Narratives of Shipwrecks of the Royal Navy; between 1793 and 1849Gilly, William O. S.
History
Narratives of Shipwrecks of the Royal Navy; between 1793 and 1849
Gilly, William O. S.
Great Britain. Royal Navy -- History -- 18th century; Great Britain. Royal Navy -- History -- 19th century; Shipwrecks
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.
They were now in a great dilemma, for they were uncertain which way to
proceed, and Mr. Malcolm endeavoured to persuade the men to return to
the beach, assuring them that it was quite useless their proceeding
any further, for they did not know where they were going; but they
turned a deaf ear to every argument, declaring that they would walk as
long as they were able. Mr. Price, the merchant, agreed with the rest
of the men, and urged them to continue their journey, in the hopes
that they might be seen by some coasting boats going to Belize. This
was Saturday night; and after toiling all day, they had only walked
ten miles from where they had left Mr. McDonnell. The next morning Mr.
Malcolm again entreated the men to remain, but it was of no avail, and
they recommenced their march.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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