All was again terror and confusion, but our captain still remained self-possessed.

He saw that every hope of saving the ship was gone; and at once ordered all the boats made ready, and well stored with provisions.

To the first and second mates, with a portion of the crew, he assigned two of the boats, and in the third and largest he embarked himself with four stout men and the passengers, twelve in all.

The sky was still overcast with clouds, and the sea rolled heavily from the effects of the brief but severe storm that had raged in the night.

Pushing off front the doomed vessel, we lingered near for a couple of hours to see what her fate would be.