.^/./% ^'^ -«. ! ^A V- ^.^, % K^^ ^^. ^V ,s-- r. -^^ a"^" ..^- .^^^ ^. <^u ^. (X^^ ^".-#^fJ^r. '^. >' -f' "'^, r. ,^X^ >• ■/> Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from The Library of Congress http://www.archive.org/details/outondeepOOnewy C!^ ^i^--^ J C7 'OUT 0:Nr THE DEEP W OR, THE PERILS AND BEAUTIES OF THE OCEAN. INTERESTING, INSTRUCTIVE AND GRAPHIC ACCOUNTS OF THE MOST POPULAR VOYAGES ON RECORD, REMARKABLE SHIPWRECKS, HAIR-BREADTH ESCAPES, NAVAL ADVENTURES, THE WHALE FISHERY, ETC, ETC., Illustrating the Advantages of Decision of Character, Perseverance and Unwavering Hope in Time of Peril. '^ ILLUSTRATE X). KEW YORK: LEAVITT & ALLEX BRO'S, PUBLISHERS, No. 8 HOWARD STREET. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1870, by Leavitt & AiiLKN Bro's, In the Clerk's Office of tho District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York. PREFACE. The object of the present volume has been to afford a series of brief but graphic sketches, ilkistrating the pleas- ures, perils and beauties of the great highway of nations, which might prove both interesting and instructive. It was believed that a miscellany of the kind, which by its variety might not readily tire, and which might be laid down and resumed at frequent intervals, without losing its interest, would be acceptable to both young and old alike. It embraces nearly every subject of importance in the history of navigation and maritime discoveries, while the sketches of nautical manners and adventure are from the most authentic sources. From the examples presented, it will be seen of what astonishing advantage are the virtues of decision, temperance, perseverance, and unwavering hope, in moments of extreme peril and despair. It is the coward only, who at such times deserts his post ; bids de- fiance to orders, and surrenders himself to unmanly fear. CONTENTS Early DiscoTe.'iea - . - . - 13 Columbus . - - . - 14 Magellan ---..-. 17 Sir Francis Drake ... - 20 The Spanish Wreck - . ^ . . 23 Danipier - - - - - - 26 A Man Overboard - ... 27 Captain Woods Rogers - - - - 29 Story of Alexander Selkirk .... 31 /V Scene off Bermuda - - - . - 34 Captain John Clipperton _ • ^ • 38 Ferocity of the Polar Bear - - - - 40 Le Maire and Schouten - - ' - 42 The Florida ...... 44 Commodore Anson - - - - ^ 45 Fishing on the Grand Ivank - ... 50 Byron - - • - - - - 5^ A Tale of the Sea - - - ' - - 57 Wallis - CO Voyage from Halifax to Bermuda - - - 64 De Bougainville - - . - - 68 History of the Buccaneers - - - - 71 Voyage of Captain James - - • - 78 The Pirate's Treasure ----- 85 Missionaries in Greenland. - - . - 100 Dolphins and Flying Fish - . - - 102 Henry Hudson ----- 105 Famine on Board the Le Jacques - - - 105 Law of Arrest - - - - - 110 Captam Cook - - 113 CONTENTS. Captain Cook's Second Voyage Third do. Sufferings of Ephraim Howe - - An Escape thicTugh the Cabin Windows The Fatal Repast - ^ - . Captains Pordock and Dixon - - - Curiosity Baffled Shipwrecked Mariners Saved Through a Dream A Polite Sea-robber - - - Feelings Excited by a long Voyage Forty-five days' Sufferings - - - Monsieur de la Perouse - - • Midshipman's Pranks The Loss of the Phcenix Mutiny of the Bounty - - • . Bird Catching in the Shetland Islands Dangers of a Nova Scotia Fog - The Eddystone Light House John Paul Jones James Lawrence - - • . Early American Heroism Captain G. Vancouver - - A Visit to Rockall - - Captain Inglefield's Narrative A Monkey Trick Captain Kennedy's Narrative Tom Cringle's Log Nelson ... The Cumberland Packet Captain D'Entrecasteaux Captain Riley - - - Adventures of Captain Woodward Sliip wreck of the Blendenhall The Cliffs of Dover An Account of the Whale Fishery The Loss of the Peggy - The Medusa - - . The Main Truck, or a Leap for Life The Hur})ooncr Transport Commodore Barney Pag« 118 124 138 140 144 153 160 171 173 176 180 185 203 212 223 235 238 243 246 249 252 253 276 282 2€4 285 287 291 307 809 315 319 325 328 331 346 352 356 364 367 CONTENTS, Paf. Naval Battles of the United States - - - 371 Captain Parry's First Voyage of Discovery - - 382 Second Voyage - ... - 399 Third do. ..... 409 Loss of the Alceste - - - - - 411 Kotzebue ---... 420 Wreck of the Rothsay Steamer ... 428 Narrative of Captain W. L. Cazneau - - - 432 NevsrYork .--•.. 4^ Narrative of Captain Lincolt - - - . 437 Greenwich Hospital . - . - . 469 Loss of the Ship Boston ... 47O The Loss of the Kent ..... 472 Pro])erties of the Sea, &c, ... 478 Classification of Clouds - - • 480 Literary Pursuits of Sailors • - • 484 Abstract of American Nautical Laws - ^ - 489 POETRY. The Beacon Light - - - »} The Ocean ...... 34 Nautical Philosophy ..... 57 The Wreckers 77 The Dying Dolphin ..... 104 A Sea Song - ..... 113 Lament for Long Tom ..... 144 The Return of the Admiral ... 170 The Sea Bird's Song .... 176 The Grecian Manner's Song .... 184 The Sound of the Sea - - - - - 211 A Sea Ballad 237 Address to the Ocean ... - - 251 The Subterranean Stream - - - - 281 As Fast and Far o'er Waves we fly - - - 287 Casablanca --..-. 306 The INIariner's Address to his Mistress . • . 314 The Mariner's Hymn 330 The American Flag ..... 381 Old Ironsides ...... 435 Xn CONTENT* ENGRAVINGS The Landing of Col ambus - - 16 Straits of Magellan. . - - jg Peak of TenerifTe ... 30 Cape Horn - - . - 43 St. Helena ...... 5Q Pirate's Treasure ----- 99 Death of Captain Cook - . . . 133 Bird Catching on the Shetland Islands - • - 23G The Eddystone Light House - - - - 244 Rockall ...... ^70 The Wreck of the Cumberland Packet - - 309 Dover Castle - - - - - . 399 Boat Upset by a Whale .... 344 View of Boston - . . . r. 3g(j New York - - - - - - 436 Greenwich Hospital ... ^ 4(j9 Classification of Clouds . |g] OUT O]^ THE DEEP ; EARLY MARITIME DISCOVERIES The Portuguese were among the first to signalize tbemselveg in the career of geographical discovery. At the beginning of the fifteenth century, Prince Henry, son of John I. was at the head of the marine of Portugal. Under his immediate direction, se\ eral voyages were undertaken to the coast of Africa; ii: one of which the voyagers were driven by a storm out of their usual course along shore, and for the first time the terrified mariners found themselves in the boundless ocean. When the storm abat- ed, ihey were in sight of an island, to which, in their thankful- ness to Heaven for the succor it afforded, they gave the name of Puerto Sancto, or the Holy Haven — the least of the Madeiras. The voyages of the Portuguese now succeeded eacii other rapidly; and other navigators of this nation, either grown bolder, or again driven off the coast, discovered the Azores. In 1433, the Por tuguese passed Cape Nun, hitherto the limit of their courses, and arrived at a cape, which presenting a frightful barrier to the still timid seamen, in the terrible surf that broke on the shoals near it, they named Bojador, signifying its projection into the sea and the consequent circuit it required to double it. In succeeding expeditions. Cape Verd was reached, and the Senegal arrived at, and Lisbon saw with astonishment a different race from the Moors. Cape Mesurado was the limit of the Por- tuguese discoveries at the death of Prince Henry in 1463, which damping the ardor of discovery, it was not until 1471 that the Equator was crossed, and the islands in the gulf of Guinea were discovered. The terrors of the burning zone, and the belief of the union oi Africa and Asia being dissipated by these successive voyages, the passage to India round Africa was no longer deemed impossible, and a fleet was fitted out under Bartholomew Diaz for the express purpose of attempting it. The captain coasted Africa to within sight of its southern point, to which he gave the name of Cape of all Torments from the violent storms he experienced off it, and which, as well as the want of provisions, obliged him to return to Lisbon, after an absence of sixteen months. The name of the Cape of all Torments was clianged by the king to that of Good Hope, from the prospect it afforded of accomplishing the passage \o India 2 14 COLUPdBUS. Ten years however elapsed after the discovery of the Cape before this passage was again attempted; and Vasco de Gama had the honor of doubhng the promontory the 20th of November, 1497. Sailing along the east coast of Africa, he passed through the Mosambique Channel to Mombaze and thence to Melinda, where he procured pilots, and crossing the Arabian sea, arriv- ed at Callicut the 22d of May, 1498. It is thought that the ridiculous ceremony of ducking, &c. on crossing the line was first practised in this voyage. COLUMBUS. While the Portuguese were attempting to arrive at India by the east, Columbus conceived the idea of reaching it by the west, which produced a d^iscovery that was totally to alter the face of Europe by inundating it with the treasures of a new world. — Christopher Columbus was a native of Genoa. He seems to have been accustomed, in a degree, from his youth, to a sea-life, and once commanded a ship in an engagemen)t with a Venitian galley, when both vessels having grappled took fire, and he saved himself by swimming nearly two leagues to the shore. Columbus had formed an opinion, after much reflection, that by sailing across the Atlantic towards the west, new countries, probably forming a part of India, must be discovered. Fired with this project, he first proposed his plans to the king of Portugal, but that monarch not readily complying with his terms, Columbus concluded to resort to the court of Ferdinand and Isabella, who then ruled the united kingdoms of Castile and Arragon. His proposals were listened to with respect, and an assembly of all the learned men of the realm was called to listen to his reason- ing, and weigh his arguments. He rose before this learned body, and explained to them his project and the probabilities of its success. But his propositions were rejected as absurd. One of their assertions was, that if a man should sail away westward as far as Columbus proposed, he would not be able to return on account of the roundness of the globe. They said it would be going down; and that coming back would be like climbing a hill, wlvich a vessel could not do without the strongest gale! But though bafi:led by these prejudiced men, he finally found an advocate in tlie Queen Isabella, who promised her assistance to the unclcrtaking. After mucli delay and difficulty, an expedi- tion was fitted out, and Columbus appointed admiral. He sailed with his companions from the bar of Saltes, a small island in front COLUMBUS. llj of the town of Huelva, on the morning of U.e third of Aug ist, 1492. They steered their course in a S. W. direction for the Canary Islands. The day after their departure, the rudder of one of the caravels was unshipped. This was supposed to have heen done through the contrivance of two men on board, who disliked the voyage. Her captain how^ever repaired the rudder by means o£ ropes, so as to be able to keep on their course as far as the Grand Cai.ary. Here three or four weeks were spent in repairing the vessel, and in taking in supplies of wood and water; after which, on the sixth of September, they departed in a westerly direction. On the fifteenth of the same month, at night, they saw a wonderful flash of fire fall into the sea. On the next day they fell in with a large quantity of green weeds, among which they found a live crab ; and soon after great flocks of birds were seen flying towards the west. The sailors watched, with the greatest anxiety, for every sign of land. But being often disappointed they began to murmur and grow afraid. Towards the night of the 22d, two or three land-birds came singing on board the vessels, and flew away at daybreak. One thing that terrified the sailors was that the wind always blew direct- ly in their st'^.rn. They believed that in those seas they should never have a wind to carry them back again. It fortunately hap- pened however, that about this time the wind started up freshly from another quarter, with a rolling sea. The signs of land having continually failed, the crews grew more incensed against the ad- miral. Provisions were falling short, and the general wdsh seemed to be to turn back. Some of them even proposed to throw Colum- bus into the sea, and give out on their return that he had fallen overboard, while engaged in taking some observations. On the eleventh of October they experienced signs of land, which could not be mistaken. A cane and a log were picked up, and a branch of thorn full of red berries was likewise found. Convinced, by these tokens, of the vicinity of land, Columbus after evening prayers, made an address to his crew, reminding them of the mercy of God in bringing them so far, and encourag- ing them to continue. About ten o* clock that evening, while keeping an anxious look-out from the top of tlie cabin, the ad- miral thought he beheld a light glimmering at a great distance ; and at two in the morning the signal of land was given by a sailor named Rodrigo de Triana. When the day dawned they beheld before them a large island, quite leve , full of grc^n trees and delicious springs, and apparently well inhabited. The ships im- mediately came to anchor. The admiral went ashore in his boat, well-armed, and bearing the royal standard. After formally taking possession of the island, he named it San Salvador. It is now called Cat Island, and belongs to the group of the Baha- mas. He olso dv-icovered Cuba, Hispanioln, and several other small 16 COLUMBUS. islan*ds, and having left a colony in a fort at Hispaniola retunw3d ♦o Spain in March, 1493. In September following, he set out on his second voyage, and sailed by the Leeward Islands to His- paniola; in a third voyage undertaken in 1498, he discovered the continent of America, but in consequence of some envious char- ges m<^de against him, was sent in fetters to Europe. He was instantly liberated on his arrival, but so deeply did the injury sink into his mind, that he always carried about him the chains he had worn, and ordered that they should be buried with him. He sailed from Cadiz, in May, 1502, on his fourth voyage. On arriving ofF Columbus. St. Domingo he found eighteen loaded ships preparing to depart for Europe. As from certain tokens he discerned the approach of a hurricane, he requested permission to enter the harbour, and at the same time warned the fleet not to sail. Both his request and warning were disregarded. The hurricane came on. By proper precautions he escaped its fury; but it fell with such de- Btructive violence on the fleet, that only two or three ships were iaved, and the rest perished with all their wealth. Columbus proceeded on his voyage and traced all the coast about tlic isthmus of Darien. Sailing homewards he was wreck- ed on the island of Jamaica. Here he underwent great distress from the mutiny and desertion of his men, and the suspicions of the natives, who withheld their supphes of provisions, till, by the pre- diction of an eclipse, he obtained an irresistible authority over their minds At length he was delivered by a squadron sent from Hispaniola; and after a short stay at St. Domingo, he embarked with two ships for Spain. One of these was obliged by storma MAGELLAN. 