distance ahead before we hove to. A boat was then
lowered, into which Mr Tarbox and six stout hands jumped for the
purpose of intercepting the approaching canoe. The boat had only just
time to get ready, with her head in the direction towards which the
canoe was sailing, when she was up to her. We watched her anxiously
from the ship. She was soon alongside the boat. Several strong hands
seized her, while the occupant was lifted out and placed in the
stern-sheets of the boat. Quick as lightning the canoe was passed
astern and secured, and the boat pulled back towards the ship. With the
heavy sea there was running, it was a difficult matter to get alongside,
and still more so to lift up a helpless person without risk of injury.
By the management of the boatswain, however, helped by those above, the
dark-skinned stranger was soon lifted up on deck. He was too weak to
speak, but he had still consciousness sufficient to point to his lips.
Soup for the passengers' luncheon was just being brought aft. A little
was immediately poured down his throat. It had the effect of reviving
him somewhat, and he uttered a few words, but none of those standing
round were able to comprehend their meaning. The canoe was safely got
on board and examined. Not a particle of food was found, but in the
bottom of a small cask there remained about half a pint of water. The
wood, however, from the sides of the canoe had been scraped off.

"That is what the poor fellow has been living on," observed Tarbox.
"Hard fare, to be sure. It would not help much to keep an Englishman's
soul in his body; but it is wonderful what these black fellows can live
on."

The canoe was about eighteen feet long, cut out of a single log, worked
very fine, with wash-boards nailed on above. It seemed surprising that
she could have gone through the heavy sea which had been running for
some days past. Her owner was carried below, and after a little more
food had been given him, he fell fast asleep.

When he awoke, he appeared to be perfectly recovered, sitting up and
looking round him with an air of astonishment, as if he had not been
aware how he had been brought on board. I had accompanied the surgeon
to visit him. He again uttered some of the strange words we had before
heard, but finding no one understood him, he stopped, and appeared to be
collecting his senses. He then said something which sounded like
French. It was very bad French, to be sure; bu