Philip, recollecting his
former disaster took great pains in the construction of this raft, and
aware that as the water and provisions were expended there would be no
occasion to tow so heavy a mass, he constructed it in two parts, which
might easily be severed, and thus the boats would have less to tow, as
soon as circumstances would enable them to part with one of them.

Night again terminated their labours, and the men retired to rest the
weather continuing fine, with very little wind. By noon the next day
the raft was complete; water and provisions were safely stowed on board;
a secure and dry place was fitted up for Amine in the centre of one
portion; spare robes, sails, and everything which could prove useful in
case of their being forced on shore, were put in. Muskets and
ammunition were also provided, and everything was ready, when the men
came aft and pointed out to Philip that there was plenty of money on
board, which it was folly to leave, and that they wished to carry as
much as they could away with them. As this intimation was given in a
way that made it evident they intended that it should be complied with,
Philip did not refuse; but resolved, in his own mind, that when they
arrived at a place where he could exercise his authority, the money
should be reclaimed for the Company to whom it belonged. The men went
down below, and while Philip was making arrangements with Amine, handed
the casks of dollars out of the hold, broke them open and helped
themselves--quarrelling with each other for the first possession, as
each cask was opened. At last every man had obtained as much as he
could carry, and had placed his spoil on the raft with his baggage, or
in the boat to which he had been appointed. All was now ready--Amine
was lowered down, and took her station--the boats took in tow the raft
which was cast off from the vessel, and away they went with the current,
pulling with all their strength to avoid being stranded upon that part
of the sandbank which appeared above water. This was the great danger
which they had to encounter, and which they very narrowly escaped.

They numbered eighty-six souls in all: in the boats there were
thirty-two; the rest were on the raft, which, being well-built and full
of timber, floated high out of the water, now that the sea was so
smooth. It had been agreed upon by Philip and Krantz, that one of them
should remain on the raft and the other in one of the boats; but at t