ng my ship, I unbent my sails, struck
my topmasts, unrove my running rigging, and, in short, made every
preparation for a long stay. I then sent parties on shore to erect
tents, and shoot the wild pigs, while I superintended the fixing of
coppers on the beach to boil the salt out of the sea water, which would
be necessary for curing the provisions. I also dug shallow pans in the
rock, close to the water's edge, that I might gain as much salt as
possible by means of evaporation. Every thing was prepared in the
course of the day, and the major part of my ship's company were landed,
and slept in the tents. In three days we had salted down several casks
of pork, and had collected a large quantity of cocoa-nuts.

On the fourth morning I beard a dispute among the men, some of them
swearing that they would not remain, and that the ship ought to go to
sea immediately. Astonished at these remarks, after they had expressed
them selves so well pleased, I inquired the reason. They answered, that
there was magic in the island, and on my requiring an explanation, they
took me to the salt pans, which, upon our arrival, had been cut in the
rocks within a foot of the water's edge, but had now receded from the
shore to a distance of nine or ten feet. I must own that I was
surprised at the circumstance, which was quite unaccountable: but still
did not feel inclined to leave the island, without first obtaining the
necessary supply of provisions. I pointed out to the men, that although
I could not explain so strange an incident, yet as we had seen and heard
nothing, and should certainly starve if we went to sea without
provisions, it would be better to remain until we had procured a supply:
observing that it was not impossible that the water might have receded,
instead of the island having advanced. The latter remark seemed to
quiet them, although at the time that I made it, I knew it to be
incorrect, as the rocks above water near the beach were not higher out
of it than before. This the seamen did not pay attention to, and I took
care not to point it out to them. They agreed with my supposition, that
the water had receded, and said no more about it.

We remained a fortnight longer, during which the same phenomenon
continued, each day the salt pans and coppers being further off from the
beach. At last the men perceiving that the rocks did not rise higher
from the water again became alarmed, and broke out into open mutiny. By
t