nt down which I might fall.

I moved with the greatest caution. It turned out, however, that they
were only bales piled one upon another, and that I was standing in a
sort of well. Still there were stepping-places, and with the ropes
which bound the bales I was able to work my way upwards. Higher and
higher I got. I could now distinctly hear the footsteps of the men on
the deck, which I guessed, therefore, could be no great distance above
me. The ship must have been moving calmly along, and I was thus
preserved from being jerked off from the place to which I was clinging.
I still moved on till I reached a part of the hold filled chiefly, it
appeared to me, with large packing-cases and casks. I was almost on a
level floor. It might have been the spar-deck. Wearied with the
fatigue I had undergone, I sat down on a box to rest. I could now
distinctly hear not only the tread of the men's feet, but their voices.
They were the first human voices which had reached my ears for days, or
rather weeks. I tried to shout to attract their attention, but my voice
had completely failed me. Not a sound could I utter. I felt that I had
not strength to move an inch further.

Twice I made the attempt, and had to sink back again on my seat. I was
gazing upward, the only direction from which help could come, when a ray
of light streamed right upon me. Forgetting my weakness, I started up.
It must come, I knew, from the partly open hatchway, or from a fracture
in the hatch itself. This I afterwards found to have been the case, the
fracture being covered up with a tarpaulin, which had at that instant
been removed. Again I endeavoured to shout out, but my voice was not
under the control of my will. No sounds issued from my mouth. I
stretched out my hands in an imploring attitude, fancying that I should
be seen. I attempted to make my way directly under the opening, but ere
I could reach it I sank down utterly exhausted.

I had never before been so completely prostrated. I didn't lose my
senses, but all physical power had deserted me. I could scarcely move
my hands or feet; still I thought that the hatch must be again opened
before long, and that I could not fail to be discovered. I earnestly
prayed that help might be sent me. How it was to come I could not tell.
Notwithstanding what was before me, I still desired to be set free.
Although I was not sleeping, strange fancies filled my brain. I saw
people flit about in th