It is impossible for any to conceive our heartfelt joy at this second deliverance from ruin, but those who have suffered the same hardships.  Those whose strength and senses were gone came to themselves, and were now as elated as they were before depressed.  Two days after this the wind ceased, and the water became smooth.  The punt then went on shore, and we cut down some trees; and having found our mast and mended it we brought it on board, and fixed it up.  As soon as we had done this we got up the anchor, and away we went once more for New Providence, which in three days more we reached safe, after having been above three weeks in a situation in which we did not expect to escape with life.  The inhabitants here were very kind to us; and, when they learned our situation, shewed us a great deal of hospitality and friendship.  Soon after this every one of my old fellow-sufferers that were free parted from us, and shaped their course where their inclination led them.  One merchant, who had a large sloop, seeing our condition, and knowing we wanted to go to Georgia, told four of us that his vessel was going there; and, if we would work on board and load her, he would give us our passage free.  As we could not get any wages whatever, and found it very hard to get off the place, we were obliged to consent to his proposal; and we went on board and helped to load the sloop, though we had only our victuals allowed us.  When she was entirely loaded he told us she was going to Jamaica first, where we must go if we went in her.  This, however, I refused; but my fellow-sufferers not having any money to help themselves with, necessity obliged them to accept of the offer, and to steer that course, though they did not like it.

We stayed in New Providence about seventeen or eighteen days; during which time I met with many friends, who gave me encouragement to stay there with them:  but I declined it; though, had not my heart been fixed on England, I should have stayed, as I liked the place extremely, and there were some free black people here who were very happy, and we passed our time pleasantly together, with the melodious sound of the catguts, under the lime and lemon trees.  At length Captain Phillips hired a sloop to carry him and some of the slaves that he could not sell to Georgia; and I agreed to go with him in this vessel, meaning now to take my farewell of that place.  When the vessel was ready we all embarked; and I took my leave of New Providence, not without regret.  We sailed about four o’clock in the morning, with a fair wind, for Georgia; and about eleven o’clock the same morning a short and sudden gale sprung up and blew away most of our sails; and, as we were still amongst the keys, in a very few minutes it dashed the sloop against the rocks.  Luckily for us the water was deep; and the sea was not so angry but that, after having for some time laboured hard, and being many in number, we were saved through God’s mercy; and, by using