the greatest
deliberation, that I had lost the impulse to prompt action which was
otherwise natural to me. I now shouted, but it was too late, no one
heard me. The seamen had gone to their usual occupations at a distance
from the hatchway. For some minutes I sat down, vexed with my stupidity
and dilatoriness.

On recovering myself I resolved never again to lose a similar
opportunity. I had for so long worked in the dark, that I was not to be
deterred from carrying out my intention. Armed with the handspike, I
entered the crate. I first felt in each corner, to try and find an
opening in which I could insert the end of my implement.

Not one was to be found. I next drove it against the ends of the
planks; they were too firmly nailed down to yield. I next knocked away
in the centre, hoping that one of the planks might prove rotten, and
that I should be able to force it upwards. Again I was disappointed,
and at last, tired with the exertions I had made, I was obliged to
abandon the attempt; but I did not give it up altogether. I resolved,
as soon as I had regained my strength and stretched my limbs, which had
become cramped from being so long in a confined position, to set to work
once more. I had been employed, I fancy, three or four hours; it may
have been longer. At all events, I had become very hungry, and with a
store of food near at hand I could not resist the temptation of eating.
I accordingly retired to my berth and sat down. I had not contrived to
catch a rat, so I had to content myself with a musty biscuit and a dozen
olives for dinner, washed down by a copious draught of water. I was
thankful for the food, though it could not be called a luxurious
banquet.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

Still in the hold--Conscience again troubles me--My new food and its
effect on my health--I picture to myself the crew on deck--Rather
warm--Another storm--My sufferings and despair--A cold bath--I lose my
stock of provisions--The rats desert me--The storm subsides--My fancy
gives itself rein.

Days, possibly weeks, may have passed by; I had no means of calculating
the time. The ordinary sounds from the deck did not reach my ear, or I
might have heard the bells strike, or the voice of the boatswain
summoning the watch below on deck. I scarcely like to describe this
part of my adventures, for fear that they should not be believed. I
have since read of similar accounts of young stowaways being shut down
in