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

168 RETURN TO MOUNT MISEItr.
prospect was dismal and dispiriting; indeed,
we had the same difficulties and dangers to en¬
counter, not only without any flattering views
to lessen them, but under the aggravating cir¬
cumstance of their leading to an inevitable
and miserable death; for we could not possibly
conceive that the fate of starving could be
avoided by any human means, upon that de¬
solate island we were returning to. The shell¬
fish, which was the only subsistence that island
had hitherto afforded in any measure, was ex¬
hausted ; and the Indians had shewn them¬
selves so little affected by the common incite¬
ments of compassion, that we had no hopes to
build upon any impressions of that sort in
them. They had already refused to barter
their dogs with us, for want of a valuable com¬
modity on our side; so that it is wonderful we
did not give ourselves up to despondency, and
lay aside all farther attempts; but we were
supported by that invisible Power, who can
make the most untoward circumstances sub¬
servient to his gracious purposes.
At this time our usual bad weather attend¬
ed us; the night too set in long before we could
reach the cove we before had taken shelter
in; so that we were obliged to keep the boat’s