CH.JU*. XX3CV.] 



TO IFAIGIOll 



517 



coral, we were obliged to anchor. We had now been inces- 

 santly tossing about for four days in nur small undecked 

 boat, with constant disappointments and anxiety, and it 

 was a great comfort to have a night of quiet and com- 

 parative safety. VLj old pilot had never left the helm for 

 more than an hour at a time, when one of the others would 

 lelieve him for a little sleep; so I determined tlie next 

 morning to look out for a secure and convenient harhuur, 

 and rest on shore for a day. 



In the morning, findio*? it would be necessary for us to 

 get round a rocky point, I wauted my men to go on shore 

 and cut jungle-rope, Ijy winch to secure us from being 

 again dril'ted away, as tlie wind was directly off shore, I 

 unfortunately, however, allowud myself to be overruled by 

 the pilot and crew, who all declared that it was the ea.sieiit 

 thing possible, and that they would row the boat itjund the 

 point in a few minutes. They accordingly got up tlie 

 anchor, set the jib, and began rowing; but, just as I had 

 feared, we drifted mpidly otl' shore, and had to drop anchor 

 again in deeper water, and much farther otK The two best 

 men, a Papuan and a Malay, now swam on sliore, each 

 carrying a hatchet, and went into the jungle to seek 

 creepers for rope. After about &\i hour our ancimr loosed 

 hold, and began to drag. This alarmed me greatly, and we 

 let go our spare anchor, and, by running out all our cable, 

 appeared tnlerably secure again. We were now most 

 anxious for the return of the men, and were going to tire 

 our muskets to i-ecall tliem, when we observed them on 

 the beach, some way oil; and almost immediately our 

 anchors again slipped, and we drifted slo%vly away into 

 deep water. We instantly seized the oars, but fouiui we 

 could not counteract the wind and current, and our frantic 

 cries to the men were not heard tUl we had f;ot a 

 long way off, as they seemed to be hunting for shell-fish on 

 the beiieiu Very soon, however, they stai-ed at us, and in a 

 few minutes seemed to comprehend their situation ; for 

 they rushed down into the water, as if to swim off, liut 

 again returned on shore, as if afraid to make the attempt. 

 AVe hail drawn up our anchors at first not to check our 

 rowing ; but now, tinding we could do nothing, we let th^m 

 both hang down by the full length of the cables. This 



