ct I was secretly
surprised to see that it did not appear to affect anyone so strongly as
myself; on the contrary it seemed as if they had embarked on a voyage to
Timor in a vessel sufficiently calculated for safety and convenience. So
much confidence gave me great pleasure and I may venture to assert that
to this cause our preservation is chiefly to be attributed.

I encouraged everyone with hopes that eight or ten days would bring us to
a land of safety; and, after praying to God for a continuance of his most
gracious protection, I served an allowance of water for supper and
directed our course to the west-south-west to counteract the southerly
winds in case they should blow strong.

We had been just six days on the coast of New Holland in the course of
which we found oysters, a few clams, some birds, and water. But perhaps a
benefit nearly equal to this we received by having been relieved from the
fatigue of being constantly in the boat and enjoying good rest at night.
These advantages certainly preserved our lives and, small as the supply
was, I am very sensible how much it alleviated our distresses. By this
time nature must have sunk under the extremes of hunger and fatigue. Some
would have ceased to struggle for a life that only promised wretchedness
and misery; and others, though possessed of more bodily strength, must
soon have followed their unfortunate companions. Even in our present
situation we were most deplorable objects; but the hopes of a speedy
relief kept up our spirits. For my own part, incredible as it may appear,
I felt neither extreme hunger nor thirst. My allowance contented me,
knowing that I could have no more.

Thursday 4.

I served one 25th of a pound of bread and an allowance of water for
breakfast and the same for dinner with an addition of six oysters to each
person. At noon latitude observed 10 degrees 48 minutes south; course
since yesterday noon south 81 degrees west, distance 111 miles; longitude
by account from Shoal Cape 1 degree 45 minutes west. A strong tradewind
at east-south-east with fair weather.

This day we saw a number of water-snakes that were ringed yellow and
black, and towards noon we passed a great deal of rock-weed. Though the
weather was fair we were constantly shipping water, which kept two men
always employed to bale the boat.

Friday 5.

At noon I observed in latitude 10 degrees 45 minutes south; our course
since yesterday west one quarter north, 108 miles;