252 LOSS OF A JAMAICA SLOOP. 
breaks upon the shore in three or five seas quickly succeed- 
ing each other, and then a small intennission, when it is mo^ 
proper to put from the shore. Being come to the river's mouth, 
as soon as the great seas were over we rowed out ; but our 
canoe being heavy, we were not able to get without the break- 
ers before the great seas approached us, at which time we 
were a good distance from the shore between the breakers ; 
and seeing our danger, I encouraged the people to row brisk- 
Jy over them ; but the sea rose so high, and broke so terribly, 
that they were all alarmed and confounded ; the sea broke in 
upon us, and the canoe being filled half full, canted her broad- 
side to it, for want of their pulling with their oars as they 
ought to have done. I perceived our danger, and another sea 
ready to break in upon us, with the help of my boatswain I 
turned the canoe's head to the shore ; and the very moment 
we had done so the sea broke over us from end to end, filled 
the canoe, and forced her very swiftly toward the shore ; the 
seamen sitting still, prevented her oversetting; one sea follow- 
ing close upon the back of another, quickly drove us on shore 
on the west side of the river ; happy it was for us that the ca- 
noe's stern was in the sea when it reached us, or otherwise 
she must have been turned bottom up ; and being in the cur- 
rent, which ran strong out of the river, v/ould have drove us 
to sea, where we had no chance for saving our lives. We 
hauled up the canoe and freed her, and with a good deal of 
labor and pains put her again into the river. When the sea- 
men got into safety, they swore the most bitter oaths that they 
would not go to sea in the canoe any more, but would travel 
by land to Plantain River. 
"They communicated to me their intention, and desired 
what provisions were left might be equally shared. I then re- 
presented to them the lame condition I was in, and that it was 
impossible for me to travel by land, since they saw I could 
hardly stand ; and conjured them not to leave me in such sad 
distress, Avhere I must inevitably perish, being incapable of 
helping myself. I desired they would stay but two or three 
days, in which time my leg might possibly grow better, or the 
sea would be smoother, so that we might be able to proceed 
without much danger ; and also represented to them the very 
great hazards and difficulties which would attend their going 
by land, the many large rivers that were between us and Plan- 
tain River, beside the fatigue of traveling, and the risk they 
ran of the wild beasts devouring them, in which that country 
abounded; but all I said could not divert them from their 
present purpose. 
