ROLLERS ON THE MUD FLATS. 237 



mangrove coast stretching away to the south-east on 

 our left. 



We had a depth of about three fathoms, and hav- 

 ing got out into the breeze we made sail close on a 

 wind, hoping to fetch the ship, which was now about 

 seventeen miles distant. We had not gone more 

 than a mile or two, however, before breakers and 

 shoal water were seen ahead, so we " doused " the 

 sail, and pulled to windward, hoping to get round 

 them. As we were now unsheltered by any land 

 to windward, the sea was very heavy and rather 

 confused, the whole swell of the ocean pouring 

 right in upon these mud flats. Having pulled to 

 windward of the chief mass of breakers we again 

 set sail, and stood to the south-west, keeping the 

 oars likewise going. In this way we continued pull- 

 ing and sailing for several hours in a general depth 

 of about three fathoms, making but slow way, and 

 obliged to keep a watchful eye on the sea. Heavy 

 breakers occasionally rose on all sides of us, often 

 not breaking in the same place twice together, but 

 just wherever a higher swell than usual happened 

 to meet or be incorporated with another. A line of 

 huge rollers occasionally swept past us, and once 

 three great waves in quick succession. These were 

 of great height and regularity, and as when the first 

 approached us, we had good way on the boat, her 

 head was quickly brought to it, and she rose over 

 it in good style, and then fell in the succeeding 

 hollow. Here was the point of danger, the height 



