almost spent with his long exertion.

I swam down to him, and, hailing him, found he was still sensible, but
utterly exhausted. I desired him to hold on by my hand but not to touch
my body, as we should both sink. He promised to obey me, and I held out
my right hand to him, and made a signal for them to haul in on board,
for I had no idea that the line had been cut. I was frightened when I
perceived the distance that the ship was from me--at least a quarter of
a mile. I knew that the deep-sea line was but a hundred fathoms in
length, and therefore that I must be adrift, and my heart sunk within
me. All the horrors of my situation came upon me, and I felt that I was
lost; but although death appeared inevitable, I still struggled for
life--but the rope now weighed me down more and more. While swimming
forward it trailed behind, and although it impeded my way, I did not
feel half its weight. Now, however, that I was stationary, it sank
deep, and pulled me down with it. The waves, too, which, while I
breasted them and saw them approach, I easily rose over, being now
behind us, broke over our heads, burying us under them, or rolling us
over by their force.

I tried to disengage myself from the line, but the noose being jammed,
and having the boy in one hand, I could not possibly effect it. But
what gave me courage in my difficulties was, that I perceived that the
people on board were getting out the boat; for although the captain
would not run the risk for one person, now that two were overboard, and
one of them risking his life for the other, the men insisted that the
boat should be hoisted out. It was an anxious time to me, but at last I
had the satisfaction of seeing her clear of the ship, and pulling round
her bow. The danger was, however, considered so great, that when they
came to man the boat only three men could be found who would go in her,
and in the confusion they came away with but two oars and no rudder.
Under these disadvantages they of course pulled very slowly against a
mountainous sea, as they were obliged to steer with the oars to meet it,
that the boat might not be swamped. But the sight of the boat was
sufficient to keep me up. My exertions were certainly incredible; but
what will not a man do when in fear of death! As it approached--slowly
and slowly did my powers decrease. I was now often under water with the
boy, and rose again to fresh exertion, when at last a crested wave broke
over