60 THE WHALEMAN ; OR, 



which every eye looked and every heart panted, 

 still the surging billows and receding undertow 

 around the bow of the ship, were sufficient to 

 appall the most courageous mind. 



About this time, as near as can be recollected, 

 the cooper and one of the boat steerers, having 

 dropped themselves from the bow, reached land 

 in safety. The captain, having observed that 

 two had gained the shore, and knowing the utter 

 impossibility of getting fire ashore if it was de- 

 ferred until the breaking up of the ship, and with- 

 out it all must unavoidably perish, even if they 

 were saved from a watery grave, held up the lan- 

 tern keg to attract their attention, and, making 

 signs to them as far he was able for them to look 

 after and save it, tossed the keg overboard. It 

 was borne on the advancing and retreating waves 

 back and forth for more than a quarter of a mile, 

 before it was finally secured. In this keg, which 

 was air-tight, there were candles, matches, tinder, 

 and other combustible materials, It was indeed 

 a most timely and fortunate rescue. 



An effort was now made to get a line ashore. 

 One of the crew fastened a line round his body, 

 and attempted to reach the shore, the captain 

 paying out the warp as was necessary. But in 

 consequence of the great force of the current and 

 undertow around the bow of the ship, the line 