11 to return, and in the other with great difficulty and dangei, he reached St Lucar in December, 1504, and thus finished his last disastrous voyage. On his return he had the mortification of finding his best friend, Isabella, dead. He was worn down by anxiety and disease; his services were neglected, and his hopes miserably disappointed. He finally died at Valladolid, on the 20th of May, 1506, in the fifty-ninth year of his age; passing through the last scene with that piety and composure, which he had displayed in all the trying emergencies of life. In 1536, hk remains were removed to Hispaniola, and interred in the city of St. Domingo. But in 1795, they were again disinterred and conveyed to Havanna, in Cuba. MAGELLAN. Ferdinand Magellan was by birth a Portuguese, descended from a good family, and born towards the end of the fifteenth cen- tury. In consequence of certain services in the Indian Seas, he applied to the government for some recompense ; but being treated with neglect, he left his own country to seek employment in a foreign land. In company with Ruy Falero, an eminent astron- omer, and one of his associates, he travelled into Spain, and ex- plained to Charles V. the reigning monarch, his project of making discoveries in distant seas. The court listened to the adventurers with favor, and consented to fit out an expedition. Magellan's little squadron consisted of five ships, manned with ^37 men, and supplied with provisions, ammunition and stores, for two years. On the 1st of August, 1519, they left Seville, and on the 27th of September sailed from Sanlucar, steering for the Canaries. They refreshed at Teneriffe, and early in October passed the Cape de Verd Islands. Holding on their course, they bore along the coast of Africa, till they crossed the line, seven- ty days i^ter their departure. In the beginning of December they, came to that part of Brazil which is now called the Bay of St. Lucia. They subsequently anchored at the mouth of a large river, supposed to be the Rio Janerio, where they continued a fortnight. On their first landing, the inhabitants flocked to the beach in great numbers, beholding, as they imagined, five sea- monsters approaching the shore. When the boats put out from the ships, the natives set up a great shout, conceiving them to be young sea-monsters, the offspring of the others. Proceeding along the South American Coast, the squadron arrived in April, 1520, at a large bay, now called by the name of 18 MAGELLAN. St. Julian. Here they saw a wild, giganhc race, of great size and rierceness who made a roaring not unlike that of bulls. One of them came on board the admiral's ship, and was well pleased with his reception; but happening to cast his eyes on a looking-glass, he was so terrified, that starting backwards, he beat to the ground Straits of Magellan. two men who stood behind him. Others subsequently came on board, and their behavior aiforded great entertainment to the offi- cers. One of these savages, ate a basket full of ship-biscuits, and drank a cask of water at a meal. They v^ore sandals, or a kind of shoes, made of skins, and this caused their feet to appear like those of an animal. Magellan named them Patagonians, from the Spanish word pata, signifying a hoof, or paw. Magellan determined to continue here till the return of spring, as it is winter in the southern hemisphere during our summer. He had ordered the allowance of provisions to be shortened, to meet this exigence, which caused much discontent among the crews. A mutiny soon followed, which was not quellec^till one of the officers was hanged, and some others were sent on shore to be left among the Patagonians. Five dreary months were pas- sed in the harbor of St. Julian, during which, every exertion was made to insure the successful prosecution of the voyage. On the 24th of August, the squadron again set sail, the weather being fine, and proceeded southward, till a violent gale from the east drove one of the vessels on shore, but the crew was happily saved. Coasting south with the four remaining ships, they ap- pioachcd a cape, near wliich an opening was discovered which was found afterwards to be a strait. Upon this, Magellan gave MAGELLAN. 19 orders that all the other ships should carefully examine tht -stiait, promising to wait for them a certain number of days. While the three vessels were employed in this expedition, one of them was driven out of the strait by the reflux of the tide, when the crew, dissatisfied with their situation, rose on their captain, made him prisoner, and again set sail for Europe. After waiting seve- ral days beyond the time he had fixed, Magellan entered the strait or arm of the sea, which has ever since retained his name. The entrance lies in 52 degrees south latitude, and the strait, which is about 110 leagues in length, is very wide in some places, and in others not more than half a league from shore to shore. On both sides the land was high, and the mountains were covered with .snow, on advancing about 50 leagues w^est from the entrance. In about six weeks they found themselves again in an open sea, the coast terminating westward in a cape, and the shore of the continent taking a northerly direction. The sight of the Pacific Ocean gave Magellan the utmost joy, he being the first Europe- an who sailed upon it. Proceeding W. N. W. he arrived at the Ladrone Islands, to which he gave that name on account of the thievish disposition of the natives. They sailed from the Ladrones on the 10th of March, 1524, and after visiting a number of islands, entered the port of Lebu on the 7th of April. From Lebu they sailed to the island of Mathan, which being governed by two kings, and one of them refusing to pay tribute to the king of Spain, Magellan prepared to reduce him. He marched into the interior of the island accompanied by sixty Europeans. Here he was attacked by three distinct bodies of the islanders, whose united force amounted to upwards of six thousand. The battle was for some time doubtful, till Ma- gellan's impetuosity carrying him too far, he was killed, by being wounded in the leg with a poisoned arrow and stabbed through thp body by a spear. Eight or nine of the Spaniards and fifteen of whe Indians were also slain. After the death of the admiral, ne\^ commanders were chosen from among the surviving officers, and as the ships were now in a very bad condition, it was found necessary to make use of one to repair the other two. Sailing W. S. W. they came to the rich island of Borneo. From this place they sailed to Cimbubon, where they were de- tained forty days in repairing their ships and taking in wood and water. Bending their course hence S. E. for the Moluccas, they came to anchor in the port of Tidore on the 8th of November After remaining here sometime, they set sail in one ship alono and with fifty- nine person* on board, for Europe. To double the Cape of Good Hope with the greater safety, they sailed as low as 42 degrees S. laUtude, where they were obliged to wait seven weeks for a wind On doubling the cape they were much dis- tressed by hunger and sickness. For two months they held on their course to the N. W. without touching at any port, during which 20 SIR FRANCIS DRAKE time they lost twenty-one persons, and the rest were on the point of starving. la this situation they arrived at St Jago, one of the Cape de Verd Islands. Finally on the 7th of September, they entered St. Lucar in Spain, with their number reduced to about eighteen per- sons According to their reckoning, they had sailed 14,000 leagues, and crossed the equator six times, having been absent three yeara wanting fourteen days. This w^as the first voyage round the world that had ever been made SIR FRANCIS DRAKE. Mr. Drake was first apprenticed to the master of a small ves- sel trading to France and Zealand; at the age of eighteen he went purser of a ship to the Bay of Biscay, and at twenty made a voy- age to the coast of Guinea. Having obtained Queen Elizabeth's permission for an expedition against the Spaniards, five ships were fitted out, having on board 164 able men and a large quantity of provisions. This fleet sailed out of Plymouth Sound on the 5th of November 1577; but meeting with a violent storm, they were obliged to put back and refit. On the 13th of December they sailed again, and on the 2oth passed Cape Cantin, on the coast of Barbary. After visiting numerous islands and meeting with various adventures, having passed the line, they at length dis- covered the coast of Brazil on the 5th of April, it being fifty-four days since they saw land. As soon as the people on shore saw the ships, they made large fires in different parts, and performed cere- monies to prevail on the gods to sink the vessels, or at least to prevent their landing. Sailing southward they anchored in fort St. Julian, where the admiral going on shore with six men, some of the natives slew the gunner, whose death was revenged by the commander, who killed the murderer with his own hand. At this place Magellan having executed one of his company who conspired against his life, Drake caused one of the crew named Doughty to be tried for the same offence against himself; and xecutcd him on the same gibbet. On the 20th of August, they fell in with the strait of Ma- gellan, which they entered, but found so full of intricate windings^ hat the same wind which was sometimes in their favor, was at others against them. After several difficulties they entered the South Sea on tlic Gth of September, and on the next day a vio- lent storm drove them 200 leagues south of the strait, where -hey anchored among some islands, abounding in herbs and water SIR FRAINCIS DRAKE. 21 Being now arrived at the other mouth of the strait, they steered for the coast of Chi4i. On their course they met an Indian in a canoe, who informed them that at St. Jago there was a large ship laden for Peru. The admiral rewarded him for this informa- tion, whereupon he conducted them to the place where the ship lay at anchor. There were only eight Spaniards and three ne- groes on board, who mistaking them for friends, welcomed them and invited them to drink Chili wine. Drake accepted the invi- tation, and going on board, put them under hatches; arriving on shore he rilled the town and chapel, from which he took great quantities of silver and gold. Proceeding to sea, they arrived at the port of Tarapaxa, where some of them going on shore found a Spaniard asleep, with eighteen bars of silver laying by his side, which they took without waking him. Entering the port of Lima on the 13th of February, they found *"velve sail of ships at anchor unguarded, the crews being all on •ihore. Examining these vessels they found much plate, together with rich silks and linens, which they took away; but having learned that a rich ship called the Cacafuego had lately sailed from that harbor for Taila, the admiral determined to follow her. Having come up with the chase, they gave her three shots, which brought away the mizzen-mast, whereupon they boarded her, and found thirteen chests full of rials of plate, eighty pounds weight of gold, a quantity of jewels, and twenty-six tons of silver in bars. They subsequently took several other rich prizes, and Drake having now revenged himself on the Spaniards, began to think of the best way of returning to England. To retui*n by the strait of Magellan would be to throw himself into the hands of the Spaniards; he therefore determined to sail westward to the East Indies, and return by the Cape of Good Hope. But wanting wind, he sailed towards the north, and in 38 degrees N. latitude, discovered a country, which from its white cliffs he called New Albion, though it is now known by the name of California. Here they were received with much hospitality by the natives, and the king made Drake a solemn tender of his whole kingdom. Sail- uig honce, they saw The Ladrones on the 13th of October. The admiral held on his course without delay, and on the 4th of No- vember, fell in with the Moluccas. Having arrived at a little island s-outh of Celebes, they staid twenty-six days, in order to repair the ships. Setting sail hence, they ran among a number of small isl- ands, and the wind shifting about suddenly, drove them upon a rock, on the evening of the 9th of January, 1579, where they stuck fast, till four in the afternoon of the next day. In this extremity they lightened the vessel, by taking out eight pieces of ordnance and three tons of cloves. On the 18th of June, they doubled the Cape of Good Hope, and on the 22nd of July arrived at Sierra I.eone, where tliey found a great number of elephants. They staid 22 THE BEACON LIGHT. here iwo days, and holding on their course for Plymouth, arrived there en Monday, the 26th of September, 1580; but according to their own reckoning, on Sunday the 25th, having gone round the world in two years, ten months, and a few days. The honor of knighthood w^as conferred on Drake, and a chair was made ftom his ship which is still &*hown as a curiosity at Oxford THE BEACON-LIGHT. Darkness was deep'ning o'er the seas. And still the hulk drove on; No sail to answer to the breeze, Her masts and cordage gone: Gloomy and drear her course of fear, Each looked but for a grave, When full in sight, the Beacon-light Came streaming o'er the wave I Then wildly rose the gladd'ning shout Of all that hardy crew — Boldly they put the helm about, And through the surf they flew, Storm was forgot, toil heeded not. And loud the cheer they gave. As full in sight, the Beacon-light Came streamino; o'er the wave! And gaily oft the tale they told. When they were safe on shore, How hearts had sunk, and hope grown cold Amid the billows' roar; That not a star had shone afar, By its pale beam to save. When full in sight, the Beacon-light, Came streaming o'er the wave! THE SPANISH WRECK. 