When the officer of the boat came on board, they told him they had
perceived us both in the water, close to their vessel, and that the
sharks had taken us down. As the shriek of Hastings was heard by the
people in the boat, the officer believed that it was the case, and
returned to the ship. I heard the drum beat to quarters on board of the
man-of-war, that they might ascertain who were the two men who had
attempted to swim away, and a few minutes afterwards they beat the
retreat, having put down D. D. against my name on the books, as well as
against that of poor Hastings."
"What does D. D. mean?"
"D. stands for discharged from the service; D. D. stands for dead,"
replied Ready; "and it was only through the mercy of Providence that I
was not so."
"It was a miraculous escape indeed," observed Mr. Seagrave.
"Yes, indeed, sir; I can hardly describe my sensations for some hours
afterwards. I tried to sleep, but could not - I was in agony. The
moment I slumbered, I thought the shark had hold of me, and I would
start up and shriek; and then I said my prayers and tried to go to
sleep again, but it was of no use. The captain of the West Indiaman was
afraid that my shrieks would be heard, and he sent me down a tumbler of
rum to drink off; this composed me, and at last I fell into a sound
sleep.
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