e had not a scrap of food, and we knew
that it might be some hours before the whale-boat could bring us
assistance. Scarcely had we reached the rock when we knew by the
crashing, rending sounds, and the loud thundering noise, as the planks
and timbers were dashed against it, that our stout little ship had gone
to pieces. When day dawned we saw the foaming sea covered on all sides
with fragments of the wreck, while several of our shipmates were
discovered clinging to spars and planks, they having returned to the
ship in the hopes of obtaining either food or clothing. It was known to
the captain and officers that we were about twelve miles from the
nearest island. There was but little chance of the boat getting back to
us during the day. We secured a flag which had been washed up. This we
hoisted to the end of a spar, and fixed it in the highest part of the
rock. The day was bitterly cold, many of the men were almost perished
for want of clothing. The officers made inquiries if any man had a
flint. At last one was found. At the same time a small keg of powder
which had been floating about was thrown up. The powder, though damp,
served instead of tinder. We were able to get a fire alight. It gave
us some occupation to collect fuel, though at the risk of being carried
away by the seas, as they rolled up on the rock. We got also a quantity
of canvas, and with this, and the help of some planks, we put up a tent,
which afforded us some shelter. Though we had no food to cook, the fire
warmed us, and enabled us to dry our clothes. We kept it burning all
night in the hope that it would serve as a beacon. Another night passed
away. In the morning we saw to our joy a boat pulling towards us. She
was our own whale-boat, with the boatswain and four hands; but they
brought no food nor water, as they found neither one nor the other on
the Island of Pauri. The boatswain tried to persuade our captain to
leave the rock, but he refused to desert us; so he ordered the boatswain
to take ten men and make the best of his way to Cerigotto, and to return
as soon as possible with assistance.

"We had been badly enough off before. Matters now grew worse, the wind
again increasing to a heavy gale, which sent the seas washing nearly
over the rock. We should have all of us been carried away, if we had
not secured ropes round a point which rose higher than the rest. I
don't like, even now, to think of that night. The cries and g