894 FUR FACTS 



could see him distinctly by the light of the moon — ^his face was paler 

 than marble and his hand shook convulsively. I knew that some- 

 thing had gone wrong, and became seriously alarmed. At this time 

 I knew little about manning a sail boat, and was entirely at the 

 mercy of the nautical skill of my friend. The wind, it seemed, had 

 increased and we were fast getting out of the lee of the land — still 

 I was ashamed to betray any uneasiness and for almost a half an 

 hour I retained my position in absolute silence. At last I could 

 restrain myself no longer and I suggested that we had better turn 

 back to the shore. He only laughed at my suggestion, asking me if I 

 was getting cold feet. I had expected such a reply, but there was 

 something in his words that filled me with a feeling of intense fear. 

 I again looked at the speaker attentively. His lips were perfectly 

 livid, and his knees shook so violently that he seemed scarcely able to 

 stand. Presently he released his hold on the tiller and fell forward 

 into the bottom of the boat. The truth now flashed upon me. I 

 rushed to him and raised him up. He was drunk — ^beastly drunk — he 

 could no longer stand, speak or see. His eyes were perfectly glazed, 

 and as I let him go, he rolled like a mere log into the bottom of the 

 boat which was now covered with water. 



It is almost impossible to describe the feeling of absolute terror 

 that possessed me. I knew that I was altogether incapable of 

 managing the boat and that a fierce wind and strong ebb tide were 

 hurrying us to destruction. A storm was evidently gathering behind 

 us and we had neither compass or provisions, and it was clear that, 

 if we held our present course, we would be out of sight of land before 

 daybreak. These thoughts, with a score of others equally terrifying, 

 came with such rapidity that I was for the time in a complete state 

 of paralysis, being unable to lift a hand. Still the wind was increasing 

 fearfully, and whenever we rose from a plunge forward, the water 

 behind us fell combing over the edge of the boat, deluging us with 

 its spray. I was so completely benumbed, too, in every limb, that 

 I was almost unconscious of sensation. 



At length I summoned up the resolution of despair, and rushing 

 to the mainsail, let it go by the run. As might have been expected, 

 it flew over the bows, and, getting drenched with water, carried away 

 the mast short off by the board. This latter accident alone saved 

 me from immediate destruction. Under the jib only, I now skimmed 

 along before the wind, shipping the water occassionally, but relieved 

 from the terror of immediate death. 



