presence of mind, displayed by the Commander himself, on this most trying occasion, contributed in no small degree to produce this happy result. When an officer is noisy and blustering, his crew will seldom be in good order; but a calm, intrepid self-possession, will do wonders in maintaining discipline, and inspiring confidence, in seasons of alarm.
Proceeding cautiously to the N.W. with their leaky ship, our voyagers passed two small islands, which they called Hope Islands, as they had hoped, or rather wished, to, reach them, in the event of shipwreck. Approaching the main land at different points, in search of a harbour, they discovered one on thursday, the 14th, exactly adapted to their purpose; but the fresh sea breezes blowing hard, they could not enter it till the 17th. On the 18th, a stage was made from the ship to the shore, a tent was erected for those who had begun to be afflicted with the scurvy, among whom were Mr. Green and Tupia. In another tent the ship's stores were deposited; and the fore and main hold being almost emptied, the ship's bow was hauled close ashore, to examine the leak. It was now found, that the rocks had made their way through four planks, damaged three more, and penetrated also into the timbers, so that if the latter had not been very close, the ship could not possibly have been saved. After all, her preservation was owing to a circumstance still more remarkable: one of the holes, which was big enough to have sunk her, had there been eight pumps, instead of three, incessantly going, was in a great measure plugged up by a fragment of the rock, which after having made the wound, was left sticking in it! The fothering was also found to
