ea, now gliding
into the valley below, gradually approaching the dark object which had
been discovered. The boatswain had gone aloft, and quickly returned.

"No doubt about it, Captain Davenport. She is a big ship--lost her
masts, no doubt, in the gale; and from the way she is rolling, I have a
notion she has no small amount of water in her. If we had not sighted
her, it is my opinion that those on board would be fathoms down in the
ocean, as she will be before another sun rises."

"We will do what we can to save any people on board her," said Captain
Davenport. "Get the life-boat ready for lowering, Mr Tarbox."

"Ay, ay, sir; I am ready to go in her," answered the boatswain.

"Perhaps Mr Thudicumb may wish to go, or the second officer; but if
not, Tarbox, I would intrust her to you more readily than to anybody."

The news that a dismasted ship was in sight brought all the passengers
who were below on deck, and numerous glasses were now turned towards
her. No signs, however, of any one being on board were discovered. She
was a complete wreck; the masts had gone by the board, the bulwarks were
stove in, the caboose and booms and everything on deck had been swept
clear away. The Indiaman stood on, passing close to leeward of her.

"She is deserted, sir; little doubt about that," said Mr Thudicumb,
examining the ship. "The people thought she was going down, and took to
their boats. Better have stuck to her in such a sea as they must have
had to encounter. Little chance of any boat living."

"Haul the tacks aboard then, Mr Thudicumb; down with the helm," said
the captain. "Unless for the sake of rescuing any fellow-creatures, I
would not risk a boat to board her, while the sea runs as high as it now
does."

As he was speaking, Merlin had been eagerly watching the wreck; and now,
stretching out his fore-feet and neck towards her, he uttered a loud
mournful howl or wail, which sounded strangely wild and sad to all who
heard it.

"What is the matter, Merlin?" asked the captain, bending down and
patting the dog's head.

"That dog has got more sense than many human beings," observed the
boatswain. "Now, I should not be surprised but what he knows there is
somebody on board that craft--dead or dying, may be--just as well as if
he saw them. If I was our skipper, I would not leave that wreck without
an overhauling."

Just then a human head was seen issuing from the companion-hatch. It
was that of a young