ESCAPE OF THE EEPUBLICAN EXILES. 133 



but from another little fort, Iraconbo, and the ocean. 

 At four in the morning, while they were struggling 

 fearfully along in utter darkness, they were made 

 aware of their passing close under Iraconbo by the 

 discharge of two guns a-head, followed by another 

 close to them. But they were not struck by the 

 shot, they saw nothing from the extreme darkness, 

 and when daylight at last came, Iraconbo, with all 

 its terrors, was lying " far o' the lee." 



The weather was fortunately serene, otherwise they 

 must have been lost instantly, for the canoe was so 

 small that every wave rolled into it. K"o voyagers 

 could have put to sea in a more primitive condition. 

 They had neither compass, nor quadrant, nor bread, 

 nor meat, nor water. Their whole stock amounted 

 to two bottles of rum \ For three days they thus 

 sailed along, until they were almost starved ; on the 

 third day they were totally becalmed. The air was 

 fire, the very ocean scorched them, like a mirror 

 reflecting the burning beams of the sun. They gave 

 themselves up for lost. They had no expectation but 

 that of festering in the spot where they were thus 

 chained by the elements. It was at this time that 

 they employed their leisure in making solemn vows 

 never to avenge themselves on their country, and 

 never to retaliate their injuries on individuals. All 

 swore in the presence of Heaven never to take arms 

 against France. This was perhaps one of the most 

 characteristic displays of their whole captivity. The 



