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1 ^ M A G A 2 1 N E
nailed two feet from each other rourd
the stern of the boat, and so cover
them w^ith canvas, the bottom of which
be ordered to he nailed cloSe to tire
boat's Side. This was immediately
done, and was of great Service against
the beating of the waves. We also
made a sail, one of the oars Serving us
for a malt.
Being thus provided, we began to
entertain great hopes of getting safe on
shore, though, by our calculation, we
were above fifty leagoes from the island
of St. Maurice. The next day our
Officers, instigated by the devil, came
to a resolution to fling forty men into
the Sea, in order to lighten the boat.
Our Chaplain did all in his power to
prevent SO unnatural an action ; be
expatiated on the greatness ofthe crime
which mustdraw down the vengeance
of God on our heads ; but all his arguments
were of 'no consequence.
They told him he preached good divinity,
but muSt not pretend to instruct
them with regard to sea affairs, nor
what was proper to he done in fueh an
extremity. Accordingly, thirteen merr^
were thrown over board ; among
which was a Moor, who, being an excellent
Swimmer, overtook the boat, and
laid bis hands on her fide. They were
going to cut off his hands. but that
was not suffered ; however, they forced
him to let go his bold, and the poor
wretch perished in our sight.
The Officers, thinking there were
yet too manv in the boat, were going
to throw more people overboard ; but
we all told them, that, in caSe of necessity,
we would draw lots, and every
man should take his chance, without
any refpect to person or office ; and. accordingly,
we made as many tickets, as
tnere were persons, out as square pieces
of paper ; Srora half of which number
we (ore off one of the corners, and, after
rolleng them up exactly alike. we
put them into a bag, to be made ufe
os in case oS^. necessity, agreeing, That
Whocvcr should draw a ticket with one
ot the corn's torn off, he should be
.. 't
ofMAGA^lNE^,
immediately thrown overboard, be his
circumstances and office what they
would. This effectually silenced those,
who had shewn themfelvesa forward tO
drown rheir Selleow-creatures.
The Sea was now tolerably Smooth,
and the wind very Savourable ; but
we were destitute bothoS food and water,
and five of our company died, before
we had beeii three days in the
boat.
On the siSth day, in the morning, we
discovered Maurice island, which filled
us with transports of joy ; and by fun-
Set we all got Safe on shore Near the
place of our landing we found a river
of excellent water, where we revived
our spirits ; and never was any cordial
so refreshing, as this water then feemed
to us. We were, however, very feeble
for want of food, having eat nothing
since we left our ship. ^ e kept
together that night, and, having no
shelter, we were very wet by a heavy
shower of rain.
The next morning we consulted
bow we should satisfy our hunger, and
concluded to divide ourselves into Small
parties, the better to difcover if any
provisions were to be found in tie
island. On the share were a fesv crabs
and shell- fab, which we eat raw with
a very good appetite, notwithstanding
some os them were different from all
we had ever seen before, and consequently
could not tell whether they
were wholesome, or poisonous.
The Sollowing night we had a terrible
tempest. The wind and waves
made a monstrous roaring, the thunder
rattled over our heads, and the lightning
darted Srom the clouds in frightful
flashes, while the rain, which Sell in
prodigious quantities, had a'mof^ overwhelmed
us , So that we expected death
every moment. But it pleafed God
to abate the violence of the storm, and'
the next morning, by the rising os
the Sun, the weather was fine and
Serene. We then reflected on the
goodness sis God's providence'; for,
had this tempest overtaken us in our