Everybody was talking about the murder, but the captain broke in and says: "Look sharp, now; the current sets in the closest here, and maybe he's washed ashore and got tangled amongst the brush at the water's edge.

I hope so, anyway." I didn't hope so.

They all crowded up and leaned over the rails, nearly in my face, and kept still, watching with all their might.

I could see them first-rate, but they couldn't see me.

Then the captain sung out: "Stand away!" and the cannon let off such a blast right before me that it made me deef with the noise and pretty near blind with the smoke, and I judged I was gone.