aid that I had "died by the standard!"

CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

A STATE OF "SUSPENSE."

I had not lost presence of mind as yet, but once more set about
considering how I might be able to keep above water. I could easily
slide up the staff without taking out a single button; but once up, how
could I remain there? I should certainly come slipping down again. Oh!
that there was only a notch--a knot--a nail--if I only had a knife to
make a nick; but knot, notch, nail, knife, nick--all were alike denied
me. Stay! I was wrong, decidedly wrong. I remembered just then that
while attempting to get over the barrel, I had noticed that the staff
just under it was smaller than elsewhere. It had been flanged off at
the top, as if to make a point upon it, and upon this point was placed
the barrel, or rather a portion of the top was inserted into the end of
the barrel.

I remembered this narrow part. It formed a sort of ring or collar round
the post. Was it likely that the protuberance would be large enough to
make a hold for my jacket, and prevent it from slipping back? Likely or
not, it was not the time to be nice about the choice of expedients.
There was no choice: this or nothing.

Before another sea could reach me, I had "swarmed" up the pole. I tried
the experiment. It would not do. I came sliding down again, sadder
than I had gone up; and as soon as down, I was treated to "another
sorrow of the same"--a fresh sea that ducked and drowned me as before.

The cause of my failure was that I could not get the collar of my jacket
high enough. My head was in the way.

Up the pole again with a new thought. A fresh hope had arisen in my
mind, as soon as I rose out of the waves; and this hope was that I might
fasten something around the top, and to this something fasten myself.

But what was the something to be? I had also thought of that; and you
shall hear what it was. I chanced to have upon my shoulders a pair of
braces, and fortunately they were good ones--no pedlar's stuff, but
stout braces of buckskin leather. This was the something by which I
intended to hang myself up.

I lost no time in trying. I had no desire to stay longer below than I
could help, and I soon "speeled" up again. The jacket served a good
purpose. It helped to stay me on the staff; and by pressing my back
outward, and holding well with my feet, I could remain a good while
without getting tired.

Placing myself in this attitude, I unl