and we were driving before it. As I made my way aft, the
flashes of lightning revealed the pale faces of the crew, some
endeavouring to clear away the wreck of the mast, others working with
frantic energy at the pumps. The leaks had increased. As may be
supposed, the deeply-laden collier had but a poor chance under such
circumstances. Presently the vessel gave a heavy lurch. A sea rolled
up. The next instant I found myself struggling in the midst of the
foaming surges. All around was dark; I felt for the deck of the vessel,
it was not beneath me; I had been washed overboard. I struck out for
life, and in another minute I was clinging to the mainmast, which had
been cut clear. I clambered up on it, and looked out for the brig. She
was nowhere to be seen; she must have gone down beneath the surge which
washed me from her deck. What had become of my shipmates? I shouted
again and again at the top of my voice. There was a faint cry, "Help
me; help me." I knew the voice; it was Clement's. Leaving the mast, I
swam towards him; he was lashed to a spar. The old captain's last act
had been to try and save the young boy's life ere he himself sank
beneath the waves. I caught hold of the spar, bidding Clement keep his
head above the water while I towed it to the mast. I succeeded, and
then clambering on it, and casting off the lashings, dragged him up and
placed him beside me. We hailed again and again, but no voice replied.
It may seem strange that we, the two youngest on board, should have
survived, while all the men were drowned, but then, not one of them
could swim. We could, and, under Providence, were able to struggle for
our lives.

I did my best to cheer up little Clem, telling him that if we could
manage to hold on till daylight, as a number of vessels were certain to
pass, we should be picked up. "I am very, very sorry, Clem, for your
father," I said; "for though he was somewhat gruff to me, he was a
kind-hearted man, I am sure."

"That indeed he was," answered Clement, in a tone of sorrow. "He was
always good to me; but he was not my father, as you fancy--the more
reason I have to be grateful to him."

"Not your father, Clem!" I exclaimed. "I never suspected that."

"No, he was not; though he truly acted the part of one to me. Do you
know, Brooke, this is not the first time that I have been left alone
floating on the ocean? I was picked up by him just as you hope that we
shall be picked up.