling,” provided her with dry clothing, and gave her a handsome donation in cash. The seamen and firemen also contributed three pounds (£3) for the same purpose, and on the return voyage she was put ashore at the place where she embarked, most fortunately with a considerable amount of cash in her possession, as her master refused to permit her to return to his service. [Illustration: Steamship] FOOTNOTES: [21] For further particulars respecting this steamer, see the History of the Waterford Steamship Co. in Part II. CHAPTER XIX. The Eastern Steam Navigation Co., Ltd., and the GREAT EASTERN, steamship. In the year 1851 a steamship company was promoted in London, under the title of the Eastern Steam Navigation Company, Limited, for the purpose of establishing a direct line of leviathan steamers between England and India, _via_ the Cape of Good Hope.