By THERESA KEANEY (aged 13f), of Our Lady's Girls' School, Cavendish Street, Birkenhead, Cheshire.

THERE are thousands of brave men. Why do you look upon the Life-boatman as a hero among them ? Hero ! what does this word suggest ? A man of distinguished courage, moral and physical. History furnishes many examples in every walk of life—soldier, sailor, miner, explorer, scientist, fireman, etc., but elevated above all, I place the Life-boatman, because of his eminent bravery.

Heroes on land have some chance of escaping danger for there is usually some aid nigh, but on the sea, no help is near for the Life-boatman —he is " all in " for it.

A Life-boatman's courage is of both a moral and a physical nature. He has no thought of personal danger, but is all intent on rendering service to others even though it mean super- human effort and self-sacrifice. He may well be described as a demi-god coming closer in his loving work for humanity to the example of Him Who stilled the storm on the Sea of Galilee, and so aided those in peril on it, than any other type of hero. Few there are who possess both kinds of courage in the same degree as a Life-boatman. Nature tells him, " Look after yourself ! think of your loved ones—their anguish of mind and you the cause—their future when you, their bread- winner, shall be, perhaps, taken from them through being too eager to help others, and moral courage has to do battle with these temptations, and wins. He is not compelled to take such risks, is not paid for it—it is not even his living, but, being a genuine hero, he puts self in the background—another noble deed is recorded in the Book of Life, the Recording Angel rejoices—so do suffering humanity and lookers-on, who recognise and appraise true courage for : " Whene'er a noble deed is wrought, Whene'er is spoken a noble thought, Our hearts in glad surprise, To higher levels rise." Other heroes are usually drilled in their skill, while the Life-boatman is usually a poor, hardworking fisherman accustomed to calm and stormy seas, and using his knowledge to do extra work to benefit others.

The Life-boatman shows bravery on wild and stormy nights, by leaving comfort, helping to launch the Life-boat, and sailing on a billowy sea to the wreck to save lives, ship's and cargo. Not many brave men even would risk their lives voluntarily on the sea.

No feeling of pride, or thought of future honour or glory prompts such heroic work, but a humane idea of the misery and panic of people on board the doomed ship. A grim, fierce battle ensues between the Life-boatman and the sea, which would claim and bury many beneath its rough surface but for the promptitude with which the Life-boatman acts.

Among brave men, the Life-boatman is a hero, because all his brave actions are prompted by the sole thought of being humane and self- sacrificing. When most men have retired from their life's work—he is still animated with the desire to devote his time to the service of others. Such a one must have much goodness in his nature. Love of pleasure, luxury, easy living, are banned by this reliant character, who would make our land a country for " heroes " to live in..