Paul bravely continued
to paddle despite such dreadful obstacles and at five-thirty o'clock,
he was bearing due south off Alcazar Point two and one half miles. One
hour later, the current was setting to the west again, driving the
voyager and the boat further and further away from the African coast. It
began to grow dark with increasing wind and every sign of a gale coming
on. The boisterous sea and wind, in conjunction with the rapid currents
and heavy over-falls, again caused Boyton to drift away from the boat,
so that those on board soon lost sight of him altogether. After cruising
about in all directions and hailing at the top of their voices, his
friends on board the St. Augustine were relieved by hearing a distant
hail which proved to be a guide to his whereabouts and by proceeding in
the right direction they got up to him; but not without great risk and
very hard work.
On reaching him, the crew became very violent in their language and
conduct and insisted on his getting aboard, as they were all drifting
into the Atlantic Ocean. Boyton, however was firm in his resolve to keep
on until he reached the African coast. Seeing no other way to stop
him, three of the crew leaned over the boat's side and endeavored to
drag him on board by main force.
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