106 A DIFFICULT ENTEEPEISE. [ 1 692-93. 



which belong'd to the Dutch, where we might embark to go 

 where we pleas'd, there being a Governor, and Ships coming 

 every year from the Cape of Good Hope. This Isle is above 

 one hundred and sixty Leagues from Iiodrigo,a. great way for 

 us to make ; but we consider'd the Wind^ blew generally one 

 way, and that fair for that Island ; wherefore we put all 

 hands to Work to build a Bark as well as we cou'd, and if 

 there was any liklihood we might make use of it, we wou'd 

 convey our selves thither in it,^ after having implor'd the 

 assistance of him, who Commands the Winds and the 

 Seas. 



This Enterprize appear'd very difficult, even to those that 

 Projected it ; but however, it did not seem to be wholly 

 impossible. We were to build a pretty big Boat, but we had 

 no Skilful AVorkmen, and few Tools ; we had neither Pitch 

 nor Tar, nor Cordage, nor Anchor, nor Compass, nor a 

 hundred other Necessaries, and near two hundred Leagues^ by 

 Sea was a great Voyage. The Wisest of us saw a thousand 

 other Difficulties, and were afraid our Design cou'd never 

 succeed. But those that projected it, were fix'd in it ; and 

 'twas agreed upon, that we shou'd prepare to put it in 

 Execution, and by way of Diversion, to undertake the build- 

 ing of a Bark, tho' we lost our Labour. No sooner said than 

 done. And all eight of us without serving any Apprentice- 

 ship, became Carpenters, Smiths, Ptope-makers, Mariners, 

 and generally every thing that was necessary for us to be. 

 In this Undertaking necessity was a Law to us, it supply'd 

 all our Defects. Every one proposed what he thought w^ou'd 

 be most proper and advantageous, and we went all chear- 

 fully to Work, having a good Understanding one with an- 

 other, as 'twas our Common Interest. 



' The trade -wind ; vide infra. 



2 In orig. : " dans cette petite arche." 



3 Rodriguez lies 350 miles to the eastward of Mauritius. {Vide 

 Fiudlay, op. cit., p. 512.) 



