Grace Darling

: True Stories Of Wonderful Deeds

On a small rocky island, off the north coast of England, there is a

lighthouse. A man named William Darling was once keeper of this

lighthouse, and his daughter Grace lived with him. Every day Grace

Darling helped her father to trim the lamps, so that at night they might

shine brightly, and warn sailors to steer their ships away from the

dangerous rocks, upon which they would have been dashed to pieces.



O
e stormy night Grace woke with the sound of screams in her ears. The

screams came from the sea, so she knew that some ship must be in

distress. She roused her father, but they could see nothing in the

darkness. When daylight came, they found that a ship had been wrecked

upon the rocks some way off, and a few people were clinging to the

masts. Grace wished to go at once in a boat to save them; but at first

her father hung back, for the wind and sea were wild, and he feared

that the small boat would be overturned by the great waves. Then Grace

ran to the boat, and seized an oar, for she could not bear to let the

poor men die without trying to save them; and the father could not let

his brave, daughter go alone, so he followed, and they rowed off.



It was hard work pulling against the strong sea, and several times the

small boat was almost sunk. But at last it reached the wreck, and

William Darling managed to land upon the rock, and with great care and

skill helped the half-frozen people into the small boat. Then they were

taken to the lighthouse, where Grace warmed and fed them, until the

storm ceased, and they could return to their homes.



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