t signs of improving. Captain
Williams, the English commander, accompanied by Captain Rymer, went
round the ship below and brought back a satisfactory report that she
appeared to have suffered very little damage by the blows she had
received. The shore was, however, not particularly inviting; a few
groups of cocoa-nut trees and other tropical plants were alone to be
seen. It was an island scarcely more than two miles in circumference,
one of those spots known as keys in the West Indies; still, should the
ship break up, it would afford them shelter, and they could not help
longing to be able to reach the beach. As the boats and all had been
lost, this could not be done till a raft had been built. The gentlemen
immediately set about constructing one. As the spars had all been
washed away, it was necessary first to get those which floated alongside
from the rigging. There were planks also below; these were got up, with
all the empty casks which could be collected. By knocking away some of
the bulwarks, and by bringing on deck a few of the seamen's chests, they
soon had materials for constructing a raft large enough for carrying the
whole party. All hands worked with a will. The French lieutenant was
very active, and seemed in no way put out by having the tables so
completely turned upon him. He was probably grateful, as he ought to
have been, for having escaped with his life. By the time the raft was
finished, the sea had so completely gone down that there was little
difficulty in launching it. The bulwarks having been already completely
washed away, all that was necessary was to let it slip quietly
overboard. Its constructors gave a cheer as they saw it floating calmly
alongside; they had still, however, to rig the mast and sail, as well as
to fit some oars to guide it towards the shore.

When this was done, the captains invited all the passengers up on deck.
It was agreed that it would be safer to convey only half at a time.
Harry and David begged that they might accompany Captain Rymer and Mary.
Captain Rymer agreed to let Captain Williams conduct the first party,
saying that he should be content to remain on board till the return of
the raft. Before the raft left the side, a supply of provisions were
lowered down upon it; and, with the prayers of those who remained on
board for its safe voyage, the raft shoved off from the side of the
ship. Its progress was slow, for there was very little wind, and there