HORRIBLE FATE OF SOME SEAMEN. 179 



In this critical moment Lieutenant Smith was not dis- 

 mayed. He still gave orders to the crew firmly and coolly, 

 and was still obeyed by them. The boat was again righted, 

 and the baling again commenced. Smith clinging to the 

 stern while he directed and encourged his crew. For a mo- 

 ment he ceased to splash, while he looked into the boat to 

 see what progress his men were making. At this instant a 

 shark bit off both his legs above the knees. With fortitude 

 scarcely to be believed, he endeavored to conceal the fact 

 from his remaining crew, but, in spite of all his endeavors to 

 suppress it, a deep groan escaped him ; he loosed his hold of 

 the boat and was about to sink, when two of his men caught 

 hold of him and placed him in the stern-sheets. Although 

 bleeding and in agony, he still exerted himself for his crew. 

 He expressed his sorrow for their situation, gave them ad- 

 vice affectionately yet coolly, and ended with these words : 

 " If any of you survive this fearful night and return to 

 Jamaica, tell the admiral that I was in search of the pirate 

 when this lamentable occurrence took place ,• tell him that I 

 hope I have always done my duty, and that I " At this mo- 

 ment some of the men endeavored to get into the boat, which 

 was thus drawn on one side, and Lieutenant Smith rolled over- 

 board, and sank to rise no more. The boat was now again 

 upset. Some of the bleeding seamen placed themselves on 

 the keel, but one by one dropped into the ocean. It was at 

 eight o'clock when the Magpie sank, and before nine all on 

 board of her were eaten by the sharks or drowned, with the 

 exception of two, who succeeded in righting the boat and 

 getting into her. They immediately began baling, and 

 worked until they were nearly exhausted. The sharks swam 

 round the boat, and endeavored to upset her, but failing, 

 and perhaps gorged already, at length departed. The men 

 worked at intervals, until the boat was nearly free from 

 water, and then lay down and slept until after daylight. The 

 morning was fine but sultry. The men were hungry, thirsty, 



