Франкенштейн

           Thesledgewasstillvisible,nordidIagainlosesightofitexceptatthemomentswhenforashorttimesomeice-rockconcealeditwithitsinterveningcrags.Iindeedperceptiblygainedonit,andwhen,afternearlytwodays’journey,Ibeheldmyenemyatnomorethanamiledistant,myheartboundedwithinme.

           Butnow,whenIappearedalmostwithingraspofmyfoe,myhopesweresuddenlyextinguished,andIlostalltraceofhimmoreutterlythanIhadeverdonebefore.Agroundseawasheard;thethunderofitsprogress,asthewatersrolledandswelledbeneathme,becameeverymomentmoreominousandterrific.Ipressedon,butinvain.Thewindarose;thesearoared;and,aswiththemightyshockofanearthquake,itsplitandcrackedwithatremendousandoverwhelmingsound.Theworkwassoonfinished;inafewminutesatumultuoussearolledbetweenmeandmyenemy,andIwasleftdriftingonascatteredpieceoficethatwascontinuallylesseningandthuspreparingformeahideousdeath.Inthismannermanyappallinghourspassed;severalofmydogsdied,andImyselfwasabouttosinkundertheaccumulationofdistresswhenIsawyourvesselridingatanchorandholdingforthtomehopesofsuccourandlife.Ihadnoconceptionthatvesselsevercamesofarnorthandwasastoundedatthesight.Iquicklydestroyedpartofmysledgetoconstructoars,andbythesemeanswasenabled,withinfinitefatigue,tomovemyiceraftinthedirectionofyourship.Ihaddetermined,ifyouweregoingsouthwards,stilltotrustmyselftothemercyoftheseasratherthanabandonmypurpose.IhopedtoinduceyoutograntmeaboatwithwhichIcouldpursuemyenemy.Butyourdirectionwasnorthwards.Youtookmeonboardwhenmyvigourwasexhausted,andIshouldsoonhavesunkundermymultipliedhardshipsintoadeathwhichIstilldread,formytaskisunfulfilled.