When I recovered, I found myself lying on a bed. Everything was still.
I listened in vain for a sound; I lay still a considerable time; at
last, I arose and walked about the ship, but could see no one. I
searched every part of the vessel; I visited the place of slaughter,
which I had, at first, carefully avoided; I counted nine dead bodies,
and the coagulated blood formed a loathsome mass around them; I
shuddered to think I was desolate--the companion of death. "Good God!"
said I, "and they have left me here alone!" The word sounded like a
knell to me. It now occurred to me, it was necessary the bodies should
be thrown overboard. I took up one of them, dragged it to the side,
and plunged it into the waves; but the dash of the heavy body into the
sea, reminded me more forcibly of my loneliness. The sea was so calm,
I could scarcely hear it ripple by the vessel's side. One by one I
committed the bodies to their watery grave. At last my horrible task
was finished. My next work was to look for the ship's boats, but they
were gone, as I expected. I could not bear to remain in the ship; it
seemed a vast tomb for me. I resolved to make some sort of raft, and
depart in it. This occupied two or three days; at length it was
completed, and I succeeded in setting it afloat.

I lowered into it all the provision I could find in the ship, which
was but little, the sailors having, as I imagined, carried off the
remainder. All was ready, and I prepared to depart. I trembled at the
thought of the dangers I was about to encounter. I was going to commit
myself to the ocean, separated from it only by a few boards, which a
wave might scatter over the surface of the waters. I might never
arrive at land, or meet with any vessel to rescue me from my danger,
and I should be exposed, without shelter, and almost without food. I
half resolved to remain in my present situation; but a moment's
reflection dispelled the idea of such a measure. I descended; I stood