of poor Jack. That means
that God Almighty watches over us, and will take care of those who trust
in Him."

These remarks from the old man had a good deal of effect with the
sailors. "What is it you want us to do, sir?" they asked.

"Why, build a raft, my lads, and see if it won't float us." Encouraged
by the spirited old man, we all set to work with a will. With our axes
some of us cut up the deck and bulwarks, and collected all the remaining
spars, while the rest lashed them together. The mate and a boy were
employed meantime in collecting all the provisions and stores he could
get at and in stowing them away in a couple of chests, which formed the
centre of our raft. In a very short time nearly everything was ready.
The raft was, however, so large that we could not attempt to launch it,
but we hoped that it would float when the brig sank under us. We had
all been so busy that we had not observed how rapidly the vessel was
sinking. Suddenly the old master gave a loud shout, "Now, my lads, now,
my lads! to the raft, to the raft!" Some of the men had gone forward to
get hold of their clothes or some money, or anything they could find,
against his advice. Some of them were seen at this moment leisurely
coming up the fore-hatchway. Even when he shouted to them they did not
hurry themselves, any more than sinners are apt to do when warned by
their faithful pastors to flee from the wrath to come. Mr Ellis and I,
with two other men, were near him at the time. We leaped on to the raft
as he spoke, and seizing some oars which had been placed on it, we stood
ready to shove it clear of the wreck as she sank. The vessel gave a
plunge forward. The other men on deck rushed aft with frantic haste,
but the waters were around them before they could catch hold of the
raft. The look of horror on their countenances I cannot even now
forget. One was a little before the others: he clutched at one of the
oars. With our united strength we hauled him in. Then down went the
brig. The cry of our companions was quickly stifled. The raft rocked
to and fro as the wild seas tossed up fiercely round us. Now one came
sweeping on. "Hold on! hold on!" shouted the old master. One of our
number did not attend to him. The sea passed over the raft, almost
blinding us When we looked up, the man was gone. Five of us only
remained alive. How soon more of our number might be summoned from the
world, who could tell? I dare not dwell