STEAMER AGROUND 



43 



ag-round. The steamer stopped. A cable was fastened 

 to the anchor, and after four hours' struoole we were 

 again afloat. Our captain, who had deviated from 

 the right course marked by buoys, was replaced by 

 the second officer, and confined to his cabin, where 

 the unfortunate man remained till we reached Blao-o- 



THE "SUNGARI," STERN-WHEEI.EK. 



vestchensk. In fact, we never saw him aeain. Durino- 

 the night we were awakened by a rattling— the boat 

 had struck shingle. Dawn found us on the same spot 

 struggling with adversity. The weather was fine and 

 warm. After twelve hours' labour we were on the 

 move towards noon, and presently came in sight of 

 four barges stuck in mid-stream. It was our fate to 

 be soon in a similar position ; a sandbank detained us 



