Chap. VII. CAPTAIN G. F. LYON. 223 



fails to do on the apparent approach of the last 

 extremity. But it is due to him and his brave 

 seamen to describe their situation and conduct on 

 this trying occasion in his own words. 



" Although few or none of us had any idea that we should 

 survive the gale, we did not think that our comforts should 

 he entirely neglected ; and an order was therefore given to 

 the men, to put on their best and warmest clothing, to 

 enable them to support life as long as possible. Every man 

 therefore brought his bag on deck, and dressed himself; 

 and in the fine athletic forms, which stood exposed before 

 me, I did not see one muscle quiver, nor the slightest sign 

 of alarm. The officers each secured some useful instru- 

 ment about them, for the purposes of observation, although 

 it was acknowledged by all, that not the slightest hope 

 remained. And now that everything in our power had 

 been done, I called all hands aft, and to a merciful God 

 offered prayers for our preservation. I thanked every one 

 for their excellent conduct, and cautioned them, as we 

 should, in all probability, soon appear before our Maker, 

 to enter his presence as men resigned to their fate. We 

 then all sat down in groups, and, sheltered from the wash 

 of the sea by whatever we could find, many of us endea- 

 voured to obtain a little sleep. Never perhaps was wit- 

 nessed a finer scene than on the deck of my little ship, 

 when all hope of life had left us. Noble as the character 

 of the British sailor is always allowed to be, in cases of 

 danger, yet I did not believe it to be possible, that among 

 forty-one persons, not one repining word should have been 

 uttered. The officers sat about wherever they could find 

 shelter from the sea, and the men lay down conversing with 

 each other with the most perfect calmness. Each was at 

 peace with his neighbour and all the world ; and I am firmly 



