knew that the deep-sea line was but a
hundred fathoms in length, and therefore that I must be adrift, and my
heart sunk within me. All the horrors of my situation came upon me,
and I felt that I was lost; but although death appeared inevitable, I
still struggled for life--but the rope now weighed me down more and
more. While swimming forward it trailed behind, and although it
impeded my way, I did not feel half its weight. Now, however, that I
was stationary, it sank deep, and pulled me down with it. The waves,
too, which, while I breasted them and saw them approach, I easily rose
over, being now behind us, broke over our heads, burying us under
them, or rolling us over by their force.

I tried to disengage myself from the line, but the noose being jammed,
and having the boy in one hand, I could not possibly effect it. But
what gave me courage in my difficulties was, that I perceived that the
people on board were getting out the boat; for although the captain
would not run the risk for one person, now that two were overboard,
and one of them risking his life for the other, the men insisted that
the boat should be hoisted out. It was an anxious time to me, but at
last I had the satisfaction of seeing her clear of the ship, and
pulling round her bow. The danger was, however, considered so great,
that when they came to man the boat, only three men could be found who
would go in her, and in the confusion they came away with but two oars
and no rudder. Under these disadvantages they of course pulled very
slowly against a mountainous sea, as they were obliged to steer with
the oars to meet it, that the boat might not be swamped. But the
sight of the boat was sufficient to keep me up. My exertions were
certainly incredible; but what will not a man do when in fear of
death. As it approached--slowly and slowly did my powers decrease. I
was now often under water with the boy, and rose again to fresh
exertion, when at last a crested wave broke over us, and down we went
several feet under the water. The force of the sea drove the boy
against me, and he seized me by the loins with my head downwards. I
struggled to disengage myself! It was impossible. I gave myself up for
lost--and what a crowd of thoughts, and memories passed through my
brain in a few moments, for it could not have been longer. At last,
being head downwards, I dived deeper, although I was bursting from so
long holding my breath under water.

This had the desired e