ight. When morning broke, no land was in
sight; but as the wind was from the westward, I judged that our safest
plan was to steer to the northward, when we might either fall in with
some ship, or make Java, or the western coast of Australia, should we
not sight any island on the way. We had a small cask of water in the
boat, and three empty casks, put there to be out of the way. My hope
was that we should be able to fill these with rain water before we got
into a more northern latitude, where we were likely to meet with a ship.
The reef off which we lay ran half a mile from north to south above the
water; how much further below it I could only judge by the line of white
foam which extended as far as the eye could reach. As this was a place
no ship was likely to approach, the sooner we got out of its latitude
the better. The wind having moderated, we accordingly made sail and
stood to the eastward.

"We had been three days in the boat, our small cask of water gradually
diminishing, while not a drop of rain had fallen to fill our casks, when
we sighted this small island. Hoping that it might afford us some
shelter, and at all events that we might obtain water, we steered
towards it. As we approached we saw the harbour opening out before us.
Though I thought that there would be some risk in crossing the bar, yet
I determined to make the attempt. Anything was better than dying of
thirst. The water appearing to be smoother in the centre, I stood under
all sail the boat could carry towards it, for it was still blowing
fresh. The bar was reached; and I expected the next instant to be in
smooth water, when an abominable roller came tumbling in, swamped our
boat, and turned her over, washing Rip away. I clambered up on the
bottom, when I saw Snarley, who had just come to the surface. The dog,
having looked about him, made towards a point inside the harbour, and,
exerting his strength, hauled Rip up. I, meantime, was tossing about on
the bar, expecting every moment to be washed off, when I saw Snarley
returning. Knowing that I should have his help, I sprang off and swam
towards him. I twisted the fingers of my left hand in his long, shaggy
hair, and he towed me through the surf safely to the shore, where I
found Rip already recovered waiting for me. He threw his arms around my
neck and burst into tears, exclaiming in Dutch--`I thought you had gone,
mynheer, and that I was left alone; but now you are come we shall m