ings seemingly overcame him, for he could say no more.

A considerable time elapsed before the arrival of the litter. Meantime
Shane and Davis, with their young companion, hastened along the shore.
Several other persons having seen the wreck had now collected on the
beach. A few, fastening ropes round their waists, bravely rushed into
the surf to assist in dragging the floating men on shore. Some,
however, it was very clear, were more eager to obtain any articles of
value that might be washed up than to save human life. Many were thus
employed when Shane and Davis appeared. Several persons were seen
clinging to the masses of wreck, which, after having been tossed about
for a considerable time in the bay, were now being washed ashore. The
glitter upon the jackets of two of them showed that they were officers,
and several persons, as they drifted near, rushed into the water to
assist them, so it seemed. They brought them safely up the beach, but
no sooner were they there, than, instead of rendering them further
assistance, they began to rifle their pockets, and to take their watches
and the rings from their fingers. Davis caught sight of them as they
were thus so eagerly employed, as not to observe his approach. He
dashed forward, and with a blow of a broken spar which he had seized, he
knocked aside two of the wreckers, and so ably did he wield it, that he
put the rest to flight before they could secure their booty. The
rescued officers were two midshipmen of the ship, and their first
inquiry was for their commander.

"He is all safe, sirs," exclaimed Davis. "Heaven be praised for it, but
he was very nearly gone; however, it will not be long, I hope, before he
is well again. It has been sad work; not a third, I fear, of our poor
fellows have come on shore."

"Not so many, I am afraid," observed one of the midshipmen; "however,
now we are safe ourselves, let us try to help others."

Several of the better disposed of the people now joined themselves to
Shane, and prevented the wreckers from continuing their barbarous
proceedings. A raft approached near the beach, and though perhaps none
on it would have been saved, had they not had assistance, by the aid of
the strong body of men who rushed into the water, all were safely landed
before it had the opportunity of turning over upon them. Many dead
bodies were cast ashore, and they were gradually collected and placed
side by side. There were officers and men,