No matter, it is safest to run over it anyhow.' So, in that solid world of darkness we went creeping down on the light.
Just as our bows were in the act of plowing over it, Mr.Thornburg seized the bell-ropes, rang a startling peal, and exclaimed-- 'My soul, it's the sounding-boat!' A sudden chorus of wild alarms burst out far below--a pause--and then the sound of grinding and crashing followed.

Mr.Thornburg exclaimed-- 'There! the paddle-wheel has ground the sounding-boat to lucifer matches! Run! See who is killed!' I was on the main deck in the twinkling of an eye.

My chief and the third mate and nearly all the men were safe.

They had discovered their danger when it was too late to pull out of the way; then, when the great guards overshadowed them a moment later, they were prepared and knew what to do; at my chiefs order they sprang at the right instant, seized the guard, and were hauled aboard.

The next moment the sounding-yawl swept aft to the wheel and was struck and splintered to atoms.