Page:Narrative of a captivity and adventures in France and Flanders between the years 1803 and 1809.djvu/183

 the other hawser, and hoist the sail, Hunter went to the helm, when he found the rudder was not shipped, but lying on the poop. We instantly ran aft, and got it over the stern, but the vessel pitched so heavily, that it was not possible to ship the lower pintle. We were now apprehensive of the total failure of the attempt; for, to go to sea without a rudder, would have been madness, and being nearly under the battery, we were in momentary expectation of being fired into. Several minutes were passed in this state of anxiety and danger, still persevering in the attempt to ship the rudder, but at length, finding it impossible, without a guide below, and feeling that our only hope, was dependant upon the success of this important effort, in the excitement of the moment, I jumped over board; at the same instant, the vessel springing a little a head, and the sea washing me astern, it was not without the greatest exertion I could swim up to get hold of the stern post. Hunter, seeing that I was dashed from her by every wave, threw me a rope;