An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

In this Extremity, he was at a loss in his own thoughts, whether they should persist in striving for the New-England Shore, or bear away for the Southern Islands. He proposed that Question to Mr. Augur, they resolved that they would first seek to God by Prayer ⟨p. 61⟩about it, and then put this difficult case to an issue, by casting a Lot. So they did; and the Lot fell on New-England. By that time a Month was expired, they lost the Rudder of their Vessel, so that now they had nothing but God alone to reply upon. In this deplorable state were they for a fortnight. The Skipper (though infirm (as has been expressed) yet for six weeks together, was hardly ever day; nor had they the benefit of warm Food for more then thrice or thereabouts. At the end of six weeks, in the Morning betimes, the Vessel was driven on the Tailings of a ledge of Rocks, where the Sea broke violently; looking out they espied a dismal Rocky Island to the Leeward, upon which if the Providence of God had not by the Breakers given them timely warning, they had been dashed in pieces. And this extremity was the Lords opportunity to appear for their deliverance; they immediately let go an Anchor, and get out the Boat; and God made the Sea calm. The Boat proved leaky; and being in the midst of fears and amazements they took little out of the Vessel. After they came ashoar they found themselves in a rocky desolate Island (near Cape Sables) where was neither Man nor Beast to be seen, so that now they were in ⟨p. 62⟩extreme danger of being starved to Death. But a Storm arose which beat violently upon the Vessel at Anchor, so as that it was staved in pieces; and a Cask of Powder was brought ashore, (receiving no damage by its being washed in the Water) also a Barrel of Wine; and half a Barrel of Molasses, together with many things useful for a Tent to preserve them from cold. This notwithstanding, new and great distresses attended them. For though they had Powder and Shot, there were seldom any Fowls to be seen in that Dismal and Desolate place, excepting a few Crows, Raven• and Gulls. These were so few as that for the most part, the Skipper shot at one at a time. Many times half of one of these Fowls with the Liquor made a Meal for three. Once they lived five days without any Sustenance, at which time they did not feel themselves pinched with hunger as at other times;