Well, your honor, it wasn't ten minutes
after we struck, afore we began to settle down. I knew I'd sailed the
ocean longer than our captain, and when I found that we were going down,
I ran below, and found the gentleman and his lady, and told them just
how matters stood with us, and offered to stand by them till the last;
for we had but two boats aboard, and I knew there'd be a scene. When the
lady heard this, she turned to her husband, and said,--'I am prepared,
to share whatever is to be your fate, Paul; but God in mercy save our
child!" We went aloft to the hurricane deck, and such a sight I have
never seen since! every man, woman, and child that we met there, was
looking for something, if no more than a straw, to save themselves. We
had now settled down even with the water, when I, 'spying a large trough
floating near, made for it, and the gentleman taking the babe from its
mother's arms, spread a few clothes in it, and lashed the little thing
into this curious looking craft; both gave it one last kiss, and it was
launched on the wide ocean. At this instant the lady drew from her
pocket a roll of parchment, and handing it to me, said,--"You may be
saved; if you ever hear from my child again, put this into safe hands
for her; but if you should never hear of her, keep it for yourself, and
may God be with us all.
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