d his wife better than my father did
my mother, yet this never prevented him volunteering whenever he felt
himself called upon to do so, however hazardous and trying the work in
hand. As may be supposed, no one thought of turning in that night. All
hands were on the watch, expecting to see the ship towed by the boats,
or some of the boats returning with an account of their capture. The
Captain and First-Lieutenant walked the deck with easy paces, every now
and then turning their night glasses in the direction of the ship,
hoping to see her, but still she did not appear. At length the men
began to wonder why the ship had not come in sight, or why the boats did
not return to give notice of what had occurred. Afterwards they grew
more and more anxious, and they imparted their anxiety to my mother.
Our gunner, Mr Hockey, who was somewhat superstitious, now declared
that he had dreamed a dream which foreboded disaster. The substance of
it I never could learn, nor did he say a word about the matter till some
time had passed and the boats did not appear. He was a man of proverbs,
and remarked that "a pitcher which goes often to the well gets broken at
last," by which he insinuated that as we had been hitherto successful in
our expeditions, a reverse might be expected. All the boats had been
sent away. The Captain's gig was under repair, but there was a small
dinghy remaining. Mr Hockey went aft, and volunteered to pull in the
direction the ship had been seen, in the hopes of ascertaining what had
become of the boats. The Captain was as anxious apparently as he was.

"Certainly, Mr Hockey," he answered.

Just then the sound of oars in the distance floated over the calm water.

"Stay, there are the boats," he said.

They approached very slowly. At first it was hoped that they might be
towing the ship; but though they were evidently drawing near, no ship
could be distinguished. At length they came in sight. The Captain
hailed them. The voice of a young midshipman answered: "Sad news, sir!
Sad news!"

"What has happened, Mr Hassel? Where is the ship?"

"Beaten back, sir, beaten back!" was the answer, and the speaker's voice
was almost choked. The boats, as they got alongside, were seen to be
full of people, but they were lying about over the thwarts in confused
heaps, those only who were at the oars appearing to move. My mother was
at this moment fortunately below. The gunner came down and entreated
her to