LOSS OF A JAMAICA SLOOP. 245 
water agfain to eight fathom, and so to seven. My pilot see- 
ing a remarkable tuft of trees, said he knew the land ; and 
further to the eastward he grew more confirmed in it ; but 1 
having consulted my draught, it laid down a great many rocks 
and shoals thereabout, which gave me little hopes ; but stand- 
ing to the eastward, we still raised the land, and the pilot said 
positively he knew it was Cape Gracia de Dios ; to the east- 
ward of which, round that cape, he said was very good and 
safe anchoring, as the wind then was, where he had been seve- 
ral times ; and further said that we should weather the cape 
in five fathom water. I was glad to hear he was so positive 
he knew the land ; and in weathering the cape had no more 
than five fathom water, which confirmed me that he was right 
in his judgment. As soon as we deepened the water the pilot 
said it was time to bear away ; did so, but soon shoaled the 
water again, and the pilot was afraid he was mistaken, and 
then said he was right again ; but we soon saw the pilot had de- 
ceived us, for we struck upon a shoal of rocks, and gave but 
few thumps before the main-mast jumped out of the step ; and 
for fear the foot of the mast should force out the sloop's bow 
and sink her immediately, we made haste to cut it away ; but 
having but one ax, had hard work to do it, as we had also in cut- 
ting away the vessel's gunwale, in order to launch the canoe 
overboard. 
"The mast being gone, we could have no assistance of 
tackles, and found it very difficult to launch her into the sea, 
she being very heavy ; but being apprehensive of the sloop's 
beating in pieces upon the shoal, every one outdid themselves, 
and at last, with much ado, got her into the water, by which 
time it was near night ; and being at least two leagues from 
the shore, made haste to leave the sloop, that we might reach 
it before it was dark, and only took with us one piece of beef, 
our small arms, a little gunpowder, some small shot, an ax, 
and an iron pot, and then put for the shore, which we did not 
reach till near eight o'clock at night ; when near it, we saw 
the break of the sea so high, and at such a distance from it, 
were very much afraid of the canoe's oversetting before we 
should be able to get thither ; but there being no way to save 
our lives but through that danger, were obliged to put for it, 
let the consequence be what it would. It being moonlight, 
we watched a favorable opportunity of a smooth sea, and im- 
mediately rowed for the shore, the sea breaking over us seve- 
ral times before we came to it, and by the providence of God 
we happily landed » 
21* 
