owered; "Haul away!" he shouted, and in a little
time the priest, Father Mendez, appeared. He was unloosed also, more
dead than alive; the rope was lowered, but scarcely had it reached the
deck when a raging sea came roaring up--fearful shrieks were heard--the
mast was torn away from its hold in the rock--a rush was made at the
rope; one man grasped it, but others in their haste dragged him off, and
the next instant the remainder of the wreck which hung together was
dashed into numberless fragments, while all who had clung to it were
hurled amidst them, one after the other rapidly disappearing beneath the
foaming waters.

Morton and the Shetlanders looked anxiously over the cliff. It was too
evident that not another human being had escaped from the wreck of the
"Saint Cecilia."

"There goes the brave ship, and there go my gallant captain and worthy
comrades," cried Pedro Alvarez, wringing his hands and pulling away at
his moustachios in the excess of his grief, as he looked over the cliff
and watched the utter destruction of the corvette. The priest, when he
had sufficiently recovered to understand what had occurred, knelt down,
and those who watched him supposed, as he lifted up his hands over the
ocean, that he was uttering prayers for the souls of his departing
shipmates. Meantime Captain Maitland was kneeling by the almost
inanimate form of Hilda, and endeavouring by every means which his
experience could suggest to restore her to consciousness. At length he
was joined by Father Mendez. "Let her continue thus, kind sir," he
said. "It is better that she should not be aware of the calamity which
has overtaken her."

Morton also, followed by the Spanish lieutenant, came up. "We can
render no further assistance to the crew of the unfortunate ship," he
observed; "not another person who was on board her remains alive but
those we have here."

With the most gentle care poor Hilda was conveyed to the boat, which
pulled back towards Hamna Voe.

The priest shuddered as he saw the seas from which he had so lately
escaped come rolling up on the boat's quarter, but his compressed lips
showed that he was resolved not to give way to his feelings in words.
Sea followed sea in quick succession, and Morton's utmost care was
required to save the boat from being swamped. All breathed more freely
when the entrance of the voe was safely reached. As they pulled up it,
Morton heard some shouts. On raising his head, he saw