sea being very buoyant in the Indian Ocean on account of its
extra saltness, I managed to rig up my raft pretty well. Then, when I
had finished it to my satisfaction, I looked around me, being too busy
to do that before; and, seeing Bellamy, one of the crew who I knew could
not swim, holding on to the other oar, and Russell, another chap in the
same predicament, clutching tight to the gaskets of one of the
barricoes, I helped them both on to my little platform, keeping them and
myself afloat as well as I was able by swimming alongside and pushing
it; for neither of the poor fellows could aid me--they seemed perfectly
helpless.

"By this time the sun was high in the heavens and blazing right down
upon our heads with an intensity of heat that almost seemed to shrivel
up our hair, making us feel as if a red-hot cinder was laid on top of
it. There was not much wind, that having died away soon after daybreak,
the tornado having spent all its force and blown itself out; but the sea
was still rough, the heavy rolling waves washing over us every now and
then as they broke against the raft. Perhaps this moisture was good for
us, the rapid evaporation of the water under the burning heat keeping us
cool; but, what with the exposure and the fright he had sustained at our
sudden upset, poor Russell went clean out of his mind, becoming as mad
as a March hare. Although I was trying all I could to keep him on the
raft to preserve his life, he thought I was struggling to prevent his
holding on; and he commenced fighting with me, clutching hold of my neck
and trying to force me under the water. I stood this for some time;
when, seeing he only got worse instead of better, and that I had no
means of fastening him down to the raft, I thought the best thing I
could do for my own safety, as well as to give the other two a chance
for their lives, was to trust to my own unaided strength and strike out
for the shore, leaving the two on the raft to look after themselves.
Before abandoning that frail support, however, I adopted the precaution
of taking off every stitch of clothing I had on--my boots I had chucked
away when in the boat, preparing even then for the worst. Had I not
done this, I'm certain I would never have reached land or be now telling
you this tale."

"I'm sure I'm very glad you took the precaution," I observed, "it was a
sensible one."

"Yes," said Ben, "there's no use a man attempting to swim any distance
with his thin