commanders.
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coming on shore to us, as the surf ran very high, and several of our people imprudently endeavoured to get into the bout. After some little consultation, the captain ordered the coxswain to take on board the pilot, who was a Greek, and to make the best of their way to Cerigotto; where the pilot informed us they would find some families of fishermen, who without doubt would readily relieve us. Soon after the departure of our boat, as if Heaven had decreed our destruction, the wind began to increase, and dark black clouds fast approached us: we had all the apprehensions of a violent storm: in about two hours it reached us, and blew with the greatest fury: the waves rose considerably, and soon destroyed our fire. The rock was nearly covered, and we were compelled to fly to a small part rather higher than the rest; the only part indeed that could afford us any shelter. There nearly ninety men passed a night of the greatest horror: a small rope fastened round the summit of the rock, and with difficulty holding on by each other, were the only means we had of preventing ourselves from being swept away by the surf, which every moment broke over us. The fatigues we had already gone through, and more particularly those of this night, were too much for many of my unfortunate shipmates: several became delirious – their strength was exhausted, and they could hold on no longer. Our affliction was still further increased before the morning, by the fears we entertained, which appeared probable, that the wind might draw more round to the north, so as to bring the sea to the place where we then were; in which case one wave would inevitably have swept all of us into oblivion. It may appear incredible that we could have sustained so many hardships as we had already gone through: one poor fellow, in crossing the channel between the rocks at an improper time, was violently dashed against the crags, so as to be nearly scalped, and presented a dreadful object to our view – he lingered out during the night, and the next morning expired. His more fortunate survivors were but ill prepared to meet the terrible effects of famine – our strength exhausted – our bodies without covering – and hope again exhausted: we feared for the safety of our boat – she might be lost. The storm came on soon after she left us, and before it was possible she could have reached the island. It is a great and merciful God that we have to thank as the cause of our preservation; the minds of every one of us will be ever impressed with an awful recollection of our miraculous deliverance, particularly when we remember the afflicting scene that day-light presented. The cold and wounded bodies of our departed shipmates were seen, who but one hour before had been cheering us to support our miseries; some expiring – all exhausted by fatigue. The sea all night passing over us, and the extreme severity of the weather had so completely exhausted us, that many had died from cold alone. It is now that the writer of this narrative has to relate an instance of inhumanity, that leaves on the character of the crew of a vessel, yet unknown, the greatest degree of infamy – whoever they were, they are a disgrace to the country to which they belong:– if they have the common
