mast, she drifted much faster than the men could swim, and many, whom
those on board her would gladly have saved, perished within a few feet
of the boat.

At length a ray of hope dawned upon the anxious survivors: vessels and
boats were seen coming towards them from Leghorn; and as they neared
the ship, every heart beat quicker, and every hand was nerved with
increased strength. But the boats' crews, alarmed by the explosion of
the guns, which were most of them shotted, refused to approach nearer,
and hove to. Seeing their hesitation, the crew of the Queen Charlotte
gave them three cheers to encourage them. The English cheers seemed to
have the desired effect, for again the boats pulled towards the
hapless vessel; but it was afterwards discovered that this renewed
activity was entirely owing to the persuasions of Lieut. Stewart and
other English officers who were in the boats.

Lord Keith, who was watching with intense anxiety the destruction of
his noble ship, used every possible effort to induce the Tuscans to
put to sea; but his entreaties, backed as they were by the commands of
the governor and other authorities, had no influence save with a few
only, and even these, when they did venture to the rescue, were with
great difficulty prevailed upon to approach the vessel. A boat from an
American ship presented a striking contrast. She was manned by three
men only, who, in their generous ardour to save the lives of their
fellow-creatures, came alongside too incautiously, so that the
wretched sufferers from the burning deck leaped into the boat in such
numbers that she capsized, and every one of them perished. The fire
had now advanced so rapidly that it was impossible to bear the heat on
the forecastle, and most of the people got on to the bowsprit and
jib-boom. The latter, however, gave way under the pressure, and