fortunately been in one of the boats, which enabled
us, with the greater expedition, to make preparations for our voyage, by
repairing one of the boats, which was in a very bad state, and cutting up
the floor-boards of all the boats into uprights, round which we stretched
canvas, to keep the water from breaking into the boats at sea. We made
tents of the boats' sails; and when it was dark, we set the watch, and
went to sleep. In the night we were disturbed by the irregular behaviour
of one Connell, which led us to suspect he had stole our wine, and got
drunk; but, on further inquiry, we found that the excruciating torture he
suffered from thirst led him to drink salt water; by which means he went
mad, and died in the sequel of the voyage.

Next morning Mr. George Passmore, the master, was dispatched in one of
the boats to visit the wreck, to see if any thing floated round her that
might be useful to us in our present distressed state. He returned in two
hours, and brought with him a cat, which he found clinging to the
top-gallant-mast-head; a piece of the top-gallant-mast, which he cut
away; and about fifteen feet of the lightning chain; which being copper,
we cut up, and converted into nails for fitting out the boats. Some of
the gigantic cockle was boiled, and cut into junks, lest any one should
be inclined to eat. But our thirst was too excessive to bear any thing
which would increase it. This evening a wine glass of water was served to
each man. A paper-parcel of tea having been thrown into the boat, the
officers joined all their allowance, and had tea in the Captain's tent
with him. When it was boiled, every one took a salt-cellar spoonful, and
passed it to his neighbour; by which means we moistened our mouths by
slow degrees, and received much refreshment from it.

FOOTNOTES:

[136-1] Vavau.

[136-2] Manua.

[136-3] Tutuila.

[136-4] De Langle's boat had been cut off on 10 Dec. 1787.

[137-1] Finau Ulukalala.

[138-1] Niuafoou.

[138-2] A sign of mourning.

[140-1] Anula.

[140-2] Vanikoro.

CHAP. IV.

VOYAGE FROM THE WRECK TO THE ISLAND OF TIMOR.

EVERY thing being ready on the following day, at twelve o'clock, we
embarked in our little squadron, each boat having been previously
supplied with the latitude and longitude of the island of Timor, eleven
hundred miles from this place.

Our order of sailing was as follows.

In the Pinnace:

Capt. Edwards,
Lieut. Hayward,
Mr. Rickar