across the gangway; and when the ship rolled, its outer end, immersed in the sea, wrenched, as by the application of a lever, the stanchions and covering boards off along the port waist, for a distance of above twenty feet, thus laying open the hold, and admitting the sea to an alarming extent.

In obedience to the orders of the captain, all hands, armed with axes, tomahawks, and knives, were employed clearing away the wreck. This was not, however, effected so speedily as could have been wished, as the men were hampered, by being forced, from the danger of being washed overboard, to lash themselves to the ring-bolts, or any other fixed point within their reach, so that they were able only now and then to make a cut at the rigging. While all were engaged in this protracted duty, the masts and yards were striking like battering rams against the ship's counter and stern. Their enormous mass dragging in the water, tended also to retard the speed of the vessel, thus leaving us to be overwhelmed by the terrific seas which the hurricane was hurling against us. One of these, with irresistible force, dashed in the stern, and swept away every cabin and all they contained, leaving not even one panel standing.

The shock was awful, and the consequent feeling indescribable. The helmsman was washed away from his station, and saved himself by clinging to the mizenrigging. This proved his deliverance, for the mizenmast at the same moment broke short off below the deck, and falling along the poop, cut the wheel in halves, and must have crushed him had he been in his station.

Owing to the height of the bulwarks, the wood which had formed the cabins-the furniture, clothing, &c.—had not been carried overboard, and could not be secured, but

drifted to and fro with the motion of the vessel, and the wash of the water on deck. After great exertion we succeeded in cutting the wreck adrift, but the vessel having become totally unmanageable, remained at the mercy of the waves, which lashed her with merciless fury, and soon carried away all the boats, hencoops, and skylights. Feeling that she began to settle down, we sounded, and found eleven feet of water in her hold. Orders were now given that part of the crew should man the pumps, while the remainder should lighten the ship, by throwing overboard part of the cargo. It was found impracticable to perform either.

The cargo uppermost consisted of Chinese umbrellas, packed in cases containing 110 each. These being very light, were washed on deck as soon as they were thrown overboard, for the ship now lay like a log in the water. These, added to the lumber that already strewed the deck, formed an immense mass, which, sliding from side to side as the vessel rolled, prevented any one standing on deck; and besides, from the immense force with which it struck the bulwarks, the ship's sides began to part from the deck, leaving a wide seam, down which the water poured in considerable quantities. This soon increased the water in the hold to seventeen feet, leaving the vessel so little buoyant that the deck was level almost with the water, and scarcely permitting us to indulge a hope of surviving the night, which was fast coming on.

The crew having had no food for the last thirty-six hours except two cabin biscuits and a glass of rum each, were now served with the same quantity. The want of water was much felt, but we durst not open the hatches to obtain a supply; all, exhausted by the fatigue and exposure they had undergone, prepared to pass a night

the horrors of which it is impossible to describe. Under the top-gallant forecastle the crew were frantically appealing to Alla and Mahomet; and to propitiate them, had, with much ingenuity, obtained a fire, sufficient to burn large quantities of incense. Aft under the poop-deck, abreast the stump of the mizenmast, which maintained a space clear of broken materials, were the captain and officers, calmly waiting their doom; not a word they uttered, each being probably employed in silent prayer to that God whom they had so long neglected.

The second mate, who has already been mentioned, had a younger brother with him. The two sat for hours, hands clasped in hands, thinking on that terrible death that threatened them. Occasionally they would exchange a few words of comfort, trying to cheer each other with the hope that God would yet hear their prayers, and command the wind to cease, and the sea to be still. Occasionally regrets for a misspent life would cast down their souls, but they skook them off in their efforts to console each other. Their thoughts were continually wandering to that home where a fond mother dwelt, and they felt what years of sorrowful suspense would be hers, did they never return. "I could bear my own fate with resignation," they said often to each other, were I certain that you would survive to carry home the tidings of my death."

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About two in the morning our only remaining mast, the foremast, broke in two places, and fell overboard. At the moment this seemed a fatal disaster, but in the hands of Providence it became the means of safety. Being still attached to the ship by part of the rigging, it floated a little ahead of the vessel, keeping her head to the wind and waves. Gradually, however, towards

morning, the strength of the wind continued to abate, and at daylight it was all gone, leaving nothing of the hurricane but the turbulent waters.

Those of the crew who were not entirely exhausted were now set to work to clear the ship, and pump the water out of the hold. These duties required three days' and nights' incessant labour for their completion; we then proceeded to erect jury-masts, and once more succeeded in obtaining some command over the vessel. Without accident from this time we arrived at Singapore in fifteen days, having wonderfully escaped from as imminent death as ever threatened the life of the poor sailor. F. M.

A CONVICT'S FAREWELL.

THE fatal decree has come forth,
Every tie of affection to sever;
My once happy home in the north,

I must bid thee farewell, and for ever!

Farewell the dear friends of my heart,
Whose love was displayed most sincerely,
When malice was whetting the dart
That has wounded my bosom severely.

Farewell! those who flattered my pride,
And the greatest of friendship pretended,
But cravenly shrunk from my side

When the tempest and torrent descended.

Nor poverty, infamy, shame,

Dear Mary, could change thy affection;
And still thou wilt cherish my name

In the hours of deep, pensive reflection.

Our hope from petition is o'er,

Legislators adhere to the sentence; But God still has blessings in store,

When he humbles and brings to repentance.

Dear Mary, expect brighter days;

Rays of light, horizontally streaming, Foretell that the sun's genial rays

On our prospects shall quickly be gleaming.

I bid thee no hopeless farewell,

Though parted by many a rude billow;
Impell'd by true love's magic spell,
Thou across the Atlantic will follow.

On Tasman's salubrious shore,

Years of comfort and peace are before us, And we'll relish calm pleasures the more That a sorrowful wave has swept o'er us.

If country and friends left behind,

To revisit our spirits should languish, In mutual love we shall find

Sov'reign balm for each feeling of anguish.

I pause-on His will we depend,

Who has power to unite or to sever;

If doom'd a lone widow to bend,

May thy God be thy husband for ever.

Should I the sad tidings receive

That will blot thy dear name from my prayer,

I still in His love will believe,

And reject every thought of despair.

* Vide Note, p. 37.

J. G.*