. Twice the boat returned without an
accident to the "Vestal." The young lady cast a reproachful look at
Ripley, when she saw that her father was not among the saved. "He would
not come, lady, but I will make another effort," he exclaimed, as he
prepared once more to leave the corvette's side. Just then arose the
fearful cry, "She is sinking! she is sinking!"

"Oh, save him! save him!" shrieked the poor girl in an agony of terror,
stretching out her hands towards the spot where she fancied that she saw
her beloved father struggling in the waves. Pearce and his brave
companions needed not such an appeal to make them use every effort to
reach their drowning fellow-creatures. Some had leaped on the
half-finished raft as the ship sunk beneath them, but many of these were
speedily washed off. Others were clinging to spars, and oars, and
gratings, Pearce was soon in the midst of the hapless beings, many with
despair on their countenances, unable to reach the boat, sinking as he
neared them. He looked round for the colonel. He could not distinguish
him among the rest. Three people had been hauled in, when as the boat
rose to the summit of a sea he saw below him a person clinging to a
grating. A hand was waved towards him. "Give way, lads," he shouted,
and in another minute he had the satisfaction of hauling on board the
brave officer for whom he was searching.

The other boats took off the people from the raft. He picked up several
more, and returned in safety on board. The meeting of the father and
his daughter need not be described. They were, he found, a colonel and
Miss Verner. He was struck by the name as that of his former unamiable
messmate. When the weather moderated, and the colonel was sufficiently
recovered to appear on deck, he warmly expressed his gratitude to
Pearce, and his admiration of the gallantry he had displayed. His
daughter Alice was not less grateful. A calm succeeded the gale, and
Pearce had frequent opportunities of seeing her. He did not mention
Harry Verner to her, and indeed so great was the contrast he perceived
between the two in manners and behaviour, that he could not suppose they
were nearly related. Still there was at times an expression in Colonel
Verner's countenance when he was annoyed which reminded him strongly of
Harry.

There was a frank heartiness and sincerity about the young lieutenant
which at once gained Miss Verner's regard. It was very different to
what