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 every one 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 out an allowance of water for supper, and directed our course to the west south-west.
'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 a benefit, probably not less than this, was that of being relieved from the fatigue of sitting 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.
Before this time nature must have sunk under the extremes of hunger and fatigue.

Even in our present situation, we were most deplorable objects, but the hopes of a speedy relief kept up our spirits.