During the whole day we anxiously sought an opportunity of bathing, but to no purpose; for the hulk was now entirely besieged on all sides with sharks--no doubt the identical monsters who had devoured our poor companion on the evening before, and who were in momentary expectation of another similar feast.

This circumstance occasioned us the most bitter regret and filled us with the most depressing and melancholy forebodings.

We had experienced indescribable relief in bathing, and to have this resource cut off in so frightful a manner was more than we could bear.

Nor, indeed, were we altogether free from the apprehension of immediate danger, for the least slip or false movement would have thrown us at once within reach of those voracious fish, who frequently thrust themselves directly upon us, swimming up to leeward.

No shouts or exertions on our part seemed to alarm them.