The Sun.
London, England, 1852-04-29 00:00:00

" Here they seemed to have experienced many vicis-
situdes from the surf and storms till the Ist of January,
when the Pioneer was driven on the rocks, her bow stove
in, and irreparable. The party in this boat then took to
a cavern, but finding it damp, and the tide washing into
it, they hauled the wreck of the Pioneer higher up on
the beach, and, covering her with a tent, they made a
dormitory of her, the Speedwell being higher up at the
mouth of a river, which they named Cook's river, after a
lady and benefactress to the mission.
" Feb. B.—The tide rose higher than usual, and I
find the following remark by Captain Gardiner:—‘ The
box which contained my most valuable books and papers
vas floating abont in the surf, and the beach strewn with
its contents in all directions.' By this unforeseen acci-
dent I lost a reference Bible, my private journal, and
some useful memorandums, chiefly on missionary sub-
jects, which I have been collecting for years, also my
rings, and a purse containing 81. Bs., all the money I
possessed, with the exception of sd. in copper. All my
warm clothing was washed away, but, providentially,
thrown up again by the tide in the course of two or
three days.

"Feb.2B—Mr. Williams is unwell in the boat, and
Captain Gardiner removes to a tent to make more room.
" March 13—This tent, named a hermitage by Captain
Gardiner, is burnt down. It appears that two casks of
biscuits and one of pork had been buried at Pioton Island
to disencumber the boats, and nourishing food being
wanted, as Mr. Williams and J. Badcock had got the
scurvy, they resolve to go to Picton Island for it, which
they reach on the 23d of March, intending to remain
there till the expected vessel arrives from England with
stores. Having got these provisions on board, and find-
ing the natives still troublesome, they painted the no-
tices on the rocks mentioned above, buried some bottles,
and returned to Spaniard-harbour on the 29th of March.
"In the beginning of April another of the party (J.
Bryant)gets the scurvy, and, the disease gaining on the
others, they become enfeebled in consequence.
" April 23—They have provisions enough to last for
two months, but some are very low; and, a fox pilfering
from them, they kill him by putting a piece of pork
opposite the muzzle of a gun attached by a string to the
trigger; and, as they can only issue pork three times a
week, tey dine off this fox, and salt the remainder;
altogether they appear to have been very frugal with
their supplies. I find a notice of five largo ado caught,
and an account kept of the number of ducks shot, as,
their powder having been left on board the ship, and a
flask and a half being all they have, they keep it for
contingencies.

" May 12—Is a note of the biscuit being short, and
altogether as they have not supplies for more than three
weeks, all (but the sick) go on short allowance.
" May 19—The preserved meat is out, and Mr. Wil-
liams appears to be failing.
" May 22—Set apart for special prayer on behalf of
the sick, for supplies of food, and the arrival of the ex-
pected vessel. Frequent mention is made of the tide
washing into the cavern, carrying away their stores, and
endangering their sleeping boat, which they endeavoured
to counteract by building breakwaters of stones; but in
the night the surf washes away their work of the day.
On one occasion I find Captain Gardiner and Mr. Maid-
ment have to escape from the cavern to save their
lives, and, taking refuge on a rock washed by the surf,
they kneel down in prayer.
"June 11—I, Erwin and another of the party take
the scurvy, and misfortune seems hovering around them.
Their fishing net is swept away, and J. Baddock dies on
the 28th of June, and is buried on a bank under the
trees at Cook's River. After performing the last offices
they retire to their boat for prayers.
" July 4—Having been seven weeks on short allow-
ince, and latterly even this having been curtailed, the
party are utterly helpless. Everything found in the
shape of food is cooked and eaten—a penguin, a shag, a
halt-devoured fish washed upon the shore, and even the
salted fox washed out of the cavern, is thrown up again
on the beach, and user for food. Captain Gardiner writes
—` We have now remaining half a duck, about one pound
of salt pork, the same quantity of damaged tea, a very
little rice (a pint), two cakes of chocolate, four pints of
peas, to which I may add six mice. The mention of
this last item in our list of provisions may startle some
of our friends, should it ever reach their ears; but, cir-
cumstanced as we are we partake of them with a relish,
and have already eaten several of them. They are very
tender, and taste like rabbit.'
" July 22—They are reduced to living on muscles, and
feel the want of food, and sometimes the craving of hun-
ger is distressing to them. Captain Gardiner writes,—
' After living on muscles for a fortnight, I was compelled
to give them up, and my food is now muscle broth and
the soft part of limpets.'
" July 28—Captain Gardiner writes of the party in
the other boat,—' They are all extremely weak and
helpless; even their garden seeds used for broth are now
all out.'

