SIMPSON, MYSELF AND THE PERSONAGE. 121 



the sea washed him up to the side of the vessel, 

 The night was very clear and the moon was full, 

 so we could see The huge waves wash him up the 

 ship's side and the receding wave, or undertow, 

 take him awaj - sometimes fifty feet away. It 

 would have been folly to attempt to lower a boat 

 at that time. There was, however, only one other 

 thing to do, and that we did. The men tied ropes 

 around their bodies and hung over the side to 

 grasp him if possible. After a while a sailor 

 caught him by his foot, but his boot came off and 

 we were almost ready to give him up as lost. Yet 

 in a short time he was seen again, and was thrown 

 to the side. Jusv at that moment one of our men 

 seized him by the arm, and with help got him on 

 board. The poo: fellow was nearly done for, 

 but by rubbing him, and wrapping him in warm 

 blankets, and giving him hot drinks, we saved 

 him. I have hinted at this story before. This 

 was the man Townsend who tried to desert us at 

 the Navigator Islands. 



