My tour of the island occupied perhaps ten minutes; and you may perhaps form some conception of my utter dismay on failing to come across any trace of fresh water.
With what eager eyes did I look towards the ship then! So long as she did not break up I was safe because there were water and provisions in plenty on board.

And how I thanked my God for the adamant bulwarks of coral that protected my ark from the fury of the treacherous seas! As the weather became calmer, and a brilliant moon had risen, I decided to swim back to the ship, and bring some food and clothing ashore from her.
I reached the wreck without much trouble, and clambered on board, but could do very little in the way of saving goods, as the decks were still below water.

However, I dived, or rather ducked, for the depth of water was only four or five feet, into the cabin and secured some blankets, but I could not lay my hands on any food.
After infinite trouble I managed to make some sort of a raft out of pieces of wood I found lying loose and floating about, and upon this platform I placed the blankets, an oak chest, and one or two other articles I proposed taking ashore.

In the oak chest were a number of flags, some clothing and medicine together with my case of pearls and the four medical books.

But after I had launched it, I found that the tide was still running out, and it was impossible for me to get anything ashore that night.