especially honoured in those days, as it deserved
to be. The merchant adventurers a century and a half ago were the
promoters of civilisation, the founders of kingdoms, while they were
generally distinguished by their courage, perseverance, and honourable
conduct. The "Nottingham Galley" had a crew of forty men, and she
mounted twenty guns, with which her captain hoped to defend her against
any enemies she might encounter. He had hitherto been a successful man,
and he began to think that it would never be his lot to be otherwise.

The voyage was prosperous till the "Nottingham Galley" was within fifty
leagues of the American coast. A furious gale then sprang up, and thick
weather came on, so that no observations could be taken. Deane
endeavoured to bring the ship to, that he might keep off the coast till
the weather should moderate. In vain, however, did he make the attempt.
The after-masts were carried away; and now the ship could only run
before the gale, it being feared every moment that the seas which came
roaring up astern would break on board. He hoped, however, that the
weather might moderate before they reached the entrance of the Delaware
river, up which the galley was bound. Vain hope! The darkness of night
came on, and instead of moderating, the gale increased. The crew, hardy
as they were, clung to the bulwarks and the shrouds, expecting that
every moment would be their last. Still the fury of the tempest
increased. The wind whistled through the shrouds, and the seas raged up
alongside. A loud roar was heard ahead. "Breakers! breakers!" shouted
the crew. The next instant there came a fearful crash. The helpless
galley was driven forward amid the rocks. The seas swept over her.
Many were washed away, or dashed furiously against the rocks. Deane
felt himself lifted up by a sea which dashed against the devoted vessel.
He suspected that the fate which had overtaken many of his crew would
now be his. Onward the sea bore him. He struck out, struggling bravely
for life. His feet touched the hard sand, and the next instant he was
thrown high upon the beach. He staggered forward, and before the
following sea had reached him he had escaped from its clutches. The
despairing shrieks of his crew reached his ears. In vain he endeavoured
to render them assistance. He rescued two, however, at the risk of
being himself thrown back into the foaming surges. Three others had
been thrown as he had been o