The nimblest
got into the sloop, others betook themselves to swimming; but for
my part I was still upon the back of the whale when he dived into
the sea, and had time only to catch hold of a piece of wood that we
had brought out of the ship to make a fire. Meanwhile, the captain,
having received those on board who were in the sloop, and taken up
some of those that swam, resolved to use the favourable gale that
had just risen, and hoisting his sails, pursued his voyage, so that
it was impossible for me to regain the ship.
Thus was I exposed to the mercy of the waves, and struggled for my
life all the rest of the day and the following night. Next morning
I found my strength gone, and despaired of saving my life, when
happily a wave threw me against an island. The bank was high and
rugged, so that I could scarcely have got up had it not been for
some roots of trees, which fortune seemed to have preserved in this
place for my safety. Being got up, I lay down upon the ground half
dead until the sun appeared; then, though I was very feeble, both
by reason of my hard labour and want of food, I crept along to look
for some herbs fit to eat, and had the good luck not only to find
some, but likewise a spring of excellent water, which contributed
much to restore me.
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