2JI THE SPANISH WRECK. About the year 1683, Sir William Phips, afterwards celebrated for his attempts to take Quebec, in 1690, applied to the English Government for aid and permission to fit out a suitable vessel for the purpose of searching for the wreck of a Spanish ship which had been lost near one of the West India Islands, richly laden with silver. His request, after some delay, was granted and a frig- ate called Algier Rose, carrying eighteen guns and manned with ninety five men, was placed under his command. He arrived in New England the same year and proceeded forthwith to the place where the treasure was reported to have been lost. He encoun- tered many difficulties in his voyage and came nigh, more than once, losing his life by the mutiny of his crew. It is reported of him that while his ship lay by an island, for the purpose of enabling his men to take on board a fresh supply of wood and water, they agreed among themselves to take the ship into their own hands, and make a piratical expedition into the South Seas. They were all on the island with the exception of Captain Phips and eight or ten of the crew. Among these was the carpenter, whose services they could not well dispense with, and they accordingly sent to the ship, requesting him to come to them, as they had sometlnng for him to do. No sooner had he come among them, than they disclosed to him the cruel project, which was to set the Captain, and the above named eight or ten men upon the island, and then leave them to perish, while they would take the ship into their own hands and perform the proposed voyage. They gave the carpenter half an hour to consider of the subject, whether he would join with them or not, and sent him back accompanied by a seaman to prevent any interview between him and the Captain, by which a disclosure could be made. While at work on the ship, he suddenly feigned an attack of the cholic, and rushed into the cabin for the purpose of obtaining relief, and while there, gave the Captain an account of the determination of his crew. He direct- ed the carpenter to return upon the island, and give his consent to join the conspiracy. Wlien the carpenter had left the ship, the Captain ordered the men on board, to prepare the pieces for action, removed the plank by which a landing had been effected, and ordered them not to permit any one of those, save the carpenter, to approach the ship. A quantity of provisions had been carried on shore and covered with a tent, and two or three guns placed near to protect them from the Spaniards who might be passing that v/ay: these guns were all charged, ready to be made use of in the event of an at- tack from the conspirators. The disaffected part of the crew now r< t.uned to the ship for the purpose of executing their plans 24 THE SPANISH WRECK. No sooner had they come in sight, than the captain ordered them not to approach, saying to them that their intentions had been discovered, and that they were to be left upon the island, there to remain and perish. Seeing hov/ hopeless their condition was become, they gathered courage from despair, and resolved to rescue the provisions from the ship, and began to make a bold push As soon as they began to approach, the captain in a res- olute manner, cried out, "stand off, ye wretches, at your peril!" — They quietly relinquished their determination to attack, and fell upon their knees, imploring pardon, and offered to comply with any disposal he might make of them, provided he would re- ceive them on board. After having kept them on their knees long enough, he granted their petition and received them into the ship, and sailed immediately for the island of Jamaica, there put them on shore, and employed other seamen in their place. He now commenced an examination for the wreck, and after spending a long time in an almost fruitless search, sailed for Eng- land. By the advice, however, of an old Spaniard, he had satisl- cd himself of the prospect of succeeding in accomplishing his ob- ject, and determinefl to return again and prosecute his plan. His crew being composed of strangers, made him think it advisable to change them for others in whom he could have greater confidence in the event his labors should be crowned with success. On his return to England, his conduct gained the royal appro- bation, and the applause of the nobles, and many distinguished men encouraged him to engage in a second expedition and under more favorable and promising circumstances. His project was opposed, however, by many powerful enemies, but, promoted by the proverb, he ivho can wait, hath ivhat he de sireth, he overcame every obstacle and disappointment, and, under the patronage of the Duke of Albemarle, had a new ship fitted out with a more honest crew, furnished with instruments and con- veniences suited to the nature of the expedition. Arriving at Port de la Plata, he made a large canoe from the cotton tree suf- ficient to carry eight men, and with the old Spaniard for a guide, again commenced examination for the wreck. There ^hey float- ed about, fishing for their treasure among dangerous reefs and shoals for many weeks without success. So fruitless was the search that more than once had he, as well as his men, determin- ed to abandon tlie work. At length, when returning to the ship, discouraged by repeated disappointment, and the hopelessness of a successful issue of the project, one of the men looking i'lto the water discovered a feather, as he thought, growing out-of a rock. Thinking that they would not go back to the Captain without Bometiiing to present him, they ordered an Indian to dive down and bring it up, which having done, he gave an account of many large guns which he saw in his descent. The diver again went down, and, to the joy and astonishment of the men, returned with THE SPANISH WRECK. 2b a soil) or lump of silver, vvnicn turned out to be worth from ten to twelve hundred dollars. They buoyed the place and returned to the Captain overjoyed with their good fortune, as it was well known that the wreck was one of the ships be onging to the king of Spain^ wliich had been lost on a returning voyage from South Am.erica richly laden with silver bullion. The loss of the ship is supposed to have happened about the year 1637, and the immense treasures which were reported to have been sunk with her were often made the subject of ingenious speculation, and many had sunk their own fortunes and efforts to find it. It was reserve«d, however, in the silent depths, that Capt. Phips might be the fortunate finder of it at so late a period after its loss. He now found in the bullion brought to him full assurance that destiny had allotted to him to suck of the abundance of the seas and of treasures hid in the sand. Having prepared his instruments for fishing up the contents of the wreck, ail hands were now busily employed in the work, and in a short time they succeeded in procuring the astonishing amount of thirtij-two tons of silver. In addition to this Captain Adderly, an adventurer from Providence, and particular friend of Captain Phips, obtained six tons more from the same wreck at the same time, it was by an agreement that Adderly met Phips at the place of the wreck with a small vessel. He was so overjoyed with the extent of his riches and so elated at such unlooked for acquisitions, that he lived but a little while to enjoy them. It is s^aid that he went to the island of Bermudas where he became insane and died about two years after the six tons of silver came into his hands. Phips, however, made a more profitable account of the expedition, and lived to enjoy the proceeds of it without prejudice to his health or destruction of his mind. In a few weeks after leaving the wreck, he arrived safe in London, in 1687, with a cargo valued at near fifteen hundred thousand dollars. He made an honest distribution of it among those who aided him in fitting him out with a vessel and proper conveniences, and receiv- ed about seventy-five thousand dollars for his share of the profit/. The Duke of Albemarle, out of respect to his honesty and fide^- ty, presented his wife, who was then in New England, a gold cjp worth ''near a thousand pounds." And King James as a reward for his important services in bringing such amount of property into the country conferred on him the honor of Knighthood. Sir William Phips was born Febuary 2, 1650, at a despicable plantation on the river Kennebeck. He removed to Boston wherf he married a daughter of Roger Spencer, and pursued the bu^i ness of a smith, which was the occupation of his father. It 'a said that he frequently promised his wife that he would one day command a Kinp:^s ship and be the owner of a fair brick house in the Green lane of JVorth Boston, all which proved true, for afrer the discovery of the wreck, he returned into New England, in the summer of the vear 1688, '-able after ^\e year'.« absence, to 26 DAMPI^k entertain his lady with some accomplishment of his predictions* and then built himself a fair house in the very \ lace which he foretold." Sir William Phips was industrio'is, courageous, and persevering: his prmcipal fault was, occasionally indulging his temper. This failing he did not overcome until late in life. It is this day said by the very aged people living at the north part of Boston, where he resided, that when he was governor of Massachusetts, he had i quarrel with a truckman, at which time he was in so great a passion, that he threw off his coat and dared the man to fight. After this, however, he became very serious and devout, when he joined the Church, made a written acknowledgement of his past errors, and iri terms of deep humility, gave evidence of a pious mind. Phips was made "Captain General and Commander-in-Cliief of Massachusetts Bay," in 1690. The Brick House which he built stands in Salem Street, and i unproved as an asylum for orphan boys. DAMPIER William Dampier was born in Somersetshire, England, in th year 1652. He lost both his parents when very young, and 'va bound apprentice to the master of a ship at Weymouth, wit whom he made a voyage to France and another to 'New England In 1673, he served in the Dutch war, and was afterwards an over seer to a plantation in Jamaica. He next visited the bay of Cam peachy as a logwood cutter, and, after once more visiting England engaged in a band of Buccaneers, as they called themselves, al though in reality pirates, with whom he roved on the Peru^iai coasts. He next visited Virginia, and engaged in an expeditioi against the Spanish settlements in the South Seas. They acror dingly sailed in August, 1683, and, after taking several prizes oi the coasts of Peru and Chili, the party experienced various fortunt but no very signal success. Dampier, wishing to obtain somt knowledge of the northen coast of Mexico, joined the crew of ; captain Swan, who cruised in the hopes of meeting the annua, royal Manilla ship, which, however, escaped them. Swan and Dampier were resolved to steer for the East Indies, and they accordingly sailed to the Piscadores, to Bouton island, to TSew Holland and to Nicobar, where Dampier and others were 'eil ashore lo recover their health. Their numbers gave them ho[)es of being able to navigate a canoe to Achin, in which they suc- ceeded, after encountering a tremendous storm, which threatened them with unavoidable destruction. After making several trading A MAN OVERBOARD. 