MALTA AND SICILY. 
285 
after five clays, during which we made very 
slow progress, we encountered a strong 
breeze from the westward, which soon com¬ 
pelled our timid mariners to run back for 
shelter under the island of Ponza, near the 
Bay of Naples. When it became dark 
we could see to the eastward a red light, 
which our captain said proceeded from 
Vesuvius. We remained under Ponza all 
night, sailing to and fro, and in the morning, 
as the water was tolerably smooth, we in¬ 
sisted upon going on shore for provisions, 
for our stock, by the assistance of our 
friends, was entirely exhausted, and we 
began to feel the pains of emptiness again. 
The captain opposed this measure vehe¬ 
mently ; but at length, by promising to buy 
them some fresh fish for their dinner, we 
persuaded two of the men to accompany us, 
contrary to his orders, for he had not much 
