I was mad with hunger and cold, and with difficulty did we get up the side, so exhausted and feeble were the whole of us.  I was ordered down into the cabin, for it was too cold for the captain to show his face on deck.  I found his lordship sitting before a good fire, with his toes in the grate; a decanter of Madeira stood on the table, with a wine glass, and most fortunately, though not intended for my use, a large rummer.  This I seized with one hand and the decanter with the other; and, filling a bumper, swallowed it in a moment, without even drinking his lordship’s good health.  He stared, and I believe thought me mad.  I certainly do own that my dress and appearance perfectly corresponded with my actions.  I had not been washed, shaved, or “cleaned,” since I had left the ship, three days before.  My beard was grown, my cheeks hollow, my eyes sunk, and for my stomach, I leave that to those fortunate Frenchmen who escaped from the Russian campaign, who only can appreciate my sufferings.  My whole haggard frame was enveloped in a huge blue flushing coat, frosted, like a plum-cake, with ice and snow.

As soon as I could speak, I said, “I beg pardon, my lord, but I have had nothing to eat or drink since I left the ship.”

“Oh, then you are very welcome,” said his lordship; “I never expected to see you again.”

“Then why the devil did you send me?” thought I to myself.

During this short dialogue, I had neither been offered a chair nor any refreshment, of which I stood so much in need; and if I had been able, should have been kept standing while I related my adventures.  I was about to commence, when the wine got into my head; and to support myself, I leaned, or rather staggered, on the back of a chair.

“Never mind now,” said the captain, apparently moved from his listless apathy by my situation; “go and make yourself comfortable, and I will hear it all to-morrow.”

This was the only kind thing he had ever done for me; and it came so apropos, that I felt grateful to him for it, thanked him, and went below to the gun-room, where, notwithstanding all I had heard and read of the dangers of repletion after long abstinence, I ate voraciously, and drank proportionably, ever and anon telling my astonished messmates, who were looking on, what a narrow escape the dead body had of being dissected and broiled.  This, from the specimen of my performance, they had no difficulty in believing.  I recommended the three men who had been with me to the care of the surgeon; and, with his permission, presented each of them with a pint of hot brandy and water, well sweetened, by way of a night cap.  Having taken these precautions, and satisfied the cravings of nature on my own part, as well as the cravings of curiosity on that of my messmates, I went to bed, and slept soundly till the next day at noon.