God! what was my horror, when I found myself in the midst of his blood.  I comprehended in a moment that a shark had taken him, and expected that every instant my own fate would be like his.  I wonder I had not sunk with fear:  I was nearly paralyzed.  The ship, which had been going six or seven miles an hour, was at some distance, and I gave myself up for gone.  I had scarcely the power of reflection, and was overwhelmed by the sudden, awful, and, as I thought, certain approach of death in its most horrible shape.  In a moment I recollected myself:  and I believe the actions of five years crowded into my mind in as many minutes.  I prayed most fervently, and vowed amendment, if it should please God to spare me.  My prayer was heard, and I believe it was a special Providence that rescued me from the jaws of the fish.  I was nearly a mile from the ship before I was picked up; and when the boat came alongside with me, three large sharks were under the stern.  These had devoured the poor sailor, and, fortunately for me, had followed the ship for more prey, and thus left me to myself.

As I went up the side, I was received by the captain and officers in the most flattering manner; the captain thanked me in the presence of the ship’s company for my praiseworthy exertions, and I was gazed on by all as an object of interest and admiration; but if others thought so of me, I thought not so of myself.  I retired below to my berth with a loathing and contempt, a self-abasement, which I cannot describe.  I felt myself unworthy of the mercy I had received.  The disgraceful and vicious course of life I had led, burst upon me with horrible conviction. “Caelo tonantem credidimus Jovem regnare,” says Horace; and it was only by the excitement of such peculiarly horrid situations, that the sense of a superintending power could be awakened within me, a hardened and incorrigible sinner.

I changed my clothes, and was glad when night came, that I might be left to myself; but oh, how infinitely more horrid did my situation appear!  I shuddered when I thought of what I had gone through, and I made the most solemn promises of a new life.  How transient were these feelings!  How long did these good resolutions last?  Just as long as no temptation came in the way; as long as there was no excitement to sin, no means of gratifying appetite.  My good intentions were traced in the sand.  I was very soon as thoughtless and as profane as ever, although frequently checked by the remembrance of my providential escape; and for years afterwards the thoughts of the shark taking me by the leg was accompanied by the acknowledgment that the devil would have me in like manner, if I did not amend.

If after this awakening circumstance, I could have had the good fortune to have met with sober-minded and religious people, I have no doubt but I might have had at this time much less to answer for; but that not being the case, the force of habit and example renewed its dominion over me, and I became nearly as bad as ever.