27 voyages with a Captain Weldon, Dampier entered, as a gunner, the English factory at Bencoolen. Upon this coast he remained unti) 1691, when he found means to return home, and, being in want of money, sold his property in a curiously painted or tattoed Indian prince, wno was shown as a curiosity, and who ultimately died of the small pox at Oxford. Dampier is next heard of as a commander, in the king's service, of a sloop of v/ar of twelve guns and hfty men, probably fitted out for a voyage of discovery. After experiencing a variety of adventures with a discontented crew, this vessel Ibundered off the Isle of Ascension, his men with dif- ficulty reaching land. They were released from this island by an East India ship, in which Dampier came to England. He after- wards commanded a ship in the South Seas, and accompanied the expedition of Captain Woodes Rogers as pilot. A MAN OVERBOARD. Sailors are men of rough habits, but their feelings are not by any means so coarse; if they possess little prudence or worldly consideration, they are likewise very free from selfishness; gen- erally speaking, too, they are much attached to one another, and will make great sacrifices to their messmates or shipmates when opportunities occur. I remember once, when crusing off Terceira in the Endymion, that a man fell overboard and was drowned. After the usual con- fusion, and long search in vain, the boats were hoisted up, and the hands called to make sail. I was officer of the forecastle and on looking about to see if all the men were at their station, missed one of the foretop men. Just at that moment I observed some one curled up, and apparently hiding himself under the bow of the barge, between the boat and the booms. 'Hillo!' I said, Svho are you? What are you doing there, you skulker? Why are you not at your station?' ' 1 am not skulking, sir,' said the poor fellow, the furrows in whose bronzed and weatherbeaten cheek were running down with tears. The man we had just lost had been his messmate and tViend, he told me, for ten years. I begged his pardon, in full sincerity, for having used such harsh words to him at such a moment, and bid him go below to his birth for the rest of the day. — ^Never mind, sir, never mind,' said the kind hearted seaman, *it can't be helped. You meant no harm, sir. I am as well on deck as below. Bill's gone sir, but I must do my duty.' So saying, he drew the sleeve of his jacket twice or thrice across his eves, and 18 A MAN OV^ERBOARD. mustering his grief within his breast, walked to his Nation &« i^ nothing had happened. In the same ship and nearly about the same time, the people were bathing along side in a calm at.sea. It is customary on such occasions to spread a studding-sail on the water, by means of lines from the fore and main yard arms, for the use of those v.-ho either cannot swim, or who are not expert in this art, so very important to all seafaring people. Half a dozen of the ship's boys were floundering about in the sails, and sometimes even venturing beyond the leech rope. One of the least of these urchins, but not the least courageous of their number, when taunted by his more skilful companions with being afraid, struck out boldly be- yond the prescribed bounds. He had not gone much farther thar his own length, hov/ever, along the surface of the fathomless sea, when his heart failed him, poor little man; and long with his con- fidence away also went his power of keeping his head above the water. So down he sank rapidly, to the speechless horror of the other boys, who of course, could lend the drowning child no help. The captain of the forecastle, a tall, fine-looking, hard-a-weath- er fellow, was standinor on the shank of the sheet anchor with his arms across, and his well varnished canvass hat drawn so much over his eyes that it was difficult to tell whether he was awake or merely dozing in the sun, as he leaned his back against the fore-topmast backstay. The seaman, however, had been at- tentively watching the young party all the time, and rather fear- ing that mischief might ensue from their rashness, he had grunted out a warning to them from time to time, to which they paid no sort of attention. At last he desisted, saying they might drown themselves if they had a mind, for never a bit would he help them; but no sooner did the sinking figure of the adventurous little boy catch his eye, than, diver fashion, he joined the palms of his hands over his hepo, inverted his position in one instant, and urging himself into Fwifler motion by a smart push with his feet against the anchor, phot head foremost into the water. The poor lad sunk so rapidlvthat he was at least a couple of fathoms under ♦he surface before he was arrested by the grip of the sailor, whi soon rose apain, bearing the bewildered boy in his hand, and call- ing to the other youngsters to take better care of their companion, chucked hmi right into the belly of the sail in the midst of the party The fore-sheet was hanging in the calm, nearly into the .water, and by it the dripping seaman scrambled up again to his old birth on tke anchor, shook himself like a great Newfoundland dog. and then jumping on the deck, proceeded across the forecastle to sliift himself At the top of the ladder he was stopped by the marine officer who had wit»iessed the whole transaction, as he sat across the gangway pp.m'-aocks, watching the swimmers, and trying to get his own '*rp;j?{\t to undergo the labor of undressing. Said the soldier CAPTAIN WOO PES ROfTF.RS ^9 to the sailor *^ That was very well done of you, tny man, and rif^^ht well deserves a glass of grog. Say so to the gun-room steward as you pass; and tell him it is my orders to fill you out a stiff nor- wcster." The soldier's offer was kindly meant, but rather clumsily timid, at least so thought Jack: for though he incHned his head in acknowledgment of the attention, and instinctively touched his hat when spoken to by an officer, he made no reply till out of the marine's hearing, when he laughed, or rather chuckled out to the people near liim, '*Does the good gentleman suppose 1 '11 taka a glass of grog foi saving a boy's life." — Capt. Hall CAPTAIN WOODES ROGERS. This voyage was undertaken chiefly by the merchants of Bristol. Captain \Voodes Rogers was appointed commander in chief, and William Dampier first pilot of the expedition. They sailed from King-road, Bristol, on the 1st of August, 1708, their force con- sisting of the Duke, a ship of three hundred tons burden, thirty guns, and one hundred and seventy men, commanded by Rogers; aivd the Duchess of two hundred and seventy tons, twenty-six guns, and one nundred and fifty-one men, under the command of captain Courtney. They entered tlie harbor of Cork on the 6th of August, where they enlisted a number of seamen in the room of about forty fel- lows who had ran away. They set sail on the 1st of September, with a very mixed crew, and on the morning of the 10th discover- ed a sail, to which they immediately gave chase. On coming up v/ith her she proved to be a Swedish ship, and was permitted to proceed unmolested on her way. Inuring the time the ship was in custody, a design had been privately formed on board the Duke, by four inferior oilicers, to make a prize of her; and when they found she was given up, they began to mutiny; but the boatsman, being displaced, and, with ten others, put in irons, and a severe whi[)ping given to some of the leaders of the disturbance, all was quiet again. On the 14th, however, some of the ship's company, headed by a daring fellow, came up to captain Rogers at the steerage-door, and demanded the boatswain out of irons. The captain gave them good words, and having taken the ringleader, a3 if to speak with him on the quarter-d^ck, had him suddenly seized by the help of the oflicers, and lashed by one of his own followers. On the IGth the captain released the prisoners from irons on their acknowledging their sorrov/ for what they had done. On the 17th, gained sight of the peak of Teneriffe, and tlie neyt day took a Spanish bark of twenty-five tons. On the 25th of September passed the tropic, v/hen about sixty of the crew, who 80 CAPTAIN WOODES ROGERS* had never been this course before, were ducked three times, by hoisting them up halfway the main-yard, with a rope to which they were made fast, and sousing them into the water. After visiting the Cape de Verd islands, where they took in water and provisions, the ships again set sail on the 8th of October, in the evening. On the 14th, they came within sight of Brazil, and soon after came to anchor before the island of Grande, in eleven fath- oms water. While they lay here another quarrel arose on board the Duchess, and eight of the ringleaders were put in irons. On the 25th, two men deserted and made their escape into the woods; but, in the night, v/ere so terrified by the noise made by the baboons end monkeys, that they ran back, plunged into the water, and pray- ed to be taken on board again Peak of Teneriffe. The ships sailed out of the bay of Grande on the first of De cember, steering for Juan Fernandez, and on the 5th of January, encountered a violent storm, which drove such a quantity of water into the Duchess, that they expected she would sink every moment. As the men were going to supper about nine o'clock at night, she shipped a sea at the poop, which boat in the bulk- head and all the cabin windows. On deck the yawl'was staved in pieces and one or two of tne men severely hurt. On the i7th, took an observation, by which they found they had got round Cape Horn and were to the northward of Cape Victoria. About this time the scurvy began to make great havoc among the crews. They now bore away for the island of Juan Fernandez, which appeared in sight on the last day of January. On going on shore ho'^e they discovered a man 'clothed in goat-skins, whose name STORY OF ALEXANDER SELKIRK 31 was Alexander Selkirk. Kis story will be found at the end of this narrative. They remained at this island till the 14th of February, having fully refreshed themselves, when they weighed anchor, with a fair gale at south-east. After taking a number of valuable prizes, on the 23d of April, captain Rogers with some of his men made a descent in boats and barks upon thp town of Guiaquil, which they took v/ith but little resistance and plundered of great quantities of money, jewels, and provisions. He then marched out of the town, and returned on board his own ship, where he was heartily greeted by those of his people whom he had left behind. They afterv>'ards obtain(?d a considerable sum as a ransom for the town, and bore away for the Gallapagos islands, with a strong gale at S. S. W. ; discovered land '"'n the 17th of May, but found it barren and destitute of water. CoiJtinuing on their voyage, they took several rich prizes, visited Go^gona and the Gallapagos, and sailing for the East Indies ar- rived at the islands of Serpana and Guam. They left the latter place on the 21st of March, and on the 25th of May, made Bou- ton. They sailed from this island on the 8th of June, and on the 23d of Jul}^ they hove down upon Horn Island to careen their v^^ssels. Having supplied themselves with such necessaries as tiu'v wanted, they left Batavia on the 12th of October, and sailed for ihe Cape of Good Hope. Tiiey came to anchor in the Cape harbor, on the 28th of De- cem^»er. The English saluted the Dutch fort with nine guns; whic'i compliment was returned with seven. At this place they waited for the convoy of the Dutch fleet till April, on the 5th of whicr? month the Dutch admiral hoisted a blue flag, and loosed his fore-top-sail, as a signal to unmoor; and the next day the whole (Icet sailed with a fresh breeze at S. S. E. On the 23d of July they arrived in the Texel, and sailing hence with seven prizes came to the moorings in the Downs on the 2d of October, 1711 STORY OF ALEXANDER SELKIRK. Mr. Selkij*k, whose adventures gave rise to the celebrated story of Robinson Crusoe, was a native of Scotland, and bred a sailor from his youth. He was left on the islimd of Juan Fernandez, on account of a ditference between him and his captain, v/liich, togetlier with the ship's being leaky, made him at first willing to stay there; but afterwards wishini^' to go on board, the captain would not receive him. Selkirk had with him his clothes and bedding, also a firelock, a little powder, some bullets and tobacco; a hatchet, a kettle, a knife, a bible, and a few mathematical in- yi STL y OF ALEXANDER SELKIRK struments and books. He diverted and provided for himself as weli • as he could, but for the first eight months he was extremely melan cholj, and could hardly support \!'aq terror of being alone in such a desolate place. He built two huts with pimento trees, covered them with long grass, and lined them with the skins of goats, which he killed with his gun, as he wanted, so long as his powder, of which there was but a pound, lasted. He procured fire, by rub- bing two sticks of pimento wood upon his knee. In the smaller hut, which was at some distance from the other, he dressed his victuals; and in the larger he slept, and employed hijtiself in reading and praying; so that he said he was a better christian v/hile in this solitude than he ever was before, or than, he feared, he should ever be again. The pimento wood, which burnt very clear, served him both for fire and candle, and refreshed him with its fragrant smell. He could have procured fish enough, but would not eat them for want of salt; except a sort of cray-fish, which were very good, and as large as our lobsters. Of the goat's-fiesh he made excellent broth. He kept an account of five hundred of these animals which he had killed, and as many more which he caught; and, having mark, ed them on the ear, let them go again. When his powder was gone, he took them by outrunning them. His agility in pursuing a goat had once like to have cost him his life; he pursued it v/ith so much eagerness, that he caught hold of it on the brink of a precipice, of which he was not aware, as the bushes concealed '\\ from his sight; so that he fell with the goat down the precipice, a prodigious height, and was so stunned and bruised with the fall that he lay there insensible about twenty-four hours, and when he came to his senses, he found the goat dead under him. He v/a? so hurt that he was hardly able to crawl to his hut, which was about a mile distant, nor Vv-as he abJe to go abroad again in less than ten days. He came at length to relish his meat without salt or bread, and found plenty of good turnips, which had been sowed there by captain Dampier's men, and had now overspread some acres of ground. He soon wore out his shoes as well as his clothes by running in the woods, and at length his feet becamfi so hard that he ran every v/here without difficulty. After he had recovered his cheerfulness, he diverted himself sometimes with cutting his name on the trees, together with the time of his being left, and continuance there. He was at first mucli pestered with rats, which had bred in great numbers, from gome which had got on shore from ships which put in there for water. I'iie rats gnawed his feet and clothes v/hile he slept, so that he was obliged to cherish some cats, which had also bred from some that had got ashore from different ships; these he ^^^ with goat's-flesh, by which many of them became so tame, that they would lie about him in hundreds, and soon delivered him from the rats. He likewise tamed some kids; and, to divert himself STORY OF ALEXANDER SELKIRK. 