Part 35

027:016 Then we ran under the lee of a little island called Cauda, where we managed with great difficulty to secure the boat;

027:017 and, after hoisting it on board, they used frapping-cables to undergird the ship, and, as they were afraid of being driven on the Syrtis quicksands, they lowered the gear and lay to.

027:018 But, as the storm was still violent, the next day they began to lighten the ship;

027:019 and, on the third day, with their own hands they threw the ship's spare gear overboard.

027:020 Then, when for several days neither sun nor stars were seen and the terrific gale still harassed us, the last ray of hope was now vanishing.

027:021 When for a long time they had taken but little food, Paul, standing up among them, said, "Sirs, you ought to have listened to me and not have sailed from Crete. You would then have escaped this suffering and loss.

027:022 But now take courage, for there will be no destruction of life among you, but of the ship only.

027:023 For there stood by my side, last night, an angel of the God to whom I belong, and whom also I worship,

027:024 and he said, "`Dismiss all fear, Paul, for you must stand before Caesar; and God has granted you the lives of all who are sailing with you.'

027:025 "Therefore, Sirs, take courage; for I believe God, and am convinced that things will happen exactly as I have been told.

027:026 But we are to be stranded on a certain island."

027:027 It was now the fourteenth night, and we were drifting through the Sea of Adria, when, about midnight, the sailors suspected that land was close at hand.

027:028 So they hove the lead and found twenty fathoms of water; and after a short time they hove again and found fifteen fathoms.

027:029 Then for fear of possibly running on rocks, they threw out four anchors from the stern and waited impatiently for daylight.

027:030 The sailors, however, wanted to make their escape from the ship, and had lowered the boat into the sea, pretending that they were going to lay out anchors from the bow.

027:031 But Paul, addressing Julius and the soldiers, said, "Your lives will be sacrificed, unless these men remain on board."

027:032 Then the soldiers cut the ropes of the ship's boat and let her fall off.

027:033 And continually, up till daybreak, Paul kept urging all on board to take some food. "This is the fourteenth day," he said, "that you have been anxiously waiting for the storm to cease, and have fasted, eating little or nothing.

027:034 I therefore strongly advise you to take some food. This is essential for your safety. For not a hair will perish from the head of any one of you."

027:035 Having said this he took some bread, and, after giving thanks to God for it before them all, he broke it in pieces and began to eat it.

027:036 This raised the spirits of all, and they too took food.

027:037 There were 276 of us, crew and passengers, all told.

027:038 After eating a hearty meal they lightened the ship by throwing the wheat overboard.

027:039 When daylight came, they tried in vain to recognise the coast. But an inlet with a sandy beach attracted their attention, and now their object was, if possible, to run the ship aground in this inlet.

027:040 So they cut away the anchors and left them in the sea, unloosing at the same time the bands which secured the paddle-rudders. Then, hoisting the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach.

027:041 But coming to a place where two seas met, they stranded the ship, and her bow sticking fast remained immovable, while the stern began to go to pieces under the heavy hammering of the sea.

027:042 Now the soldiers recommended that the prisoners should be killed, for fear some one of them might swim ashore and effect his escape.

027:043 But their Captain, bent on securing Paul's safety, kept them from their purpose and gave orders that those who could swim should first jump overboard and get to land;