The lightning had ceased, but so dark was the night, that they could not
see a ship's length before them; their only hope rested in the falling
of the main mast, which they trusted would reach a small rock, which lay
very near them. About half an hour before morning, the mast gave way,
providentially falling towards the rock, and by means of it they were
enabled to gain the land. In this hasty struggle to get to the rock,
many accidents occurred; some were drowned, one man had his arm broke,
and many were much hurt. The captain was the last man who left the
vessel, refusing to quit it till all had gained the rock. All the boats
but one had been staved in pieces; the jolly-boat indeed remained, but
they could not haul it in. For a time the hull of the wreck sheltered
them from the violence of the surf; but it soon broke up, and it became
necessary to abandon the small rock on which they stood, and to wade to
another somewhat larger. In their way they encountered many loose spars,
dashing about in the channel; several in crossing were severely hurt by
them. They felt grievously the loss of their shoes, for the sharp rocks
tore their feet dreadfully, and their legs were covered with blood. In
the morning they saw the sea covered with the fragments of the wreck,
and many of their comrades floating about on spars and timbers, to whom
they could not give any assistance.

They saw that they were cast away on a coral rock almost on a level with
the sea, about four hundred yards long, and three hundred broad. They
were at least twelve miles from the nearest islands, which were
afterwards found to be those of Cerigotto and Pera. In case any vessel
should pass by, they hoisted a signal of distress on a long pole. The
weather was very cold, and the day before they were wrecked, the deck
had been covered with ice; with much difficulty they managed to kindle a
fire, by means of a flint and some powder. They erected a small tent,
composed of pieces of canvas and boards, and were thus enabled to dry
their few clothes. The night was dreary and comfortless; but they
consoled themselves with the hope that their fire might be descried in
the dark, and taken for a signal of distress. Next day they were
delighted at the approach of a small whale-boat, manned by ten of their
comrades. When the vessel was wrecked, these men had lowered themselves
into the water, and had reached the island of Pera, but finding no fresh
water, were compelled t