The captain, being summoned, soon came on deck. To bear away for the
stranger would be a work of danger to the "Vestal." Still who could
tell how many human beings might be on board that sinking ship! With
hatches battened down and men lashed to the helm, the captain resolved
to go to the rescue.

The seas came roaring up with furious rage, as the sloop flew before
them, some breaking aboard; and rounding to under the stern of the ship,
she again hove to. Many people appeared on the deck of the stranger
who, stretching out their arms, implored assistance. How was it to be
afforded? Would a boat live in such a sea? Such appeals to British
seamen are never made in vain. Pearce Ripley offered to make the
experiment if men were found ready to go with him. There was no want of
volunteers. A boat was lowered. It seemed as if she must be engulfed
before she left the sloop's side. Ripley's progress was watched by
eager eyes from both ships. Now he is in the trough of the sea, a
watery mountain about to overwhelm him; now he is on the summit
surrounded by driving foam. A shout is raised as he neared the sinking
ship, but to get alongside was even more dangerous than the passage from
one to the other. As the ship rolled and her deck was exposed to view,
he saw that there were women on board, and other people besides the
crew. Ropes were hove to him. He seized one, and sprang up the side.
A few hurried words told him what had occurred. The ship was conveying
troops and stores to Halifax, the master and first mate had been washed
overboard, the second lay wounded by the falling of a spar. Many of the
crew had been lost with the captain. There was no sea officer who could
enforce orders; the men were mutinous. Ripley instantly assumed the
command. There were several ladies. "They must first be placed in
safety before a man enters the boat," he cried out, presenting a pistol
at some seamen who showed an intention of leaping into her.

Some entreated that their husbands might accompany them. "Oh, father,
father, come with me," exclaimed a fair girl, who was being conveyed to
the side to be lowered into the boat; "I cannot, I will not leave you."
She looked towards a fine, soldier-like man, who stood with several
officers around him. "Impossible! Heaven protect you, dearest. Even
for your sake I cannot desert my post. It is here with my men," was the
answer.

The boat had already nearly as many persons