Fortunately, it was a soft coral rock, or
we had all perished. The next wave lifted us up again, and threw us
further on, and, on its receding, the little xebeque laid high and dry,
and careened over on her bilge.

The waters rose and fell, and roared and foamed about us, but they
lifted us no more, neither did they wash us off the decks as we clung to
the rigging; for the stout short mast, upon which the lateen sail was
hoisted, had not been carried away. We remained where we were till
morning, every one holding on, and not communicating with each other.
As the night wore away, so did the gale decrease and the sea subside.
The waters now gradually left us; at intervals, when the waves receded,
we could walk on shore; but we remained on the vessel till noon, by
which time we found our vessel high and dry, having been carried over a
coral reef, which appeared to extend one or two miles into the offing.

The men, who had been much buffeted by the waves, and who were exhausted
by clinging so long to the rigging, now that they found themselves safe,
and were warmed by the heat of the sun, rallied, and began to move
about. We had a long consultation as to how we should act. There was
no chance of getting the vessel off again, and we did not exactly know
where we were; but the captain and I agreed that it must be upon one of
the small islands of the Bahama group that we had been cast away, and
our conjecture was right. After some consultation, the captain and I
called the men together, and told them that it was very probable that we
might be some time before we could find the means of getting off the
island, and that, therefore, we must all do our best; that we would land
and erect a tent with the sails, and obtain provisions; after that we
would consider the vessel and her stores as public property, but that
every man's private property should be secured to him as if we were
still on board of the xebeque; that the captain should retain the
command as before, and his orders should be obeyed by everybody, as long
as they were reasonable and just.

The men, who were well-behaved, quiet fellows,--and not, like English
seamen, given to liquor,--readily agreed, and it was arranged that the
following morning we should commence our labours. This was a sad blow
to me, who was anticipating a speedy meeting with Amy. I knew how
doubtful was the chance of our being seen by any vessel, and that I must
remain here for months, if