nd on each
side, making a passage for our vessel right to the surface of the water
where it was lowest. We next got poles to put under the vessel to launch
her out, and resolved on the day following, God willing, to thrust her
into the water. But we were prevented by the illness of Mr. Randal, who
had been the guide and counsellor of our whole party. It soon became
evident that he could not recover, and the week after he died.

After this we succeeded in launching our vessel, but again a terrible
misfortune happened. We had made the ship fast with two anchors the
night before we intended to begin our voyage, and my companions resolved
to stay on shore, while I, as for some nights had been my custom, slept
on board.

I rested very contentedly, and in the morning went on deck ready to call
my companions. To my horror the sea surrounded the vessel; there was not
a glimpse of land! The shock was so terrible that I fell down on the
deck unconscious. How long I continued so I know not, but when I came to
myself a little reflection told me what had happened. A hurricane had
risen and torn away the vessel while I slept heavily, for the night
before we had all drunk too freely, and my remorse was the more bitter
for remembering Mr. Randal, the good man whose warnings, had he lived,
would have prevented this misfortune.

But fate was kinder to me than I deserved. For a fortnight I was tossed
upon the sea without discovering land, and with only the company of the
dog that had been poor Mr. Randal's. But three days later I saw land
right ahead, to my great joy, though joy was not unmixed with fear, as I
did not know into whose hands I might fall. It was on January 30 that I
reached the bay and town of Campeche, where I was met by two canoes,
with a Spaniard and six Indians, who, on learning something of my story,
I speaking in broken French, which the Spaniard understood, immediately
took me on shore to the Governor. He, on hearing of my arrival, sent for
me where he sat at dinner, and received me with the utmost kindness.

These generous Spaniards not only feasted me while I remained there, but
soon collected among themselves money enough to fit out my vessel ready
to go and rescue my poor companions left on the desert island. On
February 15 we sailed from Campeche Bay, after I, having nothing else to
give, had offered my Ovid to the Governor. He took it kindly, saying
that he should prize it very highly, not only for its own s