The morning call., 1893-03-05

most extraordinary roaring noise of foam-
ing brine all about her bows. in the very
eyes of which lay. For some minutes
was vnS,.n not sensible of the least incon;
sail wondering at the novelty of the
motion and the noises; but then | was
visited by most deadly nausea-I felt as
though was swooning into death, indeed,
the pitching motion was ouIrageously
heavy for one inexperienced as l was to
waken up to. was just In that part of the
ship where the pitching is most felt. | sank
back and suffered-oh. how I suffered!
Think OF me, alone in that midnight black
ness without sup OF cordial to give me a
little life. as incapable of stirring as though
! were dying. feeling 10 the height OF
worst OF all sickness, hearing nothing
but the cataractal rushing of water against
the bows. the sudden shock and thunder OF
a great sea shifting quick and hard as the
blow of rock, the crazy straining of timber
and cargo and strong fasie nings.
In this wretched state continued for two
days. l atterward calculated this time.
and found that it must have run into two
days and night. never ate nor drank; L
may say never slept nor waked Law in a
sort OF middle state. VIII never came near
me; but through no fault of his. lie later
on told me his hands had been full while
on deck, he could not invent an excuse to
visit the storeroom. and without good ex-
cuse he burst not lift the hatch lest should
be discovered and he charged with hiding
me.
However, whether it was that nature
would suffer no more or that the movement
of the ship even in this extreme fore part
fallen into softness and rhythm; | slept and
woke, and awaking found myself free from
nausea and hungry. | sat up and lighted
candle; my hand shook with weakness and
l could scarcely stand. l drank from a bot
tie OF water, took such food as | wanted,
and made meal. l kept the candle burn
ing, for | was now thinking that my term
of Imprisonment might be drawing to an
end and that | could afford the luxury Of
light. Indeed, had not as yet consumed
a whole candle since had been in hiding.
sat by the light of the candle till II was
burn; out The light cheered aud soothed
ME. 1t was something for the eye TO rest
upon and the flame was sort Of companion
in IFS way. Once il put a horrid, frightful
fancy into my mind. thought to myself:
Suppose | willfully set fire TO the ship!
The vessel has boats. Besides, we are still
in the English Channel and help is near and
abundant. The cenvicts would scatter,
some going in one boat some in another, or
the ship might he run ashore to save life
and Tom escape. l shuddered and blew
out the light, which was now burnt to
within half an inch of the candle.
! felt stronger and more comfortable,
The ship plunged softly. heard no roar
ing of brine outside, no blows as from the
shock of thunderbolts. guessed that the
weather was fair aud gentle. But was 1t
night or day? l could not imagine | mad
figured the high sun pouring upon the white
canvas end the sea blue and splendid under
him; and in that deep, vault-like blackness
I'd pant for the sweetness of the air above
aud yearn but for ten minutes of the glory
of the day. Then in the same breath I'd
think it may be midnight The sun has
sunk and thousand stars trem BILE over ths
mastheads, and corner of the moon is lift
ing cut of a length of ragged black cloud
hanging low over the blacker water.
When would 1t be time for me to beat
upon the hatch and take my chance of what
was then to follow? In any case | dared
not reveal myself till VIII gave me notice,
for how should be able to tell where the
ship was-whether she was not still close in
with the English shore, so that the captain
could land me. end nv scheme. and render
all had done and suffered useless? l must
pc patient; better that viii should make no
sign fer O month than that l sh ould emerge
one hour too soon.
The time crept on. l heard an occasional
movement of feet overhead. but all the
noises we're small and brief Indeed it was
the ships forecastle, the place where the
sailors ate, drank and slept; where, unless
all hands are on deck, there is always
watch below and consequently sleepers; so
that when the voyage has fairly begun and
the men have settled down TO their work
there is no Quieter place in a ship than her
forecastle.