ROBINSON CRUSOE. 403

minutes. I cannot express the horror of mind I was then
seized with: the storm increased, and I saw (what is but too
seldom seen) the master, the boatswain, and several others at
prayers, expecting cvery moment that the ship would go to the
bottom. The storm, however, beginning to abate, the master
fired guns for help, anda light ship, which had ridden it out
just a-head of us, ventured a boat to help us, It was with the
‘utmost hazard that it eame near us; and our men casting out
a rope over the stern with a buoy, they, after much labour and
hazard, got hold of it, and we hauled them close under the
stern, and got all into the boat; but we had hardly left the
ship a quarter of an hour, when we saw her founder.

‘As it was impossible for the boat to get up with the ship to
which she belonged, we endeavoured to reach the shore, and,
partly by rowing, and partly by being driven by the waves, we
at last with great difficulty got to land, and walked to Yar-
mouth. Had J now had the sense to return home, my father
would have received me with tenderness ; but a weak and
foolish shame opposed all thoughts of it: I was afraid of being
laughed at among the neighbours, and should be ashamed to
see not only my father, but everybody else. 1 had, without
blushing, committed an action which bore all the marks of
folly, but was ashamed of returning, though that was the wisest
step I could have taken. I remained some time in doubt what
course to take; but having money in my pocket, I travelled
to London by land. On my arrival dn that city, the master of a
ship who had becn on the coast of Guinea, taking a fancy to me,
told me, that if I would go the voyage with him, 1 should beat
no expense ; and if I would carry anything with me, I should
have the advantage of trading for myself. Encouraged by this
offer, by the assistance of some of my relations, with whom I
still corresponded, I raised forty pounds, which 1 laid out in

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