CHARACTER AND FATE OF JOHN WALTER. 155 



the third mate cried out, that some one had hold of 

 his legs, and urged haste on the part of the approach- 

 ing boat. Being a strong swimmer, he managed to 

 keep himself afloat, notwithstanding the drowning 

 man's clutch, until they had caught hold of him from 

 the boat ; but then he instantly exclaimed, "He has let 

 go ! " The boatsteerer of the larboard boat dove in, 

 but could see nothing of him ; and his boatmates were 

 forced to return aboard, leaving him at rest in the 

 sea, over which he had voyaged for years. Upon 

 the boat's arriving at the ship, the captain hailed 

 it; and, fearing the worst, asked if any one was 

 lost. On being answered that John was drowned, 

 he appeared much affected, and wept like a child. 

 The lost man was a German, named John Walter, 

 belonging to Hamburg. He was of an amiable dis- 

 position, and had endeared himself by his good qua- 

 lities to all on board. He was every inch a sailor, 

 having spent a number of years in the American 

 merchant-service, wherein, strange to say, he had 

 several times narrowly escaped drowning. On our 

 first visit to Vasse, he was also barely saved from a 

 similar fate. It is customarj^, just previous to leaving 

 port, to roll the boats over and over in the water, for 

 the purpose of cleansing them from the sand that is 

 collected in them by beaching ; which is usually done, 

 amid much merriment, by several men stripping and 

 going into the water for the purpose of conducting the 

 operation. On the day to winch I have reference, 

 John Walter was seated in a boat, when orders were 

 given to roll her. He remained in her; and the 

 officer, supposing that he could swim, but did not 

 care to take off his clothes, ordered the boat-plugs to 



