THE REGRETTED WATCH. 213 



lack of either company or amusement. Indeed the time passed 

 away with me, at least, more speedily and merrily than it had ever 

 done before, or has ever done since. Alas ! how little did we dream 

 that such merriment was to end - and in a moment as it were in 

 such a frightful scene of horror and devastation ! 



We had been out about twenty-five days, during all which time we 

 had most propitious, but rather heavy, winds, before which we had 

 scudded along like an eagle in its pride of flight, when we were one 

 morning overtaken by a sudden and violent squall, which carried 

 away our masts, long-boat, and cabooze, and did other serious 

 damage. The wind lulled into a perfect calm, during the day, 

 and as we lay, about ten at night, motionless as a " painted ship upon 

 a painted ocean," all hands were ordered on deck, the ship having 

 sprung a leak, and making water faster than the pumps could throw 

 out. In an instant all was consternation and confusion among the 

 passengers, fore and aft. But the presence of mind of the captain and 

 his officers, and the ready activity of the crew, tended, however, in 

 some degree, to restore confidence to the greater number ; while the 

 rest, especially the females, gave vent to their fears in hurried que- 

 ries, piteous exclamations, and broken sobs. All on board capable of 

 assisting at the pumps, were divided into gangs, for the relief of each 

 other. The hatches were opened, and men sent below to endeavour, 

 if possible, to discover and stop up the leak ; and every thing was 

 done that was in the power of mortals to do but all in vain. The 

 water in the hold gradually increased to such a degree, that the 

 pumps were useless, and every one was ordered to assist in heaving 

 the cargo overboard, to lighten the ship, as the only resource to 

 keep her afloat until morning, when succour might be had. Signal 

 lights had already been put up, and the awfully-appealing sound of 

 the minute gun was every now and then booming far away over the 

 star-lit bosom of the motionless ocean into the distant horizon. 



As I had been the last shipper, my uninsured bales aad packages 

 were the first offerings of the sacrifice ; and no one was more ac- 

 tive than I was in assisting at their disembaraktion. Out into the sea 

 they went, followed by many a larger and more valuable shipment, 

 until it was deemed prudent to desist from the useless labour, and all 

 hands were ordered to assist in preparing rafts for those who could 

 not be accommodated in the three remaining boats. 



While these were being constructed, the stern-boat, by secret in- 

 structions from the captain, was quietly lowered, provisioned, and 

 equipped by the steward, second mate, and my fellow cabin passen- 

 gers, and kept close in under the cabin windows ; and, as day began 

 to dawn, and every provision had been made for the two other boats 

 and the rafts, and the vessel was expected to be swamped every mo- 

 ment, the captain, myself, first mate, cook, cabin-boy, and such of 

 the crew as had been picked out to accompany us the rest being left 

 to superintend the launching and take command of the other boats 

 and rafts one by one withdrew ourselves without observation, and, 

 getting out of the cabin windows, joined our awaiting companions, 

 and rowed silently off from the fast sinking vessel. 



The moment it was discovered that we had abandoned the ship, 



