INCIDENTS OF WHALING. 207 



account to God for years of ingratitude and dis- 

 obedience. Oh ! thought I, if I were only a 

 Christian, what a solace would it be to me as 

 I sink into this watery grave ! " 



The sun had now disappeared behind the dis- 

 tant waves, and the darkening shades of a dreary 

 night were settling down over the ocean. Just 

 then they descried, dim in the dusky distance, 

 one of the absent boats returning to the ship. 

 It was, however, far off, apparently beyond the 

 reach of their loudest outcries. Impelled by the 

 energies of despair, they simultaneously raised 

 a shout, which blended with the wash of the 

 waves and sighing of the breeze, and the boat 

 continued on its way. Again they raised an- 

 other shout, and it was also unavailing. 



The shades of the night were deepening, the 

 boat rapidly passing by them. Almost phrenzied 

 at their terrible condition, they raised another 

 cry. The sound of that distant shriek fell 

 faintly upon the ears of the boatmen, and they 

 rested on their oars. Another shout, which 

 almost lacerated their throats, was raised, and 

 the boat turned in pursuit. They were taken 