53 would frequently sing and dance with them and his cats, so that he at length overcame all the weariness of Ins solitude, and he- came quHe easy. When his clothes were worn out he made a coat and a cap of goat's skin sewed together with little thongs of the same, which he cut with his knife. He had no other needle than a nail, and when his knife was worn out he made others as well as he could of some iron hoops that were loft ashore, which he beat straight and thin and ground upon stones. Having some hnen cloth, he cut out some shirts, which he sewed with the worsted of his old stockings; and he had his last shirt on when he was tound. Selkirk had been on the island four years and four months, when one day beholding a ship at a distance, he kindled a fire, and the next morning saw a yawl containing eight men well-armed ap- proach the shore. It proved to be from the Duke, under the com- mand of captain Rogers, who had seen the fire and supposed it to be from the crew of some enemy's ships, who had landed on the island. Next day, while still under apprehensions of an enemy, they stood in for the shore, from which blew such sudden and frequent gusts of wind, that they were forced to reef their top- sail, and stand by the masts, lest they should go by the board. Seeing no ships, they conjectured that some had been there and left on seeing their approach. At first going on board the Duke, Selkirk seemed much rejoic- ed, but had so far forgot his native language, for v/ant of use, that he could not speak plainly or connectedly. A dram was offered him but he would not taste it, having drank nothing but water for so long a time, and it was a good while before he could relish the viciuals on board. Selkirk saw no venomous creature on the island, nor any sort of beast but goats, which had originally been put on shore by Juan Fernando, who settled here with some families and gave name to .he place. He afterwards left it, and it was entirely deserted when Selkirk took up his abode there.^ ** The island of Juan Fernandez is now used by the Cliih'an government as a place for tne transportation cf convicts, and a garrison is stationed tliere. Aliout one hundred of these criminals lately formed a plot, seized the garrison, took possession of an Ameri- can brij just arrived from New York, and sailed for Copiapo, in Chili, where ti>ey landed. At lhi3 las. advices the} had not yet been taken 91 A SCENE OFF BERMUDA THE OCEAN The ocean hath its silent caves, Deep, quiet, and alone; Though there be fury in the waves, Beneath them there is none. The awful spirits of the deep, Hold their communion there; And there are those for whom we weep,- The young, the bright, the fair. Calmly the weary seamen rest, Beneath their own blue sea; The ocean solitudes are blessed. For there is purity. The earth has guilt, the earth has care, Unquiet are its graves; But peaceful sleep is ever there. Beneath its dark blue waves. A SCENE OFF BERMUDA. The evening was closing in dark and rainy, with every appearance of a gale from the westward, and the weather had become so thick and boisterous, that the lieutenant of the watch had ordered the lookout at the mast-head down on the deck. The man on his way down, had gone into the main-top to bring away some things he liad left in going aloft, and was in the act of leaving it, when he sung out, ** A sail on the weather-bow!" '' What does she look like?" '^ Can 't rightly say, sir; she is in the middle of the thick weather to windward." *' Stay where you are a little. Jenkins, jump forward, and sec what you can make of her from the fore- yard." Whilst the topman was obeying his instructions, the look- out again hailed. '' She is a ship, sir, close-hauled on the same cack; the weather clears and I can see her now." The wind ever since noon had been blowing in heavy squalls, with appalling lulls between them. One of these gusts had been so violent as to bury in the sea the lee-guns in the waist, although Ihe brig had nothing set but her close-reefed main-topsail, and reef- A SCENE OFF BERMUDA. 3» cd foresail. It was now spending its fury, and she was beginning to roll heavily, when, with a suddenness almost incredible to one unacquainted with these latitudes, the veil of mist that had hung to the windward the whole day was rent and drawn aside, and the red and level rays of the setting sun flashed at once, through a long arch of glowing clouds, on the black hull and tall spars of his Britanic majesty's sloop Torch. And, true enough, v/e were not the only spectators of this gloomy splendor; for, right in the wake of the moonlike sun, now half sunk in the sea, at the distance of a mile or more, lay a long warlike-looking craft, apparently a frigate or heavy corvette, rolling heavily and silently in the trough of the sea, with her masts, yards, and the scanty sail she had set, in strong relief against the glorious horizon. Jenkins now hailed from the foreyard, '' The strange sail is bearing up, sir." As bespoke, a flash was seen, followed, after what seemed a long interval, by the deadened report of the gun, as if it had been an echo, and the sharp half-ringing, half-hissing sound of the shot. It fell short, but close to us, and was evidently thrown from a heavy cannon, from the length of the range. 3Ir. Splinter, the first lieutenant, jumped from the gun he stood on *^ Quartermaster, keep her away a bit," and dived into the cabin to make his report. Captain Deudeye was a staid, stiff'-rurnped, wall-eyed, old first lieutenantish-looking veteran, with his coat of a regular Rodney- cut, broad skirts, long waist, and standing-up collar, over which dangled either a queue, or a marlinspike with a tuft of oakum ai the end of it, it would have puzzled Old Nick to say which. His lower spars were cased in tight unmentionables, of v/hat had once been white kerseymere, and long boots, the coal scuttle lops of which served as scuppers to carry ofl* the drainings from his coat-flaps in bad weather; he was, in fact, the '' last of the sea-monsters," but like all his tribe, as brave as steel; when put to it, as alert as a cat. He had no sooner heard Splinter's report than he sprung up the ladder. *' My glass, Wilson," to his steward. *' She is close to, sir; you can see her plainly without it," said Mr. Treenail, the second Lieutenant, from the weather nettings, where he was reconnoitering. After a long look through his star board blinker, (his other sky-light had been shut up ever since Aboukir,) Deadeye gave orders to " clear away the weather-bow gun;" and as it was now getting too dark for flags to be seen distinctly, he desired that three lanterns might be got ready for hoisting vertically in the main rigging. " All ready forward there?" " All ready, sir." ^* Then hoist uvv'ay the lights, and throw a shot across her forefoot — fire!" Bang went our carronKide, but our friend to windward paid no regard to the private signal; he had shaken a reef out of his top- sails, and was coming down {i\>t upon us. 5t> A SCENE OFF BERMUDA. The enemy, tor such he evidently was, now ail at once /awed, and indulged us with a sight of his teeth ; and there he was, fifteen ports of a side on his main deck, with his due quantum oi carroncides on his quarter deck and forecastle; whilst his short lower masts, white canvass, and the tremendous hoist in his topsail, showed him to be a heavy American frigate; and it was equally ertain that he had cleverly hooked us under his lee, within com- fortable range of his long twenty-fours. To convince the most unbelieving, three jets of flame, amidst wreaths of white smoke, glanced from his main deck; but, in this instance, the sound of the cannon was followed by a sharp crackle and a shower of splinters from the foreyard. It was clear that w^e had got an ugly customer; poor Jenkins now called to Treenail, who was standing forward near the gun w^hich had been fired, '' Och, sir, and its badly wounded we are here." The officer was a Patlander, as well as the seaman. '' Which of you, my boy; you or the yard?" ''Both of us, your honor; but the yard badliest." '' Come down, then, or get into the top, and I will have you looked after presently." The poor fellow crawled off the yard into the foretop, as he was ordered, where he was found after the brush, badly wounded by a splinier in the breast. Jonathan, no doubt, '' calculated," as well he might, that this taste of his quality would be quite sufficient for a little eightecm- gun ship close under his lee; but the fight was not to be so easi- ly taken out of Deadeye, although even to his optic it was now high time to be off. ''All hands make sail, Mr. Splinter; that chap is too heavy for us. Mr. Kelson," to the carpenter, "jump up and see what the ioreyawi will carry. Keep her away my man," to the seamen at the helm; " Crack on, Mr. Sphnter; shake all the reefs out; set the fore-topsail and loose top gallant sails; stand by ,,c sheet home, and see all clear to rig the booms out, if the breeze lulls. ' In less than a minute we were bowling along before it ; but the wind was breezing up again, and no one could say how long the wounded foreyard would carry the weight and drag the sails. To mend the matter, Jonathan was comipg up, hand over hand, with the freshening breeze under a press of canvass; it was clear that escape was next to impossible. " Clear away the larboard guns!" I absolutely jumped off the deck with astonishment; who could have spoken it? It appeared such downright madness to show fight under the very muzzles of the guns of an enemy, half of whose broadside was sufficient to sink us. It was the captain, however, and there was nothing for it. In an instant was heard, through the whistling of the breeze, the creaking and screaming of the carronade slides, the rattling of Ihe carriage of the long twelve pounder amidships, the thumping A SCENE OFF BERMUDA. 3l ana punching of handspikes, and the dancing and jumping or Jack himself, as the guns were being shot and run out. In a few sec- onds all was still again, but the rushing sound of the vessel going through the water and of the risinor gale amonorst the ntr?x?<:« t<} Sf. G'3'>>*p:i> hju-bor. — Scottish MaQazine. 58 CAPTAIX JOHN CLIPPERTON. CAPTAIN JOHN CLIPPERTON. About the beginning of the year 1718, some English merchants, fv-^^-eseeing war between England and Spain, resolved to fit oul two ships for the South Seas. Two ships were accordingly pra- vnded, one called the Success, the other the Speedwell. The command of the former was given to captain Clipperton and captain Shelvock was appointed to command the latter. They sailed from Plymouth on the 13th of February, 1719, with a fair wind; but the whole stock of wine, brandy and other liquors, foi the use of both ships, was still on board the Speedwell. On tho loth, had squally weather with rain; in the evening, unbent the best and small bowers in the Success, stowed their anchors, and found themselves often obliged to shorten sail for the Speedwell. Captain Shelvock came this day under the lee of the Success, and complained to Clipperton of the crankness of his ship, which proceeded from having too much weight aloft; and, therefore, ce- sired him to send for his wine and brandy, which would give him an opportunity of striking down some of his guns into the hold This was never done. About ten o'clock at night on the 19th, there arose a fresh breeze, so as to oblige both shi-ps to take in their topsails. T.iO gale increasing, the Success made a signal for the Speedwell to bring to, and by seven o'clock both ships were under bare poles, nor able to bear a rag of canvass during the night. On the 20thj the storm abated, when Clipperton made sail, steering S. and by E., whereas Shelvock stood away to the N. W., so that from this day they never saw each other till they met by accident in the South Seas. The Canaries being the first place .appointed for a rendezvous^ Clipperton sailed thither with such expedition as to arrive on the 5th of March. After waiting ten days he determined to continue his voyage, lest he should miss his consort at the next place of rendezvous, which was the Cape de Verd Islands. On the 21st. they saw St. Vincent, and next morning anchored in the bay They remained here ten days, but not meeting with their consort., proceeded on their voyage. On the 29th of May, found themselves off the north point of the entrance of the straits of Magellan, and the next day entered thr straits. They arrived in the South Seas on the 18th of August, and on the 7th of September cast anchor off the island of Juan Fernandez. 