THE RESCUE AND EXPEDITION BOAT WRECKED. 143 



ing surges driving over her decks, as the snow-storm poured its 

 heavy drift around, even as if it were a wondrous funeral shroud, 

 so did the doomed craft meet its fate. 



So, too, was my expedition boat torn from its moorings, and, 

 sharing the Rescues sad end, doomed me also to a wreck of dis- 

 appointment in the hopes I had cherished concerning her. And 

 all this we saw as, with startled gaze and anxious thought, we 

 stood on deck, powerless to save, and equally powerless to avert 

 our own doom, if it should come. 



The night passed on. The morning light slowly and cheer- 

 lessly pierced through the increasing thickness of falling snow as 

 it flew past us on the driving wind. Dimly at first, then more 

 distinctly, but still in dread spectre-like form, loomed up the rug- 

 ged island scene, with its wrecks and desolation. Figures all but 

 indistinct were moving about, and the two ships were pounding 

 upon the rocks, tearing at their anchors as if in the most con- 

 vulsive death-throes. The Rescue was on her broadside, with her 

 bow easterly, and evidently breaking up. The Georgian^ being 

 in a more sheltered spot, appeared to be less hurt. But it was 

 necessary to do something, if possible, to release the men from 

 their position on shore, and get them on board of us, for we seem- 

 ed now likely to hold on. Accordingly, the moment a lull in the 

 wind took place, which was at 9 A.M. of the 27th, a whale-boat 

 was carefully lowered and passed astern. Into it two brave 

 hearts, Mate Eogers and a seaman, stepped, with a view of ven- 

 turing through the boiling waves and surf to try and assist their 

 wrecked comrades. Cautiously the boat was allowed to drift off 

 toward the island, a strong and good line of great length attach- 

 ed to it from the ship. Skillfully was it guided over the seas 

 and through the breakers. Mate Eogers and his bold compan- 

 ion well and nobly did their work. In a few moments the boat 

 was under the Rescue's projecting bowsprit, and speedily, though 

 requiring exceeding care, Captain Tyson, his crew, and those who 

 had been on board of the schooner got into her. A short time 

 more, and all were standing safely on the George Henry's deck. 



At noon both the stranded ships were pounding very heavily 

 on the rocks, and jumping their anchors in such a manner as to 

 cause the two vessels to move their position more round the isl- 

 and, though in opposite directions. Thus it continued through- 

 out all of the 27th, the wind increasing rather than the contrary. 

 But on the following morning the gale abated, and at nine o'clock 



