and, and
a dark towering shadow seemed to rush down upon the _Sparrow_.

Even if there had been a breeze there would have been no time to steer
clear of the danger. As it was, the little vessel lay quite helpless on
the sea, Evan shouted down the companion for the men to turn out for
their lives. The man at the bow sounded the fog-horn loud and long. At
the same instant Jim Frost's voice rang out strong and clear a warning
cry. It was answered from above. There were sudden screams and cries.
The fog-whistle shrieked. Engines were reversed. "Hard a-port!" was
shouted. Steam was blown off, and, amid confusion and turmoil
indescribable, an ocean steamer struck the little _Sparrow_ amidships,
and fairly rammed her into the sea.

It could scarcely be said that there was a crash. The one was too heavy
and the other too light for that. The smack lay over almost gracefully,
as if submitting humbly to her inevitable doom. There was one great
cry, and next moment she was rolling beneath the keel of the monster
that had so ruthlessly run her down.

Not far off--so near indeed that those on board almost saw the
catastrophe--lay the _Evening Star_. They of course heard the cries and
the confusion, and knew only too well what had occurred.

To order out the boat was the work of an instant. With powerful strokes
Joe, Spivin, Trevor, and Gunter, caused it to leap to the rescue. On
reaching the spot they discovered and saved the mate. He was found
clinging to an oar, but all the others had disappeared. The steamer
which had done the deed had lowered a boat, and diligent search was made
in all directions round the spot where the fatal collision had occurred.
No other living soul, however, was found. Only a few broken spars and
the upturned boat of the smack remained to tell where Jim Frost, and the
rest of his like-minded men, had exchanged the garb of toil for the
garments of glory!

As a matter of course this event made a profound impression for a time
on board of the _Evening Star_ and of such vessels as were near enough
next morning to be informed of the sad news. A large portion of the
fleet, however, was for some time unaware of what had taken place, and
some of the masters and crews, who were averse to what they styled
"psalm-singin' and prayin'," did not seem to be much affected by the
loss.

Whether grieved or indifferent however, the work of the fleet had to be
done. Whether fishermen live or die, sink