Very rough weather was encountered by the "Lady Holland." Day after day there was a succession of gales. Many inhabitants of India have never seen the sea, the "black water" as they call it. Let them imagine what it must be when nothing is to be seen around but furious waves, with a strong sky above, and how one must feel when tossed on the surface of the water. The ship plunges like a terrified horse, now borne aloft on the top of a huge billow, then swept down into what looks like a watery grave from which she may never arise. There is violent motion which allows not a minute of rest; were it not for little wooden fences made on purpose, the dishes would roll over from the tables, the sick would fall out from the beds! Many of the passengers are lying in a grievous state of exhaustion. The violent shaking, plunging, and rolling, make them feel as if taken with deadly sickness, they can neither rise nor eat till the fury of the gale be spent. [Illustration] Week after week the rough weather continued, and the ship was detained by various causes, so that it was not till at least four long months had passed that the "Lady Holland" had nearly reached the Cape of Good Hope, the half way station on the way to Calcutta. How glad the storm-tost passengers must have been at the thought of being, though but for a short time, on firm solid ground, and able to look on green trees once more! But the ship was never to reach the port, a time of terrible danger was near. On the 13th of February, at the dead hour of night, when lamps had been put out, and most of the passengers had gone to rest in their cabins, at that time the accident occurred. Those who had closed their eyes in sleep were suddenly awakened by a violent shock, which almost made their hearts stand still with fear! What could have happened to the ship! The frightened passengers sprang from their cots, they rushed on deck, wrapped in blankets, sheets, or whatever was near, only to find their worst fears realised. The vessel had struck with violence on a sandbank, her back was broken, she must ere long go to pieces! The wild foaming waves were sweeping over her like hungry tigers eager to devour their prey. Mr. Duff had been half undressed when the shock took place. He too ran up on deck, where he met the captain of the "Lady Holland," who exclaimed in agony— "Oh! She's gone! She's gone!" It would be difficult to describe the scene which followed on that awful night of the shipwreck, so as to bring it before the minds of those who have never been in a storm at sea. Passengers were on the deck, terror depicted on their faces, as far as they could be seen in the dim light, they could neither stand nor sit without clinging to some object near. All felt as if death were near, and after death the judgment! One voice, that of an officer, was heard to utter the bitter cry, "What will become of me, I have been such a hypocrite!"