to
be beyond the grave I know not; and my religion concerns the life that
now is. I must make the best of time, and leave eternity to be taken
account of when I am fairly launched into it. Perhaps enjoying this
world with you, I might learn from you to prepare for eternity. At
present my care must be to get my dear Mary safely over this
treacherous ocean."

The sun now sank beneath the western horizon. The variegated colors of
the sky were rapidly commingling into one dense canopy of gloom.

The passengers earnestly inquired of the captain about the prospect.
He hoped to run into the port of Wilmington, but he exhorted them to
have brave hearts for the danger was imminent. The storm was rapidly
increasing. All urged that the pressure of steam be increased to the
utmost capacity of the boat.

O, what an anxious crowd were upon the deck of that steamer, as they
strained their eyes towards the land, and anon lost their balance by
the dashing of the billows! The lightning played with terrific
splendor, alternating with the blackness of the heavens; and the roar
of the waves was only hushed by the awful artillery of the skies.

Mary was sitting where Albert had directed, awaiting with great
calmness the result of the storm.

Albert carefully fastened her with a cord to the box, having first
placed beneath her arms the life-preserver. Placing another
life-preserver around himself, he stood by Mary's side with watchful
anxiety. Suddenly a heavy sea threw the boat forcibly to one side, and
Albert mechanically stretching forth his hand to save himself,
accidentally got caught in the rope that he had entwined about the
box, and with Mary was tossed into the sea and overwhelmed with the
waves.

The steamer was several hundred yards ahead of them before Albert
succeeded in adjusting his position to maintain a good hold upon the
box. His first thought was to examine how Mary was situated. The
lightning gave him sufficient assurance that she was alive and unhurt.
At that moment a dreadful explosion directed their eyes towards the
steamer, and the awful sight was exhibited of their late associates
blown into the air and then sinking beneath the waves.

The loss of the Pulaski has made many a flowing tear. But few were
left to tell the horrors of that night. The public are familiar with
their description of the sad disaster. But they knew not the fate of
Albert and Mary, and only added them to the catalogue of the lost.

It