LOSS OF A SPANISH FRIGATE. 239 
I mustered all my strength, and kept up with the rest as well 
as I was able ; but after walking several hours, being unable 
any longer to support myself on my sore feet, I entreated my 
companions to continue their journey without me, as it was 
not just, that for the sake of an individual, the others should 
run the risk of perishing ; that I would follow them as well 
as I was able, as soon as my feet were better ; adding, that if 
they met with any Spanish habitations, I trusted they would 
send for me ; but if the country was uninhabited, they might 
lake such measures as they should think lit ; and recommend- 
ing them above all things to keep together. 
It is impossible to conceive how deeply this address affected 
my little troop ; they could not refrain from tears, and opposed 
the resolution which I had stated that it was my determination 
to take, swearing they would not forsake me, were they even to 
run the risk of perishing, and offered to carry me on their shoul- 
ders. This proposal I refused, as too fatiguing to them, and as a 
measure which would retard them too much ; telling them that 
their time was precious, and they ought diligently to prosecute 
their design, which was to repair to the port of Caldera. But, 
notwithstanding all I could say, they would not be denied, and 
I was obliged to suffer them to carry me. They all performed 
this duty with the greatest pleasure, relieved each other by 
turns, till seven o'clock at night. 
They then halted, as much for the purpose of reposing as 
to eat and refresh themselves. Having fortunately found some 
of the same kind of periwinkles as before, we broiled them 
on the coals. These, however, did not fully supply our ne- 
cessities, for the fatigue of walking, and the intense heat of 
the sun during the whole day, produced excessive thirst, our 
throats were inflamed, and we wanted fresh water to quench 
the fire which consumed us. Proceeding a league farther, we 
fortunately came to one of the most delightful rivers that was 
ever seen. Its banks were lined on each side with lofty plan- 
tains loaded with fruit, and whose branches meeting over the 
stream, formed a most agreeable kind of bower as far as the 
eye could reach. 
We returned thanks to God for this fortunate discovery, and 
with avidity appeased our thirst. Our joy was still farther 
increased when the pilot, having looked about him, declared 
that he knew the place, and that the charming stream we were 
admiring was the river St. Anthony. He assured us, that at 
the distance of about four leagues there was a rich farm 
abounding in cattle, belonging to Alonzo Macotela, of the city 
