HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
129 
imperfect construction and wretchedly equipped, we were animated with the niiost 
sanguine hope of succeeding in our expedition. We reckoned, indeed, if the fine 
weather continued, and the kind of monsoon, which has already been mentioned, 
prevailed, that, according to our calculation, founded on the information of the 
captain and sailors during our passage, we should arrive in two days and two nights 
at the Island of Mauritius. 
“ We accordingly departed, with the animating hope that we should soon find 
ourselves among the inhabitants of the world. The space between the island and the 
breakers was soon passed: but we relied too much on our good fortune; for, instead 
of endeavouring to make our way through one of the openings already mentioned, 
we passed over the breakers, and the boat unfortunately struck one of their points 
in its passage; but, as we scarcely felt any shock, we flattered ourselves that no 
mischief would ensue: we were however deceived; for a leak soon appeared, 
and the water gained so rapidly upon us, that we instantly determined to regain the 
land. In the mean time the boat was filling, the helm was of no use, the wind blew 
us away, and fear prevented us for some time from employing any means of preser¬ 
vation. At length, however, the love of life instigated us to exertion; and by em¬ 
ploying the oars, and having a leading wind, the breakers were soon repassed ; but 
about thirty paces beyond them the boat sunk. If this event had taken place but a 
quarter of an hour before, we must inevitably have perished: the boat, however, did 
not overturn, and we remained upon its deck,- in not more than three feet water. 
As the sea began to ebb, and being not more than half a league from land, we 
determined to wait till the water was sufficiently lowered for us to drag our chests 
on shore. 
« This task was at length completed, but with great pain and difficulty, and we 
were obliged to return to the boat several times, in order to effect it: though 
much of our cargo was lost, we preserved those articles which were most necessary 
to us. On the following day we contrived to recover our boat, and drag it on 
shore. 
(l The greatest loss, however, that we sustained, was in the death of Isaac Boyer, 
which was occasioned by the extreme fatigue he underwent on this unfortunate 
occasion. He was the strongest and most vigorous person among us; but, worn out 
by the exertions he had made to recover the boat, and the articles it contained, he 
laid himself down, naked as he was, on the scorching sands, an indiscretion which 
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