I started with astonishment, as may be imagined, and turning round, perceived, fifty yards from me, a large boat driving before the waves, impelled on by ten oars.

It was filled with men, casks, and kegs, and one at the helm was making signals, apparently inviting me to stop.

A few minutes after, we were close to each other; and I daresay our astonishment was mutual,--theirs to see me alone and without oars; mine, to behold such a wretched spectacle.

They were evidently the crew of a wrecked vessel, and must have undergone frightful privations and fatigues, so emaciated was their appearance.
No time, however, was to be lost.

All of them asked for water, and pointed to the horizon, to know in which direction they should go.