"August 14—Captain Gardener takes to his bed, but
a rock weed is discovered which they boil down to a
jelly, and find nourishment from.
" August 23—John Erwin dies.
"August 26—J. Bryant dies, and Mr. Maidment
buries them both in one grave.
" John Pearce, the remaining boatman, is cast down
at the loss of his comrades, and wandering in his mind,
but Mr. Williams is somewhat batter. _ _ _

" Set. 3—Mr. Maidment had never recruited from
that day of bodily and mental 'exertion. The remain-
ing remarks I transcribe literally, and must speak for
themselves.
" Sept. 3—Wishing if possible to spare him (Mr.
Maidment) the trouble of attending on me, and for the
mutual comfort of all, I proposed, if practicable, to go
to the river and take up my quarters in the boat. This
was attempted on Saturday last, feeling that without
crutches I could not possibly effect it. Mr. Maidment
most kindly cut me a pair (two forked sticks), but it was
with no slight exertion and fatigue, in his weak state.
We set out together, bat soon found that I had not
strength to proceed, and was obliged to return before
reaching the brook on our own beach. Mr. Maidment
was so exhausted yesterday that he did not rise from his
bed until noon, and I have not seen him since, conse-
quently I tasted nothing yesterday. I cannot leave the
place where I am, and know not whether he is in the
presence of the gracious God
body, or enjoying the
whom he has served so faithfully. lam writing this
at ten o'clock in the forenoon. Blessed be my Hea-
venly Father for the many mercies I enjoy—a com-
fortable bed, no pain, or even craving of hunger;
though excessively weak, scarcely able to turn in my
bed, at least it is a very great exertion; but I am by
His abounding grace kept in perfect peace, refreshed
with a sense of my Saviour's love, and an assurance that
all is wisely and mercifully appointed, and pray that I
may receive the fall blessing which it is doubtless de-
signed to bestow. My care is all cast upon God, and I
am only waiting His time and His good pleasure to
dispose of me as He shall seem fit. Whether I live or
die may it be in Him ; I condemned my body and my
soul to His care and keeping, and earnestly pray that
He will take my dear wife and children under the shadow
of His wings, comfort, guard, strengthen, and sanctify
them wholly, that we may together in a brighter and
eternal world praise and adore His goodness and grace
in redeeming us with His precious blood, and plucking
us brands from the burning to bestow upon us the adop-
tion of children, and make us inheritors of His Heavenly
kingdom .—Amen.
doubt that my dear fellow-labourer has ceasedhedeereedin
" Thursday. Sept. 4.—There is now no rforeorem
histo
earthly toils, and joined the company of t
ul Providence
under these circumstances, it was a merciful the presence of the Lord, whom he servedfesro7fabioutyhtefdtuhltlehyree;
body. He left a little peppermi
that he left the boat, as I could.
sautovffeemr7from thirst
nnt-o7tolthter which he had
and yester-
wmasixendo,
oatnhderittohad
mightsrinbklnfesagrfnegatlcom
I prayed that the Lord might strengthen mo to procure
day I was enabled to get out, and scoop up
some. He graciously answered my petition,
a sufficient
supply from some that trickled down at the stern of the
boat, by means of one of my Indiarubber overshoes.
What combined mercies am I receiving at the hands
of
my Heavenly Father; blessed be His holy name!
Friday, Sept. s—Gr ea t and marvellous are the
loving kindnesses of my gracious God unto me. He
e
has preserved me hitherto, and for four days, although
without bodily food, without any feelings of
of hunger or
thirst.'
.4 These last remarks are not written so
previous day's, and I concluded that they
were the lest •
but I find another paper, dated Sept.
Williams, and 6, addressed to Mr.
indistinct, and some part quiteen in pencil, s
the whole being very
as follows: obliterated, but nearly
ti 6 My dear Mr. Williams, the Lord has seen fit to call
home another of our little co
brother left the boat on Tuesdaympany. Our dear departed
since returned. Doubtless h afternoon , and has not
Redeemer, whom he servedo is in the presence of his
while, and thoughfaithfully. Yet
a little
. , I
. the Almighty to sing the
praises . . . throne. neither hunger nor thirst,
though
. days without food
• . . Maidment's
kindness to me
• . . heaven.
" Your affectionate brother in • •
" ALLEN F. GARDINER.

" September 6, 1851:
" From the above extracts I must therefore conclude
that the two bodies found at Cook's River were those of
Mr. Williams and J. Pearce, and, considering their
weak state, it is unreasonable to suppose they could have
survived Captain Gardiner, who could scarcely have
lived over the 6th of September, 1851.
" I will offer no opinion on the missionary labour of
Captain Gardiner and the party, beyond it being marked
by an earnestness and devotion to the cause; but, as a
brother officer, I beg to record my admiration of his con-
duct in the moment of peril and danger, and his energy
and resources entitle him to high professional credit. At
one time I find him surrounded by hostile natives aad
dreading an attack, yet forbearing to fire, and the savages
awed and subdued by the solemnity of. his party, kneel.
ing down in prayer. At another, having failed to heavy
off his boat when on the rocks, he digs a channel under
her, and diverts a fresh water stream into it; and I find
him ranking an anchor by filling an old bread cask with
stones, heading it up, and securing wooden crosses
the heads with chain.
" There could not be a doubt as to the y
cess of a mission here, if liberally.t
e wil tactical supported,aulti mbu
ture to express a hope that not a
tel
vieu nc--
ne-
ther without intrusting their
acquainted with oginwreittl affairs,s to
yr opuicihsyo mseeenn