fore-rigging, and in a short time the
beach was strewn with pieces of the wreck--the bulwarks were nearly all
destroyed--the boat washed overboard--and the deck broken up. Though
only forty yards from the pier, not the least assistance could be
rendered to the crew, whose faces were quite distinguishable as they
clung to the swaying rigging. At twenty minutes past six the fore-mast
cracked, and its living freight had hardly time to crawl down to the
only bulwark above water (for the schooner now lay on her beam-ends with
her bilge towards the sea), when it fell by the board. In about five
minutes more the main-topmast was snapped by the gale as if it had been
a reed, while the bowsprit and other gear were carried away, leaving
nothing but the gutted hull with the mainmast standing. Another hour of
awful suspense passed, during which the five men lashed themselves to
the bulwark, the sea every other minute breaking over their heads in
huge masses. At half-past seven, one of the sailors, a young man, was
washed from the wreck, but fortunately succeeded in catching the
floating rigging, by which he was able to regain his former position.
Another young heroic sailor seemed to be the life of the whole company
in this trying emergency, and his efforts to keep up the spirits of his
companions were signally successful. About eight o'clock the waves
broke over the ship with renewed violence, but still those on the shore
could return no answer in the affirmative to the piercing cry that came
from the wreck, "Can't we get a boat?" The voice was that of the
gallant sailor already referred to; the others were too much exhausted
to utter a word. McIntosh, the pilot from Burghead, expired from sheer
cold and exhaustion. None who saw him perish soon forgot the fearful
agony of his daughter as she bade her father farewell from the parapet
of the breakwater. After renewed efforts a boat was got over the
breakwater, and at great risk succeeded in saving the other men, who
were in a very exhausted condition.'

"And now, dear madam," pursued the old gentleman, tying up his papers,
"I will not run the risk of wearying you with more details, but come to
the point at once by soliciting from you a contribution towards the
establishment of a lifeboat on the coast here, where I am sure you must
be well aware there is very great need for one."

"I am sure there is," said Mrs Foster, opening her box; "alas! I fear
the wind is rising ev