58 LOSS OF THE HERCULES. 
was kept up by being assured they would soon be within sight 
of land, and that by constantly working at the pumps the 
ship would be kept afloat until they reached the shore. 
She remained for some time unmanageable, frequently stand- 
ing with her head from the land, which all their efforts could 
not prevent; the captain got a rudder made out of the top-mast, 
and fixed in the pjace of the one they had losr ; but it was 
found of little use without the help of the long-boat, which he 
ordered therefore to be hauled athwart her stern, and this 
served, although with the greatest difficulty, to get her head 
toward the shore, the wind being variable from the eastward. 
A cable could have been got out, that might have answered 
tolerably well to steer the ship ; but the people could not be 
spared from the pumps to attend roussing in on the tacles, or 
guise, as occasion might require. 
On the evening, however, of the 15th they discovered land 
at about six leagues distant. All on board at this moment 
.expressed their joy in shouts and acclamations. The ship 
still kept nearing the shore, with five feet water in her hold. 
On the 16th in the morning, being then about two miles 
from the land, and the wind from the westward, the captain 
ordered the anchor to be let go, that a last effort might be 
made to stop the leaks, and, if possible, save the ship. But 
her stern was shattered in such a manner, that after holding 
another consultation with his officers, it was finally resolved 
to run the ship on the coast then opposite to them. Another 
gale threatened them, and no time was to be lost. 
The captain immediately ordered his second mate, who was 
in the boat, to come on board, and he then delivered into his 
custody the ship's register, and all the papers of consequence 
he had. After providing him and his three men with water 
and provisions, he ordered him into the boat again, with di- 
rections to keep in the offing ; and that after they had run the 
ship on shore, provided they got safe to land, he would search 
for some inlet into which he might run with safety. They 
desired him also to look out for signals which would be occa- 
sionally thrown out from the shore to direct his course. The 
mate faithfully promised to obey his instructions, and then 
returned to his boat. 
They were now on the coast of Caffi'aria, within a few 
leagues where the river Infanta empties itself into the sea, A 
dreadful crisis approached, and they agreed to meet it with 
becoming fortitude. The captain therefore gave directions 
to set the head sail, to have the spring well taught, in order to 
