68 the whaleman; or, 



deep. Here we saw before our eyes a striking 

 illustration of the feebleness of man's frail bark, 

 and with what ease it is torn to pieces, and scat- 

 tered far and wide, by the resistless power of the 

 elements. 



All who were living of our number had reached 

 the shore. Those that were saved had become 

 greatly chilled, and some were nearly perishing. 

 Notwithstanding it was storming at the time, 

 one of the first efforts of a part of our men was 

 to make a fire over a cliff some little distance 

 from the shore, affording a partial protection from 

 the wind and rain. 



In searching for articles as they came ashore, 

 we discovered a small keg of spirits, which, in 

 our condition of cold and destitution, was some- 

 what reviving to all our minds. Five casks of 

 bread, also, were cast upon the beach; but 

 neither beef nor pork was found. The latter 

 probably sunk where the ship left her bottom. 



The whole company was soon gathered round 

 the fire, in order to dry our clothes, and, if possi- 

 ble, to obtain some additional warmth. All, how- 

 ever, of our former number were not there ; it 

 was a solemn gathering, and the appearance of 

 all of us indicated that we had a narrow escape. 

 Alas ! some of our comrades and fellow-seamen 

 were left behind in the surges of the deep, or 



