312 



THE SEA. 



the skin, but had the narrowest escape that man could well have of being lashed into the- 

 furious sea and yawning gulf below him/' 



The news of their cruel sufferings having ere this spread around the country this being 

 Sunday, and rather more favourable than the previous days thousands of both sexes assembled 

 from miles around to witness the awful scene. They could clearly distinguish among 

 the vast assemblage upon the cliffs a great number of ladies by their veils, drapery, &c. r 

 who doubtless had been attracted to the fatal spot through sympathy for their peculiar 

 hardships. The shore appeared so near, and the day was so fine, that through the greater 

 part of it they did not think, nor could bring themselves to believe it possible, that 



THE SURVIVORS OX THE ROCK. 



they were cruelly doomed to suffer another night upon the desolate rock ; and it was thought 

 by some (seeing that the distance to the cliff on the mainland was not very great) that a 

 brave plunge into the waves would bear them on shore. 



Hunger was keen indeed ; it was piercing ; and perceiving the people upon the cliff 

 apparently unable to give them relief, one resolute but unfortunate man volunteered, and 

 attempted to swim to shore, and, creeping down the rock, bade them farewell. They wished 

 him, with all their hearts, success, each meaning to follow his example, if successful, rather 

 than remain to perish on the rock. He rushed boldly into the surf ; they all awaited his 

 re-appearance with breathless anxiety, but he was rapidly hurried into the deep below, and 

 they could discern him no more. All such attempts, or hope of such, to gain the shore 

 by these means were then abandoned. 



The second night was now closing fast upon them, and having observed that some 

 preparations were being made on shore to extend ropes from promontory to promontory 

 a distance of from half a mile to a mile they were all hovering between hope and fear. A 



