, 1861-08-08

Clinging to the BOBBY hatch, which was some
thing like large open box six or seven feet
square and two feet deep, constructed Of light pine
plank, could keep my head out Of the water
most Of the time without much effort, and thus
had an opportunity and abundance Of leisure
to reflect on my situation. Darkness came on,
and knew l could not be seen from the ship,
IL had been seen at all after had fallen over
board; and In that dangerous hour, earnestly
prayed to God that the boat might be pulled
toward the spot where I was floating on the
water. | shuddered at the possibility that 10
the darkness my shipmates might not know in
what direction to steer, and after looking for me
in vain might suppose was drowned, and re-
turn to the ship without accomplishing their
object, and leaving me To my fate.
The boat put off from the ship. could see
the dark object on the water as Il approached.
Ny heart fluttered with hope, but soon sunk
within me as the men ceased rowing while the
boat was still at Q distance. ! could hear the
shouts Of the men calling out my name, as they
rose distinctly but family above the murmur Of
the waves around me. l tried to answer the
glad sounds and attract attention BY shouts
louder than their own: but my voice was weak
and hoarse from exhaustion, and soon became
aware that, in spite Of my utmost exertions, !
could not make myself heard.
The boat came no nearer, but went of In
another direction, and then returned toward mei
the men continued. at short intervals, to call
upon my name, and then they pulled round and
round and backyard and forward several times
Il was moment of maddening suspense, while |
exerted in vain all my power Of voice and limb
to signify to my shipmates that l was still alive
almost within their reach, and BY slight effort
on their part could be saved.
A light was displayed from the ship, and soon
musket was fred as signal for the boat to re-
turni And, shipmates, you may conceive my
dismay, you may imagine the horror which
froze my blood, when the conviction was forced
upon me that the boat had abandoned the search
and was returning to the shipi
With straining eyebaIls still gazed in the
direction Of the noble vessel on whose decks |
lately trod, and threw my hands toward her In
my agony, madly entreating in hoarse whispers
for that snccor which knew could not re-
ceive. Through the shadows Of night could
see the dark mass In the distance gradually
growing more indistinct until Il disappeared en-.
tirely from my view.
There was in the midst Of the wide ocean
floating on the waves-a dreadful solitude, with
certain death staring me in the iacel My brain
seemed to whirl round, my head was giddy, and
was sick OF heart when realized my terrible
condition. After time, recovered my senses
to certain extent. and actually began to specu-
late on my fate. l endeavored to calculate how
long should hold out, hanging on to that float In
the water; whether the SEQ would rise and the
waves would dash over me and soon terminate
my suiferings or whether, overcome BY fatigue
and sleep, should relax my grip and sink
quietly beneath the waves.
Indeed, while indulging in these specuiations,
] felt strange kind Of curiosity, an earnest de.