By the time it was dark, we had collected about eighty pieces of salt pork, ten hogsheads of beer, three butts of water, several bottles of wine, and many articles of use and value; particularly three sextants and a quadrant, Floresburg’s Directory, and Hamilton Moore; the latter were deemed inestimable.  In course of time four live pigs, and five live sheep, came on shore through the surf.

We first began upon the dead stock, serving out two ounces to each, and half a pint of beer for the day.  Nothing but brackish water could be obtained by digging in the sand.  We collected all the provisions together near the tent, and formed a kind of storehouse, setting an officer to guard them from plunder, to which indeed some of the evil characters were disposed; but as they were threatened with instant death if detected, they were soon deterred.  The second night was passed like the first, all being huddled together under one large tent; the more robust, however, soon began to build separate tents for themselves, and divided into messes, as on board.  A staff was next erected, on which we hoisted a red flag, as a signal to any vessel which might be passing.  Every morning, to each mess, was distributed the allowance of two ounces per man, and half a pint of beer; if they got any thing else, it was what they could catch by fishing, &c.  Of fish, indeed, there was a great variety, but we had few facilities for catching them, so that upon the whole, we were no better than half-starved.  The bank on which we lived, was in latitude 16 deg. 45 s. and about two miles in circumference at low water; the high tides would sometimes leave us scarcely half a mile of sand, and often approached close to the tents; and if the wind had blown from the westward, or shifted only a few points, we must inevitably have been swept away, as an encampment of fishermen had been, a short time previous from the same spot; however, Providence was pleased to preserve us, one hundred and twenty in number, to return to our native country.

On the 13th the largest boat was repaired, and the officers thought it advisable to despatch her for relief to the Isle of France, distant about four hundred miles.  The superior officers finding it impossible to leave the crew, dedicated the charge of her to the purser.  We furnished him with two sextants, a navigation book, sails, oars, and log line.  Six officers and eight men, who perfectly understood the management of the boat, joined him.  He was directed to run first into the latitude, and then bear up for the land.  On the 17th he arrived at the Mauritius, and on the 20th returned by his Majesty’s vessels, Magician and Challenger.  On the 21st we were taken on board, after being sixteen days on this barren reef, suffering great distress in mind and body.  We all received the most humane attention from the captains of his Majesty’s vessels, and on the 28th, we reached the Mauritius whence I returned to England.