Page:Loss of the Comet steam-boat on her passage from Inverness to Glasgow, on Friday the 21st October, 1825.pdf/13

 heart smote him at the sight; and he immediately apologized to her in the kindest manner for having accosted her so roughly, being ignorant who it was that addressed him. At that moment he perceived Captain Sutherland in the act of throwing off his coat, or cloak to prepare himself for swimming. Mr Anderson, not thinking it advisable to let go his hold of the rope, yet wishing to serve the lady, gave her a strong move forward in the direction of the boat stern, as her only chance of safety. What became of the unfortunate couple afterwards, he saw not, as he was immediately compelled to attend to his own safety, by nding the water covering the deck. He retained his hold of the rope till the water reached his middle, when a wave, rolling over the Comet, carried him off his feet. The packet went down, bow formost; and the drowning multitude sent forth the most appalling screams, imploring the Ayr to return and save them. A second wave threw his great-coat over his head, and almost suffocated him. For a time he swam about, ignorant of the direction in which the shore lay, and greatly exhausted. In his state he was seized by the engineman of the Comet, who held him so closely, that he found it impossible to disentangle himself. They were on the point of