that this would be an unsafe situation for the night. Every one was
anxious to find something to eat and it was soon discovered that there
were oysters on these rocks, for the tide was out; but it was nearly
dark, and only a few could be gathered. I determined, therefore, to wait
till the morning, when I should know better how to proceed.

_Friday, 29th._--As there were no appearances to make me imagine that any
of the natives were near us, I sent out parties in search of supplies,
while others of the people were putting the boat in order. The parties
returned, highly rejoiced at having found plenty of oysters and fresh
water. I had also made a fire by the help of a small magnifying glass;
and, what was still more fortunate, we found among a few things which had
been thrown into the boat, and saved, a piece of brimstone and a
tinder-box, so that I secured fire for the future.

One of the people had been so provident as to bring away with him from
the ship a copper pot: by being in possession of this article, we were
enabled to make a proper use of the supply we now obtained; for, with a
mixture of bread, and a little pork, we made a stew that might have been
relished by people of far more delicate appetites, and of which each
person received a full pint. The general complaints of disease among us
were a dizziness in the head, great weakness of the joints, and violent
tenesmus.

The oysters which we found grew so fast to the rocks, that it was with
difficulty they could be broken off, and at length we discovered it to be
the most expeditious way to open them where they were fixed. They were
of a good size, and well tasted. To add to this happy circumstance, in
the hollow of the land there grew some wire-grass, which indicated a
moist situation. On forcing a stick about three feet long into the