BURNING OF THE SHIP. 



449 



another. They were destined to die by neither, but in a manner, 

 if any thing, more horrible. The flames, reaching the cannon, 

 which by some fatal coincidence were loaded, discharged them 



one by one. A ball, striking the spar by which these nine 

 devoted men were kept afloat, ploughed its way through them 

 all, killing several outright and mortally wounding the rest. 

 Not one escaped. The mast now fell into the sea, making 

 terrible havoc among those within its reach; while at every 

 moment a gun launched its reckless metal upon the water. 

 The chaplain, clinging to a bit of charred wood, edified all who 

 heard him by his piety and resignation. Once he tried to sink, 

 but was brought back by the first lieutenant. "Let me go," 

 said he; "I am full of water, and it cannot avail to prolong 

 my sufferings." "In his holy company," says the lieutenant, in 

 his narrative, "I passed three hours: during which time I saw 