1'hcy left this island on the 8th of October, leaving behind two deserters whom they had not been able to find. After taking a number of valuable prizes, the Success bore away for the Gallapagcs, in order to refresh; and anchored in York Road on the 9th of January, 1720. On the 11th of Augiist anchored CAPTAIN JOHN CLIPPERTON. 39 «vith a prize they had taken, at the island of Lobos de la Mar. While here a conspiracy among the crew was discovered and punished. On he 1st of November, sailed for the Bay of Conception; and in the passage took a ship, laden with tobacco, sugar and cloth They made the Bay on the 6th in the afternoon, where they saw three men-of-war lying, with their topsails loose, whc no sooner discovered them than they cut their cables, and stood in chase. At this time captain Clipperton had one prize with him, which, as well as the Success, hauled close upon a wind; on which the best sailer among the Spanish men-of-war, irave chase to the prize, which she soon came up with and took. The other ships crowded all the sail they could for sometime, till the largest, having her rKizen-top-mast carried away, fired a gun, tacked, and stood in for the shore; v/hich gave the Success an opportunity of making her escape. In the Spanish prize, Clipperton lost liis third lieutenant and twelve of his men. They continued cruising to the northward, and on the 4th of December tound themselves very near the Gallapagos. On the ITth saw the island of Cocos, and most of the crev/ went on shore. On the 19th of January, 1721, sailed from this place, and on the ^-oth arrived on the coast of Mexico, where, discoverinjr a sail, they sent their pinnace to give chase, to w^iom he struck. On the return of the pinnace they had the surprising account, that this was a Spanish ship, called the Jesu Maria, now commanded l)y eaotain Shelvock. who had lost his ship and most of his men, and taken liiis prize. These ships again parted, and on the 31th of May, Clipperton anchored in the road of Guam. On the oth of July entered the port of Amoy, where the crew demanded ■hat the prize-money should be shared. Clipperton not comply- ing they applied to the chief mandarin of the place, requesting that he would do then\ justice against the captain. Clipperton waa therefore summoned before him; and on the mandarin's de- maij^lmg a reason why he refused to comply with the desires of the crew, he produced the articles, by which it appeared that the prize-money was not to be shared till their return to London. The mandarin decided that the shares should be settled, and tliis dis- tribution was accordingly made on the 16tii of September; 7,000/. sterling being set aside as belonging to the ow^ners. This sum was immediately put on board a Portuguese East India man, wliich ship w^as afterwards burnt and the greater part of the Qioncv lost. Clipperton afterwards took passage for England in a Dutch ship, and arrived there a bankrupt in health and fortune, after a 'ouii and disastrous vovaixe. 40 /-EROCITY OF THE POLAR BEAR. FEROCITY OF THE POLAR BEAR. The annals of the noTth are filled with accounts of the most perilous and fatal conflicts with the Polar Bear The first and one of the most tragical, was sustained by Bareutz and Heemskerke, in 1596, during their voyage for the discovery of the north-east passage. Having anchored at an island near the strait of Wp.y- gatz, two of the sailors landed and were walking on shore, when one of them felt himself closely hugged from behind. Thinking this a frolic of one of his companions, he called out in a corres- ponding tone, "Who's there? pray stand off." His comrad*3 looked, and screamed o«ut, ''A bear! A bear!" then running to the ship, alarmed the crew with loud cries. The sailors ran to the spot armed with spikes and muskets. On their approach the bear very cooly quitted the mangled corpse, sprang upon another sailor, carried him off, and plunging his teeth into his body, began drinking his blood at long draughts. Hereupon the whole of that stout crcv/. struck v/ith terror, turned their backs, and fled precipitately to the ship. On arriving there they began to look at each other, unable to feel much satisfaction with their own prowxss. Thr^e then stood fortl!, and undertook to avenge the fate af their countrymen, and to secure *for them the rights of burial. They advanced, and fired at first from so respectful a distance that they all missed. The purser then courageously pro- ceeded in front of his companions, and taking closer aim, pierced the monster's skull immediately below the eye. The bear, how- ever, merely lifted up his head, and advanced upon them, holding still in his mouth the victim whom he was devouring ; but seeing him soon stagger, the three rushed on with sabre and bayonet, and soon despatched him. They collected and bestowed decent se- pulture on the mangled limbs of their comrades, while the skin of the animal, thirteen feet long, became the prize of the sailor who had fired the successful shot. The history of the whale-fishers records a number of remarkable escapes from the bear. A Dutch captain, Jonge Kees, in 1668, undertook with two canoes to attack one, and with a lance gave him so dreadful a wound in the belly, that his immediate death seemed inevitable. Anxious, therefore, not to injure the skin, Kees merely followed the animal close, till he should drop down dead. The bear, however, having climbed a little rock, made t spring from the distance of twenty-lour feet upon the captain, who, taken completely by surprise, lost hold of the lance, and fell be- neath the assailant, who, placing both paws on his breast, opened wwo rows of tremendous teeth, and paused for a moment, as if to enow him all the horrors of his situation. At this critical instant, a sailor rushed forward, and with only a scoo^^ succeeded n alarming FEROCITY OF THE POLAR BEAR. 41 the monster, ^^ho made oi\\ leaving the captain without the slight- est injury. In 1788, Captain Cook of the Archangel, when near the coast of Spitzhergen, found himself suddenly between the paws of a bear. He instantly called on the surgeon, who accompanied him, to fire, which the latter did with such admirable promptitude and precision, that he shot the beast thrcugh the head, and delivered the captain. Mr. Hawkins of Everthorpe, in july 1818, having pursued and tv/ice struck a large bear, had raised his lance for a third blov/, when the animal sprang forward, seized him by the thigh, and threw him over its head into the v/ater. Fortunately, it used this advantage only to effect its own escape. — Captain Scoresby mentions a boat's crew which attacked a bear in the Spitzhergen sea; but the animal having succeeded in climbing the sides of the boat, all the sailors threw themselves for safety, into the water, where they hung bv the gunv*^ale. The victor entered triumphantly, and took possession of the barge, where it sat quietly till it was shot by another party. The same v/riter meniions the ingenious contrivance of i^ .s.iilor, who being [vursued by one of these creatures, threw down succ^^s'Hvelyhis hat, ja-cket, handkerchief, and every other article in his possesion, when the brute pausing at each, gave the sailor always: a certain advantage, and enabled him finally to regain the vessel. Though the voracity of the bei^r is such, that hp- has been known to feed on his own species, yet maternal tenderness is as con- spicuous in the female as in any other inhabitan^^ nf the frozen regions. There is no exertion which she will not loake for the supply of her progeny. A she bear, with her two cubs, being pursued by some sailors across a field of ice, and fix^ding that, neither by exam.ple, nor by a peculiar voice and aciion. she could urge them to the requisite speed, applied her paw« an4 pitched them alternately Ibrward. The little creatures tbemselve*', *•' she came up, threw themselves before her to receive the impi*-«^ -nd thus both she and they effected their escape. 4^^ 42 LE MAIRE AND SCIIOUTEN LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN. FIRST VOYAGE ROUND CAPE HORN. A belief that to the south of the strait of Magellan there woul' DO found an open sea, or some other passage leading to the South Sea, had many years been gaining ground, when a company of Dutch merchants determined to make the experiment, which, if successful, would open to them, as they believed, the trade t<» India, by a new, instead of an interdicted passage, which i\w strait of Magellan then was. Jacob le Maire was appointed principal merchant, and presi dent of the ships; and Wilhelm Schouten, an able seaman, rn ceived the charge of patron or master mariner. The vessels fitted out were the Eendracht, a ship of three hundred and sixty tons, nineteen guns, and sixty five men, and a galliot, named the Hornc, of one hundred and ten tons, eight guns and twenty two men. The president, Le Maire, and Patron Schouten, sailed in the former; the latter w^as commanded by Jan Schouten, brother to the patron, with Adrian Claesz as merchant. June the 4th, 1615, they quitted the Texel,* and in three days anchored in the Downs, where an English gunner was hired. O^i the 30th of August, dropped anchor in the road of Sierra Leone, where a stock of twenty five thousand lemons was purchased from the natives, for a few beads. On the 5th of October, were in latitude four degrees seventeen minutes N. when a great noise was heard on board the Eendracht, and immediately after the sea around it became red with blood. Afterwards a piece of the horn of some sea animal was found sticking in the bottom of the ship, seven feet below the water line, having penetrated through the planking, and into one of the ribs: about the same length remained without; it was similar in shape and size to the end of an ele- phant's tooth. Having passed the line, they struck soundings in seventy-five fathoms depth, on the 4th of December, and two days after saw the American coast. On the 8th, anchored in Port Desire, where they took a large supply of birds, &c. On the 19th, the Home caught fire, and was totally consumed. On the 13th of January, 1616, the Eendracht quitted Port Desire, and on tht^ 20th, passed the latitude of the entrance of the straits of Magellan On the 24th saw Terra del Fucgo to the right, not more than a league off, and on the 29th passed to the north of some rocky islets: Terra del Fuego appeared to the W.N. W. and W., ali hilly land covered with snow, with a sharp point which they called Cape Home, in honour of the vessel which they had lost. On O^'^Oihj having passed to the south of the Cape, steered west LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEX 43 e-*-*ountenng great waves with a current to the westward; and altr^rvvards steered north. The ship continued to advance north- ward, and on the 1st of March, raade the island of Juan Fernandez, and caught two tons offish, but could find no anchorage. Steering for the East Indies they visited a number of small islands, cid on the 5th of August came to the Isle of Golej, subject to the King of Tidore. Sailed again next day; and, after being much delaved by calms, met, September the 7th, with a ship of their own coun- try anchoring the same day at the Island of Ternate. They were kindly received by the people in power: the Eendracht had not lost one of her crew in her long cruisings, and they had dis- covered a new passage to the South Sea; yet these merits did not avail them, for on the arrival of the ship at Batavia, she was seized and condemned, on a supposed infringement of the rights of the Dutch East India Company, the officers and crew being put on board other ships to be conveyed to Europe On the 31st of December, during the passage home, died the president, Jacob Le JNIaire, a victim to the unworthy treatnien. he had received — a worthy man and a skilful navigator; and on the 1st of July 1617, his companions arrived in Holland, by the wa* of Good Hope, having L'Sen al ^nt tv/o years and seventeen days 44 "^HE FLORIDA THE FLORIDA Many of the vessels which formed the Spanish Armada, \nten ded for the conquest of England, perished on the north and west coasts of Scotland. The ^hip Florida appeared to have been more fortunate than any of her consorts; she found her way to the bay of Tobermory, on the sound of Mull, one of the finest harbors in the w^orld. Scotland being then i neutral country under James the Sixth, of that name, the Spaniards considered them- selves perfectly secure, and remained long in that station, repair- ing the damages they had sustained, and refreshing the crew and troops. The Florida was, no doubt, an object of great interest and curiosity in that remote situation, and all the principal families m the neio-hboring country and islands were received on board as visiters, where, tradition says, they were hospitably and splendidl) entertained. Elizabeth, the ever w^atchful and well-informed Queen of England, had intelligence of the Florida through her ambassador at the Scotch court, and it was ascertained that this ship was extremely valuable: she had on board a large sum of money intended for the pay of the army; she contained besides, a great quantity of costly stores. The law of nations should have protected the Florida from injury; but Elizabeth resolved on her destruction; and it was accompanied by one of the most atrocious acts, perhaps, ever recorded of any civilized government. The English ambassador soon found an instrument suited to his pur- pose, and his name was SmoUet. We regret to state, that he was an ancCf-tor of the celebrated writer of that name, who himself alhides to tliis circumstance in one of his novels, apparently un- conscious of the inference which followed. This agent of the Mn^ihsh Queen spoke the Gaelic language, and wore the High- land dress. He went to Mull as a dealer in cattle, and