Then grew I afraid, indeed, drawing closer to the Indian, who, too, I think, felt the terror now.
“The place is enchanted,” said I, “we are lost!”
But the cock-boat lay where the Captain had left her upon the shore; and, getting her down, we launched forth, intending to row out in a bee-line and shoot for the ship. For, though concealed by the darkness, we knew how she lay.
We began to row, steering with the greatest heed, until, by our reckoning, we had made way enough, and should be up to the ship. Yet no ship appeared.
We went a little farther; yet no sign of her.
Peering fearfully into the darkness, we ceased to row. I took my pistol and fired it in the air, listening for an answering hail or gunshot; but none came.
’Tis a wonder I never thought to contrive a flare with some tinder or other and my flint and steel; but the truth is, my mind was completely over-run and confused with innumerable fluttering thoughts and whimsies and frightful apprehensions. It came to me, indeed, that the ship was no longer there, but had been spirited away by enchantment. Nor, in view of the dreadful mysteries of the place, will the reader be likely to censure me.
Thalass thrust his hand into the sea. It was immediately whelmed, the water gushing up over his wrist: the boat was being borne along by a swift current!
The night was very dark, the sea moderately calm. It was becoming cold, so that we were very glad of the liquor in our flasks; for, each taking a dram, it warmed and spirited us.
Soon I observed the Indian to nod, for his eyes were heavy; and I told him that he might sleep, for I would watch. He sunk to slumber immediately. But I was sore fatigued, and the cock-boat rocked with a gentle motion: sleep stole upon me like an enemy, making at the last, as it were, a stealthy spring; in short, before ever I could take thought to have waked the Indian, I, too, slept.