Accidents > Dangers of the deep, or, Narratives of shipwreck and adventure at sea

144 DESERTION OP CAPTAIN CHEAP,
culty cleared the rocks, by means of our boats,
bore away for a sandy bay, on the south side
of the Lagoon, and anchored in ten fathom.
The next morning we got under way ; but ii
blowing hard at W. by N. with a great swell,
we put into a small bay again, well sheltered
by a ledge of rocks without us. At this
time, it was thought necessary to send the
barge away back to Cheap’s bay, for some
spare canvass, which was imagined would be
soon wanted. I thought this a good oppor¬
tunity of returning, and therefore made one
with those who went upon this business in the
barge. We were no sooner clear of the long¬
boat, than all those in the boat with me de¬
clared they had the same intention. When
we arrived at the island, we were extremely
welcome to Captain Cheap. The next day,
I asked him leave to try if I could prevail
upon those in the long-boat to give us our
share of provision: this he granted; but said
if we went in the barge, they would certainly
take her from us. I told him my design was
to walk it, and only desired the boat might
land me upon the main, and wait for me till
1 came back. I had the most dreadful jour¬
ney of it imaginable, through thick woods and