518 



VOTAQE FROM CERAM 



[chap. sxrv. 



stopped our way very mucb, and we drifted from shore 

 very slowly, and lioped the men would hastily form a raft, 

 or cut down a soft-wood tree, and paddle out to us, as we 

 were still not more than a third of a mile from shore. 

 They seemed, however, to have half lost their senses, 

 gesticulating wildly to us, ruimiiig along the beach, then 

 going into the forest; and just -when we thought they 

 Inid prepai-ed some mode of making an attempt to reach 

 U3, we saw the smoke of a fire they had made to cook 

 their sheU-fishl They had evidently given up all idea 

 of coming after us, and we were ohligcd to look to our 

 own position, 



We were now about a mile from shore, and midway be- 

 tween two of the islands, hut we were slowly drifting out 

 to sea to the westward, and our only chance of yet saving 

 the men was to reach the opposite shore. We therefore set 

 our jib and rowed hard ; but the wind tailed, and we drifted 

 out so rapidly that w^e had some difficulty in reaching tlie 

 extreme westerly point of the island. Our only sailor 

 left, then swam ashoi-e with a rope, and helped to tow 

 us round the pomt into a tolerably safe and secure anchor- • 

 age, well sheltered from the wind, but exposed to a little 

 swell which jerked our anchor and made us rather un- 

 easy. We were now in a sad plight, having lost our two 

 best men, and being doubtful if we had strength left to 

 hoist om* mainsaO. We had only t^vo days* water on 

 hoard, and the small, rocky^ volcanic island did not 

 promise us nuich chance of finding any. The conduct 

 of the men on shore was sueh as to render it doubtful 

 if they would make any serious attempt to reach us, 

 though they might eaaily do so, having two good choppers, 

 with which in a day they could make a small outrigger 

 raft on which they could safely cross the two miles of 

 smooth sea with the wind right aft, if they started from 

 the cast end of the island, so as to allow for the current. 

 1 could only hope they w^oidd be sensible enough to make 

 the attempt, and detemiined to stay as long as I could to 

 give them the chance. 



We passed an anxious night, fearful of again breaking 

 our anchor or rattan cable. In the morning (23d), tmding 

 all secure, I waded on shore with my two men, leavmg the 



