I also became conscious of a rocking, tossing motion, as if caused by the rolling of a vessel upon the open sea, and while wondering where I was, I dropped off into a peaceful, dreamless sleep. I was awakened by someone shaking me roughly by the shoulder, and on looking up, I perceived the man who had dogged my steps on last evening standing over me, with a platter in one hand, upon which there was some salt beef and ship biscuits, and a candle in the other. He, on perceiving my rueful countenance, broke out into a loud peal of laughter. "Here, my fine fellow, eat whilst thou mayst!" he cried. "Perchance a day may dawn when thou canst not." "Where am I?" I exclaimed weakly. "Eat and ask no more questions," he replied. "Our captain will see thee after thou hast eaten." Without more words I fell to upon the food, and notwithstanding that it was rough fare, I managed to make a good meal of it. My head had ceased to pain me, and while my arm still throbbed and ached, I was beginning to feel like myself again. I thought of my encounter with the tall stranger of the night before--at least I supposed it was the night before; for although the room in which I was confined was without windows or openings of any kind, and was dark save for the candle, I had seen a gleam of light, as the sailor had opened the door. He was a short, bronzed fellow, with bold, dark eyes, and a sullen face, garbed in the rough clothes of a seaman. I fumbled in my pocket, and finding a sovereign, drew it out, and extended it to him. "My man, I would ask thee a question. Wilt answer it?" At the sight of the gold, the face of the seaman changed. His dark sullen look was replaced by one, which, if not of delight, plainly indicated that he was pleased, and he extended his hand, with a rough, uncouth bow. "Anything that I know, I will answer, your honor," he said. "Well, then, where am I?" I asked. The man did not answer, and looking at his face, I saw that he seemed to hesitate between a desire to answer, and fear to do so. "Come now, didst not thou say that thou wouldst answer my question?" I cried. "Thou art on the ship 'Betsy' of London," he answered sullenly; and picking up his empty platter (for I had almost demolished the salt beef and bread), he strode out of the room before I could stop him, and I heard the heavy bolts turn, as he secured the door. I had discovered on looking around the room while eating, that I was in a common sailor's cabin, the windows of which were boarded, so as to exclude all light from the room. Groping my way in the dark, as best I could, I crossed over to the other side of the cabin, and began to feel with my right hand along the side of the room for the boards, with which the window had been planked up. But I was still weak and dizzy, and after a few minutes' work, I was compelled to sink down on the floor to rest, and while I lay there, I heard the sound of footsteps outside the door.