onfused hum
of voices that announced their recognition of their impending danger.
The change of age, of pain, of woe, seemed sealed upon each aspect, as
one by one, and phantom-like, in rapid succession, those who had so
lately gone down to feast returned to the upper day, like grim ghosts
coming from a church-yard carnival.

It was a sight to stir the stoutest spirit.

At the close of the repast, the captain had announced the truth to his
passengers, and followed them now to enjoin them to firmness and
efficiency, both so greatly needed at this crisis.

Mounted on the capstan, he addressed them briefly, and not without
influence. Such was the power of his simple and manly bearing over these
distracted souls, that even the wildest listened with decorum.

This was no immigrant-ship, loaded with stolid or desperate men,
insensible of high teachings, and alone desirous of personal safety. Yet
the universal instinct asserted itself, and for the time courtesies were
set aside, and family affections were all that were regarded.

Miss Lamarque, pale, yet collected, now stood surrounded by the children
of her brother, leaning upon his arm while the captain spoke. Husbands
and wives were together, sisters and brothers, servants and their
masters--each group revealed its several household affinities. We only
were alone--the dreary little widow, whose name I never knew, and Miriam
Monfort; and on natural principles we clung together.

It is true that Miss Lamarque, by many signs, implored me to come to
her, but I would not. It was like intruding on a bed of death, I felt,
to break through ties of blood at such a time, by thrusting a foreign
presence amid devoted relatives; and I was too proud, or perhaps too
selfish, to intrude where I must be secondary, unless I took away
another's rights.

The captain had promised, in his brief address, to protect his
passengers to the utmost of his power--leaving the result with God. He
had entreated them to be calm, and to preserve order--so essential to
safety; had mentioned his confidence that a ship must pass before the
catastrophe could possibly occur; but added that, to prepare for the
worst, he had ordered the construction of two rafts--one for the use of
the seamen, the other for the reception of food and necessaries.

His plan was to attach these to the larger boats, and so provide against
want; in the certainty, however, that on such a route relief must soon
present itself, i