AugustinetoFortPierce。Ashlocklefthiswifeandhersisterstandingonthebeachnearthepilot—hut，andstartedbackwithhiswhale—boatacrossthebar。Ialsotookthemailandstarteduptothefort，andhadhardlyreachedthewharfwhenIobservedanotherboatfollowingme。AssoonasthisreachedthewharfthemenreportedthatAshlockandallhiscrew，withtheexceptionofoneman，hadbeendrownedafewminutesafterIhadleftthebeach。
Theysaidhissurf—boathadreachedthesteamer，hadtakenonboardaloadofsoldiers，someeightorten，andhadstartedbackthroughthesurf，whenonthebaraheavybreakerupsettheboat，andallwerelostexcepttheboywhopulledthebow—oar，whoclungtotheropeorpainter，hauledhimselftotheupsetboat，heldon，driftedwithitoutsidethebreakers，andwasfinallybeachednearamiledownthecoaSt。Theyreportedalsothatthesteamerhadgotupanchor，runinasclosetothebarasshecould，pausedawhile，andthenhadstarteddownthecoast。
Iinstantlytookafreshcrewofsoldiersandreturnedtothebar;
theresatpoorMrs。Ashlockonherchestofclothes，aweepingwidow，whohadseenherhusbandperishamidsharksandwaves;sheclungtothehopethatthesteamerhadpickedhimup，but，strangetosay，hecouldnotswim，althoughhehadbeenemployedonthewaterallhislife。
Hersisterwasmoredemonstrative，andwailedasonelosttoallhopeandlife。Sheappealedtousalltodomiraclestosavethestrugglingmeninthewaves，thoughtwohourshadalreadypassed，andtohavegoneoutthenamongthoseheavybreakers，withaninexperiencedcrew，wouldhavebeenworsethansuicide。AllI