Adol. Not, as the old Priest told me.

Ant. He would have swam better if he had thrown off his sanctified Coul:  But if that had been laid aside, how should Catherine of Siena have known him?  But go on and tell me about yourself.

Adol. While we were yet tumbling and tossing near the Ship, which roll’d hither and thither at the Mercy of the Waves, the Thigh of him that held the left End of the Stump of the Mast was broken by a great Spike, and so that made him let go his Hold.  The old Priest wishing him everlasting Rest, took his Place, encouraging me to maintain my Post on the right Hand resolutely, and to strike out my Feet stoutly.  In the mean Time we drank in abundance of salt Water.  For Neptune had provided us not only a salt Bath, but a salt Potion too, altho’ the old Priest prescribed a Remedy for it.

Ant. What was that?

Adol. Why, as often as a Billow met us, he turn’d his Head and shut his Mouth.

Ant. You tell me of a brave old Fellow.

Adol. When we had been some Time swimming at this Rate, and had made some Way, the old Priest being a very tall Man, cries out, Be of good Heart, I feel Ground; but I durst not hope for such a Blessing.  No, no, says I, we are too far from Shoar to hope to feel Ground.  Nay, says he, I feel the Ground with my Feet.  Said I, perhaps it is some of the Chests that have been roll’d thither by the Sea.  Nay, says he, I am sure I feel Ground by the Scratching of my Toes.  Having floated thus a little longer, and he had felt the Bottom again, Do you do what you please, says he, I’ll leave you the whole Mast, and wade for it.  And so he took his Opportunity, at the Ebbing of the Billows, he made what Haste he could on his Feet, and when the Billows came again, he took Hold of his Knees with his Hands, and bore up against the Billows, hiding himself under them as Sea Gulls and Ducks do, and at the Ebbing of the Wave, he would start up and run for it.  I seeing that this succeeded so well to him, followed his Example.  There stood upon the Shoar Men, who had long Pikes handed from one to another, which kept them firm against the Force of the Waves, strong bodied Men, and accustom’d to the Waves, and he that was last of them held out a Pike to the Person swimming towards him.  All that came to Shoar, and laying hold of that, were drawn safely to dry Land.  Some were sav’d this Way.

Ant. How many?

Adol. Seven.  But two of these fainted away being brought to the Fire.

Ant. How many were in the Ship?

Adol. Fifty-eight.

Ant. O cruel Sea.  At least it might have been content with the Tithes, which are enough for Priests.  Did it restore so few out of so great a Number?

Adol. There we had Experience of the wonderful Humanity of the Nation, that supply’d us with all Necessaries with exceeding Chearfulness; as Lodging, Fire, Victuals, Cloaths, and Money to bear our Charges when we went away.