NINE MONTHS IN THE ARCTIC. 65 



by the side of the ship ; and they proposed to get 

 into it, and, if possible, reach the land. Their 

 purpose was to hold on to the boat, and thus be 

 borne by the sea towards the shore. They did 

 get into it ; but whether it was carried towards 

 the shore or not, or what became of the piece of 

 the boat, they have no recollection. They were 

 struck by a sea, and probably stunned. The first 

 returning consciousness the captain had, he found 

 himself floating alongside of the ship. He knew 

 not what had become of Mr. Fisher until some 

 time after. He regained a foothold on the quarter 

 deck again, and seemed awakened more fully than 

 ever to the conviction that he must do something, 

 and that soon, in order to save his own life. He 

 was chilled, benumbed, and exhausted ; chances 

 of escape appearing less and less probable, as a 

 last resort, said Captain Norton, " I threw myself 

 into the water, among casks, broken pieces of the 

 wreck, and, besides, jny own men floating all 

 around me, that I might, if possible, gain the 

 shore. I was probably insensible for some time. 

 I knew nothing of what took place around me. 

 When I came to myself, I found I was lying 

 near the edge of the water, having been cast 

 ashore by some friendly wave. I looked around, 

 and the first man I saw was the fourth mate, 

 floating about in the water a short distance from 

 5 



