'WARE THE TIDE!.
Through that freak, or law, of nature by which peninsulas are shaped,
the point of the sand-spit was elevated several feet above the level of
the sea; while its neck, nearer the land, scarce rose above the surface
of the water.
It was this highest point--where the sand was thrown up in a "wreath,"
like snow in a storm--that the castaways had chosen for their couch. But
little pains had been taken in selecting the spot. It was the most
conspicuous, as well as the driest; and, on stepping out of the water,
they had tottered towards it, and half mechanically chosen it for their
place of repose.
[Illustration: 'WARE THE TIDE]
Simple as was the couch, they were not allowed to occupy it for long.
They had been scarce two hours asleep, when one and all of them were
awakened by a sensation that chilled, and, at the same time, terrified
them. Their terror arose from a sense of suffocation: as if salt water
was being poured down their throats, which was causing it. In short,
they experienced the sensation of drowning; and fancied they were
struggling amid the waves, from which they had so lately escaped.
All four sprang to their feet,--if not simultaneously, at least in quick
succession,--and all appeared equally the victims of astonishment,
closely approximating to terror. Instead of the couch of soft, dry sand,
on which they had stretched their tired frames, they now stood up to
their ankles in water,--which was soughing and surging around them. It
was this change in their situation that caused their astonishment;
though the terror quick following sprang from quite another cause.
The former was short-lived: for it met with a ready explanation. In the
confusion of their ideas, added to their strong desire for sleep, they
had forgotten the tide. The sand, dust-dry under the heat of a burning
sun, had deceived them. They had lain down upon it, without a thought of
its ever being submerged under the sea; but now to their surprise they
perceived their mistake. Not only was their couch completely under
water: but, had they slept a few minutes longer, they would themselves
have been quite covered. Of course the waves had awakened them; and no
doubt would have done so half an hour earlier, but for the profound
slumber into which their long watching and weariness had thrown them.
The contact of the cold water was not likely to have much effect: since
they had been already exposed to it for more than forty hours. Indeed,
it was not that which had aroused them; but the briny fluid getting into
their mouths, and causing them that feeling of suffocation that very
much resembled drowning.
More than one of the party had sprung to an erect attitude, under the
belief that such was in reality the case; and it is not quite correct to
say that their first feeling was one of mere astonishment. It was
strongly commingled with terror.
On perceiving how matters stood, their fears subsided almost as rapidly
as they had arisen. It was only the inflow of the tide; and to escape
from it would be easy enough. They would have nothing more to do, than
keep along the narrow strip of sand, which they had observed before
landing. This would conduct them to the true shore. They knew this to be
at some distance; but, once there, they could choose a more elevated
couch, on which they could recline undisturbed till the morning.
Such was their belief, conceived the instant after they had
got upon their legs. It was soon followed by another,--another
consternation,--which, if not so sudden as the first was, perhaps, ten
times more intense.
On turning their faces towards what they believed to be the land, there
was no land in sight,--neither sand-hills, nor shore, nor even the
narrow tongue upon whose tip they had been trusting themselves! There
was nothing visible but water; and even this was scarce discernible at
the distance of six paces from where they stood. They could only tell
that water was around them, by hearing it hoarsely swishing on every
side, and seeing through the dim obscurity the strings of white froth
that floated on its broken surface.
It was not altogether the darkness of the night that obscured their
view; though this was of itself profound. It was a thick mist, or fog,
that had arisen over the surface of the ocean, and which enveloped their
bodies; so that, though standing almost close together, each appeared to
the others like some huge spectral form at a distance!
To remain where they were, was to be swallowed up by the sea. There
could be no uncertainty about that; and therefore no one thought of
staying a moment longer on the point of the sand-spit, now utterly
submerged.
But in what direction were they to go? That was the question that
required to be solved before starting; and in the solution of which,
perhaps, depended the safety of their lives.
We need scarce say perhaps. Rather might we say, for certain. By taking
a wrong direction they would be walking into the sea,--where they would
soon get beyond their depth, and be in danger of drowning. This was all
the more likely, that the wind had been increasing ever since they had
laid down to rest, and was now blowing with considerable violence.
Partly from this, and partly by the tidal influence, big waves had
commenced rolling around them; so that, even in the shoal water where
they stood, each successive swell was rising higher and higher against
their bodies.
There was no time to be lost. They must find the true direction for the
shore, and follow it,--quickly too; or perish amid the breakers!