True, boys; for beside the fire and the water, the guns still kept going off as the fire raged. The chaplain, who was on the mast, showed much firmness; for he comforted and encouraged those around him, as though forgetful of his own danger. Some ladies were on the mast, too, and they manifested much resignation. Such scenes as these try what human beings are. When death is before us, it soon appears whether our trust is where it ought to be."

"Was the chaplain drowned?"

66

He fell exhausted from the mast, but the lieutenant pulled him up out of the water again. 'Let me go,' said the chaplain; for I am half drowned already.' "No! no!' replied the lieutenant, we will both die together!'"

"There's a noble fellow!"

6

"Some time after this, while they were clinging to the mast, to their great joy, the yawl came nearly up to them. The lieutenant, the pilot, and the master swam for it, and got aboard; for the sailors would not come close up to the mast, lest the yawl should be swamped by so many getting into her.""

"What is the meaning of being swamped?"

"When a boat is sunk by the load that is put in her, she is said to be swamped. And now came the most terrible part of their troubles, for the fire had burned down to the powder magazine. The explosion that took place was dreadful. The very sky seemed darkened with smoke; and spars and blazing timbers were seen in the air; while the water was strewn with dead bodies."

"Dreadful! The water, the fire, and the guns going off, were not, altogether, so bad as this."

"The men in the yawl were in great danger, but they escaped. Having very little provision with them, they were glad to pick up some barrels; but they contained nothing but powder. After picking up some cloth, cordage, and linen, and finding a flask of brandy, they left the wreck of the Prince, and put the yawl into as good trim as they could."

"How far were they from land?"

"About two hundred leagues; but then they had no chart, nor any instruments with them. A piece of cloth was made into a sail, an oar was used for a mast, and a plank was the best rudder they could get."

"Where was the captain all this while? He was not with them, was he?"

"No, boys; he was never seen to quit the ship, and most likely he perished in her. Eight days and nights the party in the yawl were blown about at the mercy of the waves, exposed to heat by day, and cold by night. On the sixth day, being much distressed for water, and a shower coming on, they tried to catch the drops in their mouths, sucking also the wet sail-cloth. Value your common mercies, boys! Value them more than you do; think of quenching your thirst by sucking a wet sail-cloth."

66

'Yes, a cup of water would have been a luxury to them. Did they get safe to land?"

66

Yes; through God's mercy they did, and very thankful were they for their preservation. A little bit

of pork, every twenty-four hours, was all that they had to eat; and a little brandy, which only inflamed their throats and stomachs, was all they had to drink. The flying fish they saw, they could not catch. To watch the sun, moon, and stars, that they might steer aright, was almost their only occupation: but one morning, to their unspeakable joy, land appeared in sight."

66

Ay, then their troubles were almost over."

"It was the coast of Brazil, and they landed in Tresson Bay; while nearly three hundred, who had sailed with them on board the Prince, had perished."

"What dangers sailors go through! We ought to do all we can for them. Do you know, Captain, that we clubbed together yesterday for a poor old sailor, and gave him three shillings."

"Glad to hear that you think but little of your shiners, when you can add to the comfort of a weatherbeaten tar, and far be it from the old sea Captain to put a stopper on the running tackle of your kind-heartedness; but let me tell you that there are many pirates abroad, fellows who wear blue jackets, and cruise about under false colours, who have never smelt salt water, and would not know a spar from a hand-spike."

"Oh this was a sailor though; for he told us all about his ship and his captain, and about being wrecked on the coast of Ireland."

"Well! well! he might be, boys. I would not willingly cast a stain on a true blue. But sailors want something else besides money. They want a home to come to; they want to be defended from their own recklessness

and folly, and from the land sharks that are always prowling about to pick them up when they come into port, and receive their pay; and they want, more than all, their minds to be informed, so that they may look out a-head for a heavenly port, when the voyage of life shall be ended."

"Yes! these are better things than money."

"Indeed they are, boys. When you carry your mastheads a little higher in the world than you do now, remember poor sailors. Bear a hand in doing them good, and do not forget to jog their memory about the great muster that every ship's crew must answer to by and bye."

"But how can we do any thing for sailors?"

"If you can do no good now, you may, mayhap, by and bye. You may spare a few shot when your lockers are well supplied, to support some of the sailors' societies, that are to be found in London, and large seaport towns, for the benefit of Jack Tars. There are many ways in which you may help sailors, if you really feel friendly towards them; but enough just now; so up with your studding sails, and bear down on Cape Academy."

"Farewell, Captain! Farewell."

Hailing a ship-Crossing the line-La Meduse frigate runs aground-The raft-Scarcity of provisions-Calamities on the raft-Desperation and bad conduct of the men-A fearful conflict between the officers and mutineers-Dreadful distressDistressing state of the raft, when relieved by the Argus brig. "HOA, the ship ahoay! Whence come ye? Where are