"Why, it is not a very long story," observed Paddy, "for do you see most
of the events took place in a somewhat rapid way, my last skylark
especially. However, you shall hear. We had just got on board the
_Onyx_, and the commander had ordered the boats to be hoisted up, when,
as the men were engaged in the operation, the squall struck her, and
over she went in a moment--not a rope parted, nor a sail, I believe--
just like a nine-pin knocked over by a ball. I was still in the
captain's gig on the weather side. Feeling her going, or rather gone, I
believe it was more from fright or instinct than from any exercise of my
reasoning powers, I seized a couple of oars under my arms, slid
overboard down her bottom, and struck out with all my might away from
the sinking hull. I never struck out so hard in my life, for I felt
that I was swimming for my life. I believe that I gave myself a shove
off with the oars, which helped me rapidly to increase my distance from
the brig. Suddenly I felt myself drawn back, and I thought that I was
going to be sucked under water--so I was for a short time; but I held a
tight grasp of the oars, and once more quickly rose to the surface.
When I looked round there was not a sign of a brig. I shouted, no one
answered. I could see no one floating alive on the spot where the trim
craft had lately glided in all her pride and beauty. I was alone on the
dark troubled sea. The foam dashed in my face, and the waves tumbled me
about terribly, and I thought more than once that I should have to let
go and sink with the rest. I felt very miserable and very sorry that so
many fine fellows had lost their lives, for I was too certain that I
alone had escaped, and then I began to think how grateful I ought to be
that I had been so mercifully preserved. I can't talk about that; but I
wish you fellows to know that I do not think or feel lightly on the
subject, that is all. Night was rapidly coming on, my prospects were
far from pleasant, and somewhat limited too, as I could only just make
out the tumbling seas on either side of me. I felt pretty certain that
the frigate would come back to look after the brig; but scarcely hoped
that such a speck as I was would be seen. Still I determined to keep up
my spirits, and to hang on to the oars as long as I could. Sometimes I
put my legs up over them, and thus I both changed my position and
floated very comfortably. Perhaps an hour had passed after the brig