Year: 1873

and the watch on deck, being forward
at the time, as we'll as the unfortunate
men who were below in the forecastle,
were swept into eternity without mo-
ment's warning.


With an anxious eye Ipeered through
the darkness, but could see naught but
the white crests of the mighty rollers
that chased one another in quick sue
cessiop, while the boom and roar of
the breakers fell upon my ear as though
rejoicing over the havoc and ruin they
had helped to bring upon the once
staunch and noble Sultan. I rushed
back to the cabin, which was rapidly
filing with water. Ny only thought
was to free myself from the internal
bands that rendered me incapable of
helping myself. I was we'll aware that
the irons, arms, etc., were slowed away
in the captain g room for safety, in case
they should he wanted; therefore I
naturally supposed that the key must
be there also.


After great deal of trouble I sue
ceeded in lighting candle (not with
out stopping at times and listening to
the dread sounds raging about me)
then commenced the search upon
which depended my life or death.
Keys l found in profusio,,, but not the
right one. I we'll nigh despairel Of
success, when I discovered small dark
object hanging from hook over the
head of the captains berth. 1t proved
to be the key 1 was after, and with re-
newed hope tugging at my heart I
made haste to insert it in the socket.
1 worked with patience and caution,
spurred on by fear. By means of my
teeth succeeded in turning the in
strument, the spring flew back, and I
was free.


Iagain rushed on deck, and lashed
myself securely, waiting anxiously for
daylight to dawn. Each minute / ex-
pected the shell would 90 to pieces,
and my body be hurled with irresisti
BILE force upon the sharp, ragged edges
OF the rock. But, fortunately for me,
the gale had reached its height, and l
could perceive that it was growing less
intense in it's fury.


As morning dawned, tho breakers
gradually died away to a low moan,
and the gale had calmed down to stiff
but steady breeze.


With a prayer of gratitude trembling
on my lips at my narrow escape, cast
myself loose, and cautiously groped
around, hoping to find some one who
had been as fortunate as myself.
Stumbling over something near the
pumpkin bits, found on examination
that it was a man, and as it grew light
er, I was at last enabled to make out
the features of Watson.


Although he deserved but little care
or pity at my hands, still could not
see human being suffer and die
while I was able to render any assist
ance, even if that human being was nv
worst enemy. l chafed his hands,
brought some brandy from the cabin
and poured it down his throat, which
had a salutary effect, and seeing he
would soon recover, left him, while I
surveyed the situation on oil sides.
The reef was narrow, but of consid-
erable length, and the stern of the Sui
tan was wedged firmly in between two
walls Of coral. Away, IA fur as the eye
could reach, q long, low, black streak
was visible. To an inexperienced eye
it would have passed for cloud hov-
eIlns5 On tlo nOIIAOl, Uut knew tnlG
it was land, amt as turned toward the
poop again, my eyes suddenly rested
on the light, fast-sailing gig that was
lashed firmly to the cyc-bolts along tho
break Of the house.


1t was comparatively an easy job to
swing the light boat over tho side by
the means of tackles, which I rove for
tho purpose. Watson was sitting up.
watching mo with a listless apathy.
His spirits, nerve, and brute strength,
appeared to have deserted him. In
answer to my question as to how he
felt, he replied that his head aclIcd,
and his body was go sore that he could
scarcely move.


To my intense satisfaction, I soor
had the boat in the water, floating