Sculling was a manoeuvre of which I had heard, and seen practised, but had never practised myself.

I therefore took one of the oars and made a desperate attempt to PADDLE towards the brig.

The attempt was unsuccessful; the distance between the brig and the boat was rapidly increasing, darkness was coming on, a strong breeze was springing up, and I was in a fair way to be drifted among the breakers, or swept out to sea over the bar! It happened, fortunately, for me, that a large brig was riding at anchor within a short distance of the Dolphin.

This was the very slaver whose captain was so mysteriously assassinated.

The mate of the brig was looking around the harbor at the time; he espied my misfortune, and forthwith despatched a boat, pulled by four men, to my assistance.