, and no one would lend a hand. We succeeded,
however, in picking up several articles: a boat-hook, some oars, and two
casks--but whether they contained water or spirits we could not be
certain. Boxall said that as they floated light he believed they were
spirit-casks, and suggested that it might be wiser to let them go, in
case the people should get drunk with their contents; still, as there
was a doubt on the subject, and we were unable at once to examine them,
we secured them to the raft.

The calmness of the sea alone saved many of the people sleeping near the
edge from slipping overboard, or getting their limbs jammed between the
openings in the spars. It was easy, however, to foretell what would
happen should a strong wind and heavy sea get up: even should the raft
hold together, many of those on it must be washed away; while if all
hands had exerted themselves, it might have been greatly strengthened,
and made secure against the dangers it would in all probability have to
encounter.

Weary with our exertions, we at length agreed to go back to the mast and
rest till daylight; but on reaching the spot where we had before taken
our post, near the boatswain, we found it occupied, and were compelled
to content ourselves with a less secure place at some distance from him.
Not trusting those around us, we agreed that one should keep awake and
watch over the other two. It fell to my lot to keep the first watch;
and so, while Boxall and Halliday stretched themselves lengthways on a
plank, I sat by their side.

I had not been there long when some men began talking near me (probably
unaware that I understood Spanish). One of the men was, I made out, the
boatswain's mate, and the others were ordinary seamen. They were
speaking of the boatswain, and abusing him for what they called his
tyranny. Each one had some grievance to complain of.

"We have him now in our power," said the boatswain's mate; "let us
revenge ourselves on him."

"But who is to take command of the raft and guide us to the shore?"
asked one of the men.

"I will do that," was the answer; "I am as good a seaman as he is. And
when we get to land we will build huts and live at our ease, instead of
setting off, as he will certainly wish to do, to find some port where we
can start for Spain, where most of you will be sent back to the
galleys."

A good deal more was said to the same effect; and my immediate
impression was that the men he was addres