Page:Remarkable account of a shipwreck on an uninhabited island.pdf/4

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Verd Islands, where they took in some provisions for their voyage, and steering their course south and a point east, about the 1st of August came to the island, St. Helena ; and having taken in some fresh water, set forward for the Cape of Good Hope, where by God’s blessing they arrived safe, having hitherto met with no tempestuous or disagreeable sailing weather.

But it pleased God, when they were almost in sight of St. Laurance (said to be one of the largest islands in the world) they were overtaken by a great storm of wind, which separated them from the rest of the ships, and continued with such violence for many days, that, being driven out of their knowledge, they lost all hopes of safety.

The 1st of October, about break of day, the sea continued very stormy and tempestuous, they discovered land, which appeared high and rocky, and the nearer they approached to it, their fears increased, expecting the ship would suddenly be dashed to pieces. The captain, therefore, Mr. English, and some others, got into the long-boat in hopes, by that means, to save themselves; and presently after all the sailors cast themselves over-board, endeavouring to save themselves by