Sunday, 20th.—­As soon as day-light came on, we proceeded to take a view of our little island, and found it to measure only one acre, of coarse, white sand; about two feet, and in some spots perhaps three feet above the surface of the ocean.  On the highest part were growing some bushes and small mangroves, (the dry part of which was our fuel) and the wild castor oil beans.  We were greatly disappointed in not finding the latter suitable food; likewise some of the prickly pear bushes, which gave us only a few pears about the size of our small button pear; the outside has thorns, which if applied to the fingers or lips, will remain there, and cause a severe smarting similar to the nettle; the inside a spungy substance, full of juice and seeds, which are red and a little tartish—­had they been there in abundance, we should not have suffered so much for water—­but alas! even this substitute was not for us.  On the northerly side of the island was a hollow, where the tide penetrated the sand, leaving stagnant water.  We presumed, in hurricanes the island was nearly overflowed.  According to the best calculations I could make, we were about thirty-five miles from any part of Cuba, one hundred from Trinidad and forty from the usual track of American vessels, or others which might pass that way.  No vessel of any considerable size, can safely pass among these Keys (or “Queen’s Gardens,” as the Spaniards call them) being a large number extending from Cape Cruz to Trinidad, one hundred and fifty miles distance; and many more than the charts have laid down, most of them very low and some covered at high water, which makes it very dangerous for navigators without a skilful pilot.  After taking this view of our condition, which was very gloomy, we began to suspect we were left on this desolate island by those merciless plunderers to perish.  Of this I am now fully convinced; still we looked anxiously for the pirate’s boat to come according to promise with more water and provisions, but looked in vain.  We saw them soon after get under way with all sail set and run directly from us until out of our sight, and we never saw them again!  One may partially imagine our feelings, but they cannot be put into words.  Before they were entirely out of sight of us, we raised the white blanket upon a pole, waving it in the air, in hopes, that at two miles distance they would see it and be moved to pity.  But pity in such monsters was not to be found.  It was not their interest to save us from the lingering death, which we now saw before us.  We tried to compose ourselves, trusting to God, who had witnessed our sufferings, would yet make use of some one, as the instrument of his mercy towards us.  Our next care, now, was to try for water.  We dug several holes in the sand and found it, but quite too salt for use.  The tide penetrates probably through the island.  We now came on short allowances for water.  Having no means of securing what we had by lock and key, some one in the night would slyly