But my good master Bates died two years after ; and as I had few friends my business began to fail , and I determined to go again to sea . After several voyages , I accepted an offer from Captain W. Pritchard , master of the `` Antelope , '' who was making a voyage to the South Sea . We set sail from Bristol , May 4 , 1699 ; and our voyage at first was very prosperous . But in our passage to the East Indies we were driven by a violent storm to the north-west of Van Diemen 's Land . Twelve of our crew died from hard labor and bad food , and the rest were in a very weak condition . On the 5th of November , the weather being very hazy , the seamen spied a rock within 120 yards of the ship ; but the wind was so strong that we were driven straight upon it , and immediately split . Six of the crew , of whom I was one , letting down the boat , got clear of the ship , and we rowed about three leagues , till we could work no longer . We therefore trusted ourselves to the mercy of the waves ; and in about half an hour the boat was upset by a sudden squall . What became of my companions in the boat , or those who escaped on the rock or were left in the vessel , I can not tell ; but I conclude they were all lost . For my part , I swam as fortune directed me , and was pushed forward by wind and tide ; but when I was able to struggle no longer I found myself within my depth . By this time the storm was much abated . I reached the shore at last , about eight o'clock in the evening , and advanced nearly half a mile inland , but could not discover any sign of inhabitants . I was extremely tired , and with the heat of the weather I found myself much inclined to sleep . I lay down on the grass , which was very short and soft , and slept sounder than ever I did in my life for about nine hours . When I woke , it was just daylight . I attempted to rise , but could not ; for as I happened to be lying on my back , I found my arms and legs were fastened on each side to the ground ; and my hair , which was long and thick , tied down in the same manner . I could only look upward . The sun began to grow hot , and the light hurt my eyes . I heard a confused noise about me , but could see nothing except the sky . In a little time I felt something alive and moving on my left leg , which , advancing gently over my breast , came almost up to my chin , when , bending my eyes downward , I perceived it to be a human creature , not six inches high , with a bow and arrow in his hands , and a quiver at his back .
XXXXX the meantime I felt at least forty more following the first .
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