a boat, to which seven persons
were clinging; amongst whom was Lieutenant Smith, the commander of the
sloop.

So far this was a subject of congratulation; he was no longer alone;
but yet the chances of his ultimate preservation were as distant as
ever.

The boat, which had been placed on the booms of the schooner, had
fortunately escaped clear of the sinking vessel, and if the men had
waited patiently, was large enough to have saved them all; but the
suddenness of the calamity had deprived them of both thought and
prudence. Several men had attempted to climb in on one side,--the
consequence was, the boat heeled over, became half filled with water,
and then turned keel uppermost; and when Meldrum reached her, he
found some stretched across the keel and others hanging on by the
sides.

Matters could not last long in this way, and Mr. Smith, seeing the
impossibility of any of the party being saved, if they continued in
their present position, endeavoured to bring them to reason, by
pointing out the absurdity of their conduct. To the honour of the men,
they listened with the same respect to their commander, as if they had
been on board the schooner; those on the keel immediately relinquished
their hold, and succeeded, with the assistance of their comrades, in
righting the boat. Two of their number got into her and commenced
baling with their hats, whilst the others remained in the water,
supporting themselves by the gunwales.

Order being restored, their spirits began to revive, and they
entertained hopes of escaping from their present peril; but this was
of short duration, and the sufferings which they had as yet endured,
were nothing in comparison with what they had now to undergo.

The two men had scarcely commenced baling, when the cry was heard
of--'A shark! a shark!' No words can describe the consternation which
ensued: it is well known the horror sailors have of these voracious
animals, who seem apprised by instinct when their prey is at hand. All
order was at an end, the boat again capsized, and the men were left
struggling in the waters. The general safety was neglected, and it was
every man for himself; no sooner had one got hold of the boat, than he
was pushed away by another, and in this fruitless contest more than
one life was nearly sacrificed.

Even in this terrible hour, their commander remained cool and
collected; his voice was still raised in words of encouragement, and
as the dreaded enemy did no