Page:Wonderful adventures of sixteen British seamen.pdf/6

6 intercourse with them; and they were at the same time denied all communications with the peaceable citizens on shore. Thus situated, both their provisions and water were speedily exhausted and, to add to their distress, their little vessel became leaky to such a degree that she was almost wholly unfit for sea, while they were themselves worn out with the constant exertion which was necessary to keep her afloat.

They were, therefore, compelled to turn towards Valparaiso; but, under thothe [sic] difficulties they had to encounter, the attempt to reach that port was almost a hopeless one. The wind blew right a-head, while they had neither provisions, nor were they in a situation in other respects to venture upwards of a hundred miles from land, in order to fall under the north trade-wind. In these painful circumstances, and not daring to touch at any of the intermediate ports, there was no alternative but to row back to Valparaiso. They were not without some apprehension, too, that Spanish frigates might be cruizing on the coast, into whose hands they knew it would be certain destruction to fall. No wonder, therefore, that their spirits flagged a little, and that they now crept along the coast with a degree of caution that contrasted strikingly with there former reckless disregard of all danger. It was only during the night, indeed, that they coasted along; during the day they skulked in close to the land, concealing themselves in unfrequented creeks and among the rocks, where they employed themselves in fishing, now the only means by which they obtained a subsistance.

While thus fighting their way against fortune not the winds, they chanced to fall in with an Indian fisherman, whom they made prisoner, with