Page:Shipwrecks and disasters at sea.pdf/5

 was a hard task for an Englishman, even in the peculiar circumstances in which the crew of the Dundee were then placed, to tell a number of his fellow creatures on the point of starving, that they could not be allowed to share in his coarse fare; but Captain D. had a still harder task to perform, in that he had to provide for the certain and fast accumulating necessities of himself and his men; and therefore, after allowing the poor creatures to remain on board for a time—and after hesitating awhile betwixt pity and duty—he desired them to leave the ship. But they had not been long absent, when they again returned, and implored his mercy and protection—again their emaciated looks and tale of misery excited his compassion—and they were a second time taken on board—but it was only for a short period. Captain D. seeing that it was not in his power to eke out a subsistence for the whole, again commanded them to depart; which they did.

A faint idea may be formed of the appalling difficulties and sufferings to which the Dutch crew were exposed, in their open boat for a period of nearly two months, during which they traversed an extent of nearly 600 miles, under circumstances of distress at which humanity shudders. One of the survivors was brought to Peterhead, by Captain Hogg, who, from the little English the Dutchman could be taught to speak, has been able to collect but a very imperfect particulars. Deprived of the assistance of the English, on which they hung nearly their last hope of safety, the Dutch crew betook themselves to their boats, and pushed for the nearest