Page 386 - for-the-term-of-his-natural-life

together with the jolly-boat, and cast her adrift. This done,
I parted the landsmen with the seamen, and, steering east
south-east, at eight p.m. we set our first watch. In little more
than an hour after this came on a heavy gale from the south-
west. I, and others of the landsmen, were violently sea-sick,
and Lesly had some difficulty in handling the brig, as the
boisterous weather called for two men at the helm. In the
morning, getting upon deck with difficulty, I found that the
wind had abated, but upon sounding the well discovered
much water in the hold. Lesly rigged the pumps, but the
starboard one only could be made to work. From that time
there were but two businesses aboard—from the pump to
the helm. The gale lasted two days and a night, the brig run-
ning under close-reefed topsails, we being afraid to shorten
sail lest we might be overtaken by some pursuing vessel, so
strong was the terror of our prison upon us.
‘On the 16th, at noon, I again forced myself on deck, and
taking a meridian observation, altered the course of the
brig to east and by south, wishing to run to the southward
of New Zealand, out of the usual track of shipping; and hav-
ing a notion that, should our provisions hold out, we might
make the South American coast, and fall into Christian
hands. This done, I was compelled to retire below, and for
a week lay in my berth as one at the last gasp. At times I re-
pented my resolution, Fair urging me to bestir myself, as the
men were not satisfied with our course. On the 21st a mu-
tiny occurred, led by Lyons, who asserted we were heading
into the Pacific, and must infallibly perish. This disaffected
man, though ignorant of navigation, insisted upon steering