and having communicated the sad condition of their officer, they all proceeded together to the spot where he was last seen, but found no traces of the commander.  Search was made in every direction, but in vain; and as night was approaching, they were reluctantly obliged to return to the place which they had fixed upon as their rendezvous.  In their way thither they gathered some more cocoa-nuts, and having satisfied their hunger and thirst, lay down to rest, under the canopy of heaven, and with no softer bed than what the sandy beach afforded.

The next morning the men again declared their intention of walking in search of the plantation mentioned by Mr. Price.  Mr. Malcolm, who had become the senior officer in the absence of Mr. McDonnell, advised them to remain where they were, and to build a hut, and dig a well for water; he assured them that, as long as there was a plentiful supply of cocoa-nuts, they could not starve, and that the chances were, assistance would arrive.  All was, however, to no purpose; they would not listen to any argument, and even disregarded his authority.  It was as much as he could do to insist upon their first going in search of their commander.

After a long time employed for this purpose, they discovered Mr. McDonnell asleep beneath a parmetta tree.  Upon hearing footsteps approaching, he awoke, but in such a feeble state that he was unable to rise without assistance, and from the wildness of his manner, there was too much reason to fear that his reason had fled.  They gave him some cocoa-nut milk, which he eagerly drank, and this appeared to give him some relief.  With difficulty they made him comprehend that they intended to proceed to the plantation for assistance, but he refused to join them, alleging that a boat was coming for him.  In a short time he appeared a little more collected, and agreed to join the expedition.  There still remained a small supply of rum, and a portion of this being poured into some empty cocoa-nuts, it was distributed equally amongst the men, and they all commenced their journey, the men about 200 yards ahead, and Mr. McDonnell, supported by Malcolm and Mr. Price, brought up the rear.

After proceeding in this way about two miles, Mr. McDonnell’s strength utterly failed, and he sank down upon the ground, declaring that he could go no further; every entreaty was urged to persuade him to make another effort, but both the powers of the mind and body had deserted the unfortunate officer, and Malcolm and his companion were at a loss to know what course to pursue.  After a brief consultation they determined to leave Mr. McDonnell, and as soon as they reached the plantation, which Mr. Price declared could not be far distant, return with assistance.

They then once more resumed their journey, the men proceeding ahead as before; in the middle of the day they stopped to rest, and again resumed their march until about an hour before sunset, when they arrived at two cocoa-nut trees; and as these formed not only a place of shelter, but also a means of procuring food, they determined to remain there for the night.  The men who had climbed up the trees, and were gathering fruit, descried a pond, or creek, in the wood, about half a mile distant.  Mr. Price then observed, if that was the case, they were on the mainland, and not on Ambegris Cay.