LOSS OF A JAMAICA SLOOP. 249 
At night we anchored again. We boiled the pot every day ; 
our food was flour and water boiled like hasty-pudding, with 
some little bits of beef to give it a relish, instead of butter and 
salt. In prosecution of this voyage in the canoe, I found it 
very troublesome and fatiguing ; for having no rudder, it was 
very hard work to steer her with a paddle, for which I had 
occasion to use my whole strength. Being at that work most 
part of the day, I was heartily tired before night ; and scorch- 
ing in the sun all day in the latitude of 16 degrees, added to 
our pain. But the fatigue of the night was still worse than 
the day ; for the canoe being very leaky, it was impossible 
for me to sleep in her bottom, where the water washed con- 
tinually from side to side ; I therefore laid one of the paddles 
across the canoe's gunwale, to keep my legs out of the water, 
and one of the seats or thouts I placed under the lower part 
of my back, with my shoulders on the stern-sheets : in this 
manner I slumbered, and got now and then a short sleep. 
" Three or four days and nights passed in this manner, till 
discovering the huts on the point of Plantain River, we saw 
the English flag hoisted. As soon as we opened the river we 
put in for it, but as the water was shallow, and a heavy sea 
beating on the shore, it was with great difficulty we got in 
without being overset or filled with water. As soon as we 
arrived at the river we were welcomed ashore by the white 
men who resided at that place ; we told them our story, and 
inquired if they had seen any vessel lately on that coast ; they 
said they had not, but commiserated our condition, and gave 
us such fresh provision as they had. 
" After having refreshed ourselves and cheered our spirits, 
we set about fixing a rudder to our canoe, and completed it 
that night. At bed time I asked one of the inhabitants to show 
me where I should lodge; being conducted to the place, I went 
to sleep ; and though I found it hard enough for my sore 
bones, I slept very heartily, being the first tolerable night's 
rest I had got since our being cast away. 
" Having lost a good part of our powder and shot by our 
two deserters, on going to Black River, I let the white men 
know our necessity, who supplied us with some more ; and 
having staid only one night at this place, in the morning we 
took our leave, and pursued our voyage for Truxillo. We 
left Plantain River, and steered along shore for Cape Come- 
rone ; passed by it, and after several days and nights being at 
sea with our usual fare, came in sight of the port of Truxillo, 
but found no vessel there, which gave me additional trouble 
