The Rob Roy, still half a mile from land, experienced a violent shock.

She suddenly grounded.

No efforts of the engine could move her.
The cause of this accident was simply that Loch Katrine was all at once emptied, as though an enormous fissure had opened in its bed.

In a few seconds it had the appearance of a sea beach at low water.

Nearly the whole of its contents had vanished into the bosom of the earth.
"My friends!" exclaimed James Starr, as the cause of this marvel became suddenly clear to him, "God help New Aberfoyle!".