The Changed Lot. 81

are to escape by the boats, and who are to
remain and perish in the ship. Among the
passengers were a merchant and his wife,
returning to this country. The merchant
had drawn a long lot, his wife a short one.
The boats are now manned for their perilous
voyage, and the order is given for those
who have the long lots to enter without
delay, for every moment is precious.
Among the first to press forward, that he
might take his place -in one of the boats,
was the merchant. Unworthy of the name
of man, he was ready, at this moment of
peril, to forsake the wife of his bosom,
whom he had pledged himself to protect, in
order that by an act of selfish cowardice he
might save his own miserable life. All on
board who witnessed the craven act were
moved to incredulous surprise and indig-
nation, hard to be controlled. Words of
execration assail the wretched man, who
must have been as miserable in saving his
life as he could have been in losing it. A
stalwart sailor who had drawn a long lot
was standing by the gangway; he puts his
brawny hand upon the shoulder of the
F