Riddle, to whom he gave the account
of his adventure."

I thought to myself perhaps the "Emu" is employed in the same sort of
trade as the "Viper," and if so, I shall be as badly off as Toney
Lawson.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

The hold--My provisions become exhausted--A fresh attempt at escape--
Pressed by hunger, I persevere--The spar-deck--Not out yet--A ray of
light--My prostrate condition--My mind gives way--A curious trio--The
main hatchway--Fresh difficulties arise--A last effort--I am rescued--
Ghost of a ghost--I make a new friend and meet with an old one--The
crew of the ship--My new quarters--I receive a piece of advice from my
new friend--Mark's adventures, and how he came aboard the "Emu"--Poor
Jack Drage--Mark gets into trouble.

The recollection of Toney Lawson's adventure didn't tend to make me feel
any more comfortable than before. I could scarcely hope to be as well
off as he was, or to have so fortunate an escape. My provisions being
exhausted, I was aware that I must soon get out of the hold or perish,
yet I didn't anticipate much satisfaction from obtaining my liberty. No
time was, however, to be lost, and I therefore nerved myself up for a
fresh struggle. Feeling that I had my knife about me, and having put on
my shoes, I prepared to make a desperate attempt to effect my escape. I
crawled on through the crate, and once more attempted to climb up over
the packages into the main hold.

I tried to do this in several directions, but I found no opening so
promising as the one which I had before explored. My weakness prevented
me from making the exertions that were required to force my way between
the bales. I was in momentary fear of falling down a crevice, and being
jammed to death. My situation in some respects was infinitely worse
than that of Toney Lawson, who was bolted in, but then people knew where
he was. No one on deck was aware of my deplorable condition. Still I
crawled on, resolved to succeed. While feeling about, I discovered a
space between three or four bales. I crept in very much as a rat does
into his hole, only he knows where he is going. I could not tell
whether I should get through or have to force my way out again legs
first. Still the cravings of hunger induced me to venture. On I crept,
when on putting up my hand I found that there was nothing above me which
I could touch, so that I was able to stand upright, though there might
be some depth in fro