"It was a stormy night, though not so bad a one as this is like to be, and the life-boat had gone out to a disabled Indiaman.

She had been away three hours or more, when, as I was sitting in this very parlor, in came Madge, looking scared enough.

She had been to Turlock on an errand for me.

So, 'Sit down,' says I, 'and take a glass, for you look as though the wind had blown your wits away, old woman.' 'Tain't that, John Trevethick,' says she; 'but I'm near frightened to death.

I've seen a sight as I shall never forget to my dying day.