lee."

"The gale is broke; we shall have fair weather before the morning."

"Yes, sir; I have thought so some time."

"Thank God for His mercy; we must trust that He will not leave us here
to perish miserably."

"No, I hope not," replied Cross; "let us trust in Him, but I confess I
see but little chance."

"So have many others, yet they have been saved, Cross."

"Very true, sir," replied he: "I wish it was daylight."

We had, however, three or four hours to wait; but during that time the
wind gradually subsided, and then went down to a light and fitful
breeze. At dawn of day the mast rose and fell with the swell of the
sea, which still heaved after the late commotion, but without any run in
any particular direction, for it was now calm. I had been sitting on
the mast with my back against the futtock-shrouds; I now rose up with
difficulty, for I was sorely bruised, and stood upon the mast clear from
the water, to look around me. About thirty yards from us was the wreck
of the foremast with many men clinging to it. The mizen-mast had broken
adrift. The fore part of the frigate was several feet above water, and
the bowsprit steeved in the air; of the after part there were but three
or four broken timbers to be seen clear of the water, so deep had it
been buried in the sand.

Cross had risen on his feet, and was standing by me, when we were hailed
from the wreck of the fore-mast, "Main-mast, ahoy!"

"Halloo!" replied Cross.

"Have you got the captain on board?"

"Yes," replied Bob; "all alive and hearty;" a faint huzzah which was the
return, affected me sensibly. That my men should think of me when in
such a position was soothing to my feelings; but as I looked at them on
the other mast and those around me, and calculated that there could not
be more than forty men left out of such a noble ship's company, I could
have wept. But it was time for action: "Cross," said I, "now that it is
calm, I think we shall be better on the fore part of the frigate than
here, half in and half out of water. The forecastle is still remaining,
and the weather bulwarks will shelter the men; besides if any vessels
should come in sight, we should more easily be able to make signals and
to attract their attention."

"Very true, sir," replied Cross; "and as there are many men here who
cannot hold on much longer, we must try if we cannot haul them on board.
Do you feel strong enough to swim to the wreck?"

"Yes, quite, Cross.