ffect. Finding me sinking instead of rising with
him, the boy let go his hold that he might gain the surface. I turned
and followed him, and drew breath once more. Another moment had sealed
our fates. I no longer thought of saving the boy, but struck out for
the boat which was now near me. Perceiving this, the boy cried out to
me for pity's sake not to leave him. I felt myself so far recovered
from my exhaustion, that I thought I could save him as well as myself,
and compassion induced me to turn back. I again gave him my hand,
charging him on his life not to attempt to grapple with me, and again
resumed the arduous struggle of keeping him as well as myself above
water. My strength was nearly gone, the boat approached but slowly,
and we now sunk constantly under the water, rising every few seconds
to draw breath. Merciful God! how slow appeared the approach of the
boat. Struggle after struggle--fainter and fainter still--still I
floated. At last my senses almost left me, I took in water in
quantities. I felt I was in green fields, when I was seized by the men
and thrown into the bottom of the boat, where I lay senseless
alongside of the boy. There was great danger and difficulty in getting
again to the ship. More than once the boat was half filled by the
following seas, and when they gained the ship it was impossible to get
us out, as, had they approached the side, the boat would have been
dashed to atoms. They lowered the tackles from the yard-arms. The
three men clambered up them, leaving us to take our chance of the
boat being got in, or her being stove to pieces; in which latter case,
we should have been lost. They did get us in, with great damage to the
boat, but we were saved. The line was still round me, and it was found
that I had been supporting the weight of seventy yards. So sore was I
with such exertion, that I kept my hammock for many days, during which
I reviewed my past life, and vowed amendment.

We arrived at Liverpool without any further adventure worth recording,
and I immediately called upon the owner with the papers intrusted to
me. I gave him all the information he required, and he asked me
whether I should like to return to privateering, or to go as mate of a
vessel bound to the coast of Africa. I inquired what her destination
was to be, and as I found that she was to go to Senegal for ivory,
wax, gold dust, and other articles, in exchange for English prints and
cutlery, I consented. I mention thi