ly was blowing, and the sea had become
tolerably calm, so eating a little more of the grease and meat, I lay
down in the stern-sheets to sleep. I was awoke by feeling the water
splashing over me. It was raining hard. There were two hats and a
bucket in the boat. I quickly collected enough water to quench my
thirst, and at once felt greatly revived. The rain continued long
enough to enable me to fill the bucket. Had it not been for that shower
I must have died.

"Two days longer I continued in the boat, when, just as the sun rose, my
eyes fell on a sail in the horizon. How eagerly I watched her; she was
standing towards me. Securing a shirt to the end of an oar, I waved it
as high as I could reach. I was seen--the ship drew nearer. Being too
weak to pull alongside I made no attempt to do so, and this being
observed, the ship hove-to and lowered a boat, which soon had mine in
tow. I was carefully lifted up the side, and on my dress being
observed, I was at once treated as a gentleman. A cabin was given up to
me, and every attention paid to my wants. I found that the ship was an
emigrant vessel, outward bound, for Australia.

"I was some time in recovering my strength, and when I appeared among
the passengers I took care to evade any questions put to me. I found
the life on board very pleasant, and having purchased some clothes and
other articles I was able to appear on an equality with the rest.

"We fell in with no other ship till Sydney was reached. I went on
shore, purposing to amuse myself for a short time, and then return home
and fulfil the dying request of my unfortunate companion in the boat.
Would that I had gone on board a vessel sailing the very day of our
arrival. Jack, never put off doing your duty, under the idea that it
may be done a little time hence, lest that roaring lion we read of may
catch hold of you and tempt you to put it off altogether. I remained on
day after day, mixing in society, and rapidly spending my money. It was
all gone, and then, Jack," and old Tom lowered his voice, "I did that
vile deed--I broke open the box and took possession of the money I found
within--the widow's and orphan's gold. I tried to persuade myself that
they had certainly been lost. At first I only took the gold, intending
to go home with the other articles; then I got to the notes. I had some
difficulty in getting them changed, and was afraid of being discovered.
At last I began to dispose of the