fishermen's memorial and record book. 155 



he stood. One foot was raw where it had chafed against the spring- 

 stay, and pained him severel}'. 



It was now, as near as he could judge, about three o'clock in the 

 morning, and he was in hopes that the tide was at the flood. He 

 drew himself up, resting his chin on the color-truck. This was all he 

 could do, and he patiently waited. The love of life was strong in 

 the young man's heart, and he prayed that God would save him. 

 Then he clung hold of the top-mast, and for a little time lost con- 

 sciousness. When he came to, the dawn was breaking through the 

 fog, and with joy unspeakable he saw that the water had gone down. 

 He could see the top of the ledge peep out, from which his companions 

 had met their death ; and now, so far as he knew, he was the only 

 survivor of them all. All day long he remained on the top-mast. 

 The hours dragged, — oh, so slowly ! — filled with suspense, hope, doubt, 

 and sometimes despair. The tide turned, and slowly it crept toward 

 him. The minutes now seemed hours ; and yet no succor came. 

 The water had crept up to his knees, and the prospect of another 

 night on the wreck, together with the terrible experience and expos- 

 ure of the past eighteen hours, were too much. He became delirious, 

 and imagined that he was on board the schooner, beating up Portland 

 harbor. 



He was saved by the merest accident, if we may call such events 

 accidents. Two fishermen were mending their nets on Seal Island. 

 It had been foggy all day, and at five in the afternoon, when it 

 cleared up, they saw the wreck, and one insisted that there was a 

 man on the top-mast. His companion endeavored to persuade him 

 that it was all imagination, and said it was of no use to go. But the 

 other, convinced that he was right, replied that he would go alone if 

 his companion would not accompany him. Both started, and what 

 was their surprise, upon drawing near, to see this poor fellow clinging 

 to the top-mast, but utterly unconscious, raving with delirium, and 

 yet holding on, his body submerged in water. 



They rowed their boat alongside, then lifted him tenderly, and 

 laid him down, putting their clothing over him ; then he fainted. 

 Carrying him ashore, to their little fishing-hut, they put him to bed 

 with hot stones at his feet and back, and gave him strong herb drink 

 dashed with a little liquor, which they happened to have. In the 

 morning he was better, and as soon as he could be moved he was 

 conveyed to Carver's Harbor, where he was taken to the hotel, and 

 received the best attention ; and from thence came liomc, and is alive 

 to-day to tell of his peril that night, and of his wonderful escape. 



