roaning near him. Happily at this instant a flash of
lightning illuminated the surrounding tract of water; and he descried
his antagonist still fighting with the waves: he was holding by a spar
too weak to support his weight, but capable of assisting him in
swimming. His powers were apparently failing him, as he looked up to
his more fortunate enemy: He stretched out his hand to him, and said:

"Stranger! show me this pity. All is over with me; or in a moment will
be: should you have a happier fate, take from my pocket-book this
letter--and convey it to the lady. Oh! if thou hast ever loved, I
beseech thee to do this: tell her that I never ceased to think of
her--that I thought of her only when I was at the point of death: and,
whatsoever I may have been to man, that to her I have been most
faithful." With frantic efforts he strove to unclasp his pocket-book:
but could not succeed. Bertram was deeply touched by the pallid and
ghastly countenance of the man (in whose features however there was a
wild and licentious expression which could not be mistaken); and he
said to him:

"Friend below, if I should have better luck, I will endeavour to
execute your commission. Meantime I can swim; and I have now rested
myself. Give me your hand. You may come aloft; and I will take a turn
in the waters until I am tired. In this way, by taking turn about,
possibly both of us may be saved."

"What!" cried the other--"are you crazy? Or are there really men upon
this earth such as books describe?"

"No matter:" said Bertram, "give me your hand; and spring up. I will
catch at the barrel when I feel weak."

The other grasped the outstretched hand; and, supporting himself for a
few moments upon his elbows, gradually ascended the barrel. Bertram, on
his part, resigning the portmanteau to his companion, slipped off into
the waves.

Meanwhile the storm continued, and the natural darkness of night was
now blended with the darkness of tempest. After some minutes, the man,
who was at present in possession of the barrel, began thus:

"You fool, below there, are you still alive?"

"Yes: but I am faint, and would wish to catch hold of the barrel
again."

"Catch away then:--Do you know any thing of the sea hereabouts?"

"No: it was the first time in my life that I was ever on shipboard."

The other laughed. "You don't know it? Well! now I _do_: and I can tell
you this: there's no manner of use in our plaguing ourselves, and
spending the