officers were assembled, the latter employed in (illegible text)ng consolation to the unfortunate ladies, and (illegible text) unparalleled magnanimity, suffering their com(illegible text)n for th fair and amiable companions of their (illegible text)rtunes, to get the better of the sense of their (illegible text) danger, and the dread of almost inevitable an(illegible text)ation. at this moment, what must be the feeling of a Father-of such a Father as Captain (illegible text)e!
The ship struck on the rocks at or near Seacombe, (illegible text)e island of Purbeck, between Peverel Point, (illegible text) St. Alban's-head, at a part of the shore where (illegible text) cliff is of a vast height, and rises almost perpendicular from its base.
At at this particular spot the cliff is excavated at (illegible text)oot, and presents a cavern of ten or twelve (illegible text) in depth, and of breadth equal to the length (illegible text) large ship, the sides of the cavern for nearly up- (illegible text) as to be extremely difficult of access, the roof (illegible text)ed of the stupendous cliff, and the bottom of it (illegible text)ed with sharp and uneven rocks, which seem (illegible text)ve been rent from above by some convulsion (illegible text)nture.
(illegible text) was at the mouth of this cavern that the unfortunate wreck lay stretched almost from side to (illegible text) of it, and offering her broadside to the the horrid (illegible text)n.
(illegible text)t at the time the ship struck it was too dark to (illegible text)ver the extent of their danger; and the ex(illegible text)e horror of their situation; even Mr. Meriton (illegible text)elf conceived a hope that she might keep together till daylight, and endeavoured to chear his (illegible text)ping friends, and in particular the unhappy ladies with this comfortable expectation, as an an(illegible text) to the Captain's enquiries, how they went on, (illegible text)nat he thought of their situation.
(illegible text) addition to the company already in the round,
