"Why it's just like a regular shipwreck!" "Ah, my boy," said the old sailor, shaking his head, "if you ever experienced the realities of one, you would not speak so lightly.

A shipwreck, let me tell you, is no laughing matter." "I didn't mean that," explained Bob, "I was only thinking how jolly it would be for us all to have a row, instead of landing at the pier quietly, as we would have done if nothing had happened." "Sure, and I don't see where your `jollity' comes in, Master Bob!" observed his aunt, not by any means relishing the prospect.

"It may be all very well for you; but I can't say I like the idea of scrambling down the side of the vessel into one of these cockleshells and running the risk of getting drowned." "Oh, no, you won't, ma'am," rejoined the Captain chuckling again, her comical consternation soothing the last acerbities of his temper.

"You shan't drown yourself if I can prevent you, ma'am!" There was no necessity, however, for the Captain to exert himself especially on her behalf; for, the boats being hauled up in turn alongside and only a proper number being allowed to get into each, no casualty occurred such as Mrs Gilmour dreaded.

Thus, in a very short space of time, all the passengers were safely transferred from the stranded steamer to the shore, where a large crowd of sympathising bystanders had now assembled.
"There!" exclaimed the Captain, as he jumped out of the wherry in which their little party had taken passage, "catch me going in one of those excursion craft again! Of all the clumsy lubbers I have ever had the misfortune to be shipmate with, that skipper is about the biggest and most lubberly.