WRECK OF THE ALMA. 195 



clinging to me, the proud young Creole, whom we 

 had admired at a modest distance, a few hours be- 

 fore, surrounded by a crowd of adorers which her 

 beauty had attracted. 



The rapid sinking of the ship, after striking upon 

 a concealed coral rock, was explained by the circum- 

 stance already mentioned that the cabin windows had 

 all been open, and the water therefore found unimpeded 

 access into the hold. The vessel soon lay entirely on 

 her side, and the great question, on which now the 

 life or death of every living being on it depended, was 

 whether it would assume a position of rest, or cap- 

 size, and hurl us one and all into the deep. 



I erected for myself a little observatory, with the 

 help of which I could note the further inclination of 

 the ship by the position of a particularly brilliant 

 star, and proclaimed from minute to minute the result 

 of my observations. These communications were awaited 

 with great anxiety. The cry "stand -still!" was greeted 

 with short joyful murmurs, that of "sunk further!" 

 answered by various doleful exclamations. At last no 

 further sinking was observable, and the paralysing fear 

 of death gave place to energetic efforts for effecting 

 our safety. 



By the light of the moon and the glittering starry 

 sky we could distinctly perceive that we had run 

 upon a large rock, rising at one point tolerably high 

 above the water, and now only a few hundred yards 

 from us. The life -boats fastened on the lee -side 



could be lowered without much difficulty, and then in 



13* 



