LOSS OF THE ROTHSAY CASTLE. 101 
individual, on a bench near me, was engaged loudly in prayer ; 
but all the others were silent. There was a rush at this time 
toward the boat ; but those who had gone into her came out 
again, (excepting a poor Avoman, with a child in her arm, who 
sat firmly fixed in the bow,) for they were told that she could 
not live in such a sea — that she had a hole in her bottom, and 
that there were no oars. After a while the stern fastening 
gave way, and the boat hung suspended at the bow by the 
painter. I assisted in dragging out the woman, reflecting at 
the same moment on the idea that the first being which had 
perished was the innocent at her breast ; but I was in error, 
a strong tie held it there, and they were both got on board. I 
was then engaged trying to loose the painter, but to no pur- 
pose. Soon, however, the boat was carried away, with the 
davit to which it was attached, and it immediately swamped. 
I now threw off more of my clothes, leaving on me only my 
waistcoat, shirt, stockings, and drawers, and of these latter 
also I soon afterward divested myself Shivering, however, 
with cold, I took shelter under a friend's cloak, which, Avet as 
it Avas, still afforded me some Avarmth. My friend asked me 
the time. I looked at my Avatch, and found it within a quar- 
ter of tvA'o. " It is possible," he said, " aa^c may hold together 
till morning, and then Ave may be seen from the land." We 
Avere also conjecturing hoAA^ far Puffin Island — the land lying 
ahead of us — might be distant, and were calculating upon the 
possibility of reaching it by swimming. I expressed my sur- 
prise that the moon Av^as not visible; but Mr. L. remarked 
that it had gone down long since. It Avas dark ; thick clouds 
were flying about the sky — and only one bright star could be 
seen, reflecting on the troubled sea. Whilst these remarks 
and observations AA^ere passing, the danger was thickening 
around us. But the conduct of Mr. Leigh AA^as firm and com- 
posed throughout the whole of our awful trial, so remarkably 
so, indeed, that the impression it has left on my mind AA'ill 
never be effaced. To this example do T ascribe, in no incon- 
siderable degree, my OAvn presence of mind, Avhich, through 
the blessing and help of my Almighty PreserA'-er, never once 
failed me, though surrounded by imminent and increasing 
peril. 
It Avas agonizing to hear the vainly uplifted shouts which 
those noAV despairing mortals around me simultaneously rais- 
ed, in hopes of being heard at the shore ; but their voices 
floated feebly on the blast, and were droAA^ned in the loud dash- 
ing of the Avaves. That of the poor woman, in whose tempo- 
9* 
