12 
AN ACCOUNT OF 
1783. trying an occafion was executed with a readinefs and 
august. 
obedience hardly ever exceeded. The people all now af- 
fembled aft, the quarter-deck laying higheft out of the 
water, the quarter-boards afforded fome little fhelter from 
the fea and rain; here, after contemplating a few moments 
their wretched fituation, the Captain endeavoured to re¬ 
vive their drooping fpirits, which began to fink through 
anxiety and fatigue, by reminding them that fhipwreck 
was a misfortune to which thofe who navigate the ocean 
were always liable; that theirs indeed was more difficult, 
from happening in an unknown and unfrequented fea, 
but that this confideration fhould roufe their moft aitive 
attention, as much muft depend on themfelves to be ex¬ 
tricated from their diftrefs; that when thefe misfortunes 
happened, they were often rendered more dreadful than they 
otherwife would be by the defpair and difagreement of the 
crew ; to avoid which, it was ffrongly recommended to every 
individual not to drink any fpirituous liquor. A ready 
confent was given to this advice; and, they being all wet and 
fatigued with excellive labour, it was thought advifeable to 
take fome refrefhment, which to each perfon was a glafs of 
wine and fome bifcuit; after eating, a fecond glafs of wine 
was given them, and they now waited with the utmoft anx¬ 
iety the return of day, in hope of feeing land, for as yet they 
had not difcovered any ; the third mate and one of the quar- 
ter-mafters only , in the momentary interval of a dreadful 
flafli 
