ff, and managed to drop slowly down the stream without
making any noise. As soon as we got out of hearing of the village we
began to row faster, though we had but little strength to use our oars.
Our great wish was to be out of the river, and at a distance from the
shore before daylight, lest any of the natives in their canoes might
fall in with us. We rowed as hard as we could, till our oars were
nearly dropping from our hands. After a long pull we got near the mouth
of the river--the land breeze was blowing out of it. We hoisted our mat
sail, and now glided on more rapidly than before. I do not think we
could have rowed another ten minutes. The surf was breaking on the
shore, but we passed safely through the passage.

"How thankful we felt when we found ourselves at last in the open sea.
A line of white foam showed us where the reef was on which our ship had
struck, but not a vestige of her remained.

"The mate judged it best to steer to the southward, but we had no chart
and no compass, and had to trust to the sun by day and the stars by
night. The mate knew them well, but I began to fear that he would not
be long with me, for the exertions he had made had been too much for
him. By the time morning had dawned he was unable to sit up. As long
as he could he steered the boat, while I baled, for, notwithstanding the
care we had taken, she still leaked very much. I looked anxiously at my
companion every time I lifted up my head, still he kept his eye on the
rising sun, which in a deep red glow appeared above the horizon. Then
he gazed up at the sail, and then ahead. Gradually his hand let go of
the tiller, his head fell down on his chest. I sprang aft, when, to my
grief and dismay, I found that the poor fellow was dead.

"I had now not only to steer the boat, but to bale her. How could I
hope by myself to reach any friendly shore? I began to be sorry that we
had left the native village, the people were at all events kind to us,
and some day or other traders might have come to the place and taken us
off. It was too late now, though, to think of this. I could not have
gone back even if I had wished it, for the wind was against me, and I
had not strength to use the oars. I looked at the poor mate, and tried
to pour some water down his throat, but it was of no use, he was really
dead. For some time I had not the heart to throw him overboard, but I
knew that it must be done, and at last I managed to accomp