absent. This, however, gave them no uneasiness, as it
was supposed that he had gone in search of assistance. The first
object was to proceed in quest of water, of which they stood in most
need. They had gone for more than a mile without finding anything to
moisten their lips, or any signs of habitation, when one of the men
discovered a cocoa-nut tree: here was both food and drink, and with
avidity they seized upon the fruit, and found relief from their most
urgent wants.

Amongst the party who were cast on shore were Mr. Malcolm, a master's
assistant, and Mr. Price, a merchant; these, with the rest of the men,
proceeding a little further into the woods, became so fatigued that
they were obliged to return to the place where they were first cast,
whilst their companions prosecuted the search for Lieutenant
McDonnell, whose continued absence had given the greatest alarm.

About one o'clock, some of the men returned, but brought no tidings of
the commander; they said that the rest of the men had determined to
walk round the cay, as they conjectured the place on which they were
cast was Ambegris Cay, and more especially as Mr. Price, who had been
long a resident at Honduras, had assured them that to the south-east
there was a plantation belonging to one of his friends.

About two hours afterwards the men returned, but neither their
endeavours to find a habitation nor any traces of Lieutenant McDonnell
had been successful. They said that it had been their intention to
walk round the cay, but from the appearance of the coast, they did not
think it was possible to do so that day. It was then proposed that
they should rest where they were during night, and renew their search
at an early hour next morning.

Whilst they were sitting on the beach, one of the men thought he saw
Mr. McDonnell running in the surf, about half a mile distant. Ritchie,
the gunner's mate, immediately proceeded in the direction where he was
supposed to be, and found that unfortunate officer in a state of
delirium. He endeavoured to persuade him to come down to where the
rest of the men were assembled, but a few incoherent words were his
only reply. Ritchie was, therefore, obliged to return to his comrades
for assistance; and having communicated the sad condition of their
officer, they all proceeded together to the spot where he was last
seen, but found no traces of the commander. Search was made in every
direction, but in vain; and as night was approac