us, and down we went several feet under the water. The force of
the sea drove the boy against me, and he seized me by the loins with my
head downwards. I struggled to disengage myself! It was impossible. I
gave myself up for lost--and what a crowd of thoughts and memories
passed through my brain in a few moments, for it could not have been
longer! At last, being head downwards, I dived deeper, although I was
bursting from so long holding my breath under water.

This had the desired effect. 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 a