1841.
Loss of the Ship Kite.
193
tore my hair in despair, and called till they could hear me no longer, telling them to seek my husband and child. Hour after hour the wreck was seen; at last we lost sight of it entirely. You will fancy me weeping and screaming all this time; I assure you, No; my trou- ble was too overwhelming; I could not shed a tear, although my heart was fit to break; I sat more like a statue, my eyes seeking in vain for the wreck. The boat's little kedge was thrown out, and the water rushing by was almost like a wall on either side of our boat. We saw many things washed from the wreck pass us. About 4 o'clock the current turned in our favor, and after some hours of anxi- ety we came in sight of the wreck; as we drew near, we found the vessel had sunk in the sand, and only her maintop was now in sight, to which all the poor sufferers clung for life. Efforts were made to reach the wreck, but it was impossible. Lieut. Douglas spoke to the men and told them to make a raft, hoping on the morrow to be able to render them some assistance. We now again left the wreck and night began to set in; the gentlemen lay down in the bottom of the boat, and I sat and kept watch by the stars. It was a beautiful moon- light night, but I need not say it appeared very long, and often did I speak to lieut. Douglas who slept very little.
On the 16th, we again passed the wreck early, and, as before, strove in vain to reach the poor crew. A few words were spoken, until we were carried away by the current. In the afternoon we
passed the wreck for the last time; everything possible was done to reach it but to no purpose; and after speaking a few words, once more we had to endure the trial of being carried past. What our feelings were, none but those in a like situation can conceive. It was again night, and, as before, I kept my melancholy watch. After this we could not find the wreck, and we were obliged to come to the dreadful conclusion, that all the crew must have perished, or have been taken from the wreck by the Chinese. I now felt almost sure that I was a widow, and all alone in the world; but yet I think I hoped even against hope, and lieut. Douglas, who was most kind to me, rather led me to believe such happiness possible. Oh! could I only tell you all of the kindness I received from that gentleman. One remark he made, when I felt almost heart broken, was, "depend on it, my dear Mrs. Noble, the Almighty has preserved you for a future and a better purpose." Thus did he at all times, in the most kind and soothing manner, try to cheer my truly sad heart. Picture for a moment our situation,-five of us in a small boat: with little clothing, the gentlemen being but thinly clad, and myself in a thin
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