ep,
saying she would keep watch and apprise me if anything happened of which
it might be advantageous to avail ourselves.

The only thing I desired was the appearance of a vessel, or the setting
in of a breeze, of which at present not a sign existed. I felt
disinclined either to eat or to drink: but I proposed that my companion
should make a meal and then go to sleep, as it was much more proper that
I should keep watch than herself. The fact was, we were both anxious
that the other should be the first to diminish our little stock of food;
but as neither would be induced to do this, it was decided that our
provisions should be divided into certain portions, which were only to
be taken at sunrise and sunset, and that we should during the night
relieve each other every three hours in keeping watch, that if we saw
land, or a ship, or the wind should spring up, we might consult
immediately as to our course.

I only succeeded in inducing her to lie down at the bottom of the boat,
to obtain a little sleep, previously to her taking my place, that I
might so rest myself. She first said her usual prayers for the evening,
in which I joined, and in a few minutes I was glad to hear by her
regular breathing, that she was obtaining that repose of which I was
certain she stood greatly in need.

I was now the sole observer of the stupendous spectacle that spread out
around and above me; the most sublime feature in this imposing scene
appeared to be the silence which reigned supreme over all. The heavens
were as mute as the sea. It looked as if the earth had been engulfed by
a second deluge, and all living nature had perished utterly from the
face of it.

I felt a deep feeling of melancholy stealing over me, and could not
forbear reproaching myself for embarking in this hazardous enterprise,
and risking a life that I was bound to preserve. What could become of
us both I knew not; but I was sensible that if we were not speedily
picked up, or made some friendly shore, there existed but little hopes
of our surviving many days.

I made up my mind, that the island we should never see again; and though
I had been so anxious for so many years to quit it, now that fate had
separated us for ever, I could not console myself for the loss of a home
endeared to me by so many recollections. But my great grief was the
loss of my grandfather's diamonds. He had now no chance of having them
restored to him. If they were found, they would be