Reprinted Pieces, Charles Dickens [little red riding hood read aloud .TXT] 📗

sary labours to the officers of the ship, and the soldiers,who had made uncommon exertions. Roused by a sense of theirdanger, the same seamen, at this moment, in frantic exclamations,demanded of heaven and their fellow-sufferers that succour whichtheir own efforts, timely made, might possibly have procured.

'The ship continued to beat on the rocks; and soon bilging, fellwith her broadside towards the shore. When she struck, a number ofthe men climbed up the ensign-staff, under an apprehension of herimmediately going to pieces.

'Mr. Meriton, at this crisis, offered to these unhappy beings thebest advice which could be given; he recommended that all shouldcome to the side of the ship lying lowest on the rocks, and singlyto take the opportunities which might then offer, of escaping tothe shore.

'Having thus provided, to the utmost of his power, for the safetyof the desponding crew, he returned to the round-house, where, bythis time, all the passengers and most of the officers hadassemble