saw the steamer's signals of distress. She ran down to the sinking ship, and though very much crippled herself by the gale, promised to lay by. She passed under the steamer's stern, spoke, rounded to, and kept her word.
The steamer's boats were ordered to be lowered—the 'Marine' had none that could live in such a sea.
Now came another trying time: the boat-scenes of the steamer 'Arctic' had made a deep impression upon Herndon's mind; they now crowded into remembrance. Who of his crew should be selected to man the boats? Would they desert him when they got off from the ship in the boats? There were some who he knew would not.
It was not an occasion when the word might be passed for volunteers for it was the post of safety, not of danger, but nevertheless of great trust, that was to be filled. The Captain wanted trusty men. The crew of such a vessel is not very permanent as to its personnel, therefore he felt at a loss, for there was still a man wanting for Black—the boatswain's boat. A sailor, perceiving the Captain's dilemma, stepped up and modestly offered to go.
He had not, it may be supposed, been long in the ship, for Herndon evidently did not know him well, and replied, in his mild and gentle way, "I wonder if I can trust you?"
The sailor instinctively understood this call for a shibboleth, and simply said "I have hands that are hard to row, and a heart that is soft to feel." This was enough. He went, and was true; not a boat deserted that ship.
All the women and children were first sent to the brig, and every one arrived there in safety. Each boat made two loads to the brig, carrying in all 100 persons.
By this time night was setting in. The brig had drifted to leeward, several miles away from the steamer, and was so crippled that she could not beat up to her again.
Black's (the boatswain) boat alone returned the second time. Her gallant crew had been buffeting with the storm two days and nights without rest, and with little or no food. The boat itself had been badly stove while alongside with the last load of passengers. She was so much knocked to pieces as to be really unserviceable, nor could she have
