port
side of the ill-fated _Golden Fleece_, just forward of the fore rigging.
So tremendous was the shock that every individual who happened at the
moment to be on his, or her, feet on board the sailing ship was thrown
to the deck; while, as for the ship herself, she was heeled over by it
until the water poured like a cataract in over her starboard topgallant
rail; there was a horrid crunching sound as the ponderous iron bows of
the steamer irresistibly clove their way through the wooden side and
decks of the ship; a loud twanging aloft told of severed rigging; there
was a terrifying crash of breaking spars overhead; and then, all in a
moment, as it seemed, the main deck and poop became alive with
shrieking, shouting, distraught people rushing aimlessly hither and
thither, and excitedly demanding of each other what was the matter.

The skipper, confounded for the moment by the appalling suddenness of
the catastrophe, quickly recovered himself and, turning to the chief
mate, ordered him to go forward to investigate the extent of the damage.
Then, finding Mr Ferris, the second mate, at his elbow, he said--

"Mr Ferris, muster the watches at once--port watch to the port side,
and starboard watch to the starboard side--and set them to work to clear
away the boats for launching. Where is the chief steward?"

"Here, sir," answered the individual in question, forcing his way
through the excited crowd that surrounded the skipper.

"Good!" ejaculated Rainhill. "Muster your stewards, sir, and turn-to
upon the job of getting provisions and water up on deck for the boats.
And, as you go, pass the word for all passengers to dress in their
warmest clothing, and make up in packages any valuables that they may
desire to take with them in the event of our being obliged to leave the
ship. But they must leave their luggage behind; there will be no room
for luggage in the boats. And tell any of them who may be below to
complete their preparations and come on deck without delay."

At this moment Mr Pryce, having completed his investigations forward,
came rushing up the poop ladder and, wild with excitement, shouted to
the skipper--

"We can't live five minutes, sir! We are cut down from rail to bilge;
there is a hole in our side big enough to drive a coach and six through,
and the water is pouring into her like a sluice!"

"And where is the steamer?" demanded the skipper.

"She has backed out, and vanished in the fog," answered