onvey. While I was
working, old Surley looked on very attentively, as if he wanted to help
me, and fully understood what I was about.

I had built the raft close down to the water; but even so, I had
considerable difficulty in getting it afloat. I succeeded, however, in
so doing at last, by means of a long piece of wood, which served me as a
handspike. Just as I was going to step on it, I fortunately saw the
branch of a tree floating by out to sea, at a rate which showed me that
I might very possibly be carried away by the current before I could get
across. I therefore converted my neckcloth and pocket-handkerchief into
a tow-rope, and towed the raft inside the lagoon. I had made myself two
strong paddles--one to serve in case the other should break. At last I
reached a point where I thought I might embark with safety. Surley, who
had before hesitated, now came and placed himself by me. I had put on
my shirt again, but the rest of my things were on the small raft. I
gave my raft a desperate shove, and away I went, paddling as hard as I
could up the lagoon.

I thought that I had gone far enough, and was in a hurry to get across,
so I began to direct my course athwart the current. At first I made
great progress, and laughed and shouted at the idea of thus easily
accomplishing my undertaking. When, however, I turned my head over my
shoulder, I found to my dismay that I had not got so far from the shore
whence I started as I had fancied, while I was still a long way from
that on which Jerry stood, eager to welcome me. I plied my paddle with
all my might; but I appeared to make very little progress, and the
current was evidently carrying me rapidly down the passage. I looked
seaward: I had ample cause for anxiety, if not for dismay. A long line
of huge breakers was rolling in on an outer reef, while the passage
between them was so narrow that I scarcely hoped that the raft could be
carried through it; and if it was, where was I to go? Out to sea, to be
starved to death! If, on the other hand, I was thrown among the
breakers, I felt certain that I should soon become the prey of the
hungry shark I had just seen swimming after the shoal of fish. These
reflections gave strength to my arm, and made me paddle away even faster
than before.

Jerry full well understood my clanger, and I saw him wringing his hands
in his anxiety; yet he saw that he could do nothing to help me. I felt
that I had been very foolish;