thoughts between him and the vessel. At last the daylight appeared--the
weather was moderating fast, although the waves still beat furiously
against the rocky shore. I could see nothing of the vessel, and I
descended the path, now slippery and insecure from the heavy fall of
rain, and went as near to the edge of the rocks as the breaking billows
would permit. I walked along, occasionally drenched by the spray,
until I arrived where I had last seen the vessel. The waves were
dashing and tossing about, as if in sport, fragments of timber, casks,
and spars; but that was all I could see, except a mast and rigging,
which lay alongside of the rocks, sometimes appearing above them
on the summit of the waves, then descending far out of my sight, for
I dared not venture near enough to the edge to look over. "Then the
vessel is dashed to pieces, as my companion said," thought I. "I wonder
how she was made." I remained about an hour on the rocks, and then
turned back to the cabin. I found my companion awake, and groaning
heavily.

"There is no ship," said I, "nothing but pieces of wood floating
about."

"I know that," replied he; "but what do I care now?"

"I thought by your making a smoke, that you did care."

"Yes, I did then, but now I am blind, I shall never see a ship or
anything else again. God help me! I shall die and rot on this cursed
island."

"Blind, what is blind?" inquired I.