38 
SHORT NOTES ON PROFESSIONAL SUBJECTS. 
Accordingly we assembled early on the morning of Saturday the 17th, each of us 
with a cloak and provisions, and began our march. About sun-rise this morning, 
Messrs T. & B. were in a state of insensibility; and in this state, in anguish of 
mind undiscribable, we left them, with a good fire, and provisions within their reach, 
fervently recommending them to the care of the Almighty Power. 
In solemn silence we continued our day’s journey over almost inaccessible 
mountains and thro’ almost impenetrable woods; till about two o’clock, when we 
took up our quarters for the night, in a wood on the rise of a hill, well covered with 
wood, and plenty of water near us. After making a fire, we eat a small piece of 
pork, (which but served to sharpen our appetite), and then endeavoured to get some 
rest, and for a few hours smother our distresses in sleep. On Sunday the 18th, we 
proceeded oil our journey, but soon found it impossible to penetrate any further 
into the country. We found ourselves in a valley, covered with impenetrable woods, 
skirted by inaccessible mountains, and frequently interspersed with impassable 
rivers; from which, it was impossible to get out, except by the way which we 
entered. This soon convinced us, of the impossibility of pursuing our journey; and 
determined us, to return to the unfortunate spot of our shipwreck, and there to 
build some kind of hut, to secure all the provisions we could, and there to wait our 
fate. This plan being universally agreed to, we measured back our steps to the 
place we had stopt at the night before; where we remained, while three of our 
party went on to the place where Messrs T. & B. were, to endeavor to afford them 
assistance if they still existed, & on Monday the 19 th we returned also, and imme¬ 
diately set to work in saving our provisions. We were inexpressibly happy to find 
Messrs T. &B. alive, altho’ their feet were severely frost bit. On Tuesday y e 20th, a 
party of 4 men were sent out, to pick up what provisions could be seen floating 
about, whilst the rest were employ’d in planning and beginning a hut. We chose 
a situation for it, in a small thicket of spruce, where we cleared a space sufficient for 
our purpose, leaving such trees, as were in a right line, and w d serve for the 
direction of its sides, and ends; after which, we got 4 strong planks, from the wreck, 
(the ship went to pieces the day after we landed), which we lashed to the trees we 
had left, at about 3| feet from the ground, securing them well where the trees were 
not strong enough with stakes. This done, we built a wall of stone that end which 
was most exposed to the sea; on the outside of which, we put a thick coat of sod, 
which, to supply the want of spades, we dug with the staves of a cask sharpened at 
the end; for the other end, and sides, short planks from the ground against the top 
of the beam which were placed on the outside of which all round we built a 
thick wall of sods. The formation of its top was exactly after the formation of an 
English cottage, altho’ a very humble imitation; after the rafters were placed, we 
laid planks over them, above which, we put a covering of sods, leaving a small hole 
in the centre of the top for the smoke. According to this plan, we all worked very 
hard till it was finished. I forgot to mention that on our return from our journey, our 
first employment, was to erect a flag-staff on the highest ground we could find; upon 
which we hoisted a black and white flag; in hopes it might be perceived by some 
small boat that might go along shore. To this, we owe our present existence, for 
on Saturday, the 3Lst of Oct., at about three o’clock in the afternoon, we were 
perceived by a small schooner, the master of which, saw our flag, and knowing the 
place to be uninhabited immediately concluded it was a signal of distress, from 
people who were castaway; and instantly made towards land, and took us on board ; 
and on the 12th of November landed us in safety at this place, where we are 
comfortably lodged in the house of Mr Boone, son of Harris Boone, Esqr., of 
Dartmouth, having lossed Lieuts. Barckley & Barnes and John Grant & Thomas 
Coats, gunners. When I arrived here I found it impossible to get to Placentia or 
St John’s (the season being so far advanced) which I had intended to have done had 
it been possible; accordingly have taken up my winter quarters with the detachment, 
