d my
strength, for having been pulling for so long during the night, I soon
began to feel excessively fatigued, and longed to lie down and sleep.
At length I could no longer resist the temptation, and lowering my sail
and mast, I stretched myself in the bottom of the boat.

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE.

WALTER'S ADVENTURES CONTINUED.

How long I had slept I could not tell, when a voice reached my ear. My
heart bounded. Could it be some one calling me from a ship! I tried to
rise, but felt unable. It was still night. Presently I saw rising high
above me, as I thought, the lofty masts and sails of a large ship. On
she came, so fast it seemed that a rope thrown from her could reach me.
At length I tried to shout. I lifted up my hands, for I thought they
would not fail to heave a rope, but she glided by. I could see no one
on her deck, but I thought I could count the ports. She must be a ship
of war, I fancied. On she went. I turned my aching eyes towards her as
she glided away from me; and I thought a shout of mocking laughter came
over the water towards me in answer to my appeals for help. Again and
again I tried to cry out; but it seemed as if my voice would not leave
my chest. I lay still in the bottom of the boat, with a feeling of
hopeless despair creeping over me. Then again I closed my eyes; and
when I once more opened them, the sun was shining across the water, just
risen from his ocean bed. There was not a breath of air blowing across
the water. No land was in sight. Here and there a flying-fish rose out
of the mirror-like deep, skimming across it, again to disappear. Once
more I rose, and was about to seize the oars, when I bethought me that
it would be labour in vain. In what direction should I pull? Hunger
reminded me of the provisions Ali had put on board the boat. I took a
draught of water and ate some food. It restored my strength; and I now
began to suspect that the ship I had seen had been but a phantom of the
brain, and that I had been dreaming all the time. I sat at the helm,
longing for a breeze. Then I stepped my mast and hoisted my sail,
hoping that it might come, and I should be ready for it.

I remembered that I had not offered up my petitions to Heaven. I knelt
down in the boat and prayed fervently. Once more I rose, refreshed in
body and mind. I began to reflect that He who had hitherto guarded me
from so many dangers would guard me still. The thought restored
confidenc