easily found his way on board the Florida, v/here he formed an intimacy, and, along with other strangers, had frequent opportunities of seeing every part of the shi[). He at length found a convenient time for his diabolical object, and placed some combustible sub- stjincc in a situation where it was likely to produce the desired cllrct. \\v immediately got ashore, and made the best of his way southward. lie had travelled to a distanec of six or eight miles, when he heard the (;\})h)si()n of ihe Florida; and the spot where he stood is still marked for the execration of mankind. The ship was blown up, and nearly all on board perished. Together with the crew and troops, Fnany of the first men in the country were des- troyed by tills perfidious and bloody act, which reflects etcrna' COMIMODORE ANSOI>r. 4J disgrace on the planners, and infamy on the perpetrator. Tradi tion states, that the poop of the ship was blown to a great distance, with six men, whose lives were saved. • Some Spanish mares and horses had been landed, to pastuie, and these remained in the island of Mull. The breed of horses in Mull has ever since been superior, and it still continues so, probably from this cause. The English ambassador at Madrid having procured information of the precise amount of the treasure which had been on board the Florida, a ship of war was sent by the English Government to Tobermory in the beginning of the eighteenth century with divers, for the purpose of recovering the specie. The wreck was soon found, and many articles were raised, but no money was acknowledged. The ship, however, never returned to England, and it was suspected that she had taken refuge in France, for evident reasons. In the year 1787, the celebrated diver, Spalding, made an attempt to recover this treasure, but he failed entirely as might have been expected, the remains of the ship having sunk into the clay, and totally disappeared. COMMODORE ANSON. The expedition under Commodore Anson was ^tted out by the P^nglish government in the year 1740, to attack the Spanish set- tlements in America. The squadron consisted of six vessels of war and two victuallers. These were the Ships. CGmmanders. Centurion George Anson Gloucester Richard Norris Severn Edward Legge Pearl Matt Mitchell Wager Dandy Kidd Trial Sloop John Murray On the 18th of September, seventeen hundred and forty ^ Jie squadron weighed from St. Helens, and reached Maderia the '25th of October. Having sailed hence, they discovered the land of Brazil, on the IGth of December, and on the evening of the 19th cast anchor at the island of St Catharine's. Having repaired their vessels, they quitted this place on the 18th of January, and oi\ the same day of the following mo\^th came to anchor in the bay of St. Julian. The squadron again stood to sea on the 28th of February, when the Gloucester not being able to purchase her anchor, was obliged to cut her cable, and leave her be^t bower Guns. 3Ten. 60 400 50 300 50 300 40 250 28 160 8 100 46 :03IM0D0RE ANSO.N. behind. Having reacned the southern extremity of the straits Le M aire, the wind shifted and blew in violent squalls, and the tide turned furiously against them, driving to the eastward with such rapidity, that the two sternmost vessels, the Wager, and the Anna Pink, with the utmost difficulty escaped being dash- ed in pieces on the shore of Staten Island. For above three months, they struggled with severe gales and terrific waves, and on the 1st of A.pril, the weather, after having b(^en a little more moderate, returned to its brmer violence; the sky looked dark and gloomy, and the wind began to freshen and blow in squalls; and there were all the appearances of an approaching tempest. Accordingly, on the 3d, there came on a storm, which exceeded in violence and duration all they had hitherto encountered. On the 14th, in the mornmg, the weather clearing up a little and the moon shining out on a sudden, the Anna Pink made a signal for seeing land right a-head; and it being then only two miles distant, they were under great apprehensions of running on shore; and had not the wind suddenly shifted, or the moon shone out, every ship must have perished. They found this land, to their disappointment, to be Cape Noir, though they imagined they were ten degrees more to the west. On the even- ing of the 24th of April, the wind increased to a prodigious storm, and, about midnight, the weather became so thick that the whole squadron separated, nor met again till they reached the island of Juan Fernandez. To add to their misfortunes, the scurvy began to make such havoc, that on board the Centurion only, it carried off forty-three men in the month of April, and twice that number in I\Iay. On the 22d of May the Centurion encountered the severest storm it had yet experienced. Almost all the sails were split; the rig- ging was destroyed, and a mountainous wave breaking over them on the starboard quarter, gave the ves^sel such a shock, that seve ral of the shrouds were broke, and the ballast and stores so strange- ly shifted, that she lay on her larboard side. The wind at length abating a little, they began to exert themselves to stirrup the shrouds, reeve new lanyards, and mend the sails; during which thoy ran jrrcat risk of being driven on the island of Chiloe. After niaiiv (lidiculties they at length reached the island of Juan Fer- n-iiuh"/, in a most desponding condition. Here many of the crew tl (;d of wearin(!ss and disease. A few days after the Centurion had arrived, the Trial sloop nppcared in sight, and on the 21st of June the Gloucester was discovered to leeward. The Anna Pink arrived about the middle of August, which, with the Trial and Gloucester, mentioned above, were the only vessels that ever joined the squadron; for the Severn and iVarl, having parted from the commodore off Cape I lorn, with difficulty reached JJrazil, whence they made the best of their way back to Europe ; while the Wager was' wrecked on the COMMODORE ANSON 47 coast. The Anna Pink being judged unfit for service, was taken for the use of the squadron, and her men were sent onboard the Gloocester. About eleven in the morning of the 8th of September, they dis- covered a sail; when the Centurion, being in the greatest for- wardness, made after her as fast as possible. Night coming or they lost sight of the chase. About three in the morning of the 12th, a brisk gale springing up at W. S. W. obliged them to lit upon a N. W tack, which, at break of day, brought them within sight of a sail, at about five leagues distant. She appeared to be a large vessel, and upon hoisting Spanish colors, and bearing towards the Centurion, the commodore ordered every thing ready for an engagement; but upon coming nearer, she appeared to be a merchantman, without a single tier of guns, and had mistaken the Centurion for her consort. She soon surrendered, and was found to be a valuable prize. It appearing from letters on board the prize, that several other merchantmen were at sea, between Callao and Valparaiso, the commodore sent the Trial sloop, to cruise off the latter port; and ordered the Gloucester to cruise off the island of Paita, till she should be joined by the Centurion. The Centurion and her prize weighing- from the bay of Juan Fernandez, on the 19th of Septem- ber, took her course to the eastward, proposing to join the Trial off Valparaiso. On the 24th, in the evening, they came up with the latter, having taken a prize of six hundred tons burden, laden with a rich cargo. On the 27th, the captain of the Trial came on board the Centurion, bringing with him an instrument, subscribed by himself and all his officers, setting forth that the vessel was so leaky and defec- tive, that it was at the hazard of their lives they staid on board; upon which, the commodore having ordered the crew and every thing of value to be put on board the prize, the Trial was scut- tled and sunk. It v/as now resolved to join the Gloucester off Paita. With this view they stood to the northward, and, on lae 10th of November discovered a sail, which Lieutenant Brett was ordered to chase, with the Trial's pinnace and barge. They found her to be a Spanish vessel of two hundred and severity tons burden. From the prisoners they learned that, a few days before, a vessel had entered Paita, the master of which told the governer he had been chased by a very large ship, which he imagined to be one of the English squadron, and that the govern- or had immediately sent an express to Lima, to carry the news to the viceroy, while the royal officer residing at Paita had been busily employed in removing both the king's treasure and his own to Piuza, a town fourteen leagues within land. It was afonce conjectured that the ship which had chased the vessel into Paita was the Gloucester; and, as they were now discovered, and the coast would soon be alarmed, so as to prevent cruizing to any 48 COMMODiRE ANSON. advantage, the commodore resolved to endeavor to surprise the place that very n^ight. When the ships were within five leagues of Paita, about ten o'clock at night, Lieutenant Brett, with the boats under his com- mand, put off, and arrived without being discovered, at the mouth of the bay; though he had no sooner entered it, than some of the people on board a vessel riding at anchor there, perceived him, kixd immediately getting into their boat, rowed towards the shore, crying out 'the English, the English dogs,' &c. by which the town was alarmed and the attack disovered. The town was, however, taken in less than a quarter of an hour from the first landing of the boats; with the loss of one man killed and two wounded. They weighed anchor from the coast of Paita on the 16th of November, the squadron being increased to six sail by the prizes. On the morning of the 18th, they discovered the Gloucester with a small vessel in tow, which joined them about three in the after- noon, when they learned that captain Mitchell had taken two prizes, one of which had a cargo consisting of wine, brandy and olives, and about seven thousand pounds in specie; and the other was a launch, the people on board which, when taken, were eating their dinner from silver dishes. Notwithstanding this circum stance, the prisoners alleged that they were very poor: having nothing on board, but cotton made up in jars, which, being re- moved on board thfe Gloucester, were examined, when the whole appeared to be an extraordinary piece of false package; there being concealed among the cotton, doubloons and dollars, to the amount of twelve thousand pounds. The cargo and crews of the several vessels were afterwards divided between the Centurion and Gloucester. Quitting the coast of America, they stood for China, the 6th of May, 1742. The Gloucester, which had become decayed, was cleared of every thing by the 15th of August, and then set on fire. On the 27th they arrived at the island of Tinian, where they remained some time. On the night of the 22d of September, when it was exces- sively dark, the wind blew from the eastward with such i'ury, that those on board despaired of riding out the storm. At this time Mr. Anson, was ill of the scurvy, and most of the hands were on sliore, and all the hopes of safety of those onboard seemed in dcp(;nd on immediately putting to sea; all communication be- iwecn the ship and the island being destroyed. About one o'clock a strong gust, attended with rain and light- ning, drove them to sea, where, being unprepared to struggle with the fury of the winds and waves, they expected each moment to be their last. When at da3^-break, it was perceived by those on slu>re that the sliip was missing, they concluded her lost, and rn;iny of thorn l)eggod the commodore to send the boat round the island to look for the wreck. In the midst of their gloomy refiec- JOMMODORE ANSON. 