be reduced
one-half from to-morrow, which will be little better than starvation.
Very little shell fish to be now found within miles of the camp. About
eleven o'clock, A. M., there were two smart shocks of an earthquake.
The Briton shook so violently that all hands ran up from below,
fearing that she would fall over. The last shock had scarcely
subsided, when the shout of a sail, a sail! issued from a look-out
tree, on the right of the camp, upon which the people themselves had
established a watch, relieved every hour. The welcome cry quickly
resounded throughout the camp. The Runnymede immediately hoisted her
ensign and fired a gun, which was a pre-concerted signal. The camp
was in great commotion, every one enquiring where the sail was, and
straining their eyes to catch a glimpse of the stranger. Within a
quarter of an hour afterwards, she had rounded the point and was
visible to all. At one o'clock, P. M., she came to anchor abreast of
the Runnymede, in 15 fathoms, the men cheering on shore, whilst the
ship saluted her with twelve guns. She proved to be the Honourable
Company's schooner, George Swinton, of 70 or 80 tons, from Mergui,
with supplies of provisions for the sufferers, and the Hope towing at
her stern. Our canoes went off, and brought on shore Mr. Michael, an
ensign of the 17th Madras Native Infantry, the bearer of despatches
from Mergui to the commanding officer, to whom he communicated the
news of the safe arrival of the Hope at that port, and of the welfare
of her crew. They had reached Mergui in 11 days from the time of
leaving the island. They had suffered much from the heat of the sun
and fatigue, because, having either foul or light winds, they were
obliged to row the greater part of the distance, and to give up all
idea of going to Calcutta. Having made their report, they were
supplied with a lighter boat belonging to the American missionaries,
in which they proceeded to Moulmein. The next day the commanding
officer at Mergui despatched the George Swinton, under the command of
Captain Daniels, to the relief of the sufferers, bringing, amongst
other things, six young buffaloes. The arrival of this vessel at the
exact moment of need caused great rejoicings, and an extra half-pound
of biscuit and glass of spirits were issued to each man to commemorate
the event. In the afternoon a soldier of the 80th was unfortunately
drowned in the surf whilst bathing. On the arrival of the Swinton the
rations were