HARRY AND PAUL LEAVE THE SHIP, 83

come, too late to save poor captain,’ he said, drag-
ging meafter him. I was almost stifled, and gasped
for breath. In another moment I should have
fallen, indeed I was so overcome with the smoke
that I did not know what was happening.

Happily however I kept firm hold of Paul,
and suddenly I found myself plunged headlong into
the water. He had hauled me through the cabin
window.

‘Now strike out Massa Harry, I see boat not
far off, we get to her,’ he exclaimed. I did as he
directed me, but the thought of the horrid sharks
I had seen swimming about the vessel, almost
paralyzed my senses, and every moment I expected
to find myself seized by the cruel jaws of one of
them. ,

‘Qheer up Harry, cheer up,’ shouted Paul;
‘there is the boat, we got Friend in heaven who
look after us; never fear, we reach her soon, cheer ©

?

- up.

With such like cries he continued to animate
me. He shouted thus not only for that object,
but to keep any sharks which might be inclined
to seize us at a distance. The boat, as we got
near her, was, I saw, keel upwards.