In this way I descended until I came to a
place which shelved in, and in which the hides were lodged. Keeping
hold of the rope with one hand, I scrambled in, and by the other
hand and feet succeeded in dislodging all the hides, and continued
on my way. Just below this place, the precipice projected again, and
going over the projection, I could see nothing below me but the sea
and the rocks upon which it broke, and a few gulls flying in
mid-air. I got down in safety, pretty well covered with dirt; and
for my pains was told, "What a d--d fool you were to risk your life
for a half a dozen hidest"
While we were carrying the hides to the boat, I perceived, what I
had been too busy to observe before, that heavy black clouds were
rolling up from seaward, a strong swell heaving in, and every sign
of a south-easter. The captain hurried everything. The hides were
pitched into the boats; and, with some difficulty, and by wading
nearly up to our armpits, we got the boats through the surf, and began
pulling aboard. Our gig's crew towed the pinnace astern of the gig,
and the launch was towed by six men in the jolly-boat.
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