eath. "We've sprung a fearful leak, sir," he exclaimed; "it's
my belief that the oakum is washed out of the seams, for already the
water is rising above the ballast."

"Then hasten with your crew, search out where the worst leaks exist, and
strive to stop them," said the admiral, calmly; "man the pumps, and let
others be told off with buckets to bale out the water. We must not give
way to despair; often have men been in a worse condition on board ship,
and by persevering efforts have preserved their lives."

The determined way in which the admiral spoke somewhat restored the
confidence of the crew; some with lanterns in their hands crept into the
wings on either side of the ship, close to the ribs, searching every
corner, and listening attentively to discover the place where the water
entered. Others, like galley-slaves, stripped to the waist, went to the
pumps, and worked away with that desperate energy which men exhibit when
they believe that their lives depend on the efforts they are making.
Several of the leaks were found, but still the water came rushing in on
all sides. The carpenter again reported that it was still rising, and,
from the quantities of bread brought up, that the chief leak must be in
the bread-room. Here he once more made search, but failed to discover
the spot at which the water entered. The officers of all ranks exerting
themselves to the utmost, the men followed their example, while the
passengers offered to labour with them. Vaughan Audley found the task
he, with others, had undertaken, a great relief to his grief and
anxiety; with Gilbert and young Fenton, he was working now away at the
pumps; now he was standing one of the line formed to pass the buckets up
from below. Even the women desired to take their share in the work.
All on board were divided into three parties--while one party laboured
at the pumps, or passed up the buckets for an hour at a time, the
others, exhausted by their exertions, lay down to rest. An officer
stood ready to give the signal as soon as the time arrived for the
working party to be relieved.

Daylight at length returned, but showed no improvement in the weather;
the wind blew as furiously as ever. Not for a moment had the brave
admiral left his post. Just before noon a prodigious sea came rolling
towards the ship, and, breaking over her bow, washed fore and aft,
filling her from the hatches up to the spar-deck. For some time it
appeared impossible tha