n width, but how
long we could not tell, for the water was deep on the outer or port side
of the vessel; ahead it was also sufficiently deep to float her; and
should the wind come off shore, I was in great hopes that we might yet
forge her off. Astern, however, the water was far more shallow; and,
indeed, the senseless efforts which Kydd had made had contributed to
drag her still further on. It all depended, however, upon the wind
coming from the eastward. A westerly wind must inevitably prove our
destruction, as with the sea which broke against her in that perfect
calm, it was clear that the breeze would have the effect of driving her
further on, and sending the sea completely over her. Our position was a
truly fearful one. Stanley, however, who was no seaman, did not seem to
dread it so much, but Handspike and Timbo fully agreed with me that we
should be prepared for the worst. Deserted by the crew, even should the
wind come off the shore, we could with difficulty make sail, and then it
would be a hard matter to navigate the vessel. We only, hoped, however,
that they would return on finding the unattractive appearance of the
coast. The mist clearing away to the west, the rays of the sun glanced
almost horizontally across the waters, over which they cast a ruddy
glow, showing us the boat just as she reached the shore, I went aloft
with a spy-glass to watch her, and could make out a number of dark
figures hurrying down to the beach. She stopped for some time when at
no great distance, and the people in her seemed to be holding a
conversation with those on shore. She then pulled on, and directly
afterwards I saw her surrounded by the dark figures, who seemed to be
running her up the beach. Presently, to my horror, I perceived some of
the crew running, and the blacks apparently pursuing them. Now one was
struck down, now another. It was too evident that the infatuated men
were being murdered by the savages. Soon all pursuit ceased; and here
and there I could see figures stretched their length and motionless on
the sand. Then I made out a crowd of blacks dancing and leaping, so it
seemed to me, round the boat. A new alarm seized me. I was afraid that
they might attempt to come off, and treat us as they had done the crew.
Anxious to watch them, I did not descend till the shades of night, which
rapidly came on, hid them from my sight. I then returned on deck, and
taking Stanley and David aside, told them what