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

BURNING OP THE PRINCE. 297
a moment after, reaching the starboard-gallery,
he saw the flames bursting with frightful
noise through the windows of the round-house
and of the great cabin. The fire approached,
and was ready to consume him. Considering
it vain to attempt the further preservation of
the ship, or the lives of his fellow-sufferers,
he thought it his duty, in this dreadful con¬
dition, to save himself yet a few hours, that
these might be devoted to Heaven.
Stripping off his clothes, he designed slip¬
ping down a yard, one end of which dipped
in the water; but it was so covered with
miserable beings, shrinking from death, that
he tumbled over them and fell into the sea.
There a drowning soldier caught hold of him:
Lieutenant de la Fond made every exertion
to disengage himself, but in vain; he even
allowed himself to sink below the surface, yet
he did not quit his grasp. Lieutenant de la
Fond plunged down a second time; still he
was firmly held by the man, who then was in¬
capable of considering that his death, instead
of being of service, would rather hasten his
own. At last, after struggling a considerable
time, and swallowing a great quantity of
water, the soldier’s strength failed ; and sen-