If the ship sinks, I shall know that the fatality is accomplished, and shall sink with her." I saw that he was in no state to be reasoned with or persuaded, and raised myself again to the deck.

The men were cutting away all obstacles so as to launch the longboat placed amidships over the depressed bulwark of the brig as she lay on her side, and the captain, after having made a last vain exertion to restore his authority, was looking on at them in silence.

The violence of the squall seemed already to be spending itself, and I asked whether there was really no chance for us if we remained by the ship.

The captain answered that there might have been the best chance if the men had obeyed his orders, but that now there was none.

Knowing that I could place no dependence on the presence of mind of Monkton's servant, I confided to the captain, in the fewest and plainest words, the condition of my unhappy friend, and asked if I might depend on his help.