re constantly running
over my face and body. I little thought then why they swarmed. I
recollect that I dreamt of murder, and tossing men overboard; and then
of the vessel being on fire and after that, I felt very cool and
comfortable, and I dreamed no more; I thought that I heard a voice
calling my name: it appeared that I did hear it in my sleep, but I slept
on.

At last I turned round, and felt a splashing as of water, and some water
coming into my mouth: I awoke. All was dark and quiet; I put my hand
out, and I put it into the water--where was I--was I overboard? I
jumped up in my fright; I found that was still on the standing
bed-place, but the water was above the mattress.

I immediately comprehended that the vessel was sinking, and I called
out, but there was no reply.

I turned out of the bed-place, and found myself up to my neck in water,
with my feet on the cabin-deck. Half swimming, and half floundering, I
gained the ladder, and went up the hatchway.

It was still quite dark, and I could not perceive nor hear anybody. I
called out but there was no reply. I then was certain that the men had
left the vessel when they round her sinking, and had left me to sink
with her. I may as well here observe, that when the men had found the
water rising upon them forward they had rushed on deck in a panic,
telling the man at the wheel that the vessel was sinking, and had
immediately hauled up the boat to save their lives; but they did
recollect me, and the coxswain of the boat had come down in the cabin by
the ladder, and called me: but the cabin was full of water, and he,
receiving no answer, considered that I was drowned, and returned on
deck.

The boat had then shoved off, and I was left to my fate; still I hoped
that such was not the case, and I hallooed again and again, but in vain,
and I thought it was all over with me. It was a dreadful position to be
in. I said my prayers and prepared to die, and yet I thought it was
hard to die at fifteen years old.

Although I do not consider that my prayers were of much efficacy, for
there was but little resignation in them, praying had one good effect--
it composed me, and I began to think whether there was any chance of
being saved.

Yes, there were plenty of planks on the deck, and if it were daylight I
could tie them together and make a raft, which would bear me up. How I
longed for daylight, for I was afraid that the vessel would sink before
I could see