Boon Island - Kenneth Roberts [41]
But the Almighty, whose Mercies endure for ever, was graciously pleas'd to extend his undeserv'd Favour, for on the 2d of January, in the Morning, as the Master was creeping out of the Tent, he saw a Shallop half Way from Shore, standing directly towards the Rock, under a brisk Gale of Wind, and immediately crying out, a Sail, a Sail, unable to utter more thro' an Ecstacy of Joy; not a Soul amoungst them, how Weak and Infirm soever, but instantly thrust out his Head to see so desirable a Sight, and to express the Raptures diffus'd throughout the whole Company, upon the Prospect of so sudden and unexpected a Deliverance, outstrips the Powers of Tongue and Mind; 'twas Life from the
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Dead, The Master kept walking on the Rock to direct their Good and Welcome Friends to the properest Anchorage; but they not understanding his Signs, let go in a very indifferent place, about 100 Yards S.W. off the Island, the Swell of the Sea not permitting a nearer Approach, their Anchor coming Home, they were obliged to weigh, and stand off 'till Noon, in Expectation of smoother Weather on the Flood; in the mean Time the weak and disorder'd Minds of the poor Creatures on the Rock were strangely hurry'd with fluctuating Passions, thro' Fears of Miscarriage, and Hopes of Deliverance.
At Flood the Vessel coming nigh, cast Anchor by the Master's Directions in a commodious Place, within Call of the Island; where the Master gave them an Account of their Miseries in every Respect, except the Want of Provisions; concealing this, least an Apprehension of being constrain'd to abide on the Rock, thro' any Extremity of Weather should deter them from coming on Shore to their Assistance: observing also, they were unprovided of a proper Boat to carry them off, he earnestly requested them to furnish him with Fire, if they could not possibly accomplish their immediate Deliverance, Hoisting but a small Canoe, one Man came off, and gaining the Rock with Abundance of Difficulty, the Master assisted to haul the Boat on Shore, and perceiving no Eatables therein, enquir'd of the Man, If he could help him to Fire? He reply'd in the Affirmative, after some Hesitation, occasion'd by his Astonishment at the Master's thin and meagre Aspect. Several other Questions being alternately resolv'd, as, What Day of the Week it was? ie., and, in particular, a Relation made of the Manner of finding the Raft and dead Corps, which mov'd the Government to send them out on the present Design; as they were passing on towards the Tent, the Man casting his Eyes on the Remains of the Flesh, expos'd to the Frost on the Summit of the Rock, express'd his Satisfaction at their not being destitute of Provisions; and the Master acquies'd
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in the Justice of his Sentiments, without unravelling the Mystery. Arriving at the Tent, he was perfectly affrighted at the ghastly Figure of so many dismal Objects, with long Beards, nothing but Skin and Bone; wild staring Eyes, and Countenances, fierce, barbarous, unwash'd, and infected with Humane Gore. After kindling a Fire, with much Labour, the Master accompany'd the Man to his Boat, intending to go on Board with him, and afterwards fend for the Rest, one or two at a Time, and carry them all off that Night; both getting in, the Sea drove the Canoe with such Force against the Rock, as overset her in the Water, whereby the Master, so greatly reduced in his Strength, was a long while unable to recover himself, and narrowly escap'd Drowning. The good Man, making a second Attempt alone, recover'd the Shallop with Difficulty; having solemnly assur'd them at parting, of coming again the next Day with better Accommodations, if Weather permitted.
Now again, as an Allay