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Page 35
Thus we think this passage in our history, at first so greatly
surprising, is very naturally accounted for, and our relation
rescued from the Prodigious, which, though it often occurs in
biography, is not to be encouraged nor much commended on any
occasion, unless when absolutely necessary to prevent the
history's being at an end. Secondly, we hope our hero is justified
from that imputation of want of resolution which must have been
fatal to the greatness of his character.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
THE CONCLUSION OF THE BOAT ADVENTURE, AND THE END OF THE SECOND
BOOK.
Our hero passed the remainder of the evening, the night, and the
next day, in a condition not much to be envied by any passion of
the human mind, unless by ambition; which, provided it can only
entertain itself with the most distant music of fame's trumpet,
can disdain all the pleasures of the sensualist, and those more
solemn, though quieter comforts, which a good conscience suggests
to a Christian philosopher.
He spent his time in contemplation, that is to say, in
blaspheming, cursing, and sometimes singing and whistling. At
last, when cold and hunger had almost subdued his native
fierceness, it being a good deal past midnight and extremely dark,
he thought he beheld a light at a distance, which the cloudiness
of the sky prevented his mistaking for a star: this light,
however, did not seem to approach him, at least it approached by
such imperceptible degrees that it gave him very little comfort,
and at length totally forsook him. He then renewed his
contemplation as before, in which he continued till the day began
to break, when, to his inexpressible delight, he beheld a sail at
a very little distance, and which luckily seemed to be making
towards him. He was likewise soon espied by those in the vessel,
who wanted no signals to inform them of his distress, and, as it
was almost a calm, and their course lay within five hundred yards
of him, they hoisted out their boat and fetched him aboard.
The captain of this ship was a Frenchman; she was laden with deal
from Norway, and had been extremely shattered in the late storm.
This captain was of that kind of men who are actuated by general
humanity, and whose compassion can be raised by the distress of a
fellow-creature, though of a nation whose king hath quarrelled
with the monarch of their own. He therefore, commiserating the
circumstances of Wild, who had dressed up a story proper to impose
upon such a silly fellow, told him that, as himself well knew, he
must be a prisoner on his arrival in France, but that he would
endeavour to procure his redemption; for which our hero greatly
thanked him. But, as they were making very slow sail (for they had
lost their main-mast in the storm), Wild saw a little vessel at a
distance, they being within a few leagues of the English shore,
which, on enquiry, he was informed was probably an English
fishing-boat. And, it being then perfectly calm, he proposed that,
if they would accommodate him with a pair of scullers, he could
get within reach of the boat, at least near enough to make signals
to her; and he preferred any risque to the certain fate of being a
prisoner. As his courage was somewhat restored by the provisions
(especially brandy) with which the Frenchmen had supplied him, he
was so earnest in his entreaties, that the captain, after many
persuasions, at length complied, and he was furnished with
scullers, and with some bread, pork, and a bottle of brandy. Then,
taking leave of his preservers, he again betook himself to his
boat, and rowed so heartily that he soon came within the sight of
the fisherman, who immediately made towards him and took him
aboard.
No sooner was Wild got safe on board the fisherman than he begged
him to make the utmost speed into Deal, for that the vessel which
was still in sight was a distressed Frenchman, bound for Havre de
Grace, and might easily be made a prize if there was any ship
ready to go in pursuit of her. So nobly and greatly did our hero
neglect all obligations conferred on him by the enemies of his
country, that he would have contributed all he could to the taking
his benefactor, to whom he owed both his life and his liberty.
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