berth about an hour before without
any misgivings. He was suddenly awakened by the alarming cry that the
ship was sinking, and the call of 'all hands,' He sprang up, and in a
few moments joined the group of officers, naval and military,
assembled on the quarter-deck. Anxiety was depicted on every
countenance; for although the pumps were worked incessantly, the
soldiers taking their turn with the sailors, the water was still
gaining on them fast; and even whilst the men relieved each other, it
rose several inches. But when human efforts were unavailing, the hand
of Providence was stretched out to save. The wind fell as suddenly as
it had risen, and after many hours of hard labour, the water was got
under, and the vessel was considered comparatively safe.

Had the Sceptre gone down that night, hundreds and hundreds of
England's best and bravest defenders must have sunk into a watery
grave, and in all probability the enemy's ships, which were hovering
upon the track of the convoy, would have got possession of the
transports and merchantmen; and even the success of our arms in India
might have been seriously affected.

A few weeks after the gale we have mentioned, the Sceptre and her
convoy arrived safely at Bombay. She was there put into dock and
repaired, and was strengthened by having large timbers, technically
termed riders, bolted diagonally on either side, fore and aft.

When again fit for sea, she returned to Table Bay, and anchored there
about the middle of October.

On the 1st of November, the captain and officers gave a ball to the
inhabitants of Cape Town, and on that night the ship presented an
appearance of unusual gaiety; mirth and music resounded on all sides;
in place of the stern voice of command, the laugh, the jest, and the
soft tones of woman's voice were heard; whilst many a light footstep
glided over the decks of the old ship.

The lamps shone o'er fair women and brave men;
A thousand hearts beat happily; and when
Music arose with its voluptuous swell,
Soft eyes looked love to eyes that spake again,
And all went merry as a marriage bell.

CHILDE HAROLD.

The night was calm and beautiful, and as the guests left the ship,
little did they think of the fearful doom that was so soon to
overwhelm many of those whose hands they had clasped for the last
time.

The weather continued perfectly calm till the evening of the 4th of
November, when some ominous looking clouds indic