Perim Island, inhabited as it is by some 150 souls, does not offer very hospitable shelter to over 400 people suddenly stranded on its shores, but everything possible under the circumstances was done to mitigate the lot of those who had to spend the long night on the island until assistance could be rendered. Invalids among the passen: zers were sheltered under canvas erecte'l for their comfort, and all endeavoured to make the best of their surroundings. Nothing more could be done save wait on the sandy beach till break of day. The sun at length shone ona motley crowd varying in garb from ing dress to the more primitive costume of night dress and pyjamas. And there lay the China with her great decks towering out of waters "strong in death." Thereby, a strange irony of fate, within a few yards of her, the boilers of the Hongkong still held out against the pitiless break of the waves. The sandy beach was bounded on the West by cliffs, which, rose gradually to a height of 250 feet, sven to be scaled by all. The stewards of the ship were early at work, and stores galore were sent on shore.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.