eight o'clock in the morning
We made up directly to it , and in half an hour 's time the wind being fair , we could plainly perceive a great ship on fire in the middle of the sea . Touched with this unhappy disaster , and considering my former circumstances , when the Portuguese Captain took me up , I immediately ordered five guns to be fired that the poor creatures , not seeing us , it being dark , -LRB- though we could perceive their flame -RRB- might be sensible there was deliverance at hand , and consequently might endeavor to save themselves in their boat . Nor was it long before the ship blew up in the air and the fire was extinguished in the ocean . But supposing them all to be in their boats , we hung out our lanterns and kept firing till eight o'clock in the morning ; when with our perspectives , we beheld two boats full of people making towards us tho ' the tide was against them then spreading out our ancient ; and hanging out a waft , as a signal for them to come on board , in half an hour 's time ; we came up to them , and took them all in , there being no less than sixty-four men , women , and children . It was a French merchant ship of three hundred tons ; homeward bound from Quebec in the river of Canada . The master informed me how , by the negligence of the steersman , the steerage was set on fire : that , at his outcry for help , the fire was , as we thought totally extinguished ; but , that some sparks getting between the timber , and within the ceiling , it proceeded into the hold , where there was no resisting it ; & then they got into their boats , as creatures in the last extremity , with what provision they had , together with oars , sails , and a compass , intending to go back to Newfoundland , the wind blowing at S.E. and by E. though there were several chances against them as storms to overset and founder them , rains and colds to benumb and perish their limbs , and contrary winds to keep them back and starve them ; _ But _ , said he , _ in this our great distress we heard the welcome report of your guns , when with unspeakable joy , taking down our masts and sails , we were resolved to lie by till morning ; but perceiving your light , we set our oars at work , to keep our boat a head , the sooner to attain your ship , the happy instrument of our deliverance _ . Indeed no one can express the joy of these poor creatures on this occasion : fear and grief are easily set forth ; sighs and tears , with a few motions of the hands and head , are all the demonstrations of these passions ; but an excess of joy , carries in it a thousand extravagancies ; especially , I think , among the French , whose temper is allowed to be more volatile , passionate , sprightly , and gay , than that of other nations .