other, I delighted in our
romantic situation; and, pleased with the excitement which it created, I
was blind to the danger which we encountered.

For six days we ran before the wind, when an accumulation of clouds upon
the southern horizon indicated that we should have a change. I had no
compass in the boat, but had steered by the sun during the day, and by
the stars during the night. I now considered myself well to the
southward, and determined upon running eastward, that I might gain the
African shore; but the gale was too strong to permit me to bring the
broadside of my small bark to the wind, and I was compelled to continue
my course in a southerly direction.

For the first time, a sensation of alarm came over me: we had but two
days' more sustenance, and Rosina was worn out by constant exposure. I
myself felt the necessity of repose: it was with difficulty that I could
keep my eyelids raised; every minute Nature demanded her rights, and I
nodded at the helm.

I was in a melancholy reverie, when I thought that I perceived, as the
clouds on the horizon occasionally opened, something that had the
appearance of the summit of a precipice. They closed again; I watched
them with anxiety until they gradually rolled away, and discovered a
lofty island, covered with trees and verdure down to the water's edge.
I shouted with delight, and pointed it out to Rosina, who answered my
exultations with a faint smile. My blood curdled at the expression of
her countenance: for many hours she had been in deep thought; and I
perceived that the smile was forced to please me, the intelligence I had
imparted affording her but little pleasure. I ascribed it to weariness
and exhaustion; and hoping soon to be able to relieve her, I steered
direct for the only part of the shore which promised us a safe descent.
In an hour I was close to it: and, anxious to land before dark, I
steered the boat, with the sail hoisted, through the surf, which was
much heavier than I expected. As soon as her bow struck the beach, the
boat was thrown on her broadside, and it required all my exertion to
save my beloved, which I did not effect without our being completely
washed by the surf, which, in a few minutes, dashed the boat to pieces.
I bore her to a cave at a short distance from where we landed; and,
wrapping her up in a cloak which I had saved from the boat, took away
her nun's attire, and exposed it to dry in the powerful rays of the sun.
I went