Ix 



INTROBUCTION, 



named the IJImd of Providence* This rock 

 was oot entirclj barren ; they found on it 

 watCFj fea tortoifes, and cocoas. Nine of tlic 

 boat's crew remained here, while two vigo- 

 rous rowers endeavoured to return to the 

 fand ifland, where the reft of the fhip's 

 company had taken flicker until alliftance 

 fhould be brought to them. This attempt 

 was the more hazardous, as they every mo- 

 ment faw themfelves in danger of being 

 fwallowed up by the high tides, the fatal 

 period of which was faft approaching. At 

 the end of three days, however, the canoe 

 reached the place of its defti nation ; but as 

 it was too fmall to receive all the people 

 w^ho had been fhipwrecked, they fupplied 

 this deficiency by a raft conftruded of the 

 remains of their veflTel. It was made fuffi- 

 ciently large to contain fuch provlfions and 

 utenfils as were neceCfary for building and 

 \l£lualling a fmall fhallop- This raft was 



made 



