f them heartily engaged in the project; but at
last, being in general convinced of the impossibility of the ship's
return, they set themselves zealously to the different tasks allotted
them, and were as industrious and as eager as their commander could
desire, punctually assembling at daybreak at the rendezvous, whence they
were distributed to their different employments, which they followed with
unusual vigour till night came on.

And now the work proceeded very successfully. The necessary ironwork was
in great forwardness, and the timbers and planks (which, though not the
most exquisite performances of the sawyer's art, were yet sufficient for
the purpose) were all prepared; so that on the 6th of October, being the
fourteenth day from the departure of the ship, they hauled the bark on
shore, and on the two succeeding days she was sawn asunder (though with
great care not to cut her planks), and her two parts were separated the
proper distance from each other; and, the materials being all ready
beforehand, they the next day, being the 9th of October, went on with
great despatch in their proposed enlargement of her. And by this time
they had all their future operations so fairly in view, and were so much
masters of them, that they were able to determine when the whole would be
finished, and had accordingly fixed the 5th of November for the day of
their putting to sea.

THE CENTURION RETURNS.

But their projects and labours were now drawing to a speedier and happier
conclusion, for on the 11th of October, in the afternoon, one of the
Gloucester's men, being upon a hill in the middle of the island,
perceived the Centurion at a distance, and running down with his utmost
speed towards the landing-place, he in the way saw some of his comrades,
to whom he hallooed out with great ecstasy, "That ship! The ship!" This
being heard by Mr. Gordon, a lieutenant of marines, who was convinced by
the fellow's transport that his report was true, Mr. Gordon ran towards
the place where the Commodore and his people were at work, and being
fresh and in breath easily out stripped the Gloucester's man, and got
before him to the Commodore, who, on hearing this happy and unexpected
news, threw down his axe with which he was then at work, and by his joy
broke through for the first time the equable and unvaried character which
he had hitherto preserved. The others who were with him instantly ran
down to the seaside in a kind of frenzy, eager to