chart of the Gulf of Honduras in the ship.
My officers, as were all on board, were as well aware as I was myself of
the danger the ship was in, and a bright look-out was kept for the land.
At 2 p.m. we made out an island under our lee. I soon saw by the way
the ship was setting that we should be unable to weather it. My only
resource therefore was to attempt to run between it and the main. I
kept the helm up, and stood for the channel. I was under the
impression, as were my officers, that it was the island of Bonacca,
between which and the main a book of sailing directions we had on board
told us there was a passage; but as we neared it the characteristic
features which we discovered convinced us that we were mistaken, and
that it was the Hogsties. Now we had been assured at Omoa that between
it and the main there was no passage. We did not make this discovery,
however, before we had stood on too far to return. Our eyes, however,
could not deceive us; a passage there certainly was, but whether a
shallow or intricate one we could not tell. I kept the lead going and a
bright look-out in all directions; still it was work to try any man's
nerves. There was a nasty broken sea running, and I felt sure that if
the ship struck on any of the numberless rocks under her bottom, not
many minutes would elapse before she must go down. I kept her on,
notwithstanding this, under her foresail. We were gradually shoaling
our water--sixteen fathom, twelve, ten, six, four had been announced. I
drew my breath faster and faster. It was not a moment I should have
liked anyone to put a trivial question to me; still I could make out a
channel of clear water ahead, and I did not despair.

"By the mark three," sang out the man in the fore-chains.

Matters were coming to a crisis. If we shoaled the water much more we
could not hope to force the heavy galleon through. Not only should we
lose all her rich cargo, but our lives also would be sacrificed, for the
few boats we had were in so bad a condition that they would scarcely be
able to carry even half the people we had on board. For my own part, I
did not feel that I had many more hours, or I might say minutes, to
live, for I always held to the opinion that a captain should always be
the last to leave his ship, and not then till he has seen to the safety
of all those entrusted to his care.

On we glided--not very fast though. I stood conning the ship; sometimes
we passed so clos