1827. J Adventures of Naufragus. J51 



which we had the heartfelt satisfaction to find, were so far from being useless, that 

 on perusing the sounding-rod, when pulled up from the well (which we did under 

 feelings of extreme anxiety and eagerness), we were convinced that the water did 

 not gain upon us. Our spirits, however, received no encouragement from the 

 appearance of the elements ; the clouds were black and frowning, and all around 

 still bore a threatening appearance, the hurricane indeed having rather increased 

 than in the slightest degree abated. 



" The circumstance of our having on board so perishable and light a cargo as 

 soft sugar, it is remarkable, was the very means of our preservation. Had it con- 

 sisted of almost any other article, either of pepper or of dead wood, we must ine- 

 vitably have perished. To have thrown overboard any heavy cargo, would, from 

 the constant and heavy breaches which the sea made over us, have been impos- 

 sible. Neither could the masts have been cut away, for the purpose of lightening 

 the vessel, in consequence of the imbecile condition of the crew ; a recourse to so 

 hazardous a measure would, under our circumstances, most likely have proved the 

 cause of our destruction. As it was, from constant pumping for three days, 

 we found our vessel as light and buoyant as a cork, and, with the exception of 

 the baskets in which the sugar had been stowed, as empty as when I first pur- 

 chased her. 



" Night approached, bringing with it additional horrors. The secunnies, who 

 had hitherto borne their hardships with admirable fortitude, now began to droop, 

 and to express a violent inclination for more rum, although as much had been given 

 them as they could possibly bear ; indeed, rum, with dough, half-baked, had formed 

 their only sustenance during the whole period of our sufferings. As for the 

 pumps, we were now so lightened, they did not require to be worked at all; but 

 the greatest dread we laboured under was from the dangerous condition of the main 

 and fore masts, that tottered to and fro, threatening to go by the board every minute. 

 Before the hour of sunset, a large bird, called the albatross, with wings the length 

 of four to five feet each, skimmed along the surface of the waves, close to and 

 around us : this inspired the crew with hopes, as they supposed it to be a good 

 omen. It remained hovering near our unfortunate wreck for some minutes, until 

 it alighted on the waves, where it was seen riding perfectly at ease, and with the 

 majesty of a fine large swan, now on the summit of a tremendous mountain of 

 waters, and now in the ravines of a wide and deep abyss. At length darkness 

 once more encompassed us around, and seemed to shut us out from even a ray of 

 hope; the desponding few, whose senses were still left them, 'apparently felt with 

 more acuteness than before, the desperation and horrors of their condition. At 

 the hour of eight p. m. however, the wind suddenly changed from south-east to 

 south-west, and soon appeared to be dying away. At this happy circumstance, 

 whereby a prospect of deliverance from the very depths of despair was opened to 

 us, the feelings manifested by the crew were as singular as they were various ; some 

 shouted for joy some cried others muttered prayers while a few were still 

 despondent, presenting wild and savage- look ing features, and seeming to regret 

 that the billows had not swallowed them up." 



Life, however, is pretty nearly the only property with which the travellers 

 do escape ; and from this moment the tide of success appears to have 

 deserted the bark of Naufragus. The toils and sufferings of his voyage 

 bring on an attack of " deafness," from which he never recovers, and 

 which unfits him for the sea; and the whole wreck of his vessel and cargo sells 

 for a sum under 400/. In the mean time, " the trade to the East- Indies 

 had been thrown open," and the high profits were not to be made, nor the 

 high wages to be obtained, any longer. Freights had gone down from 24/., 

 26/.. and 301. per ton, to 19?., 16/., ]2/., and 11. ; and European sailors, 

 being in plenty, were of course no longer in request. His fortunes after 

 this are various, but never highly prosperous. For some time he resides in 

 the interior of the country, at Chandernagore ; and the account which ho 

 gives of the various scenes and wonders which he beheld here the legends, 

 creed, and ceremonies of the natives is vivid and interesting ; but our 



