Accidents > Dangers of the deep, or, Narratives of shipwreck and adventure at sea

208 BURNING OP TOE PRINCfi.
sible that Lieutenant de la Fond was sinking
a third time, he dreaded being carried down
along with him, and loosened his grasp. No
sooner was this done, than M. de la Fond, to
guard against a repetition, dived below the
surface, and rose at a distance from the place.
This incident rendered him more cautious
for the future; he even avoided the dead
bodies, now so numerous, that to make a free
passage, he was compelled to shove them
aside with one hand, while he kept himself
floating with the other; for he was impressed
with the apprehension, that each was a person
who would seize him, and involve him in his
own destruction. But strength beginning tc
fail, he was satisfied of the necessity of some
respite, when he fell in with part of the ensign
staff. He put his arm through a noose of the
rope to secure it, and swam as well as he
could; then perceiving a yard at hand, he
seized it by one end. However, beholding
a young man scarce able to support himself
at the other extremity, he quickly abandoned
so slight an aid, and one which seemed in¬
capable of contributing to his preservation.
Next the spritsail-yard appeared in view,
but covered with people, among whom he