in her as it would be safe
to carry. This was no time for delay. Pearce lifted the young lady in
his arms, and lowered himself with her into the boat. The boat returned
to the "Vestal," and all those who had been rescued were put on board.
The young lady again and again entreated him to save her father. Pearce
promised to make every effort to bring off the colonel. "But unless his
men are rescued, I doubt that he will leave the ship," he added, as he
returned to his boat.

Two other boats were now lowered, but it was too evident that they could
only save a part of the people from the foundering ship. Those on her
deck were now seen forming a raft. It was their last hope of life
should the boats not take them off. Though several of the people made a
rush to the side, they were driven back by the officers and soldiers who
remained firm, and the men were told off in order to allow of them to
embark as arranged by Pearce. 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