owever, on the
ocean, covered with foaming billows, their condition seemed perilous
indeed. Of the ship herself, not a plank clung together, though the
beach was strewed with various articles which had formed her cargo. One
of her boats too had been cast ashore, without receiving any material
damage. Deane immediately summoned his men around him, and pointed out
to them the necessity of saving whatever provisions were washed on
shore. By this time the gale had considerably abated, and they were
enabled to drag up several casks and cases containing food, which they
so much required. In the same way, numerous bales and other articles
which had formed the cargo of the ship were saved. They found
themselves on an uninhabited island of small extent, which seemed likely
to afford them but scanty means of subsistence. In the far distance
could be seen a long blue ridge of land, which Deane knew must be the
continent. Their great requirement however was water, for without it
their stores and flour would have availed them but little. They
therefore immediately set about searching for it, and at length a slight
moisture was found oozing out from beneath the roots of a large tree.
After eagerly scraping away the earth with their hands for some time,
the hole they had formed was filled with a small portion of the precious
liquid. This encouraged them to hope that a sufficient supply might be
obtained, and with better heart than they had hitherto possessed they
took their first meal on the island.

On examining the boat, Captain Deane was of opinion that if repaired,
she would carry them to the mainland: but as yet there were no tools
found by which this could be accomplished. Thus were all their hopes of
escaping frustrated. Their life on the island was that of most
shipwrecked mariners. Even when partaking of their meals, they could
not but feel that their store of provisions would in time come to an
end, and that thus, unless relieved, famine would overtake them at last.
Several days passed by, when as two of their number were wandering
along the shore a chest was seen fixed between two rocks. Summoning
their companions, not without difficulty they waded towards it. It was
found to be a carpenter's chest. After considerable labour they
contrived to break it open, when to their great joy they discovered
within it a supply of tools and nails, with iron hoops and other
necessary articles.

They now eagerly set to w