ape
from further suffering, threw themselves from their support, and were
drowned.

The burning sun again set beneath the horizon, but as yet no sail had
been seen upon the waters. Again the land-breeze passed over the
ocean, but it brought no refreshing coolness; it only reminded them of
the weary hours that had elapsed since it was so anxiously expected,
though its results were then far different from what they had hoped.

There were but four men left--Maclean, Meldrum, (the gunner's mate,)
Wilson, and another man. These had, by their united efforts, almost
managed to clear the boat of water, when, about three o'clock in the
morning, the two latter became delirious, sprung overboard, and were
either seized by the sharks or drowned. It will be remembered, that it
was Wilson who was selected by poor Smith to convey his last message
to the admiral.

The two survivors for a time forgot their own sufferings in the
horrible scene which they had just witnessed; but this did not last
long; their thoughts soon returned to the necessity of preserving
their own lives. They once more resumed their labours, and, though
nearly exhausted, did not desist until the boat was almost dry. They
then lay down to rest, in comparative security, and, let us hope, with
their hearts filled with gratitude for the mercies which had already
been vouchsafed to them, and remembering those words of our beautiful
Liturgy: 'That it may please Thee to succour, help, and comfort all
that are in danger, necessity, or tribulation.'

It is said that sometimes the criminal, the night before his
execution, forgets the fate that awaits him in a deep and refreshing
slumber. These two men, in spite of the horrors they had undergone,
fell into a sound sleep, from which they did not awake until the sun
was high in the heavens; when the horrors of their situation broke
upon them, rendered doubly painful by the temporary oblivion of the
last few hours.

The sun darted its scorching rays upon the two solitary beings, who
had planted themselves, one in the bows, and the other in the stern of
the boat, with neither oars, mast, sail, nor provisions of any kind.
In vain they strained their gaze in every direction; nothing was to be
seen but a boundless expanse of waters. Their eyes met, but it needed
no words to tell the hopeless despair which was gnawing at their
hearts. No longer was the loss of their companions regarded with
horror; they envied the fate which h