While braced against
the door he hesitated whether to close it or to let go and expel the
intruder. Paul turned and helped him close the door against the fierce
gusts of wind pouring in. The man recovered himself and inquired:
"Phere air ye frum?"
"New York," responded Paul.
"Phat air ye doin' here? How did ye come?"
Paul explained to him that he had left a ship that night when off Cape
Clear.
"Phat did ye lave her fur?" questioned the perplexed life-guard for Paul
had noted at once that he was in a life-saving station.
"Well, just to come ashore," said Paul.
"An' d'ye mane to say that ye came ashure in this gale?"
"I do."
"How many came ashure wid ye?"
"No one."
"Phere's ye're ship now?"
"God knows, I don't."
Question after question followed; but Paul was unable to convince the
coast-guard that he had left the ship voluntarily and had landed in
safety. The guard could not understand why any man should leave a vessel
and come in on the coast of Ireland in such a gale unless he was
shipwrecked. He thought Paul's brain had been injured by concussion with
the rocks and a pitying expression came over his face as he said:
"Well, me poor fellow, 'ts no matther where ye're frum. It's me duty to
help ye and yure mates an' if ye'll only tell me phere they air Oi'll
collect the b'ys an' have thim out.
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