t whether the end of the
island we had seen in that part of the lake, or the mainland, we could
not determine. In vain we attempted to paddle up to it; the gale drove
us on, and showed us that we were perfectly unable to go in any
direction excepting that towards which the wind should impel us.

Again we lost sight of the land, and this led us to think that we must
have passed an island. The waves hissed and foamed, and danced up around
us as much as ever; still our raft held together, and we were enabled to
cling on to it. Even if we were only moving at the rate of two miles an
hour, it could not take us more than seven or eight hours to get across
from one side of the lake to the other, and we calculated that we must
already have been that time on the raft. What if we had got into a
channel of some river, which might rush rapidly along, pouring over some
terrific cataract? Should we by any means be able to reach the shore, so
as to escape being carried along with the raft? Had it been daylight,
the danger would not have been so great, for we might have seen in what
direction to direct our efforts. As it was, we might, should we paddle
to one side or the other, be placing ourselves in greater danger than by
allowing the raft to drive on before the gale. Our ears were assailed by
the continued roar of the waves dashing on the shore, of the wind
rushing through the trees, and of the foaming waters as they clashed
against each other; we sometimes, indeed, could scarcely hear each
other's voices. There being now no sail, we were able to keep our eyes
turning in every direction.

"When we do reach the shore, we must take care not to lose our things,"
said Manley, with due thought. "Let each man seize his rifle and
knapsack; for if we fail to get into a harbour, we shall probably be
dashed against a rocky shore, or among overhanging trees, where our raft
will, no doubt, quickly be knocked to pieces."

Dangerous as was our present position, we had to confess that the
operation of landing might prove even more perilous; still we were eager
to go through it, trusting that, notwithstanding the danger, we should
escape.

At length Sergeant Custis cried out, "Land ahead! We shall be close to
it in a few minutes. It seems to me to be covered with wood, with
mountains rising beyond. Yes! no doubt about it! We must each try to get
hold of a stout branch or trunk of a tree, and cling on to it until
daylight returns and we can see