imagine
the utter loneliness that strikes upon the heart of a solitary swimmer,
struggling in the middle of the ocean for dear life. The sea never
looks so terribly wide and vast as then, the sky never so far off, as he
gazes upwards in piteous entreaty; while the elements appear to mock his
puny efforts to reach the receding vessel containing his comrades of a
moment ago, who now seem basely leaving him to perish!

These thoughts flashed through my mind as I struck out in the direction
of the _Esmeralda_. All the sins and omissions of my past life then
rose before my mental kaleidoscope, making me conscious of my
unpreparedness to die, and yet want of justification to live; but I
struck out bravely nevertheless, and I need hardly say, I did not
whisper a word of my fears to the mate, who kept silent and motionless
the while, without incommoding my efforts.

My strokes got slower and slower, for the wash of the sea over us every
now and then was terribly fatiguing; for, although I was very strong for
my age, and powerfully built, still the strain of supporting Mr
Macdougall besides myself, was more than I was able to manage--the
strongest man couldn't have done it.

He saw this even before I did, and took away his hand from my shoulder.

"Let me bide, laddie," he said. "You've doon your best to save me, but
you canna do't mair; gang awa' and save your ain sel'."

"No I won't, Mr Macdougall," I cried, stopping and treading water for a
minute or two, while he imitated my example. "If I'm saved, you shall
be saved; and if you drown, I'll drown too!"

"That's bravely said, laddie," he replied, "but your streength will na
let you bear my lumpy karkus. I'm a meesereeble sinner, ye ken, and
it's na richt as a brave lad lik' you should lose his ain life for a
worthless loon lik' me!"

"No more of that, Mr Macdougall!" I cried, stoutly. "I made up my
mind to try and save you when I jumped overboard after you; and save you
now I will, with God's help--so there's no use trying to prevent me!
Now put your hand on my shoulder again, for it's time for us to be
moving on after our rest."

The short "spell off" from swimming had rested me, and I struck out once
more with renewed vigour, my progress with the mate in tow being now
much more rapid, for the sea was calming down, beginning to feel the
cessation of the wind.

"We'll reach the ship, never fear!" I said presently, seeing her still
in the distance when we ros