240 LIGHTING THE BEACON.

had this pres-
ence of mind
at that minute
as to think
that though
I could not
help them, it
may be they
might help
me; so I[
brought — to-
together all
the dry wood
I could get
at hand, and
making a
good  hand-
some pile, I
set it on fire
upon the hill.
The wood was
dry and blazed freely, and though the wind blew
very hard, yet it burned fairly out, that I was cer-
tain if there was any such thing as a ship they must needs. see
it; and no doubt they did, for as soon as ever my fire blazed up
I heard another gun, and after that several others, all from the
same quarter. I plied my fire all night long till day broke; and
when it was broad day, and the air cleared up, I saw something at
a great distance at sea, full east of the island, whether a sail or a
hull I could not distinguish, no, not with my glasses, the distance
was so great, and the weather still something hazy also; at least,

  

“1 PLIED MY FIRE ALL NIGHT LONG
TILL DAY BROKE.”

   
  

it was so out at sea.

I looked frequently at it all that day, and soon perceived that
it did not move; so I presently concluded that it was a ship at an
anchor; and being eager, you may be sure, to be satisfied, I took
my gun in my hand, and ran toward the south side of the island,
to the rocks where I had formerly been carried away with the