where the water was deepest, and their whole force was applied to the capstern, to get the ship off in that direction; but the effort was fruitless; and the ship's bottom continuing to beat against the rocks, her sheathing boards, and at last her false keel, were seen floating away; so that her speedy destruction seemed inevitable, especially as the grating of the rock under her starboard bow was distinctly heard in the fore store-room. It being high water, there was no hope of her floating off with a rising tide; yet it was some consolation that, when the tide fell, she settled to the rocks, and beat less violently. A hope also remained, that by lightening the vessel, she might be got off next tide; for which purpose strenuous efforts were now made. The water was started, and pumped up; the six guns that were on deck, the iron and stone ballast, the decayed stores, and other heavy materials, were speedily thrown overboard, every one exerting himself with an alacrity almost approaching to cheerfulness. It was observed, that the men were so far impressed with a sense of their situation, that not an oath was heard among them; the habit of profaneness, however strong, being instantly subdued by the dread of incurring guilt when death seemed to be so near. It is not surprising that, in the immediate prospect of appearing at the bar of God, men should refrain from this heaven-daring sin: the wonder is, that any person endowed with reason and conscience, should ever presume to trifle with the name of the Almighty Creator. This detestable habit, as Dr. Kippis justly terms it, should least of all be expected among mariners, who are "in deaths oft," "in jeopardy every hour." It is gratifying to know,
