[14]
ledge I had hardly Eyes to look up when the Seamen told me she was sinking; for from that Moment they rather put me into the Boat than that I might be said to go in, my Heart was as it were dead within me, partly with Fright, partly with Horror of Mind and the Thoughts of what was yet before me.
While we were in this Condition, the Men yet labouring at the Oar to bring the Boat near the Shore, we could fee, when our Boat mounting the Waves, we were able to see any thing, a great many People running along the strand to assist us when we should come near, but we made but slow way towards the Land, nor were we able to reach the Shore, till being past the Light-House at Winterton, the Coast falls off to the Westward towards Cromer, and so the Land broke off a little the Violence of the Wind; Here we got in, and tho' not without much Difficulty got all safe on Shore, and walk'd afterwards on Foot to Yarmouth, where, as unfortunate Men, we were used with great Humanity, as well by the Magistrates of the Town, who assign'd us good Quarters, as by particular Merchants and Owners of Ships, and had Money given us sufficient to carry us either to London, or back to Hull, as we thought fit.
Had I now had the Sense to have gone back to Hull, and have gone home, I had been happy, and my Father, an Embleme of our blessed Saviour's Parable, had even kill'd the fatted Calf for me; for hearing the Ship I went away in, was cast away in Yarmouth Road, it was a great while before he had any Assurance that I was not drown'd.
But my ill Fate push'd me on now with an Obstinacy that nothing could resist; and tho' I had several times loud Calls from my Reason and my more composed Judgement to go home, yet I had no
