winter nights when the decks are as glass, and the sailor has to climb through icicles to bend the stiff sail on the yard!  Think of their courage and their kindnesses in cold, in tempest, in hunger, in wreck!  “The women and children to the boats,” says the captain of the “Birkenhead,” and, with the troops formed on the deck, and the crew obedient to the word of glorious command, the immortal ship goes down.  Read the story of the “Sarah Sands:”—­

“Sarah sands.

“The screw steamship ‘Sarah Sands,’ 1,330 registered tons, was chartered by the East India Company in the autumn of 1858, for the conveyance of troops to India.  She was commanded by John Squire Castle.  She took out a part of the 54th Regiment, upwards of 350 persons, besides the wives and children of some of the men, and the families of some of the officers.  All went well till the 11th November, when the ship had reached lat. 14 S., long. 56 E., upwards of 400 miles from the Mauritius.

“Between three and four P. M. on that day a very strong smell of fire was perceived arising from the after-deck, and upon going below into the hold, Captain Castle found it to be on fire, and immense volumes of smoke arising from it.  Endeavors were made to reach the seat of the fire, but in vain; the smoke and heat were too much for the men.  There was, however, no confusion.  Every order was obeyed with the same coolness and courage with which it was given.  The engine was immediately stopped.  All sail was taken in, and the ship brought to the wind, so as to drive the smoke and fire, which was in the after-part of the ship, astern.  Others were, at the same time, getting fire-hoses fitted and passed to the scene of the fire.  The fire, however, continued to increase, and attention was directed to the ammunition contained in the powder-magazines, which were situated one on each side the ship immediately above the fire.  The star-board magazine was soon cleared.  But by this time the whole of the after-part of the ship was so much enveloped in smoke that it was scarcely possible to stand, and great fears were entertained on account of the port magazine.  Volunteers were called for, and came immediately, and, under the guidance of Lieutenant Hughes, attempted to clear the port magazine, which they succeeded in doing, with the exception, as was supposed, of one or two barrels.  It was most dangerous work.  The men became overpowered with the smoke and heat, and fell; and several, while thus engaged, were dragged up by ropes, senseless.

“The flames soon burst up through the deck, and running rapidly along the various cabins, set the greater part on fire.

“In the meantime Captain Castle took steps for lowering the boats.  There was a heavy gale at the time, but they were launched without the least accident.  The soldiers were mustered on deck;—­there was no rush to the boats; and the men obeyed the word of command as if on parade.  The men were informed that Captain Castle did not despair of saving the ship, but that they must be prepared to leave her if necessary.  The women and children were lowered into the port lifeboat, under the charge of Mr. Very, third officer, who had orders to keep clear of the ship until recalled.