There was certainly a time when I had reason to believe that I had a narrow escape.

I was one day on the pier-head with many others looking at some little boats below at the time of a heavy gale.

Several persons, probably out of curiosity, were hastening thither.

I had seen all I intended to see, and was departing, when I noticed eight or nine persons making towards me.

I was then only about eight or nine yards from the precipice of the pier, but going from it.