impossible. It was agreed therefore next day
to build a raft on which we might reach some shore or other. It would
be better, we thought, to die afloat than on that horrible spot. As
soon as daylight broke we set to work, lashing together all the larger
spars we could find, but our strength was not equal to the task. Still
we contrived to make a raft. At length we launched it, but scarcely was
it in the water, when the sea knocked it to pieces. Many of our poor
fellows rushed in to try and secure the spars, and several of them were
swept away by the current. Unable to render help, we saw them perish
before our eyes. In the afternoon the whale-boat again came to us, but
the boatswain told us that he had been unable to get the Greek fishermen
to put to sea while the gale continued. He brought us neither food nor
water, though many of us thought he might have managed to bring off some
of the goats and sheep from the island. Even if we had eaten them raw,
they would have assisted to keep body and soul together. I had hitherto
kept up, but at last I lay down, unable to move hands or feet, or to
raise my head from the rock. During the night many more of my unhappy
shipmates died. I was lying on the rock, just conscious enough to know
that the day had returned, when, I heard some one sing out, `The boats
are coming! The boats are coming!' I raised my head and tried to get
up on my knees. Looking out, I saw four fishing vessels with the
whale-boat pulling towards us. I can't tell you the joy we felt. Many
of us who had before been unable to move, sat up, some few even were
able to stand on their feet, while we made an attempt to cheer, as the
boats drew near. They brought us water and food. Our second
lieutenant, now commanding officer, would allow only a small portion to
be given to each man at a time, and thus saved us from much suffering.
When our strength was a little restored, we were carried on board the
boats, which at once made sail for Cerigotto, where we were landed in
the evening. Of our complement of one hundred and twenty-two people,
only sixty-four remained. When I think of all we went through, it seems
surprising that any of us should have lived to reach the shore. We were
treated in the kindest way by the people of the island. After staying
with them for eleven days, at the end of which time most of us had
somewhat recovered our strength, we proceeded to Cerigo, and thence
sailed for Malta.