sions, bad as they were,
were almost exhausted, and the men were already much reduced from the
scarcity and bad quality of their food.

CHAPTER 17. FROM THE GASCOYNE TO GANTHEAUME BAY.

SAIL FROM THE GASCOYNE.

March 20.

When we pulled out of the Gascoyne this morning the first streak of dawn
had not lit up the eastern horizon, we however managed by creeping along
the southern shore to get out to sea, and there anchored until it was
light enough to see the compass. I found a very heavy sea running outside
and a strong breeze blowing from the southward; at this time however
there was nothing which in my opinion rendered it too hazardous to risk
the passage, more especially being pressed as we were by the want of
food. The distance across to Bernier Island from the point of the main
where we were was about ten miles further than it is from Dover to
Calais. Our boats were in very bad repair, and the landing on the other
side was by no means good. I therefore certainly would not have ventured
to make the passage in a gale of wind; but the weather did not seem
threatening and it had been for many successive days blowing as hard as
it was when we started.

CAUGHT IN A GALE OF WIND.

We might have gone nine or ten miles when the wind suddenly increased,
and ere we had made five more it had become a perfect gale and we were
obliged to keep the boats close hauled, for had we run ever so little
before the wind we should not have fetched Bernier Island, and
consequently should have been blown right out to sea. We had nothing
therefore now to do but to struggle for it, and to use every energy to
save ourselves. Sea after sea broke into the boat but the water was as
rapidly baled out: none could have behaved better than the crews of both
boats did, and the whole scene was one of such constant, cheerful, and
successful exertion that, great as our danger was, I do not recollect
ever having a keener perception of the pleasure of excited feelings, or a
more thorough revelry of joyous emotions, than I had during this perilous
passage.

REACH BERNIER ISLAND.

Bernier Island at last rose in sight and amidst the giant waves we
occasionally caught a peep of its rocky shores; but we were so tossed to
and fro that it was only now and then that from the summit of some
lofty sea we could sight a high shore which was not more than four or
five miles from us. We had made the island about five miles from its
northern extremity, and I