d down with a blow from the
pump-handle at the commencement of the attack. He now lay motionless by
the door of the shattered stateroom; but, upon Peters touching him with
his foot, he spoke, and entreated for mercy. His head was only slightly
cut, and otherwise he had received no injury, having been merely stunned
by the blow. He now got up, and, for the present, we secured his hands
behind his back. The dog was still growling over Jones; but, upon
examination, we found him completely dead, the blood issuing in a stream
from a deep wound in the throat, inflicted, no doubt, by the sharp teeth
of the animal.

It was now about one o'clock in the morning, and the wind was still
blowing tremendously. The brig evidently laboured much more than usual,
and it became absolutely necessary that something should be done with a
view of easing her in some measure. At almost every roll to leeward
she shipped a sea, several of which came partially down into the cabin
during our scuffle, the hatchway having been left open by myself when I
descended. The entire range of bulwarks to larboard had been swept away,
as well as the caboose, together with the jollyboat from the counter.
The creaking and working of the mainmast, too, gave indication that it
was nearly sprung. To make room for more stowage in the afterhold, the
heel of this mast had been stepped between decks (a very reprehensible
practice, occasionally resorted to by ignorant ship-builders), so that
it was in imminent danger of working from its step. But, to crown all
our difficulties, we plummed the well, and found no less than seven feet
of water.

Leaving the bodies of the crew lying in the cabin, we got to work
immediately at the pumps--Parker, of course, being set at liberty to
assist us in the labour. Augustus's arm was bound up as well as we could
effect it, and he did what he could, but that was not much. However, we
found that we could just manage to keep the leak from gaining upon us
by having one pump constantly going. As there were only four of us, this
was severe labour; but we endeavoured to keep up our spirits, and looked
anxiously for daybreak, when we hoped to lighten the brig by cutting
away the mainmast.

In this manner we passed a night of terrible anxiety and fatigue, and,
when the day at length broke, the gale had neither abated in the least,
nor were there any signs of its abating. We now dragged the bodies
on deck and threw them overboard. Our next ca