But that did not altogether press me so much as the possibility that there might be yet some living creature on board, whose life I might not only save, but might, by saving that life, comfort my own to the last degree; and this thought clung so to my heart that I could not be quiet night or day, but I must venture out in my boat on board this wreck; and committing the rest to God’s providence, I thought the impression was so strong upon my mind that it could not be resisted—that it must come from some invisible direction, and that I should be wanting to myself if I did not go.
Kétségem sem volt felőle, hogy a roncs fedélzetén számomra hasznos holmikat lelnék, de nem is ez hajtott leginkább, hanem hogy reméltem, talán túlélőre bukkanhatok, akinek ha megmentem az életét, végre az enyém is békésebbre fordul. Ez a gondolat aztán nem hagyott nyugodni, kénytelen voltam látogatást tenni a roncson.