himself and the two passengers occupied the stern; the precaution having
also been taken to secure the ladies by ropes to the boat.

The weather had now entirely moderated, and the sea was comparatively
calm, except that now and then a heavy swell would lift the waterlogged
craft and surge about the hull, causing it to groan as though conscious
of its approaching fate. Moments assumed the length of hours now, and
the countenance of each was a picture of agonized suspense and momentary
expectation, no one spoke above their breath. Again the heavy swell
caused the hull to lurch and pitch until her bows were almost buried,
and the water was even with the scuppers--the moment was approaching.

"Steady, all," said the mate, calmly, as he saw another approaching
swell, which he knew must cause the vessel to lift and settle again, and
probably this time prove the signal for her final plunge altogether.
"Steady, I say, and hold on to the boat stoutly now. Don't let go,
ladies, for an instant!"

The seaman was right, the heavy hull was ful this surge came on, burying
her for an instant, and actually sweeping the boat clear of her bulwarks
out upon the sea, a most fortunate circumstance, which was instantly
taken advantage of, by pulling with the oars for a single instant, and
still further clearing the wreck, which now rose high at the bows for a
moment as the stern settled and gradually sunk, causing a vortex which
would certainly have engulfed the boat, had it not been able thus to
pull a short distance away, and which even now drew it rapidly back to
the spot where the ship had laid, and causing it to toss fearfully for a
while, but in a few moments more all was quiet.

"Thank God, that is over," said the mate, earnestly; "it was little