bserved standing off from the Penmark Rocks, which threatened
her with instant destruction. "Can she be saved?" asked Fenwick, for,
in spite of our own danger, we had been intently watching her. "If her
sticks stand and she is well handled; if not, Heaven have mercy on the
souls of all on board, for their condition will be worse than ours!" I
said, in a sad tone. "The people in the other frigate, already on
shore, are badly enough off, but the sea as yet does not appear to break
heavily over her."

"As it will, howsom'dever, over us, before the world's a minute older,"
cried Paul; "I've been cast ashore more than once with your honoured
father, Mr Brine, and the advice he gave us was, `Lads, hold on to the
wreck till the time comes for getting ashore.' He wished to say, `Don't
let the sea take you off the wreck if you can help it, but just hold on
till you see that you have a fair chance of setting foot on land in
safety.'"

This advice was not thrown away. In another instant a terrific shock
was felt; the wild seas dashed furiously over the huge wreck; shrieks
arose from every part of the ship; horror and dismay were depicted on
the countenances of all around us. As the foaming waters came rushing
over the decks many were swept helplessly away.

We and our men kept together, holding fast by the upper bulwarks. We
could make out clearly a village on shore, and crowds of people, who
lined the beach but were unable to render us any assistance. There were
no lifeboats in those days, no apparatus for carrying ropes to a
stranded ship; boats were indeed launched by the hardy fishermen, but
were quickly dashed to pieces against the rocks. Rafts were built, but
those who ventured on them were swept off by the furious seas. Others
tried, by swimming, to convey a rope from the ship to the shore, but in
vain. Thus the day closed, and a night of horrors commenced, during
which numbers were washed away. Still my companions and I kept our
posts. All this time not a particle of food could be obtained, as the
hold was under water. Paul had observed a small boat uninjured. He
told me of it; I undertook to carry a line safely by her to the shore.
Fenwick and Paul agreed to accompany me, and we had no lack of other
volunteers among our men. At low water we three, with seven others,
stood ready to launch her. We allowed a heavy sea to roll by, "Now in
with her, boys, and give way," I shouted. Through the boiling cauld