we were driven directly upon it, and immediately split.
Six of the crew, of whom I was one, having let down
the boat into the sea, made a shift to get clear of
the ship and the rock. We rowed, by my computation,
about three leagues, till we were able to work no
longer, being already spent with labor while we were
in the ship. We therefore trusted ourselves to
the mercy of the waves, and in about half an hour the
boat was overset by a sudden flurry from the north.
What became of my companions in the boat, as well
as of those who escaped on the rock, or were left
in the vessel, I cannot tell; but conclude they were
all lost. For my own part, I swam as fortune
directed me, and was pushed forward by wind and tide.
I often let my legs drop, and could feel no bottom;
but when I was almost gone, and able to struggle no
longer, I found myself within my depth; and by this
time the storm was much abated. The declivity
was so small, that I walked near a mile before I got
to the shore, which I conjectured was about eight o’clock
in the evening. I then advanced forward near
half a mile, but could not discover any sign of houses
or inhabitants; at least I was in so weak a condition
that I did not observe them. I was extremely tired,
and with that, and the heat of the weather, and about
half a pint of brandy that I drank as I left the ship,
I found myself much inclined to sleep. I lay
down on the grass, which was very short and soft,
where I slept sounder than ever I remembered to have
done in my life, and, as I reckoned, about nine hours;
for when I awaked, it was just daylight. I attempted
to rise, but was not able to stir; for, as I happened
to lie on my back, I found my arms and legs were strongly
fastened on each side to the ground; and my hair, which
was long and thick, tied down in the same manner.
I likewise felt several slender ligatures across my
body, from my armpits to my thighs. I could only
look upwards; the sun began to grow hot, and the light
offended my eyes. I heard a confused noise about
me, but, in the posture I lay, could see nothing except
the sky. In a little time I felt something alive
moving on my left leg, which, advancing gently forward
over my breast, came almost up to my chin; when, bending
my eyes downward as much as I could, I perceived it
to be a human creature not six inches high, with a
bow and arrow in his hands, and a quiver at his back.
In the mean time, I felt at least forty more of the
same kind (as I conjectured) following the first.
I was in the utmost astonishment, and roared so loud
that they all ran back in a fright; and some of them,
as I was afterwards told, were hurt with the falls
they got by leaping from my sides upon the ground.
However, they soon returned, and one of them, who
ventured so far as to get a full sight of my face,
lifting up his hands and eyes by way of admiration,
cried out in a shrill but distinct voice, “Hekinah
degul.” The others repeated the same words
several times, but I then knew not what they meant.