Page:Melancholy consequences of two sea storms.pdf/12

 (12) danger. The unfortunate English purser could not collect courage sufficient to make an effort to save himself; and yet I think it probable that he would hsve faced a battery of artillery, or exposed himself to a pistol shot, if occasion required, as soon as any other man. Thu it appears at first view: but may not this seeming incongruity be explained by saying, that personal courage and fortitude are different qualities of the mind and body, and depend upon the exercise of entirely different functions?

"Be that as it may, I argued with myself, in the height of my calamitous situation, upon the subject of fortitude and dejection, courage and cowardice and, notwithstanding the serious aspect of affairs, found myself lightening to the suggestions of pride what a paltry thing to yield, while strength is le to struggle! Vanity herself had her hint, and whispered, "Should I escape by an effort of my own, what a glorious theme of exultation!" There were I confess, transitory images in my mind, which co operating with the natural attachment to elf preservation, made me persevere, and resolve to do while one vestige of hope was left for the mind to dwell on.

"Observing as I said before, the people consuing together, and resolving to join them, I made effort to get to the lee shrouds, where they withstanding, or rather clinging; but before I could accomplish it, I loft my hold, fell down the hatchw (the gratings having been carried away with the long boat), and was for some minutes entangled there among a heap of packages, which the viol fluctuations of the water had collected on the side. As the vessel moved with the sea, and water flowed in the packages and I were ro together-sometimes one, sometimes another uppermost; so that I began to be apprehensive