p.

Bitter was our disappointment. How could we hope to get back? how
obtain relief? Our condition was bad indeed. Some of the men had been
expressing a wish to endeavour to reach Guernsey. They now, with
reproaches on themselves, acknowledged their folly in not having, when
at the proper time, accepted La Motte's offer to take them there.
Fiercer and fiercer blew the easterly gale, every cloud disappeared, but
yet the sky was not bright, nor did the rays of the sun give any warmth.
A gauze-like veil overspread the sky, while we were surrounded by a
thin mist of spray, which together completely prevented the sun's beams
from reaching us.

Our utmost exertions were required to keep the boat before the sea, and
to bale out the water which continually washed into her. Those of us
who were not thus actively employed sat with our greatcoats and blankets
huddled up round us, the pictures of misery. Want of sleep and warm
food made us feel the cold still more severely, and, in spite of our
wraps, we were chilled to the very bones. Our teeth chattered and our
limbs shook as if we had been afflicted with the ague. We could no
longer keep up our spirits by conversation. What possible grounds had
we for hope. All we could expect was to run on till the boat was
swamped, or till one after the other of us dropped off and died from
cold, starvation, and exhaustion.

La Motte struggled on bravely to prevent himself from giving in, while
at the same time he exerted himself to keep up the spirits of the rest.
His example inspired me to arouse myself, and I endeavoured to aid him
in encouraging our companions.

"Hurrah, my lads!" he suddenly shouted. "As long as there's life
there's hope--remember that. Death's door is not open yet. Don't be
knocking to get in before you are invited. What are we afraid of? We
have a tight boat under us, and provisions enough to last us for several
days to come. We had got a long way to the nor'ard before this easterly
gale sprung up, and we can't be so very far off the Land's End or the
Scilly Islands. This sort of gale never lasts long. It will blow
itself out in a day or two, and then we may haul up and stand in for the
land. Many men have been in a far worse state than that we are in, and
have got well out of it. Why should we fancy that we are going to be
lost? Cheer up, I say. Can any of you sing? Andrews, you can. Come,
out with a song, lad. You shake your head. Come, I