MEMOIR. XXV11 



her masts, and it was expected that her 

 deck would separate from her ribs, and 

 be carried out to sea, as the tide was now 

 falling. The wind, however, became mo- 

 derate, and the accident which we dreaded 

 did not happen. With some others of the 

 passengers, I had stripped myself com- 

 pletely naked, and lashed myself to the 

 capstan, in order that I might have some- 

 thing firm to abide by, and not be washed 

 away by the waves. Some hours after 

 this, the tide having begun to turn, and 

 set in towards the harbour, and the even- 

 ing becoming dusky, it was determined 

 by those who could swim, to make their 

 way through the breakers, as we saw boats 

 waiting for us in smooth water at their 

 edge. Commissioner Wyllie preceded me, 

 and when taken up, told an intimate friend 

 of mine, who had come down in his boat 

 to assist me, that I should certainly be 

 drowned, as I was unable to swim. Shortly 



