The wind was still blowing, but the clouds began to break, and the sun appeared, which dried and warmed us.

My poor children opened their eyes, and knew me, and I felt I was not utterly comfortless; but their first words were to ask for their father and brother.

I could not tell them they were no more.

I tried to deceive myself, to support my strength, by a feeble and delusive hope.

M.Hirtel swam well, the sailor still better; and the last words I had heard still rung in my ears--'Do not be uneasy, I will save the child.' If I saw anything floating at a distance, my heart began to beat, and I ran towards the water; but I saw it was only wreck, which I could not even reach.