“P’rhaps not, Misser Marble,” said the negro.  “Masser Mile swim like a fish, and he isn’t the gentleum to give up as soon as trouble come.  P’rhaps he swimming about all dis time.”

“Miles could do all that man could do, Neb, but he can’t swim two hundred miles—­a South sea-man might do something like that, I do suppose, but they’re onaccountably web-footed.  No, no, Neb; I fear we shall have to give him up.  Providence swept him away from us, like, and we’ve lost him.  Ah’s me!—­well, I loved that boy better, even, than a Yankee loves cucumbers.”

This may be thought an odd comparison to cross a drowsy imagination, but it was one Marble often made; and if eating the fruit, morning, noon and night, will vindicate its justice, the mate stood exonerated from everything like exaggeration.

“Ebbry body lub Masser Mile,” said the warm-hearted Neb, or I thought he so said.  “I nebber see dat we can go home to good old Masser Hardinge, and tell him how we lose Masser Mile!”

“It will be a hard job, Neb, but I greatly fear it must be done.  However, we will now turn in and try to catch a nap, for the wind will be rising one of these times, and then we shall have need of keeping our eyes wide open.”

After this I heard no more; but every word of that which I have related, sounded as plainly in my ears as if the speakers were within fifty feet of me.  I lay in the same state, some time longer, endeavouring, as I was curious myself, of catching, or fancying, more words from those I loved so well; but no more came.  Then I believe I fell into a deeper sleep, for I remember no more, for hours.

At dawn I awoke, the care on my mind answering for a call.  This time, I did not wait for the sun to shine in my eyes, but, of the two, I rather preceded, than awaited the return of the light.  On standing erect, I found the sea as tranquil as it had been the previous night, and there was an entire calm.  It was still so dusky that a little examination was necessary to be certain nothing was near.  The horizon was scarcely clear, though, making my first look towards the east, objects were plainest in that quarter of the ocean.  I then turned slowly round, examining the vast expanse of water as I did so; until my back was towards the approaching light, and I faced the west.  I thought I saw a boat within ten yards of me!  At first, I took it for illusion, and rubbed my eyes to make sure that I was awake.  There it was, however, and another look satisfied me it was my own launch, or that in which poor Neb had been carried overboard.  What was more, it was floating in the proper manner, appeared buoyant, and had two masts rigged.  It is true, that it looked dusky, as objects appear just at dawn, but it was sufficiently distinct.  I could not be mistaken; it was my own launch thus thrown within my reach by the mercy of divine Providence!