Instantly afterwards a shout was heard on board the steamer, and the engines were reversed; but the space was awfully small, and the monster, carried by the strong current, bore on still.

Lucia hid her face; Mrs.Costello, still leaning forward, tightened her grasp on the arm that supported her.

Mr.Strafford unconsciously spoke aloud, "In the hour of death, and in the day of judgment, Good Lord deliver us." And as he spoke the crash came.

Next moment the boat had disappeared, and the steamer still swept on.
Neither of the three on shore saw more than this.

At the moment when the boat was struck and sunk, Mr.Strafford felt Mrs.Costello's clasp loosen on his arm.