ed planks, showed their dark forms here and
there on the deck, and maddened with pain, shrieked aloud in agony
as they plunged into the sea. The elephant drew himself up as for a
last effort, and was about to spring overboard, as one bright,
blinding glare shot athwart our eyes, and the next moment, vessel,
animals, all had vanished as if by magic. The explosion that followed
instantly--the sparkling brands that were hurled in all directions,
explained that the flames had reached the magazine and thus blown up
the luckless ship.

By this time, we had come up close to the boats, when a strange sound
of snorting and moaning caused us to turn our eyes once more to the
spot where the ship disappeared. We saw the huge form of the lion
contending with the waves; attracted by the voices of men he was
making every effort to reach the jolly boat. With consternation, the
crew of the frail craft observed the advance of this dangerous
messmate, for if he laid but one of his paws upon the side, overladen
as she was already, she must inevitably sink by the increased weight.
The sailors plied their oars with renewed force--the little boat shot
over the waters like an arrow, and the poor animal was left far
behind. For a long time, panting and toiling, he continued the
pursuit, battling vigorously with wind and waves; but at last his
strokes grew weaker, his breathing shorter, and we saw him finally
yield quietly to the waves that settled over him even as they had
closed above the devoted ship.

The captain now called the sailors, who silent and motionless were
standing about, regarding the singular and impressive spectacle, to
their several duties. The sails were taken in, ropes were thrown to
the boats, and such a number of dark figures clambered up the deck
that we began to be uneasy, and rather doubtful of the character of
the rescued. We soon, however, became convinced that we had to do with
honorable people, and who, singular as they looked to us in their
oriental garb, took all possible pains to show their gratitude for our
timely succor. From the few Europeans on board, we learned that the
ship was from Sumatra bound to London; we therefore landed them on the
Isle of Bourbon whose port we entered two days after.

With the cold climate that we exchanged for a warmer as we again
approached the equator, we lost sight of the countless flocks of
sea-birds that so long had accompanied us. It is something remarkable
that they only