136 A DIRTY JOB. 



remainder of them endeavoured to keep the boat up 

 to her anchor, and thereby prevent her striking be- 

 fore we had cleared her. This was a dirty job, as, 

 when wading in with a heavy load on my head, I was 

 more than once almost capsized by the rollers, and 

 one of the men was actually sent head over heels 

 with a large case of brandy, and buried in the surf. 

 However, as I luckily happened to be returning to the 

 boat at the time, having deposited my load on the 

 beach, I was enabled to assist successfully in saving 

 the case. This work lasted for nearly half an hour, 

 and by the time the Search touched the bottom in 

 about three feet of water, the men being unable to 

 keep her any longer afloat against the wind and sea, 

 which seemed increasing rapidly, there was scarcely 

 anything in her. After an hour's hard, cold, and 

 wet work, she was high and dry. I lost no time in 

 getting into my blanket tent, and refreshing the inner 

 man with a little brandy. The cargo was then neatly 

 stowed together and a watch set — and once more I 

 surrendered myself to Morpheus. 



It blew hard all night, and in the morning the 

 wind shifted to the south-west, and blew almost as 

 hard as ever. In the morning Mr. Young informed 

 me that we should remain as we were till the gale 

 was over. As I was very tired after the night's 

 work, I made up my mind to have a good sjeep ; and 

 about 8 A.M., having finished breakfast, I spread my 

 waterproof sheet under a large tree in a sheltered 

 spot, and having a gun-case for a pillow, lay down 

 for that purpose. However, I was not destined to 

 enjoy much rest yet, for scarcely had I made myself 



