hen a heavy swell would lift the waterlogged
craft and surge about the hull, causing it to groan as though conscious
of its approaching fate. Moments assumed the length of hours now, and
the countenance of each was a picture of agonized suspense and momentary
expectation, no one spoke above their breath. Again the heavy swell
caused the hull to lurch and pitch until her bows were almost buried,
and the water was even with the scuppers--the moment was approaching.

"Steady, all," said the mate, calmly, as he saw another approaching
swell, which he knew must cause the vessel to lift and settle again, and
probably this time prove the signal for her final plunge altogether.
"Steady, I say, and hold on to the boat stoutly now. Don't let go,
ladies, for an instant!"

The seaman was right, the heavy hull was ful this surge came on, burying
her for an instant, and actually sweeping the boat clear of her bulwarks
out upon the sea, a most fortunate circumstance, which was instantly
taken advantage of, by pulling with the oars for a single instant, and
still further clearing the wreck, which now rose high at the bows for a
moment as the stern settled and gradually sunk, causing a vortex which
would certainly have engulfed the boat, had it not been able thus to
pull a short distance away, and which even now drew it rapidly back to
the spot where the ship had laid, and causing it to toss fearfully for a
while, but in a few moments more all was quiet.

"Thank God, that is over," said the mate, earnestly; "it was little
short of a miracle that we did not all of us go down with the ship."

The widow covered her face with her hands and breathed a silent prayer
of thankfulness. It was already night again, and steering by the stars
the mate laid his course, after affording a spare sail to cover the
mother and her daughter, who having partaken of some needed refreshment,
the first for many hours, were soon lost in sleep, induced by the great
bodily fatigue and physical exertion they had so lately encountered in
this emergency.

The men stood watch and watch, relieving each other at intervals
throughout the night, while the boat with its two lugger sails crept on
steadily upon its course.

It was remarkable to observe the delicacy observed by those three seamen
towards the widow and her daughter, to mark their assiduity towards them
as to their necessities and their wants; while they, on their part, were
patient, uncomplaining and gra