It would be bad for any craft caught in the Channel, today." As he spoke, he looked from the casement.

Several people were seen hurrying towards the beach.
"Something is the matter, lads; maybe a ship is driving on the rocks, even now." Seizing their hats and cloaks, the party sallied out, and hurried down to the shore.

There they saw a large ship, driving in before the wind into the bay.

She was making every effort that seamanship could suggest, to beat clear of the head; but the sailors saw, at once, that her case was hopeless.
"She will go on the Black Shoal, to a certainty," the old sailor said; "and then, may God have mercy on their souls." "Can we do nothing to help them ?" a woman standing near asked.
"No, no," the sailor said; "we could not launch a boat, in the teeth of this tremendous sea.

All we can do is to look out, and throw a line to any who may be washed ashore, on a spar, when she goes to pieces." Presently a group of men, whose dress belonged to the upper class, moved down through the street to the beach.
"Aye! there is Mr.Trevelyan," said the sailor, "and the gentleman beside him is Captain Drake, himself." The group moved on to where the fishermen were standing.
"Is there no hope," they asked, "of helping the ship ?" The seamen shook their heads.
"You will see for yourself, Master Drake, that no boat could live in such a sea as this." "It could not put out from here," the Captain said; "but if they could lower one from the ship, it might live until it got into the breakers." "Aye, aye," said a sailor; "but there is no lowering a boat from a ship which has begun to beat on the Black Shoal." "Another minute and she will strike," the old sailor said.
All gazed intently at the ship.