252 'The French in Prince Edward Island 
     
    
   
   
    
     baling out of the gun-room scuttle, must have vented a 
     
     large quantity of water. A seam would not have hurt 
     
     them, but a butt’s end was more than they could man- 
     
     age; however, every method was tried which was 
     
     thought of service. They quilted the sprit-sail with 
     
     oakum and flax, with one of the top-gallant-sails in the 
     
     same manner, to see whether anything would suck into 
     
     the leak to stop it but all in vain. 
     
    

    
     They continued in this dismal situation three days; 
     
     the ship notwithstanding their endeavours, full of 
     
     water, and expected every minute to sink. The captain 
     
     had given all the liquor that was left on board to the 
     
     people, and all the provisions; the hold being full of 
     
     water, and the ship swimming only by the decks being 
     
     buoyed up with empty casks. 
     
    

    
     About six o’clock on the fourth morning, the people 
     
     came to the captain and declared they had done all in 
     
     their power; that the vessel was full of water; and that 
     
     it was in vain to pump any more. The captain told them 
     
     he was convinced that what they said was too true, and 
     
     complimented them upon their attention and exertion. 
     
     He then acquainted the priest with their situation, 
     
     assuring him that every method for saving the ship and 
     
     the lives of the people had been resorted to in vain and 
     
     that they expected the decks would blow up every mo- 
     
     ment. The priest appeared confused; but immediately 
     
     went to give his people absolution; and a melancholy 
     
     scene ensued. Strong, hearty, and healthy men, looking 
     
     at each other, with tears in their eyes, bewailing their 
     
     unhappy condition, and preparing for death. 
     
    

    
     Captain Nicholls now walked upon the deck with 
     
     Captain Moore, desiring him to think, if he could of 
     
     some expedient to avert their destruction, Captain