Up they came, hundreds and hundreds of them (for there were a thousand souls on board the Kangaroo), pouring aft like terrified spirits flying from the mouth of Hell, and from them arose such a hideous clamour as few have lived to hear.
Augusta clung to the nettings to let the rush go by, trying to collect her scattered senses and to prevent herself from catching the dreadful contagion of the panic.

Being a brave and cool-headed woman, she presently succeeded, and with her returning clearness of vision she realized that she and all on board were in great peril.

It was clear that so frightful a collision could not have taken place without injury to their own vessel.

Nothing short of an iron-clad ram could have stood such a shock, probably they would founder in a few minutes, and all be drowned.

In a few minutes she might be dead! Her heart stood still at the horror of the thought, but once more she recovered herself.