RUN N IN G ASHORE. 



387 



guna, our port of destination. The passage into the 

 lake was shoal and narrow, with reefs and sandbars, 

 and our boatmen did not let slip the chance of running 

 her ashore. Their efforts to get her off capped the cli- 

 max of stupidity and laziness ; one or two of them 

 pushing on poles at a time, as if they were shoving off 

 a rowboat, and then stopping to rest and giving up to 

 others. Of what could be done by united force they 

 seemed to have no idea ; and, after a few ineffectual 

 efforts, the patron said we must remain till the tide 

 rose. We had no idea of another night on board the 

 bungo, and took entire command of the vessel. This 

 we were entitled to do from the physical force we 

 brought into action. Even Mr. Catherwood assisted; 

 and, besides him, we were three able-bodied and des- 

 perate men. Juan's efforts were gigantic. From the 

 great surface exposed, the moschetoes had tormented 

 him dreadfully, and he was even more disgusted with 

 the bungo than we. We put two of the men into the 

 water to heave against the bottom with their shoulders, 

 and ourselves bearing on poles all together, we shoved 

 her off into deep water. With a gentle breeze we 

 sailed smoothly along until we could distinguish the 

 masts of vessels at the Laguna rising above the island, 

 when the wind died away entirely, and left us under a 

 broiling sun in a dead calm. 



At two o'clock we saw clouds gathering, and imme- 

 diately the sky became very black, the harbinger of one 

 of those dreadful storms which even on dry land were 

 terrible. The hatches were put down, and a tarpaulin 

 spread over for us to take refuge under. The squall 

 came on so suddenly that the men were taken una- 

 ware, and the confusion on board was alarming. The 

 patron, with both hands extended, and a most beseech- 



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