Page:Melancholy consequences of two sea storms.pdf/21

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(illegible text)d its position, and lay rather farther out to- (illegible text) the sea; and in this emergency, when the (illegible text)moment might be charged with his fate, he (illegible text)ined to seize the present, and follow the ex(illegible text) of the crew, and the soldiers, who were now (illegible text)ng the ship in numbers, and making their (illegible text)o a shore, of which they knew not yet the (illegible text)s.

Meriton discovered a spar, which appeared (illegible text) laid from the ship's side to the rocks, and on (illegible text)par he determined to attempt his escape.

(illegible text) accordingly laid him down on it, and thrust (illegible text)lf forward, but he soon found the spar had no (illegible text)unication with the rock, he reached the end and then slipped off, receiving a very violent (illegible text) in his fall, and before he could recover his (illegible text) he was washed off by the surge, in which he (illegible text)rted himself by swimming, till the returning (illegible text) dashed him against the back part of the cavern, (illegible text)e he laid hold of a small projecting piece of the (illegible text) but was so benumbed, that he was on the point (illegible text)itting it, when a seaman who had already (illegible text)d a footing, extended his hand, and assisted (illegible text) till he could secure himself on a little shelf of rock, from which he clambered still higher, (illegible text)e was out of the reach of the surf.

(illegible text). Rogers the third mate, remained with the (illegible text)min, and the unfortunate ladies, and their com(illegible text)ns, near 20 minutes after Mr. Meriton had (illegible text)d the ship.

(illegible text) this time the sea was breaking in at the fore of the ship, and reached as far as the main-(illegible text) and Captain Pierce gave Mr Rogers a nod, they took a lamp, and went together into the gallery, and after viewing the rocks for some (illegible text), Captain Pierce asked Mr. Rogers, if he (illegible text)ght there was any possibility of saving the girls,