as if to expose more clearly to the view of the sufferers their dreadful predicament.  Despair was in every bosom—­death, arrayed in all its terrors, seemed to hover over the wreck.  But exertion was required, and every thing that human energy could devise was effected.  The wreck, on which all eagerly clung, was fortunately drifted by the tide and wind between ledges of sunken rocks and thundering breakers, until, after the lapse of several hours, it entered the only spot on the island where a landing was possibly practicable,—­for all the other parts of the coast consisted of perpendicular cliffs of granite, rising from amid the deafening surf to the height of twenty, forty, and sixty feet.  As the shore was neared, a raft was prepared, and on this a few paddled for the cove.  At last the wreck drove right in:  ropes were instantly thrown out, and the crew and passengers, (except two who had been crushed in the wreck,) including three ladies and a female attendant, were snatched from the watery grave, which a few short hours before had appeared inevitable, and safely landed on the beach.  Evening had now set in, and every effort was made to secure whatever could be saved from the wreck.  Bales of cloth, cases of wine, a few boxes of cheese, some hams, the carcass of a milch cow that had been washed on shore, buckets, tubs, butts, a seaman’s chest, (containing a tinder-box, and needles and thread,) with a number of elegant mahogany turned bed-posts, and part of an investment for the India market, were got on shore.  The rain poured down in torrents—­all hands were busily at work to procure shelter from the weather; and with the bed-posts and broadcloths, and part of the foresail, as many tents were soon pitched as there were individuals on the island.

Drenched with the sea and with the rain, hungry, cold, and comfortless, thousands of miles from their native land, almost beyond expectation of human succor, hope nearly annihilated,—­the shipwrecked voyagers retired to their tents.  In the morning the wreck had gone to pieces; and planks, and spars, and whatever had floated in, were eagerly dragged on shore.  No sooner was the unfortunate ship broken up, than, deeming themselves freed from the bonds of authority, many began to secure whatever came to land:  and the captain, officers, passengers, and crew were now reduced to the same level, and obliged to take their turn to fetch water, and explore the island for food.  The work of exploring was soon over—­there was not a bird, nor a quadruped, nor a single tree to be seen.  All was barren and desolate.  The low parts were scattered over with stones and sand, and a few stunted weeds, rocks, ferns, and other plants.  The top of the mountain was found to consist of a fragment of original table-land, very marshy, and full of deep sloughs, intersected with small rills of water, pure and pellucid as crystal, and a profusion of wild parsley and celery.  The prospect was one dreary scene of destitution, without