TRIBUTE TO AN OLD SHIPMATE. 145 



self from the depth into which he had been 

 plunged by the force he had acquired, he made 

 his way towards us, rubbing his chafed sides 

 and holding together his tattered garments, and, 

 to our great satisfaction, laughing heartily at the 

 figure he supposed he must cut, for he had worn 

 away two pairs of trowsers and something more. 

 The danger being over, we cordially joined in 

 his laugh, yet in our hearts congratulated our- 

 selves upon his miraculous escape, for he was 

 a great favourite with all his officers as well 

 as his equals in the ship. This young man af- 

 terwards volunteered his services with Sir John 

 Franklin, and became coxsw T ain of Captain Back's 

 boat in the dangerous navigation which was con- 

 ducted along the northern coast of America. 

 Captain Back spoke highly of Spinks' conduct 

 on that occasion ; and states that, in addition 

 to zeal, fortitude, and perseverance, he possessed 

 an unusual degree of good-humour, and was of 

 the utmost use in keeping up the spirits of his 

 fellow-boatmen, and in diverting their minds 

 from the difficulties and privations which attend- 

 ed that service, either by giving a cheerful and 

 ludicrous turn to every little incident, or in re- 

 counting his own real or supposed adventures. 

 The value of such a character under the dis- 

 tressing circumstances attending Captain Frank- 



