Family History 4.16

Robinson story

Joshua's diary

Back to the ship at St Jago

Before we got on board quite a scene was enacted. When we got to the town it was getting late, but being tired we needed some refreshments before getting on board. As my brother and I were teetotallers we had some trouble in finding a place we could get temperance drinks. The town abounded with drink shops where wine, bottled beer, Arquadent, a vile spirit, could be had. Most of our company settled down in one of these shops. We, with two or three others who had no desire for strong drink, was directed to a house where they provided us with some excellent coffee and eatables.

Having enjoyed our meal we set out to find our companions. We found them drinking wine. Telling them of our success nothing would do but they must have some coffee before leaving, they insisted on having some made. This occupied so long, that by the time we were ready to start it was sunset.

In going down to the landing place (some rocks near the sandy beach) we had to pass a guard house. When the party came opposite the house the guard ran out and stopped us. The females of the party got frightened and began to scream. We tried to pass, but they barred the pass with their muskets. One of our party was sent back to the control off whom we got a pass, and at last to the boat, and on board, when no little merriment was caused as we described our adventures.

Having taken in fresh provisions at daylight next morning we made our second start greatly refreshed by our stay, particularly our seasick ones. The wind continued fair but light, and so it was till we reached the Cape of Good Hope. A whaleboat could have followed us all the way.

When near the Line we were becalmed. It being so sultry and the water so tempting the chief mate and some of the sailors in his watch being off duty, with myself, stripped off our upper garments and shoes and jumped off the rail into the sea. Having enjoyed our bath and amused our comrades on board I was the first to get hold of the rope to haul myself up. The mate thought to have some fun, jumped upon my shoulders and sent me under several times, leaving me the last to get on board.

I had not been many moments on deck when looking over the side of the vessel, those on deck with myself saw close in to the ship a large green shark about 18 to 20 feet long (=6 metres) with a rope trailing after it.  Evidently it had been caught by some vessel and broken away. The sight and thought of my narrow escape unmanned me and I was near sinking down on the deck. I never afterwards attempted a bath in the deep sea and to this day when bathing never go out of my depth.

We were two or three days in the doldrums as the sailors call this calm weather, when we got a breeze that carried us beyond the altitude of calms.