WRECK OF THE CHALLENGER. 17 



the back set of the surfj a critical one ; and 

 it was on this occasion that a small body of 

 Indians, on horses, many of whom had been 

 first seen approaching from the hills soon after 

 daylight, dashed into the water, and with their 

 lazos assisted the landing of those oh it. One 

 of the most active of the party was an Indian 

 woman. 



Our kedge anchor was now buried, and the 

 stout hawser hauled on board, and hove taut, 

 and an attempt to make a second trip with the 

 last raft ; but it was upset in the surf, under the 

 stern, and one seaman who had jumped upon it 

 was a long time in great peril of being waslied 

 off it, whilst it drifted back to the beach, the slip 

 rope which had attached it to the hawser, by 

 which it had been hove off, having parted. At 

 3 P. M. the ship appeared to have neared the 

 shore, and it was determined to lash some stout 

 spars to the cutter, and launch her. She landed 

 safely, though nearly filled with water, having 

 conveyed on shore officers, seamen, and marines, 

 to the number of thirteen. It was now nearly 

 dusk, and the whole number landed scarcely 

 exceeded fifty persons. All hands were greatly 

 exhausted, from fatigue both of mind and body, 



c 



