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very much exhausted； and had to rest full fifteen minutes before he
could again venture to descend。
The second attempt met with even worse success； for he remained
so long under water without giving the signal； that； becoming alarmed
for his safety； we drew him out without it； and found that he was
almost at the last gasp； having； as he said； repeatedly jerked at the
rope without our feeling it。 This was probably owing to a portion of
it having become entangled in the balustrade at the foot of the
ladder。 This balustrade was； indeed； so much in the way； that we
determined to remove it； if possible； before proceeding with our
design。 As we had no means of getting it away except by main force；
we all descended into the water as far as we could on the ladder； and
giving a pull against it with our united strength； succeeded in
breaking it down。
The third attempt was equally unsuccessful with the two first；
and it now became evident that nothing could be done in this manner
without the aid of some weight with which the diver might steady
himself； and keep to the floor of the cabin while making his search。
For a long time we looked about in vain for something which might
answer this purpose； but at length； to our great joy； we discovered
one of the weather…forechains so loose that we had not the least
difficulty in wrenching it off。 Having fastened this securely to one
of his ankles； Peters now made his fourth descent into the cabin； and
this time succeeded in making his way to the door of the steward's
room。 To his inexpressible grief； however； he found it locked； and
was obliged to return without effecting an entrance； as； with the
greatest exertion； he could remain under water not more； at the
utmost extent； than a single minute。 Our affairs now looked gloomy
indeed； and neither Augustus nor myself could refrain from bursting
into tears； as we thought of the host of difficulties which
encompassed us； and the slight probability which existed of our
finally making an escape。 But this weakness was not of long duration。
Throwing ourselves on our knees to God； we implored His aid in the
many dangers which beset us； and arose with renewed hope and vigor to
think what could yet be done by mortal means toward accomplishing our
deliverance。
~~~ End of Text of Chapter 9 ~~~
CHAPTER 10
SHORTLY afterward an incident occurred which I am induced to look
upon as more intensely productive of emotion； as far more replete
with the extremes first of delight and then of horror； than even any
of the thousand chances which afterward befell me in nine long years；
crowded with events of the most startling and； in many cases； of the
most unconceived and unconceivable character。 We were lying on the
deck near the companion…way； and debating the possibility of yet
making our way into the storeroom； when； looking toward Augustus； who
lay fronting myself； I perceived that he had become all at once
deadly pale； and that his lips were quivering in the most singular
and unaccountable manner。 Greatly alarmed； I spoke to him； but he
made me no reply； and I was beginning to think that he was suddenly
taken ill； when I took notice of his eyes； which were glaring
apparently at some object behind me。 I turned my head； and shall
never forget the ecstatic joy which thrilled through every particle
of my frame； when I perceived a large brig bearing down upon us； and
not more than a couple of miles off。 I sprung to my feet as if a
musket bullet had suddenly struck me to the heart； and； stretching
out my arms in the direction of the vessel； stood in this manner；
motionless； and unable to articulate a syllable。 Peters and Parker
were equally affected； although in different ways。 The former danced
about the deck like a madman； uttering the most extravagant
rhodomontades； intermingled with howls and imprecations； while the
latter burst into tears； and continued for many minutes weeping like
a child。
The vessel in sight was a large hermaphrodite brig； of a Dutch
build； and painted black； with a tawdry gilt figure…head。 She had
evidently seen a good deal of rough weather； and； we supposed； had
suffered much in the gale which had proved so disastrous to
ourselves； for her foretopmast was gone； and some of her starboard
bulwarks。 When we first saw her； she was； as I have already said；
about two miles off and to windward； bearing down upon us。 The breeze
was very gentle； and what astonished us chiefly was； that she had no
other sails set than her foremast and mainsail； with a flying jib
of course she came down but slowly； and our impatience amounted
nearly to phrensy。 The awkward manner in which she steered； too； was
remarked by all of us； even excited as we were。 She yawed about so
considerably； that once or twice we thought it impossible she could
see us； or imagined that； having seen us； and discovered no person on
board； she was about to tack and make off in another direction。 Upon
each of these occasions we screamed and shouted at the top of our
voices； when the stranger would appear to change for a moment her
intention； and again hold on toward us this singular conduct being
repeated two or three times； so that at last we could think of no
other manner of accounting for it than by supposing the helmsman to
be in liquor。
No person was seen upon her decks until she arrived within about
a quarter of a mile of us。 We then saw three seamen； whom by their
dress we took to be Hollanders。 Two of these were lying on some old
sails near the forecastle； and the third； who appeared to be looking
at us with great curiosity； was leaning over the starboard bow near
the bowsprit。 This last was a stout and tall man； with a very dark
skin。 He seemed by his manner to be encouraging us to have patience；
nodding to us in a cheerful although rather odd way； and smiling
constantly； so as to display a set of the most brilliantly white
teeth。 As his vessel drew nearer； we saw a red flannel cap which he
had on fall from his head into the water； but of this he took little
or no notice； continuing his odd smiles and gesticulations。 I relate
these things and circumstances minutely； and I relate them； it must
be understood； precisely as they _appeared _to us。
The brig came on slowly； and now more steadily than before； and
I cannot speak calmly of this event our hearts leaped up wildly
within us； and we poured out our whole souls in shouts and
thanksgiving to God for the complete； unexpected； and glorious
deliverance that was so palpably at hand。 Of a sudden； and all at
once； there came wafted over the ocean from the strange vessel （which
was now close upon us） a smell； a stench； such as the whole world has
no name for no conception of hellish utterly suffocating
insufferable； inconceivable。 I gasped for breath； and turning to my
companions； perceived that they were paler than marble。 But we had
now no time left for question or surmise… the brig was within fifty
feet of us； and it seemed to be her intention to run under our
counter； that we might board her without putting out a boat。 We
rushed aft； when； suddenly； a wide yaw threw her off full five