he remainder of the passengers, who had just time to push away from the
burning wreck before its final submersion beneath the briny waves; and,
having none to check them, the sailors, in spite of the entreaties of
the women, continued to partake, from time to time, of the
death-destroying liquid.

Morning dawned, but brought little alleviation. It is true, the storm
had abated, and the sky was becoming clear, but the wind was still high,
and the boat rocked fearfully, while the billows, that had not yet been
hushed into quiet, threatened, every now and then, to submerge the frail
and tempest-tossed bark. They had drifted,--so the sailors said,--a long
way through the night, and must be somewhere near the coast of
Newfoundland; but no indication of land was visible, nor was there to be
seen the slightest trace of their companions in misfortune. All that day
the sailors behaved pretty well; a bag of biscuits had been placed on
board, and a jar of water, of which each partook, and all felt a little
comforted and strengthened; but, as night came on, the men commenced
afresh to drink. Most fortunately, the sea had become calm, so the boat
drifted on, pretty much left to its own will. The next morning found the
sailors in a state of almost helpless intoxication; but now land was in
sight, though at a great distance, and the women, seizing the oars,
strove to impel the boat in that direction; but soon, worn out with the
struggle, and finding they made but little headway, most of them gave up
to despair, and resigned themselves, as they said, to their fate. It was
now high noon, at least so they judged from the look of the sun, and
Agnes strove by every means to re-assure her fainting companions. She
spoke of the power and goodness of their heavenly Father, and besought
them to unite with her in earnest petitions to the throne of grace for
timely succor, or for a preparation for a speedy exit from life. Some
heard with attention, and united with agonizing earnestness in the
petition, which, as it ascended from her lips, sounded like a seraph's
pleading, and surely reached the ear of the Lord God of Sabaoth. Others
listened with stolid indifference, or sullen despair. Throughout the
precious years of prosperity, that had been vouchsafed to them, they had
been neglecters of the "great salvation;" and now, in the article and
hour of death, they knew not how to implore his mercy, of whom they had
been hitherto utterly unmindful, muc