s. Sir Edward noticed the crowds running to the Hoe, and having
learned the cause, he sprang out of the carriage, and ran off with the
rest. Arrived at the beach, he saw at once that the loss of nearly all
on board, between five and six hundred, was almost inevitable. The
captain had been landed on account of indisposition on the preceding
day, and his absence could not fail to increase the confusion of a large
and crowded transport under such appalling circumstances. The officers
had succeeded in getting a hawser to the shore, by which several of the
people landed; but this was a slow operation; and none but a bold and
active person could avail himself of this means of escape, for the
rolling of the vessel would now jerk him high in the air, and then
plunge him among the breakers. Every minute was of consequence, for
night was approaching, and the wreck was fast breaking up.

Sir Edward was anxious to send a message to the officers, and offered
rewards to pilots, and others on the beach, to board the wreck; but when
every one shrank from a service which they deemed too hazardous to be
attempted, he exclaimed, "Then I will go myself." Availing himself of
the hawser which communicated with the ship, he was hauled on board
through the surf. The danger was greatly increased by the wreck of the
masts, which had fallen towards the shore; and he received an injury on
the back, which confined him to his bed for a week, in consequence of
being dragged under the mainmast. But disregarding this at the time, he
reached the deck, declared himself, and assumed the command. He assured
the people that every one would be saved, if they attended quietly to
his directions; that he would himself be the last to quit the wreck, but
that he would run any one through who disobeyed him. His well-known
name, with the calmness and energy he displayed, gave confidence to the
despairing multitude. He was received with three hearty cheers, which
were echoed by the thousands on shore; and his promptitude at resource
soon enabled him to find and apply the means by which all might be
safely landed. His officers in the mean time, though not knowing that he
was on board, were exerting themselves to bring assistance from the
_Indefatigable_. Mr. Pellowe, first lieutenant, left the ship in the
barge, and Mr. Thompson, acting master (son of Mr. Thompson, who had
been master of the _Nymphe_), in the launch; but the boats could not be
brought alongside the wr