It was not easy to sleep, lying, as I did, with my head directly
against the bows, which might be dashed in by an island of ice,
brought down by the very next sea that struck her. This was the only
time I had been ill since I left Boston, and it was the worst time
it could have happened. I felt almost willing to bear the plagues of
Egypt for the rest of the voyage, if I could but be well and strong
for that one night. Yet it was a dreadful night for those on deck. A
watch of eighteen hours, with wet, and cold, and constant anxiety,
nearly wore them out; and when they came below at nine o'clock for
breakfast, they almost dropped asleep on their chests, and some of
them were so stiff that they could with difficulty sit down. Not a
drop of anything had been given them during the whole time, (though
the captain, as on the night that I was on deck, had his coffee
every four hours,) except that the mate stole a potful of coffee for
two men to drink behind the galley, while he kept a look-out for the
captain. Every man had his station, and was not allowed to leave it;
and nothing happened to break the monotony of the night, except once
setting the main topsails to run clear of a large island to leeward,
which they were drifting fast upon.
Pages:
530
531
532
533
534
535
536
537
538
539
540
541
542
543
544
545
546
547
548
549
550
551
552
553
554