His voice was low--was lower; but as clear as a bell in its distinctness; as wise in its directions as collected thought could make it.

Some of the steerage passengers were helping; but more were dumb and motionless with affright.

In that dead silence was heard a low wail of sorrow, as of numbers whose power was crushed out of them by that awful terror.

Edward still held his clutch of Margaret's arm.
"Be ready!" said he, in a fierce whisper.
The fire sprung up along the main-mast, and did not sink or disappear again.

They knew then that all the mad efforts made by some few below to extinguish it were in vain; and then went up the prayers of hundreds, in mortal agony of fear: "Lord! have mercy upon us!" Not in quiet calm of village church did ever such a pitiful cry go up to heaven; it was like one voice--like the day of judgment in the presence of the Lord.
And after that there was no more silence; but a confusion of terrible farewells, and wild cries of affright, and purposeless rushes hither and thither.
The boats were down, rocking on the sea.