Chapter 7

           Icametomyselfindarkness,ingreatpain,boundhandandfoot,anddeafenedbymanyunfamiliarnoises.Theresoundedinmyearsaroaringofwaterasofahugemill-dam,thethrashingofheavysprays,thethunderingofthesails,andtheshrillcriesofseamen.Thewholeworldnowheavedgiddilyup,andnowrushedgiddilydownward;andsosickandhurtwasIinbody,andmymindsomuchconfounded,thatittookmealongwhile,chasingmythoughtsupanddown,andeverstunnedagainbyafreshstabofpain,torealisethatImustbelyingsomewhereboundinthebellyofthatunluckyship,andthatthewindmusthavestrengthenedtoagale.Withtheclearperceptionofmyplight,therefelluponmeablacknessofdespair,ahorrorofremorseatmyownfolly,andapassionofangeratmyuncle,thatoncemorebereftmeofmysenses.

           WhenIreturnedagaintolife,thesameuproar,thesameconfusedandviolentmovements,shookanddeafenedme;andpresently,tomyotherpainsanddistresses,therewasaddedthesicknessofanunusedlandsmanonthesea.Inthattimeofmyadventurousyouth,Isufferedmanyhardships;butnonethatwassocrushingtomymindandbody,orlitbysofewhopes,asthesefirsthoursaboardthebrig.

           Iheardagunfire,andsupposedthestormhadprovedtoostrongforus,andwewerefiringsignalsofdistress.Thethoughtofdeliverance,evenbydeathinthedeepsea,waswelcometome.