nxiety. The master and crew of the boat then advised him to give up the
attempt to cross, as from their long experience of the straits, they
believed it to be impracticable under existing circumstances; but Boyton
positively refused to give up the undertaking, and forged ahead,
undismayed and in the most hopeful spirits. As it was found impossible
to keep up with him with the aid of the oars alone, the boat's sails
were reefed and hoisted and by steering close hauled, was enabled to
keep nearer him.

At three o'clock, he was about half way across, steering south south
east. The wind continued to increase, and it again seemed as though
he would be carried into the ocean. The sea broke over him constantly
and he suffered greatly from the salt encrusting on his eyebrows and
causing his face to smart. It was nearly five o'clock when he was off
Boassa Point, bearing south and only distant about three and one half
miles from the African coast. He made another attempt to use the sail
but the wind was too strong and he was compelled to give it up. The
current with heavy overfalls, caused him to be constantly taken under
water, and also proved very trying to those in the boat. The overfalls
are caused by two currents rushing in opposite directions, meeting
with a great crash and making a tremendous wave. Paul bravely continued
to paddle despite such dreadful obstacles and at five-thirty o'clock,
he was bearing due south off Alcazar Point two and one half miles. One
hour later, the current was setting to the west again, driving the
voyager and the boat further and further away from the African coast. It
began to grow dark with increasing wind and every sign of a gale coming
on. The boisterous sea and wind, in conjunction with the rapid currents
and heavy over-falls, again caused Boyton to drift away from the boat,
so that those on board soon lost sight of him altogether. After cruising
about in all directions and hailing at the top of their voices, his
friends on board the St. Augustine were relieved by hearing a distant
hail which proved to be a guide to his whereabouts and by proceeding in
the right direction they got up to him; but not without great risk and
very hard work.

On reaching him, the crew became very violent in their language and
conduct and insisted on his getting aboard, as they were all drifting
into the Atlantic Ocean. Boyton, however was firm in his resolve to keep
on until he reached