274 SALMON PISHING IN CAJ^ADA. 



children, of my prayerless life, of the awful account I had 

 to render at the bar of God for grieving the Spirit, neglect- 

 ing the Saviour, and absenting myself from his sacra- 

 ments. All the horrors of the dreadful death which 

 threatened me were forgotten in the thought that I was 

 about to render up an account before the bar of God for 

 years of ingratitude and disobedience." 



The sun had now disappeared behind the distant 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, for off, apparently beyond the 

 reach of their loudest outcries. Impelled hj the energies 

 of despair they simultaneously raised a shout, which 

 blended with the wash of the waves and the sighing of the 

 breeze, and the boat continued on its way. Again they 

 raised another shout, and it was also unavailing. 



The shades of night were deepening, the boat rapidly 

 passing by them. Almost frenzied at their terrible condi- 

 tion 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 lace- 

 rated their throats, was raised, and the boat turned in pur- 

 suit. They were taken from the water and carried almost 

 lifeless to the ship. 



Such are the dangers continually incurred in the whale 

 fishery. A boai, almost as frail as a bubble, approaches 



