ger eyes from both ships. Now he is in the trough of the sea, a
watery mountain about to overwhelm him; now he is on the summit
surrounded by driving foam. A shout is raised as he neared the sinking
ship, but to get alongside was even more dangerous than the passage from
one to the other. As the ship rolled and her deck was exposed to view,
he saw that there were women on board, and other people besides the
crew. Ropes were hove to him. He seized one, and sprang up the side.
A few hurried words told him what had occurred. The ship was conveying
troops and stores to Halifax, the master and first mate had been washed
overboard, the second lay wounded by the falling of a spar. Many of the
crew had been lost with the captain. There was no sea officer who could
enforce orders; the men were mutinous. Ripley instantly assumed the
command. There were several ladies. "They must first be placed in
safety before a man enters the boat," he cried out, presenting a pistol
at some seamen who showed an intention of leaping into her.

Some entreated that their husbands might accompany them. "Oh, father,
father, come with me," exclaimed a fair girl, who was being conveyed to
the side to be lowered into the boat; "I cannot, I will not leave you."
She looked towards a fine, soldier-like man, who stood with several
officers around him. "Impossible! Heaven protect you, dearest. Even
for your sake I cannot desert my post. It is here with my men," was the
answer. The boat had already nearly as many persons in her as it would
be safe to carry. This was no time for delay. Pearce lifted the young
lady in his arms, and lowered himself with her into the boat. The boat
returned to the "Vestal," and all those who had been rescued were put on
board. The young lady again and again entreated him to save her father,
Pearce promised to make every effort to bring off the colonel. "But
unless his men are rescued, I doubt that he will leave the ship," he
added, as he returned to his boat.

Two other boats were now lowered, but it was too evident that they could
only save a part of the people from the foundering ship. Those on her
deck were now seen forming a raft. It was their last hope of life
should the boats not take them off. Though several of the people made a
rush to the side, they were driven back by the officers and soldiers who
remained firm, and the men were told off in order to allow of them to
embark as arranged by Pearce