eal, for the ship was rolling and
pitching more heavily than she had before done, and I could hear the
bulkheads creaking, and the timbers complaining, and the heels of the
mast working, and the dull sound of the water dashing against the sides
of the ship. There was still less chance than ever of being heard
should I again shout out, so I refrained from exhausting my strength by
the exercise of my voice. So much did the stout ship tumble about that
I could not attempt to make another exploring expedition. I therefore
lay still, waiting till the ship would again be quiet. I didn't know
then that a storm sometimes lasts for days, and that I might be starved
to death before it was over. Though the bun and draught of cold water
had somewhat satisfied my appetite, I again began to feel hungry, though
not so hungry as I might have been without them. Having nothing to eat,
I went off again to sleep.

When I once more roused up I began to think of the astonishment and
alarm my disappearance would cause to Aunt Deb and Mr Butterfield.
Would they have any suspicion of what had become of me? Perhaps they
would fancy that I had fallen off the quay into the river; but then Aunt
Deb would most likely insinuate that such was not to be my case. I
confess that any anxiety she might feel didn't trouble me, but I
regretted the anxiety my disappearance would cause my parents, and
brothers and sisters at home. However I could not help it, so I put the
thought from me. Hunger at last induced me to make another attempt to
escape, in spite of the way the ship was tumbling about. I fancied that
one of the bulkheads against which I had come was not so stout and
strong as the others. I thought I would try and force my way through,
but with only my hands how was that to be done.

Whilst creeping about I shoved my legs or arms into any opening I came
across. In doing so I kicked against some object which moved. I worked
my foot on till I came to the end of it, and then contrived to draw from
under one of the casks what proved to be a handspike, which had probably
on some occasion dropped down into the hold. I can't express the
satisfaction the possession of this instrument gave me. I felt it all
over, and tried its strength by a blow on the kelson, for at first I was
afraid it might be rotten. It proved sound. Armed with it I returned
to the bulkhead, against which I determined to make my attack. Standing
as firmly as I could,