Accidents > Dangers of the deep, or, Narratives of shipwreck and adventure at sea

294 BURNING OP THE PRINCE,
happily, the fire ran up the mainmast, and
caught the tackle; the boat fell down on the
guns, bottom upwards, and it was vain to
think of getting her righted.
At length it became too evident that the ca¬
lamity was beyond the reach of human
remedy; nothing but the mercy of the Al¬
mighty could interpose; consternation was
universally disseminated among the people ;
notliing but sighs and groans resounded
through the vessel, and the very animals
on board, as if sensible of the impending
danger, uttered the most dreadful cries. The
certainty of perishing in either element was
anticipated by every human being here, and
each raised his heart and hands towards
heaven.
The chaplain, who was now on the quarter¬
deck, gave the people general absolution for
their sins, and then repaired to the quarter-
gallery to extend it yet further, to those
miserable wretches who, in hopes of safety,
had already committed themselves to the
waves. What a horrible spectacle! Self-
preservation was the only object; each was
occupied hi throwing overboard whatever pro¬
mised the most slender chance of escape,