h me, and being once more at liberty,
I feel far happier than I have ever done in my life."

We sighted the land on the starboard hand, which we judged was that of
Celebes; but we could not have hauled in for it, had not even the risk
of shipwreck been too great to allow us to do so.

The whole day we ran on; the night at length came without any change in
the weather, except that the wind shifted rather to the west, which
compelled us to steer a more easterly course; for it must be understood
that, with any regard for our safety, we could only keep directly before
the wind. The tempest increased; and it was truly awful, as we felt
that without chart or compass we were steering in almost total darkness
through an unknown sea. We kept a look-out ahead, but to little
purpose; while the tempest raged, we could do nothing but fly on before
it. As I strained my eyes to try and pierce the obscurity, I fancied
that I could see objects on either side of us, and sometimes land ahead;
but still on we went, and I suspected that my imagination had deceived
me. Eva had retired at dark to the cabin. Blount was at the helm,
assisted by Hassan. We were almost worn out by steering, for the
exertion was very great. I went aft to relieve him.

"Don't you feel rather a different motion in the craft?" he said. "It
may be fancy; but I cannot help thinking that she does not go along as
lively as before. Take the helm, and I will go and see if my suspicions
are correct."

Saying this, he left me, and I took his place. In about five minutes he
returned.

"Seaworth," he said, "you must be prepared for bad news; it is as I
suspected. The junk, with all this straining, has sprung a leak, and
her hold is already half full of water. She may swim for some time
longer; but I doubt if we shall ever again see the daylight."

This was indeed sad news.

"We will do our best," I answered. "We have the canoe, and we must make
a raft."

"Neither would be of any use in this sea," he observed.

As he gave me the information, I instantly thought of Eva; and before
forming any plan, I rushed below to bring her on deck, so that, should
the junk sink, she might have a chance of escaping. I found her
sleeping on a sofa in the cabin, in spite of the rolling of the vessel,
while the little black girl lay on a mat below her. My sweet sister
looked so calm and happy, as the light from the lantern, which hung from
above, fell on her countenance,