MILY INTO A BOAT.

About three in the morning, some hours after the meeting of the council,
a terrible noise was heard in the powder room; it was the helm which was
broken. All who were sleeping were roused by it. On going on deck every
one was more and more convinced that the frigate was lost beyond all
recovery. Alas! the wreck was for our family the commencement of a
horrible series of misfortunes. The two chief officers then decided with
one accord, that all should embark at six in the morning, and abandon
the ship to the mercy of the waves. After this decision, followed a
scene the most whimsical, and at the same time the most melancholy that
can be well conceived. To have a more distinct idea of it, let the
reader transport himself in imagination to the midst of the liquid
plains of the ocean; then let him picture to himself a multitude of all
classes, of every age, tossed about at the mercy of the waves upon a
dismasted vessel, foundered, and half submerged; let him not forget
these are thinking beings with the certain prospect before them of
having reached the goal of their existence.

Separated from the rest of the world by a boundless sea, and having no
place of refuge but the wrecks of a grounded vessel, the multitude
addressed at first their vows to heaven, and forgot, for a moment, all
earthly concerns. Then, suddenly starting from their lethargy, they
began to look after their wealth, the merchandise they had in small
ventures, utterly regardless of the elements which threatened them. The
miser, thinking of the gold contained in his coffers, hastening to put
it in a place of safety, either by sewing it into the lining of his
clothes, or by cutting out for it a place in the waistband of his
trousers. The smuggler was tearing his hair at not being able to save a
chest of contraband which he had secretly got on board, and with which
he had hoped to have gained two or three hundred per cent. Another,
selfish to excess, was throwing over board all his hidden money, and
amusing himself by burning all his effects. A generous officer was
opening his portmanteau, offering caps, stockings, and shirts, to any
who would take them. These had scarcely gathered together their various
effects, when they learned that they could not take any thing with them;
those were searching the cabins and store-rooms to carry away every
thing that was valuable. Ship-boys were discovering the delicate wines
and fine liqueurs, which a