e, that they could never have reached the land, had they not
been assisted by some workmen who were on the spot.

When they arrived, they found Mr. Warner, a midshipman, had just
landed from the Sheerness, with a message to the effect that the ship
had parted an anchor, but that she was riding in safety with two
others. Mr. Warner had been sent in the launch, but in nearing the
shore, she had been upset, and two of her crew were drowned; there was
little hope, therefore, of any boat weathering the storm in an attempt
to reach the ship.

Lord George, however, would not give up the attempt, and he expressed
so much anxiety to join his vessel, that it was proposed to go to the
weathermost part of the bay. Thither they accordingly struggled on
foot, with the utmost difficulty making head against the wind, and
suffering acutely from the sand driving into their eyes. In addition
to their personal sufferings, the spectacle around was one of such
desolation and horror as no man can witness without pain. The shore,
as far as the eye could reach, was covered with wrecks, and with the
bodies of the dying and the dead, while the roaring of the surf, and
the howling of the tempest, mingled with the piercing cries of those
on board the stranded vessels, who were yet struggling with their
fate, added to the awfulness of the scene.

At half-past six in the evening, exhausted with fatigue and suffering,
they arrived at the head of the bay; but here they were again doomed
to disappointment, for they found no one to assist them in launching
the boat, although the crew of the launch had been directed to join
them for that purpose.

The ship was still in sight, but they found it would be impossible to
reach her, and they therefore proceeded to the neighbouring town of
Ostenberg, where they directed a soldier whom they met, to hasten to
his commanding officer, and request that a party of soldiers with
torches should be ordered out ready to save the crew of the Sheerness,
in case of her driving on shore.

Lord George and his companions then went to the master attendant's
house, where they passed the night; but although they were worn out in
mind and body, sleep never closed their eyes that night--they passed
it in listening to the reports of the signal guns from the Sheerness,
and in watching the rockets which from time to time illuminated the
darkness, telling of distress and danger which they could not
alleviate.

When morning broke