THE LAST CRUISE OF THE MIRANDA. 117 



in a sinking condition, and the signals of distress were 

 given. 



From the deck of the Rigel we could dimly see prepara- 

 tions going on aboard the Miranda for leaving the ship, 

 though sometimes we lost sight of her altogether in the hol- 

 low of the sea. At the capstan of the schooner stood Captain 

 Dixon with a sharp axe in hand, ready to cut the hawser 

 that connected us with the Miranda should she suddenly 

 founder and sink. It was an anxious time for us on the 

 schooner, straining our eyes in the darkness upon the flaring 

 red light of the Miranda, ever appearing and disappearing as 

 the ship rolled in the heavy sea. 



As the gray dawn began to streak the sky the first boat- 

 load of the Miranda's crew came rowing over to the Rigel. 

 This contained the steward and several of his men, and as 

 soon as they were safe on board the boat was sent over to the 

 Miranda again, and three dories from the Rigel were also 

 launched. It was a sight long to be remembered, that of the 

 little boats plying between the disabled steamer and the 

 schooner, and bringing over the crew in sections, and such 

 necessary baggage as could hastily be got together. The 

 boats rose and fell on the swelling sea, and were often lost to 

 view, only to rise again on the crest of some huge wave. 

 "Wonderfully well managed were these little boats by some of 

 the gallant, stout-hearted sailors of the Rigel. No thought 

 of the prize now slipping away from their grasp appeared 

 to influence them, but with hearty good-will they bent 

 to the oars, and carried their burdens of human freight, 

 while all unnecessary baggage they cast into the sea. For 

 space was very valuable upon the little schooner Rigel. 

 Shortly after five o'clock in the morning the last boat-load, 

 carrying Captain Farrell among others, arrived safely on 

 board the schooner. The hawser had been cast off from the 

 Miranda, and she was abandoned to her fate. Her lights 



