efore the tacks were hauled on board, and the sails
trimmed, she struck on a reef of rocks, and at that instant the boat got
on board. Every possible effort was attempted to get her off by the
sails; but that failing, they were furled, and the boats hoisted out with
a view to carry out an anchor. Before that was accomplished, the
carpenter reported she made eighteen inches water in five minutes; and in
a quarter of an hour more, she had nine feet water in the hold.

The hands were immediately turned to the pumps, and to bale at the
different hatchways. Some of the prisoners were let out of irons, and
turned to the pumps. At this dreadful crisis, it blew very violently; and
she beat so hard upon the rocks, that we expected her, every minute, to
go to pieces. It was an exceeding dark, stormy night; and the gloomy
horrors of death presented us all round, being every where encompassed
with rocks, shoals, and broken water. About ten she beat over the reef;
and we let go the anchor in fifteen fathom water.

The guns were ordered to be thrown overboard; and what hands could be
spared from the pumps, were employed thrumbing a topsail to haul under
her bottom, to endeavour to fodder her. To add to our distress, at this
juncture one of the chain-pumps gave way; and she gained fast upon us.
The scheme of the topsail was now laid aside, and every soul fell to
baling and pumping. All the boats, excepting one, were obliged to keep a
long distance off on account of the broken water, and the very high surf
that was running near us. We baled between life and death; for had she
gone down before day-light, every soul must have perished. She now took a
heel, and some of the guns they were endeavouring to throw over board run
down to leeward, which crushed one man to death; about the same time, a
spare topmast came down from the booms, and killed another man.

The people now became faint at the pumps, and it was necessary to give
them some refreshment. We had luckily between decks a cask of excellent
strong ale, which we brewed at Anamooka. This was tapped, and served
regularly to all hands, which was much preferable to spirits, as it gave
them strength without intoxication. During this trying occasion, the men
behaved with the utmost intrepidity and obedience, not a man flinching
from his post. We continually cheered them at the pumps with the delusive
hopes of its being soon day-light.

About half an hour before day-break, a council of