rt of the swimmers, its occupants
began seriously to dread being overtaken.

They had reason to fear it. There could be no doubt that the pursuers
were gaining upon us, and this soon became evident to all upon the raft.
Nay, more, they were gaining rapidly; and, at the rate at which they
were swimming, five minutes could not pass before they would overtake
us.

Those upon the raft were now quite conscious that such would be the
event. Paddle and beat the water as they might they could not propel
the heavy timbers beyond a certain rate of speed--not so fast as a man
could swim. Notwithstanding their exertions, and the advantage of their
long start, they saw they were going to be overtaken.

It could not be otherwise--there was nothing now to obstruct the
pursuit--nothing to stay the pursuers. The sharks, having sated their
appetites, had let most of the swimmers escape. Occasionally one was
seen to go down with a shriek, but this was the exception--the rest swam
freely on.

What was their motive in following us? was it vengeance, or a despairing
hope of being saved? Perhaps both,--but no matter which, there were
enough of them to overpower the white men by sheer strength; and, once
they succeeded in reaching us, it was not likely they would fail to
avenge themselves for the wrongs that had been put upon them.

Should they succeed in overtaking the raft they would easily climb upon
it; a few might be kept back, but it would be impossible for thirty men
to repulse hundreds; and the crowd would soon crawl over the edge, and,
with their additional weight, sink the frail structure to the bottom of
the sea.

Should they succeed in reaching the raft--there was no need of any
supposition--they would be certain to overtake it--even at that moment
there were some of them scarce ten yards off, and coming nearer at every
fresh stroke of their arms. These, however, were the strongest
swimmers, who were far ahead of the rest. The main body were still
twenty yards further off; but it was plain that the slowest of them swam
faster than the raft was moving.

Most of the sailors began to give way to despair. The wicked deeds of
an ill-spent life were rising before them. To all appearance their last
hour had come.

And mine, too--at least, so believed I at that moment.

It was hard to die thus--by such horrid means, and in such company.
Sound in health, the love of life was strong within me; and under this
impulse I a