To propose was with Cousin Silas to act, and in another moment he was striking out towards the wreck.  Avoiding the main-mast--close to which, with some of its spars, he had to pass--he at length got hold of the quarter without injury.  He was soon up alongside the stranger.  The man was apparently unable to walk; so Mr Brand supported him as he helped him along the keel, till he reached the after-part; and then, securing a line to him, he beckoned us to pull in, while he lowered both himself and the man into the boat.  We quickly pulled back again, before the shattered mast drove towards the hull.  From the appearance of the wreck, she did not look as if she would have floated much longer.  The stranger was a mulatto--a fine, tall fellow, apparently, but now looking very wretched and weak from loss of blood and want of food.  We soon had him on board, dried and put into a clean hammock, under the doctor's care.  His manner at first was rough, and somewhat sullen; but it improved by degrees, and he seemed grateful for the kindness shown to him.  He was evidently suffering so much from pain that no one asked him for particulars about the wreck, or how he had been brought into his present position.  It was not till the doctor came in to dinner that we began to suspect the truth.