time, when we might take advantage of any chance of
saving ourselves, instead of at night, when our chance would be small
indeed. Orders were given for every man to prepare as best he could to
save himself. On we drove towards the shore. We had a large number of
prisoners on board. As we approached the land they were all released,
the danger pointed out to them, and they were told to try and save
themselves, the officers promising that they would try and help them.

"There was little time for preparation. Every moment the gale was
increasing. The roar of the surf on the shore was terrific, sadly
warning us of the fate of the ship once cast within its power. Even the
bravest turned pale as they saw the danger. The Spaniards, bravely as
they had fought, tore their hair, shrieked, and called on their saints
to help them, but did little to make ready for the coming catastrophe.
We, with our axes, tore up the decks, and each man provided himself with
a spar or bit of timber on which he might float when washed overboard,
as we expected soon to be. Darkness overtook us sooner even than we had
calculated. In thick gloom, with a driving rain and a howling wind, the
ship was hove in among the breakers. She struck with terrific violence.
The sea broke furiously over us. I know little more. I received a
blow on my head, I suppose. When I came to myself, I was lying on the
beach and unable to move. Then I saw lights approaching, and I found
myself lifted up and carried to a cottage, where my head was bound up
and food was given me. I found the next day that not ten of the prize
crew had escaped, but that of the Spaniards upwards of forty had been
washed safely on shore. I was treated kindly, but afterwards carried
off to prison. A Spanish prison is one of the last places in which a
man would like to take up his abode; and, my dear Weatherhelm, you may
believe me, I am right glad to find myself exchanged and once more
treading the shores of Old England." Such was the account my old
shipmate gave me; and then I felt, as I have said, that I should be
thankful for what had happened to me. To return to my own adventures.
Our ship had a long passage home, for in her crippled condition we could
carry very little sail. This gave me a longer time to recover before
landing. From my abstemious habits, I did not suffer as much as many of
my companions in misfortune, several of whom died of their wounds from
inflammation set