to our assistance, continued to pull
away to the southward; they did not even stop to take on board Ben and
his companion, who, by the light of the burning ship, could be seen at
some distance.

As soon as those on the raft began somewhat to recover from their
consternation, they rose to their feet, uttering the most fearful
imprecations on the heads of those who, it was very evident, were so
cruelly deserting them. The brave boatswain was the only one among the
Spaniards who retained his presence of mind. He and I, with Boxall and
Halliday, managed to hoist a sail; when a light breeze enabled us to get
sufficiently clear of the burning wreck to avoid the masts and spars
which came falling down, hissing, into the water. Several of the people
shouted out, urging us to sail in chase of the boats; but even had we
attempted it with a strong breeze in our favour, they would of course
soon have got far ahead of us. As it was, the wind again fell, and we
lay on the calm ocean unable to impel our raft either towards the shore
or in any other direction, while we gazed with sad eyes at the burning
ship.

I looked round for Antonio and young Pedro, but could discover neither
of them on the raft. The friendly disposition the latter had exhibited
towards us made me hope that he had escaped in one of the boats. Boxall
said that he had seen Antonio not long before he himself had got on the
raft, and that he was nearly certain he had been left on the burning
wreck. Notwithstanding the bad opinion Ben had formed of him, we agreed
that we should have been glad had he been with us, as he was certainly
one of the most intelligent and active seamen on board. Boxall,
Halliday, and I sat near the mast with the boatswain, who tried in vain
to arouse his companions to exertion,--urging them to secure the raft
more firmly, and to endeavour to pick up anything which might be
floating by. Those who had at first obeyed him willingly, now only
grumbled; and from words I heard spoken, I was afraid that, should he
attempt to enforce his orders, a mutiny would break out. On mentioning
my fears to Boxall,--"We must try and defend him then," he answered. "I
trust that some will remain faithful, and rally round us."

The night continued calm. This was the time when, if active, we might
possibly have obtained some provisions, and might certainly have
improved the raft. We three did what we could, but the people would not
move out of our way