1830.] The Demon Ship. 647 



that rendered it difficult for me to leave her even for a moment ; but I 

 felt the duty of ascertaining whether any aid yet appeared in view, or 

 whether Girod could effect aught for us. I walked towards evening- 

 round the quarter-deck not a sail was to be seen on the horizon. I 

 endeavoured to speak to Girod, but he seemed studiously and fearfully 

 to avoid me. The captain was above, and the deck was thronged. I 

 believe this desperate crew was composed of " all people, nations, and 

 languages." Once only I met Girod' s eye as he passed me quickly in 

 assisting to hoist a sail. He looked me fixedly and significantly in the 

 face. It was enough : that expressive regard said, " Your sentence has 

 gone forth I" I instantly descended to the cabin, and my fellow- victims 

 read in my countenance the extinction of hope. We now fastened the 

 door, I primed my pistols, and placed them in my bosom, and clinging 

 to one another we waited our fate. It was evident that the ship had 

 been put about, and that we were sailing in a different direction ; for the 

 sun, which had before set over the bows of the vessel, now sent his 

 parting rays into the stern windows. Margaret put her hand in mine 

 with a gentle confidence, which our circumstances then warranted, and 

 I held her close to me. She stretched out her other hand to her female 

 attendants, who, clinging close together, each held a hand of their mis- 

 tress. ft Dear Edward!" said Margaret, grasping my arm. It was 

 almost twelve years since I had heard these words from her lips ; but 

 it now seemed as if there were between us a mutual, though tacit, 

 understanding of our feelings for each other. Unrestrained, at such a 

 moment, by the presence of the domestics, Margaret and I used the 

 most endearing expressions, and, like a dying husband and wife, bade 

 solemn farewell to each other. We all then remained silent, our quick 

 beating hearts raised in prayer, and our ear open to every sound that 

 seemed to approach the cabin. Perhaps the uncertain nature of the 

 death we were awaiting rendered its approach more fearful. The ocean 

 must undoubtedly be our grave ; but whether the wave, the cord, the 

 pistol, or the dagger would be the instrument of our destruction we 

 knew not ; whether something like mercy would be shewn by our 

 butchers in the promptness of our execution, or whether they might 

 take a ruffian pleasure in inflicting a lingering pain. Had Margaret or 

 I been alone in these awful circumstances, I believe this thought would 

 not have occupied us a moment ; but to be doomed to be spectators of 

 the butchery of those we love, makes the heart recoil in horror from the 

 last crisis, even when it believes that the sword of the assassin will prove 

 the key to the gate of heaven. 



The sun sank in the waters, and the last tinge of crimson faded on the 

 waves, that now rolled towards the stern windows in dun and dismal 

 billows. The wind, as is often the case at sunset, died on the ocean. 

 At this moment I heard the voice of the captain " Up to the top of the 

 mainmast, Jack, and see if there be any sail on the horizon." The group 

 of victims in the cabin scarcely drew breath while waiting a reply which 

 would decide their fate. We distinguished the sound of feet running 

 up the shrouds. A few moments elapsed ere the answer was received. 

 At length we heard a " Well, Jack, well ?" which was followed by 

 the springing of a man on deck, and the words, " Not a sail within fifty 

 miles, I'll be sworn." ' ' Well, then, do the work below \" was the reply. 

 " But (with an oath) don't let's have any squealing or squalling. Finish 

 them quietly. And take all the trumpery out of the cabin, for we shall 



