ht her stern to windward, and the breeze
blew the dangerous element away.

The engine was now silent--the wheels had ceased to move--the
'scape-pipe no longer gave out its booming notes; but instead of these
sounds, others of terrible import fell upon the ear. The shouts of men,
mingled with oaths--wild, awful imprecations--the more shrill piercing
shrieks of women--the groans of rounded from the deck below--the
agonised cry of those blown into the water and drowning--all rang upon
the ear with terrible emphasis!

How changed the tones from those that, but a moment before, pealed from
the self-same lips!

The smoky vapour was soon partially blown off, and I could catch a
glimpse of the forward part of the boat. There a complete chaos met the
eye. The smoking-saloon, the bar with its contents, the front awning,
and part of the starboard wheel-house, were completely carried away--
blown up as if a mine had been sprung beneath them--and the huge
sheet-iron funnels had fallen forward upon the deck! At a glance I was
convinced that captain, pilots, all who had been upon that part of the
boat, must have perished!

Of course such reflections passed with the rapidity of thought itself,
and occupied me not a moment of time. I felt that _I_ was still unhurt,
and my first natural thought was that of preserving my life. I had
sufficient presence of mind to know there was no danger of a second
explosion; but I perceived that the boat was badly injured, and already
leaning to one side. How long would she swim?

I had hardly asked myself the question when it was answered by a voice
that, in terrified accents, shouted out:--

"Good God! she is sinking! she is sinking!"

This announcement was almost simultaneous with the cry of "Fire!" and at
the same moment flames were seen bursting forth and shooting up to the
height of the hurricane-deck! Whether by burning up or going down, it
was evident the wreck would afford us but short refuge.

The thoughts of the survivors were now turned to the Magnolia. I looked
in the direction of that boat. I perceived that she was doing her best
to back, and put round toward us; but she was still several hundred
yards off! In consequence of the Belle having steered a while towards
the Bringiers landing, the boats no longer ran in the same track; and,
although they were head and head at the moment of the explosion, they
were separated from each other by a wide stretch of the river. A f