le part of which was torn or blown off.
After spreading the old sail over this roof, we placed our little stock
of provisions under it. Soon after came on a heavy shower of rain which
penetrated the canvas, and made it nearly as uncomfortable inside, as it
would have been out. We were not prepared to catch water, having nothing
to put it in. Our next object was to get fire, and after gathering some
of the driest fuel to be found, and having a small piece of cotton
wick-yarn, with flint and steel, we kindled a fire, which was never
afterwards suffered to be extinguished. The night was very dark, but we
found a piece of old rope, which when well lighted served for a candle.
On examining the ground under the roof, we found perhaps thousands of
creeping insects, scorpions, lizards, crickets, &c. After scraping them
out as well as we could, the most of us having nothing but the damp
earth for a bed, laid ourselves down in hopes of some rest; but it being
so wet, gave many of us severe colds, and one of the Spaniards was quite
sick for several days.

Sunday, 20th.--As soon as day-light came on, we proceeded to take a view
of our little island, and found it to measure only one acre, of coarse,
white sand; about two feet, and in some spots perhaps three feet above
the surface of the ocean. On the highest part were growing some bushes
and small mangroves, (the dry part of which was our fuel) and the wild
castor oil beans. We were greatly disappointed in not finding the latter
suitable food; likewise some of the prickly pear bushes, which gave us
only a few pears about the size of our small button pear; the outside
has thorns, which if applied to the fingers or lips, will remain there,
and cause a severe smarting similar to the nettle; the inside a spungy
substance, full of juice and seeds, which are red and a little
tartish--had they been there in abundance, we should not have suffered
so much for water--but alas! even this substitute was not for us. On the
northerly side of the island was a hollow, where the tide penetrated the
sand, leaving stagnant water. We presumed, in hurricanes the island was
nearly overflowed. According to the best calculations I could make, we
were about thirty-five miles from any part of Cuba, one hundred from
Trinidad and forty from the usual track of American vessels, or others
which might pass that way. No vessel of any considerable size, can
safely pass among these Keys (or "Queen's Gardens," as the