Page:Lady Anne Granard 3.pdf/142

140 the last six or eight days, and so regularly had the water gained upon them, that it had been almost matter of certainty with the officers and the more experienced of the men, that they must sink even in view of their haven. Signals of distress seemed to offer their only chance for relief, and these, as the day declined, they began to make. Nothing could exceed the agonising expectations, the racking fears of Lord Meersbrook at this period; he could rely on the intentions of his messengers, but not on their intelligence. Happily, there was no fog; they could look round, and could see more easily than they could be seen; it was, therefore, right to continue their lights, right too, that the harassed hands should still labour, that the spark of hope should be kept alive in the more noble spirit, and the less gifted be compelled to perform its share, that even pity should sleep at the command of pity, and every man be induced to do his duty with all possible kindliness, but yet with all necessary authority. What a task for one so young, so gentle, but happily so wise and firm as Arthur! The moon was in her first quarter, and she shone sweetly on the world of waters, here and there glistening on a white sail in the distance, but leaving a large portion of the scene she illuminated in shadow. "Oh! when would she shine on those vessels sent for their relief?" Whilst these words were for the