Page:Wonderful and surprising narrative of Capt. John Inglefield.pdf/14

 in a few hours, had not the sky opened preservation, we should have encreased our distance from the land, got to the eastward, and of course miss all the islands.

As we approached the land our belief had strengthened that it was Fayal. The island of Pico, which might have revealed it to us, had the weather been perfectly clear, was at that time capped with clouds, and it was some time before we were quite satisfied. Having traversed for two hours a great part of the island, where the steep and rocky shore refused us a landing; this circumstance was bore with much impatience, for we had flattered ourselves that we should meet with fresh water at the first part of the land we might approach, and being disappointed the thirst of some had increased anxiety almost to a degree of madness, so that we were near making the attempt to land in some places where the boat must have been dashed to pieces by the surf. At length we discovered a fishing canoe, which conducted us into the road of Fayal about midnight, but where the regulation of the port did not permit us to land, till examined by the health officers; however I did not think much of sleeping this night in the boat, our pilot having brought us some refreshments of bread, wine and water.

In the morning we were visited by Mr Graham, the English Consul, whole humane attention made us ample amends for the formality of the Portuguese; indeed I can never sufficiently express the sense I have of his kindness and humanity, both to myself and people, for I believe it was the whole of his employment for several days, contriving the best means of restoring us to health, and it is true, I believe there never were more pitiable objects, some of the stoutest men belonging to the Centaur were obliged to be supported through the streets of Fayal: Mr Rainey the master and myself were I think in better health than the rest, but I could not walk without being supported; and for several days with the best and most comfortable provisions of diet and lodging, we grew rather worse than better.

I. N. INGLEFIELD.