PERILS AND INCIDENTS. 217 



inhabited), lying in latitude 5 27' N. longitude 

 87 15' W. 



Captain Hosmer and the other survivors 

 succeeded in reaching it, but in an almost help- 

 less condition. They, however, secured a pig, 

 and drank its blood, which revived their ex- 

 hausted strength, and also obtained a plentiful 

 supply of birds and fresh water. After remaining 

 two days upon the island, they were overjoyed 

 by seeing the approach of a boat, which proved 

 to belong to the ship Leonidas (whaler), Cap- 

 tain Swift, of New Bedford, then lying in Chat- 

 ham Bay, for the purpose of procuring wood 

 and water, and were relieved from their dreadful 

 sufferings by being taken on board the ship 

 and treated with every possible attention and 

 kindness. 



The mate of the Janet explained his apparent 

 neglect of the captain, in a letter to his owners, 

 as follows. After mentioning the fact of three 

 boats putting off for whales, as stated above, 

 he adds : 



" At three P.M. I had my whale alongside, 

 and soon the ship came to me ; and when I 



