. I was placed under his care at
Savannah, and I suppose it is only to stop the ball that--"

She was interrupted by the approach of the officer under discussion, but
he passed us gloomily and went on to inspect the workmen so unseasonably
employed, as it seemed, in a labor that, save in a case of long voyages,
is always performed in port.

His melancholy air, and the preoccupation of his manner, confirmed my
worst fears.

Again I sought the Ixion of the vessel, who calmly and stolidly
performed his duty as if, indeed, Fate directed, without a change of
feature now, or expression.

"Has the captain no hope of rescue, Mr. Garth?"

"Oh yes; he thinks we shall meet a ship or two between now and noon--we
'most always do, you know"--rolling his quid slowly, and hesitating for
a while; "keep heart, keep heart! I had thought from your face you were
stronger; besides, the pumps are doing good work in the hold: who knows
what may come of it, who knows?"

Alas! alas! I could not rise to the level of this dim hope. "Think of
the burning crowd, the sheet of flame, the terrible destruction!" I
murmured; "I must go now and apprise those poor wretches below that
their time is short; they have a right to know."

His vice-like hand was on my arm. "You do not go a step on such an
errand," he muttered. "It is the captain's business; he will 'tend to it
when the time comes, for he is a true man, and, the bravest sailor on
the line. He means to do what's right, never fear. It is my dooty to
hold you here until he comes, onless you promise me to be discreet."

"I shall be discreet, never fear--" and his grasp relaxed. I sped me
back to the coil of rope on which I had left my young companion,
intending to partake with her there my biscuit and orange, so needed now
for strength.

I found in her stead (for she had departed in the interval) a
delicate-looking young woman, plain and poor, a widow evidently from the
style of her shabby mourning and sad expression of face, bearing in her
arms a weird and sickly-looking child, evidently a sufferer from spinal
disease--an infant as to size, but preternaturally old in countenance.

The steady gaze of its large and serious eyes affected me
magnetically--eyes that seemed ever seeking something that still eluded
them, and which now appeared to inquire into my very soul.

"Is your little boy ill, madam?" I asked at last; and at the sound of my
voice a smile broke over his small, sallow featur