s way, it
being expected every instant that her anchors would part, when a roller,
more severe even than the others, threw the cutter on board on the
larboard quarter, breaking the bunk adrift and capsizing it. As the
vessel rose again, the boat fell aft and immediately filled, when she
was of necessity cut adrift to prevent her doing more damage; and as
soon as this was done she sank. Shortly after this the squalls began to
become less frequent, and the breakers moderated gradually; an opening,
also, was seen in the line of sparkling foam from the fore-yard; so Mr
Kingston resolved to make sail and to get out of the river. He
contrived to weigh the starboard or lee anchor, after very many
fruitless attempts to do so on account of the heavy surges; but as it
was found impossible to purchase the weather one, it was slipped, and
the schooner wore round under her jib in a quarter less two fathoms. A
sharp-sighted seaman stood on the fore-yard, from whence he conned the
vessel,--the lead kept going as before. The mainsail was then set, and
the schooner stood out towards the opening which appeared in the surf.
She obeyed her helm readily, the rocks and shoals were avoided, and at
length the outer bar was safely passed. At about ten p.m. she came up
with the _Asp_, anchored a short distance outside. Lieutenant Dumaresq
stood with speaking-trumpet in hand, and hailed the _Lark_. "I'm glad
you've got out safe; but I fear four of my poor fellows are lost, and
our two boats."

"They're safe on board, and I have your boat in tow," was the answer. A
loud congratulatory cheer from the British seamen on board the _Asp_
signified their satisfaction at the success of Mr Kingston's gallant
exploit. He then anchored, and, going on board the _Asp_, was further
thanked and congratulated by his superior officer; who had not only
given up all hopes of the people in the pinnace and gig having escaped,
but of the _Lark_ herself, as his own vessel had had a most perilous
passage across the bars. She had struck three times, in one of which
shocks the boats had broken adrift. The two schooners again weighed and
ran down to the _Wolverine_, lying off the Brass, ten miles distant. On
their arrival, Mr Kingston had the satisfaction of receiving the
warmest approval of his excellent commander for the gallantry and
judgment he had displayed. The vessels were afterwards sent to Sierra
Leone, where they were condemned and cut up.

Mr Kin