they
listened to the groaning of the timbers, and the sullen roar of the
waves dashing against the rocks.

In this state they had remained another hour, when a hollow sound was
heard below them; still they spoke not a word, for from the captain to
the youngest boy, every one knew what that sound foretold, and that
the last struggle was at hand,--for many, the last hour of existence.
Then a universal tremor was felt through the wreck, and the boldest
heart responded to that shudder. The very timbers seemed to dread
their impending doom: with a mighty crash they yielded to the force of
the waves; for a moment the ship righted, and then sank beneath the
foaming waters.

The pen is powerless when we attempt to describe an event like this,
for we cannot penetrate into the secret recesses of the heart, nor can
we delineate the agonies of conscience which too often increase the
anguish of such scenes, when the near approach of death unveils to
men, truths they have been unwilling to learn or to believe. Many a
cry for pardon and mercy is raised in the hour of shipwreck, from lips
that never prayed before. The best and bravest then bow their heads in
awe, however well they may be prepared for the dangers that are
incident to their profession; and though from childhood 'these men see
the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep,' yet it must be
an appalling moment when the plank they have been wont to tread in
calm security, is torn from beneath their feet, and they are left as
helpless as infants, to be the sport of the wild billows!

The moment the vessel sunk, many of the men struck out for the plank
nearest to them; a few of the strongest and best swimmers gained the
raft, but others who were benumbed with cold, or otherwise unable to
swim, perished immediately. The quarter-master was one of those who
reached the raft, and he found the captain, the doctor, and some
others, already upon it. Captain Scott was so much exhausted by the
mental and bodily sufferings he had endured, that the doctor and the
quarter-master were obliged to support him on the raft. He became
gradually weaker, and lingered but a short time ere he expired in
their arms; and a few minutes afterwards a huge wave swept over the
raft, and bore with it the body of the lamented commander of the
Boreas. About eight o'clock in the morning, a number of boats put out
from Guernsey to the relief of the survivors, and carried them safely
on shore.

We h