being composed of black lava, opposed to the
snowy whiteness of the foam, produced a
supernatural eifect, and was, from the contrast
of colour, particularly grand, especially
as we were then on the weather side of the
island.
31st. — We have now got tine weather, and
the sea is considerably calmed. I still feel
the most intense solicitude respecting the fate
of the Vessel and her crew: a week has
passed since the sloop disappeared, so I must
now give up all hope of her returning for
me; being convinced that she has either borne
up for the Cape, or perished in the gale,
carrying every soul on board with her to the
bottom ! What an escape may not Providence,
in its infinite goodness, have allotted me. Yet,
whichever event may have taken place, I am
certainly now in a most desperate situation,
and likely to pay very dearly for the indulgence
of my curiosity* I am left, with one
of the men from the sloop, on this island,
little better than a savage one, with no other
preparation than the clothes we happen to
have on. Winter, too, is approaching, and
there is but a slight chance of any ship touching
on this rough coast so late in the season!
However, as we are without any alternative,
we must bear our lot patiently, and endeavour
to make the best of it ; look around us, and
prepare in the most skilful way we can for
our future residence.
The chief person of our little community
(commonly called the Governor) is Mr.
Glass, a Scotchman, a ci-devant corporal of
the artillery drivers; and he certainly behaves
to me with every possible kindness: nothing
within his power is spared to make me comfortable.
I experience from him attention
and hospitality, such as are rarely found in
higher situations of life. Indeed, every individual
seems equally disposed to serve me,
and make me reconciled to my present situation.
As to the man who landed with me,
he is perfectly happy; he finds himself in the
society of his equals, and knows that his pay
is accumulating during his residence here.
My three other companions have all been
private seamen, who have remained here at
different times in order to procure sea elephant
u 4