354 SIB JOSEPH BANKS. 



holding together till another tide should enable them to 

 get her off. The morning disclosed a full view of their 

 dreadful and dismal condition. The land was at eight 

 leagues' distance, and no islets lay in the intermediate 

 sea, on which the crew could be landed and saved were 

 they to quit the wreck, the boats being wholly insufficient 

 to take all the crew at once. Nothing could possibly be 

 more desperate than this appearance of things. Never- 

 theless, the sense of imminent danger produced the 

 strictest discipline ; no attempts at insubordination were 

 perceivable ; nor any discontent ; but rather an alacrity, 

 approaching to cheerfulness, was shown by all ; and it was 

 observed that their awful situation restrained any loose 

 or profane expressions, so that not an oath was to be 

 heard any more than a murmur. To lighten the ship, 

 was now the first object. Every thing, therefore, was 

 thrown overboard which could be spared, guns, heavy 

 lumber, ballast, stores ; and yet two tides elapsed before 

 she could be got afloat. The moment of her floating was 

 truly an anxious one; for the water had gained so fast 

 that there was a great probability of her going down 

 when no longer supported by the rocks. Every one saw 

 in his neighbour's countenance a reflection of the despair 

 he felt himself ; but none gave way to such feelings, and 

 the suspense continued in silent anxiety and dread. To 

 their exceeding relief, at ten in the morning, when she 

 rode in deep water, the leak was found to gain no faster 

 than before, though her bottom was by that time con- 

 siderably damaged. The water, however, could only be 

 stemmed by the unceasing labour of the crew at the 

 pumps night and day. The men were so exhausted, that 

 finding the leak still gain upon them, they were on the 



