96 THE SHIPWRECK,

sport of alternate reason and delirium. He knew the
danger that was before him; he shuddered as his imagi-
nation placed him before the tribunal of the most high ;
and yet his lips refused to invoke that mercy promised to
all who sincerely petition for it. ‘Eternity! Eternity !
Eternity !” he slowly and solemnly repeated ; and fell at
length into a fit of utter delirium, followed by long intervals
of deadly stupor, from which his faithful Neptune vainly
endeavoured to awake him by his mournful howlings and
caresses.