184 LOSS OF THE NOTTINGHAM GALLEY. 
rished ; for two days afterward the raft was found on shore, 
and one man dead about a mile from it, with a paddle fastened 
to his wrist ; but the Swede, who was so very forward to ad- 
venture, was never heard of more. 
We, who were left upon the desolate island, ignorant of 
what had befallen them, waited daily for deliverance. Our 
expectations were the more raised by a smoke we observed, 
two days afterward, in the wood, which was the signal ap- 
pointed to be made if they arrived safe. This continued dai- 
ly, and we were willing to believe that it was made on our 
account, though we saw no appearance of any thing toward 
our relief. We supposed that the delay was occasioned by 
their not being able to procure a vessel so soon as we desired, 
and this idea served to bear up our spirits and to support us 
greatly. 
Still our principal want was that of provision, having no? 
thing to eat but rock-weed and a few muscles ; indeed, when 
the spring tide was over we could scarcely get any at all ; I 
have myself gone, as no other person was able, several days, 
at low water, and could find no more than two or three a-piece. 
I was frequently in danger of losing- my hands and arms, by 
putting them so often into the water after the muscles, and 
when obtained, my stomach refused them, and preferred 
rock-weed. 
' Upon our first arrival we saw several seals upon the rock, 
and supposing they made harbor there in the night, I walked 
round at midnight, but could never meet with any thing. We 
saw likewise a great number of birds, which perceiving us 
daily there, would never lodge upon the rock, so that we 
caught none. 
This disappointment was severe, and tended to aggravate 
our miseries still more ; but it was particularly afflicting to a 
brother I had with me, and another young gentleman, neither 
of whom had before been at sea, or endured any kind of hard- 
ship. They were now reduced to the last extremity, having 
no assistance but what they received from me. 
Part of a green hide, fastened to a piece of the main-yard, 
being thrown up by the sea, the men importuned me to bring 
it to the tent, which being done, we minced it small and swal- 
lowed it. 
About this time I set the men to open junk, and when the 
weather would permit I thatched the tent with the rope-yam 
in the best manner I was able, that it might shelter us the 
better from the extremities of the weather. This proved of 
