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⟨the⟩ officers were aſſembled, the latter employed in offering conſolation to the unfortunate ladies, and with unparalleled magnanimity, ſuffering their compaſſion to the fair and amiable companions of their misfortunes, to get the better of the ſenſe of their own danger, and the dread of almoſt inevitable annihiliation, at this moment, what muſt be the feelings of a Father--of ſuch a Father as Captain Pierce!
The ſhip ſtruck on the rocks at or near Seacombe, on the iſland of Purbeck, between Peverel Point, and St. Alban's head, at a part of the ſhore where the cliff is of a vaſt height, and riſes almoſt perpendicular from its baſe.
But at this particular ſpot the cliff is excavated at the foot, and preſents a cavern of ten or twelve yards in depth, and of breadth equal to the length of a large ſhip, the ſides of the cavern ſo nearly up-right as to be extremely difficult of acceſs, the roof formed of the ſtupendous cliff, and the bottom of it ſtrewed with ſharp and uneven rocks, which ſeem to have been rent from above by ſome convulſion of Nature.
It was at the mouth of this cavern that the unfortunate wreck lay ſtretched almoſt from ſide to ſide of it, and offering her broadſide to the horrid chaſin.
But at the time the ſhip ſtruck it was too dark to diſcover the extent of their danger, and the extreme horror of their ſituation; even Mr. Meriton himſelf conceived a hope that ſhe might keep together till daylight, and endeavoured to chear his drooping friends, and in particular the unhappy ladies, with this comfortable expectation, as an anſwer to the Captain's enquiries, how they went on, or what he thought of their ſituation.
In addition, the company already in the
