The movement was
extraordinary--whether sideways or downwards I could not distinguish;
but, seasoned as my stomach was to the motion of ships, this movement
set up a nausea that lasted some while, acting upon me as I have since
learned the convulsion of an earthquake does upon people. It took off my
mind from the Frenchman, and filled me with a different sort of alarm
altogether, for it was very evident the gale was making the ice break;
and, thought I to myself, if we do not mind our eye we shall be crushed
and buried. But what was to be done? To quit the ship for that piercing
flying gale, charged with sleet and hail and foam, was merely to
languish for a little and then miserably expire of frost. No, thought I,
if the end is to come let it find me here; and with that I snugged me
down amid the coats and cloaks in my cot, and, obstinately holding my
eyes closed, ultimately fell asleep.

It was late when I awoke. I lighted the lanthorn, but upon entering the
passage that led to the cabin I observed by my own posture that the
schooner had not only heeled more to larboard, but was further "down by
the stern" to the extent of several feet. Indeed, the angle of
inclination was now considerable enough to bring my shoulder (in the
passage) close against the starboard side when I stood erect. The noise
of the gale was still in the air, and the booming and boiling of the sea
was uncommonly loud. I walked straight to the cook-room, and, putting
the lanthorn to the Frenchman, perceived that he was still in a heavy
sleep, and that he had lain through the night precisely in the attitude
in which I had left him. His face was so muffled that little more than
his long hawk's-bill nose was discernible. It was freezingly cold, and I
made haste to light the fire. There was still coal enough in the corner
to last for the day, and before long the furnace was blazing cheerfully.
I went to work to make some broth and fry some ham, and melt a little
block of the ruby-coloured wine; and whilst thus occupied, turning my
head a moment to look at the Frenchman, I found him half started up,
staring intently at me.

This sudden confrontment threw me into such confusion that I could not
speak. He moved his head from side to side, taking a view of the scene,
with an expression of the most inimitable astonishment painted upon his
countenance. He then brought the flat of his hand with a dramatic blow
to his forehead, the scar on which showed black as