

SCENE AT DUSK. 



our surprise, in the same shelter, and within a stone VtKrowtforn 

 us, the boats of nearly all the people on the coast, for a dozen miles 

 eastward. It seemed that other people had come in search of the 

 wreck as well as ourselves, and showed us strangers the rapidity 

 with which news travels even on this coast, where the houses are 

 four, six, or ten miles apart. Surprised as we were, we finished 

 mooring, and started towards the house. The scene that burst 

 upon us reminded one strongly of some fanciful legend of pirates 

 or sea-robbers. Here the dark outline of the house, back of which 

 tall cliffs frowned out a gloomy reception, was lighted up by a fire 

 on the rocks to the right of the doorway, around which was 

 assembled a group of men who went and came in and out of 

 the darkness beyond the flames. A crane hung over the fire and 

 kettles were suspended a little above the flames containing the 

 tea of the several parties who formed the group ; to the left of the 

 house a wide expanse of darkness wrapped the cliffs, the water, 

 and the ground in one sea of dusk. Approaching the house, the 

 scene presented a livelier aspect and we were better able to see 

 about us. The house of our friend had been literally taken 

 possession of. Later in the evening when more boats had arrived, 

 we counted twenty-four persons who had thus invaded this retreat, 

 and established themselves until morning. 



You may imagine the confusion of twenty good voices in loud 

 conversation (loud talking seems to be the rule with the people 

 on the coast) over the prospects ; add to this the excitement 

 which prevailed on every hand, and the bustle over the dishes, as 

 party after party (each of whom, by the way, brought their own 

 provisions) sat down or rose up from table, and you have the 

 scene complete, — no, not complete, for the room was none too 

 warm, it being a cold night out and the atmosphere breathed and 

 felt of tobacco smoke so forcibly, that one could " cut it," a§ the ex- 

 pression is. 



After a great deal of talking and listening at the time, with what 

 was learned afterwards, I have prepared with a great deal of care 

 the following story of the wreck ; — = 

 S 



