I was happy, however, to see that every one seemed better satisfied with our situation than myself.

It was about eight o'clock at night on the 2nd May, when we bore away under a reefed lug-foresail; and having divided the people into watches, and got the boat into a little order, we returned thanks to God for our miraculous preservation, and, in full confidence of His gracious support, I found my mind more at ease than it had been for some time past.' At day-break on the 3rd, the forlorn and almost hopeless navigators saw with alarm the sun to rise fiery and red,--a sure indication of a severe gale of wind; and accordingly, at eight o'clock it blew a violent storm, and the sea ran so very high, that the sail was becalmed when between the seas, and too much to have set when on the top of the sea; yet it is stated that they could not venture to take it in, as they were in very imminent danger and distress, the sea curling over the stern of the boat, and obliging them to bale with all their might.

'A situation,' observes the commander, 'more distressing has, perhaps, seldom been experienced.' The bread, being in bags, was in the greatest danger of being spoiled by the wet, the consequence of which, if not prevented, must have been fatal, as the whole party would inevitably be starved to death, if they should fortunately escape the fury of the waves.

It was determined, therefore, that all superfluous clothes, with some rope and spare sails, should be thrown overboard, by which the boat was considerably lightened.

The carpenter's tool-chest was cleared, and the tools stowed in the bottom of the boat, and the bread secured in the chest.