The doubt, however, was sufficient inducement to persevere.

He clambered up nearly to the orlop deck by means of the stowage, and then, watching for a lull in the pitchings of the vessel, he called out to me in as loud a tone as he could command, regardless, for the moment, of being overheard by the crew.

It will be remembered that on this occasion the voice reached me, but I was so entirely overcome by violent agitation as to be incapable of reply.
Confident, now, that his worst apprehensions were well founded, he descended, with a view of getting back to the forecastle without loss of time.

In his haste some small boxes were thrown down, the noise occasioned by which I heard, as will be recollected.

He had made considerable progress on his return when the fall of the knife again caused him to hesitate.