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the smallest. I am the only seaman amongst both crews ; the others are quite unacquainted with the sea, but several of them were boatmen on rivers. I will manage the sail of the large raft, and a boatman sits at the helm, which is a large oar. The weather was very calm the whole day, but it becomes rough, and we expect a tide-gate, so dangerous in this latitude, but it is too late to go back; we must escape or die. I f we can gain ground enough to be in full sea at the strength of the race, we will be saved; otherwise we shall be capsized and all drowned. Then go on boys, go on and make haste. " The small raft leaves the shore ; she floats well and goes gently. W e endeavor to do the same, but our oars are defect足 ive, our oarsmen unskillful, and our raft is heavy. W e cannot stem the current and we drive upon Royal Island. The wind increases, the sea becomes higher, and the moon arises from the water. B y and by we shall be perceived by our guardians and caught, or dashed against the rocks. Boldness, only boldness can save us. I raise our sail, but I miss the breeze ; I quickly try again, and this time I am more fortunate ; our sail swells, full of wind. W e run uncommonly well, and in a short time we are alongside the small raft. "' How imprudent you are !' said a man of her crew ; " b y raising your sail our guardians can see us.' " I could not help it," I reply. " 'Then we can raise our sail, t o o ? " " ' D o what you like, and let us do what we like.' " The small raft raises her sail and we keep company to足 gether. It was time, full time to do so, the wind being strong and the sea very rough. Besides that, we have fourteen of our men very sick and quite unable to assist the six others. " S E P T E M B R 14th,
1856,
6 o'clock, A . M .
" W e are at the entrance of Sinamary gulf, stormy at all times and dangerous in rough weather The small raft is not far from ours, and runs as well as we do. W e examine most at足 tentively both of them ; they are in good condition. The land is out of sight, but we suppose ourselves to be thirty or thirtyfive miles from shore. W e have neither compass nor spy-glass. W e continue our way, the big raft ahead, the small one behind. " Seven o'clock. W e are inside the gulf, the sun is brilliant, the sky beautiful; the wind is high and the sea is roaring; we roll much, but we move quick. " Help, brethren, help ! " cry those on the small raft; ' we are sinking!' " I immediately put down the sail and wait for our compan足 ions. When they are at a short distance 1 ask them what's the matter with them.