Shipwrecked 
bringing up at intervals with a jerk. I thought 
it was about time to expostulate, and suggested 
his giving her another shackle of chain to 
ease her, which, however, he declined to do, 
knowing that he would have extra trouble in 
getting it in again should he have done so. 
When it was dark I told him he ought, seeing 
that the steamer might come in any minute, to 
put up his riding light, but this remark he 
sneered at too, so I left him to his own devices. 
I did not get to sleep until past twelve that night. 
Whilst my two companions snored like hogs in 
their bunks, I was kept awake by the anchor 
dragging. At last, as it seemed to cease, I 
dropped off to sleep, and it could only have been 
for a couple of hours before I was awakened by 
the horrible sound a ship makes when she takes 
the ground. This effectually woke up the men. 
Here we were, broadside on to the beach, with 
every gigantic sea pounding us, and lifting the 
ship farther on to the rocks. Thank goodness ! 
we had struck on the top of the tide, and were 
therefore close up to the steep cliffs which 
towered above us. It was my turn now, and I 
rubbed it into that pair of land-lubbers for 
their gross carelessness and laziness. They 
were very humble, and asked me what I meant 
to do. I told them I was going to try and get 
ashore. It is curious what small things make 
an impression on one under these conditions, 
277 
