h water from the
pitcher left by Peters, storing his pockets at the same time with cold
potatoes. To his great joy he also came across a lantern, with a small
piece of tallow candle in it. This he could light at any moment, as he
had in his possession a box of phosphorus matches. When it was quite
dark, he got through the hole in the bulkhead, having taken the
precaution to arrange the bedclothes in the berth so as to convey the
idea of a person covered up. When through, he hung up the pea-jacket
on his knife, as before, to conceal the aperture--this manoeuvre being
easily effected, as he did not readjust the piece of plank taken out
until afterward. He was now on the main orlop deck, and proceeded to
make his way, as before, between the upper deck and the oil-casks to
the main hatchway. Having reached this, he lit the piece of candle, and
descended, groping with extreme difficulty among the compact stowage of
the hold. In a few moments he became alarmed at the insufferable stench
and the closeness of the atmosphere. He could not think it possible
that I had survived my confinement for so long a period breathing so
oppressive an air. He called my name repeatedly, but I made him no
reply, and his apprehensions seemed thus to be confirmed. The brig was
rolling violently, and there was so much noise in consequence, that it
was useless to listen for any weak sound, such as those of my breathing
or snoring. He threw open the lantern, and held it as high as possible,
whenever an opportunity occurred, in order that, by observing the light,
I might, if alive, be aware that succor was approaching. Still nothing
was heard from me, and the supposition of my death began to assume the
character of certainty. He determined, nevertheless, to force a passage,
if possible, to the box, and at least ascertain beyond a doubt the truth
of his surmises. He pushed on for some time in a most pitiable state of
anxiety, until, at length, he found the pathway utterly blocked up, and
that there was no possibility of making any farther way by the course
in which he had set out. Overcome now by his feelings, he threw himself
among the lumber in despair, and wept like a child. It was at this
period that he heard the crash occasioned by the bottle which I had
thrown down. Fortunate, indeed, was it that the incident occurred--for,
upon this incident, trivial as it appears, the thread of my destiny
depended. Many years elapsed, however, before I was aware