fortunes, the scurvy broke out among the storm-tossed crew.
At first it began to carry off two or three a day, but at last eight or
ten died in twenty-four hours.

Most of the survivors were suffering from the same distemper, and the
few who preserved their health were quite worn out with incessant
labour. Sometimes four or five dead bodies, some sewn up in their
hammocks, others not, were to be seen washing about the decks for want
of help to bury them in the sea. Notwithstanding this, the _Gloucester_
was the only ship which suffered much, by carrying away her mainyard;
but on the 7th of April several guns were heard to leeward, and it was
soon seen that the _Wager_ had lost her mizenmast and main-topsail yard,
while the _Anna Pink_ had had her bowsprit so injured that there was a
risk of her losing her fore-topmast. By this time the weather had
moderated, and assistance was sent to the disabled ships.

On the 8th of May the island of Soccoro was sighted off the coast of
Patagonia, a barren and inhospitable region, the shore being lined with
rocks, above which the snow-covered Andes could be seen in the distance.
By this time scurvy had destroyed no less than two hundred men. In
vain the _Centurion_ cruised for the missing ships, and at last stood
for the island of Juan Fernandez; but it was passed during thick
weather, and it was not until the 9th of June that it was at length
discovered. While the _Centurion_ was endeavouring to find the right
bay in which to anchor, the current set her so close to the shore that
she was compelled to bring up. In the morning a lieutenant with a
boat's crew was sent to try and discover the proper anchorage. He
returned with some seals and grass, which was eagerly devoured by the
men suffering from scurvy. So weak were all the crew that it was with
great difficulty that the anchor could be weighed, nor indeed was it
tripped until assisted by a strong breeze. They here found the _Trial_
sloop. Her commander came on board and stated that out of his small
crew he had buried thirty-four men, and that those who remained were so
weak, that only himself, his lieutenant, and three of his men were able
to handle the sails.

Tents having been erected, the healthy men were employed in carrying the
sick on shore. It was hoped that they would at once be restored to
health; but for the first ten or twelve days rarely less than six were
buried each day, and it was not until they had bee