In a short time several canoes arrived at the island, and Mr. Drake,
the purser of the Thetis, was amongst the first sent off to the
village, with directions to despatch a sufficient quantity of
provisions for the people on the rock; but after making two or three
trips between the parties, Mr. Wilson, the master's assistant,
returned in one of the canoes to say, that the natives refused to come
again without being paid. In this dilemma, Captain Burgess went across
himself, and by dint of persuasion and promises of payment, he at last
induced some of the natives to go to the assistance of his people; and
in the course of a few hours as many were conveyed to the village as
was deemed prudent. It was necessary to leave some men to look after
the wreck; and to this duty Lieutenant Otway, Mr. Mends, midshipman,
the gunner, carpenter, four marines, and thirty-three seamen, were
appointed: they therefore remained on the island; and before night
Captain Burgess had the satisfaction of seeing all the rest of his
crew, if not very comfortably lodged, at least safe and under shelter.
In the evening, Lieutenant Hamilton set out overland to Rio Janeiro to
apprise the commander-in-chief of the loss of the Thetis, and the
distressing situation of her men.

The following morning the people had great difficulty in hiring
canoes, and only one could be obtained, in which Lieutenant West and
the boatswain went off to the wreck, where they were for several days
actively employed. None of the men were allowed to be idle, for they
had full occupation in carrying wood and water, which were only to be
found at a great distance.

The behaviour of the local authorities was disgraceful in the extreme;
although fully aware of the destitute condition of the Englishmen who
had been cast upon their shores, they denied them the most trifling
assistance, and turned a deaf ear to every entreaty and remonstrance.

Money! money! was the constant cry. In vain Captain Burgess assured
them that the little he had saved was almost expended; but that as
soon as assistance should arrive from his countrymen, every article
should be paid for. All his arguments and promises were thrown away
upon the natives, whose rapacity knew no bounds; they would give
nothing without payment, and their charges were exorbitant.

Captain Burgess was so exasperated at one of these natives, who had
agreed to let the crew have a small bullock, but, upon finding there
was no money