the work of two
minutes; and I could not help observing by what trifles lives are lost
or saved. Had the axe not been fortunately at the capstan, I should not
have been able to cut the jaw-rope, Swinburne would not have had time,
and the main-boom would have gone down with the schooner. Fortunately
we had cleared it; the schooner filled, righted a little, and then sank,
dragging us and the main-boom for a few seconds down in its vortex, and
then we rose to the surface.

The squall still continued, but the water was smooth. It soon passed
over, and again it was nearly calm. I counted the men clinging to the
boom, and found that they were all there. Swinburne was next to me. He
was holding with one hand, while with the other he felt in his pocket
for his quid of tobacco, which he thrust into his cheek. "I wasn't on
deck at the time, Mr Simple," said he, "or this wouldn't have happened.
I had just been relieved, and I told Collins to look out sharp for
squalls. I only mention it, that if you are saved, and I am not, you
mayn't think I was neglectful of my duty. We ain't far from the land,
but still we are more likely to fall in with a shark than a friend, I'm
thinking."

This, indeed, had been my thoughts, but I had concealed them; but after
Swinburne had mentioned the shark, I very often looked along the water
for their fins, and down below to see if they were coming up to tear us
to pieces. It was a dreadful feeling.

"It was not your fault, Swinburne, I am sure. I ought to have relieved
you myself, but I kept the first watch and was tired. We must put our
trust in God: perhaps we may yet be spared."

It was now almost calm, and the sun had mounted in the heavens: the
scorching rays were intolerable upon our heads, for we had not the
defence of hats.

I felt my brain on fire, and was inclined to drop into the water, to
screen myself from the intolerable heat. As the day advanced, so did
our sufferings increase. It was a dead calm, the sun perpendicular over
us, actually burning that part of our bodies which rose clear of the
water. I could have welcomed even a shark to relieve me of my torment;
but I thought of Celeste, and I clung to life. Towards the afternoon, I
felt sick and dizzy; my resolution failed me; my vision was imperfect;
but I was roused by Swinburne, who cried out, "A boat, by all that's
gracious! Hang on a little longer, my men, and you are saved."

It was a boat full of negroes,