“Though long of winds and waves the sport,
Condemned in wretchedness to roam.
Live!—thou shalt reach a sheltering port,
A quiet home.”
Montgomery.
Just as I had given myself up for lost, providentially I was washed sideways against a jutting rock, and this enabled me to stem the recoiling water until it passed away. Although powerless to do anything I had sense enough left to know that unless I managed to get further inshore the back-wash of the next wave would certainly carry me off and finish me outright. I strove to get on my hands and knees, and with great difficulty succeeded in doing so. I crawled along, in what direction I knew not, for the sand in my eyes had made me partially blind, and my neck, which seemed to have given way altogether, rendered me incapable of holding my head up. Unable to creep another yard, I tumbled over on to the sand, and, while lying exhausted, the succeeding wave came up close enough to touch my feet. I knew then that, instinctively I had been going in the right direction and was safe, so far, from the sea. After resting for a brief space, I again essayed the creeping, and painfully dragged myself over the sand and rocks towards a small cave in front, and at foot of the cliffs. The distance I had to go was only a few yards, but in the condition I was it seemed a mile to me. I think it must have been about 8 a. m. when I got inside the cave. My reason for going there was a sort of confused idea that I might get shelter from the cold wind which felt as if it were blowing right through my very bones. I crouched in a corner on top of some seaweed, but obtained no relief from the change, indeed, the cold seemed, if possible, worse than ever, and sharp shooting pains now and then darted over my whole body.
SORRENTO OCEAN BEACH (from a Photo).
The White Cross indicates where Ponting landed. Showing Jubilee Point in the distance.
I endeavored to collect my wandering thoughts concerning the position I was now in. While on the water I had, at first, strong hope that assistance would come, then latterly, when nearing the shore, hope rose again that if I succeeded in getting to the beach I would soon be right. Now that I was on land, I was helpless to do anything for myself and there seemed no appearance of aid coming. Evidently the loss of our vessel was still unknown, otherwise there would have been somebody on the beach before this time looking for us. Where were my shipmates? Were they all drowned, or were some of them lying like myself on other parts of the shore? As these thoughts rushed through my mind I began to feel that I must abandon all hope of being rescued. Yet it seemed hard that I should be saved from the waves only to perish through weakness and exposure on the rocky beach! One minute I prayed for help and the next I almost longed for death to come and end my troubles!
I had not been lying down for very long when I began to feel much easier. The extreme cold had departed and the twitching pain in my limbs had gradually abated; but, meanwhile, the thirsty craving came back, and my head got still more dull and leadenlike. I took these symptoms to mean that I was getting weaker, and slowly dying. The struggle for life had been a protracted one, but it could not be kept up much longer. I had striven hard to keep my spirits up and live, but God had willed that I must go! My poor wife would soon know the worst. The end of my troubles would be the beginning of hers. My life being insured, she would not be left altogether penniless, but still the news of my death would be a sad blow to her and our relations. God help her, and them! A burning sensation seemed to shoot through my head! A strange buzzing sound filled my ears, and then I lost all consciousness!