49 tioiis, the commodoie formed a pla.n for extricating them from their present situation; which was by hauling the Spanish bark on shore, sawing her asunder, and lengthening her twelve feet; which would enlarge her to near forty tons burden, and enable her to carry them all to China. But a discouraging circunistancG nowoccured, which was, that they had neither compass nor quadrant on the island. At length, on rummaging a chest belonging to the Spanish bark, they found a small compass, which though not much superior to those made for the amusement of school-boys, was to them of the utmost im^ portance. When this obstacle was removed, and all things were ready for sailing, it happened on the afternoon of the 11th of October, that cneof the Gloucester's men being upon a hill, saw the Centurion at a distance. She was soon visible to all, and the next day cast anchor in the road. On the 14th, a sudden gust of wind drove her to sea a second time, but in about five days, they returned again to anchor. On the ^Oth of October, they set fire to the bark and proa, hoisted in their boats, and got under sail, steering away towards the south end of thft island of Macao. About midnight, on the 5th of November, they made the main- land of China, and on the morning of the 9th, a Chinese pilot came on board, and told them that he would carry the ship into Macao for thirty dollars, which being paid ,him they proceeded, and on the I'ith entered the harbor of Macao. On-the 6th of April, the Centurion again stood out to sea. On the last day of May they came in sight of Cape Espiritu Santo, where they continued to cruize till the 20th of June, when about sunrise the great Manilla ship came in sight, having the standard of Spain flying at the top-gallant-mast head, and to the commo- dore's surprise, bore down upon him. The engagement soon began, and lasted aa hour and a half, when the galleon struck to the Centurion, after having had sixty-seven men killed and eighty-four wounded. The Centurion had only two men killed and seventeen wounded The prize carried five hundred men and thirty-six guns, ana her caigo was worth 400,000/. sterling. It is impossible to describe the transports on board, when, after all their reiterated disappointments^ they at length, saw their wishes accomplished. But their joy was very near being suddenly damped by a very alarming accident; for no sooner had the galleon struck, than one of the lieutenants coming to Mr. Anson, whispered him, that the Crnturion was dangerously on fire near the powder-room. The commodore received this shockinsr intelligence without an^ apparent emotion, and taking care not to alarm his people, gave the necessary orders for extinguishing tlie fire, which was done, though its first appearance threatened the ship with destruction. On the 14th, the (ienturion cast anchor ofi' Bocca Tigris, for ming the mouihof that river: arrd having got under sail onthe 16th 50 FISHING ON THi. GRAND BANK of October, 1743, came to anchor in the straits of Sunda on the ?d of January, and continued there till the eighth, taking in wood and water, when she weighed and stood for the Cape of Good Hope, where, on the 11th of March, she came to anchor in Table St. Helena. Bay. Mr. Anson continued here till the 3d of April, 1744, when he put to sea, and on the 19th of the month, was in sight of St. Helena, but did not touch at it. On the 12th of June they got sight of the lizard, and on th(3 evening of the 15th, to their great joy, came jafe to anchoi at Spitliead. On his arrival Mr. Anson learned, that under cover of a thick fog, he had run through a French fleet, which was at thai time cruizing in the chops of the channel. FISHING im THE GRAND BANK On crossing the banks of Newfoundland, the ship was hov^? to, for the purpose of sounding; and the quarter-master having tied a baited hook to the deep-sea lead, a noble cod was drawn tv, the surfiice, from tbe depth of nmoty fathoms. Upon this hint, ihe ca[)tain, very considerately, agreed to lie by for an hour or two, ^nd some fifty lines l)eing put over, tbe decks were soon coverec^ ^^rn* riSdING OIS THE GRAND BANK. 5l and aft. with such a display of fish as Billingsgate has rarely wit nessed. People who know nothing of a sea life fancy that fish is not a rarity with us; but there is nothing of which we taste so little; so that the greatest treat by far, when we come into port, is a dish .of fresh soles or mackerel; and even the commonest fish that swims is looked upon as a treasure. It is only in soundings that any are to be met with; for, in the open and bottomless ocean, we meet nothing but whales, porpoises, dolphins, sharks, bonitas and flying fish. I never could conceive, or even form a probable conjecture, how it is that some persons manage to catch fish, and others none It is easy to understand, that in angling, a certain degree of skilly or choice of situation, may determine the probable amount of success. But w^hen a line is let down to the depth of eighty or a hundred fathoms, or even to twenty or thirty feet, quite out of sight, what has skill to do there? And yet, in a ship, on the banks of Newfoundland, or in a boat on the Thrumcap shoals in Halifax harbor, I have seen one man hauling in cods or haddocks as fast as he could bait his hooks; while others, similarly circum- stanced in all apparent respects, might fret and fidget for half a day without getting more than a nibble. There can be no doubt, of course, that intellectual power must be in operation at one end of the line, otherwise no fish will come to the other; but the puzzle is, by what mysterious process can human intelligence manage to find its way, like electricity, down the line to the bottom of the sea? I have oflen asked successful fishermen what they did to make the fish bite; but they could sel- dom give any available answer. Sometimes they said it depended on the bait. "Well, then," I have answered, "let me take yours and do you take mine." But in two minutes after we had chang- ed places, my companion was pulling in his fish as fast as before while not a twitch was given to my new line, though, just before, the fish appeared to be jostling one another for the honor of my friend's hook, to the total neglect of that which had been mine, now in high vogue amongst them. There is some trick, or sleight of hand, I suppose, by which a certain kind of motion is given to the bait, so as to assimilate it to that of the worms which the fishes most affect in their ordinary researches for food. But, probably, this art is no more to be taught by description, or to be learned without the drudgery of practice, than the dexterity with which an artist represents nature, or a dancer performs pirouettes. Uninstructcd persons, thercfoi c. who, like myself, lose patience because they cannot catch fish at the first cast of tlie line, had better tarn their attention to some- thin»g else. Almost the only one I ever caught was during my first voyage across the Atlantic, when, after mv line had been down a whole 52 BYROIS . weary hour, 1 drew it up in despair. It felt so light, that I iiuag- iiied the line must have been accidentally broken; but presently, and greatly to my astonishment, I beheld a hug* cod float to ihe top, swollen to twice the usual dimensions by the expansion of its sound, as the air-bag is called, which lies along the back-hone At the depth of eighty or ninety fathoms, this singular apparatus is compressed by the enormous addition of fifteen or sixteen atmos- pheres. But when the air is relieved of this weight, by approaiih- ing the surface, the strength of the muscles proves inadequate to retain it in its condensed form; and its consequent expansion not only kills the fish, but often bursts it open as completely as if it had been blown up with gunpowder. BYRON. In the year 1764, the Dolphin and Tamar ships-of-v/ar, were fitted out for the purpose of prosecuting discoveries in the South Seas. Mr. Byron was commander-in-chief, and Captain Mouat commanded under him. On the 3d of July, the commodore hoisted his broad-pendant, and they sailed in prosecution of the voyage. On the 13th of Septem- ber they came to an anchor in the road of Rio de Janeiro, on the coast of Brazil, when the commodore paid a visit to the governor, who received him in state. They weighed anchor on the 16th of October, steering for Cape Blanco, and on the 21st of Novem- ber, entered the harbor of Port Desire, and the commodore in his boat, attended by two other boats, went to sound it. He landed, and they had a sight of four beasts, near thirteen hands high, and in shape like a deer, which they took to be granicoes. On the fifth of December the ships got under sail, and on the 20th, ran close in-shore to Cape Virgin Mary, and came to an an- chor. The commodore observed a number of men on horseback, riding to and fro, opposite the ship, and waving something white which he took to be an invitation to land ; and as he was anxious to know what peopie thcoc were, he went in one boat with a party of men well armed; the first lieutenant, with a ^^epaiate party, follow- lupf m ano'.ViO". When they came near the shore, the whole ap- peared to amount to five hundred persons, drawn up on a stony point of land that ran far into the sea. Byron uow advanced alone, but as he cppioached, the Indinnc rofroo^e.fl : he ihereforo, made signs ihat one of them should come forward, which was complied with, advanced appeared to be chief, and was very height; round one of his eyes was a circle of BYRO.Nf 53 hlark paint, anc' i white circle round the other, the rest of hisi face was paiutei in streaks c-f various colors. He had the skin of a beast, with the hair inwards, thrown over his shoukiers. The commodore and the Indian having complimented each otiicr, in language equally unintelligible to either, they walked togethei towards the main body of the Indians, few of whom were shortei than the height abovementioned, and the women were lar2;e in proportion. On the 21st of December they began sailing up the Strait of Magellan, with a view to take in a stock of wood and water. On the 26th, came to an anchor at Fort Famine. In this place, they found drift-wood enough to have supplied a thousand vessels. The quantity of fish that was daily taken was equal to the supply of both the crews: and the commodore shot as many geese and ducks as furnished several tables besides his own. On the 4th of January 1765, they sailed in quest of Falkland's Islands. On the 12th they saw land, and on the 14th aflat island, cover- ed with tufts of grass as large as bushes. Soon after this they entered another harbor, to which Byron gave the name of Port Egmont. This harbor is represented to be the finest in the world, and capacious enough to contain the whole navy of England, in full security; there is plenty of fresh water in every part of it, and geese, ducks, snipes, and other edible birds, abound in such num- bers, that the sailors were tired v/ith eating them. The commo- dore v*^as once unexpectedly attacked by a sea-lion, and extricated himself from the impending danger with great difficulty; they had many battles with this animal, the killing of one of which was frequently an hour's work for six men; one of them almost tore to pieces the commodore's mastiiT-dog, by a single bite. The com- modore took possession of the harbor, and ail adjacent islands, by the name of Falkland's islands. On Sunday, January the 27th, they left Port Egmont. Next day the commodore gave the name of Berkley's Sound to a deep inlet between the islands. On the 6th of February stood in for Port Desire, at the mouth of w4iich they came to an anchor, and had the pleasure of seeing the Florida, a store-ship, which they had expected from England. On the 20th, at Port Famine re- ceived orders to sail for England. Having narrov/ly escaped the dreadful effects of a storm on the 3d of March, at length the Dolphin was moored in a little bay op- posite Ca,pe Quod; and the Tamar, about six miles to the east- ward of it. On the 23th the Tamar narrowly escaped being dash- ed to p4eces a^-ainst the rocks, by the parting of the cable to her best bower-anchor. The Dolphin, therefore, stood again into the bay, and sent her proper assistance, after which they both an- chored for the night; a night the most dreadful they had known The winds were so violent as perfectly to tear up the sea, anc carry it higher than the heads of the masts: a dreadful sea roUcG 5* 54 BYRO."^. over them, and broke against the rocks, with a noise as loud as thunder. Happily they did not part their cables, or they must have been dashed in pieces against these rocks. The ships came to anchor on the 4th of April, m a bay wliicb had been discos ered, proposing to take in wood and water. While they v/ere here, several of the natives made a fire opposite the shJD, on v/hich signals were made for them to come on board, but as they would not, the commodore went on shore, and distributed some trifles which gave great pleasure. Four were at length pre- vailed on to go on board; and the commodore, with a view to their diversion, directed one of the midshipmen to play on the violin, while some of the seamen danced; the poor Indians were extrava- gantly delighted; and one of them to testify his gratitude, took his canoe, and fetching some red paint, rubbed it over the face of the musician; nor could the commodore, but with th^ utmost dif- ficulty, escape the like compliment. They sailed from this bay on the 7th, and next day the wind blev/ a hurricane. On tiie 9th, passed some dangerous rocks, which in Narborough's Voyage are called the Judges. This day a steady gale at south-west carried them at the rate of nine miles an hour, so that by eight in the evening they were twenty leagues from the coast. On the 26th, they sailed westward, and bore away for the island of Massafuero and anchored at seven o'clock on Sunday morning. On the 30th of April they sailed, and on the 7th of June discover- ed land, beino; then in fourteen dexrrees five minutes south latitude, and one hundred forty four degrees fifty eight minutes west longi- tude. The commodore steered for a small island, the appearance of which was pleasing beyond expression. Several natives ran along the beach, v/ith Ions; spears in their hands. The sailors made every possible sign of* friendship — but they retired to the woods, dragging their canoes after them. The commodore pro- ceeded to the other island, and brought to, at three-quarters of a mile from the shore. The natives again ran to the beach, armed with clubs and spears, using threatening gestures. The commo- d')re fired a cannon-shot over their heads, on which they retreated to the woods. This paradise in appearance, was named the ISI.Wn OF DISAPPOINTMENT. Quittin^T these on the 8th of June, they discovered an island on Jio (liiy following, lov/, and covered with various kinds of trees among wliich was the cocoa-nut, and surrounded with a rock of red coral. They now sailed to the westward, and soon discovered another ishind, distant four leagues. The natives pursued them in two large double canoes, in each of which were about thirty armed men. At this time the boats were at a considerable way to leeward of the ships, and were chased by the canoes; on which the commodore making a signal, the boats turned towaras mt Inrjiuos ^vho instantly nulled down their sail? and rowed awa> BYRON. 55 with great rapidity. On the 12th of June, sailed to another island, and as they coasted along it, the natives, armed as those of the other islands, kept even with the ship for some leagues. This island is situated in fourteen degrees and forty-one minutes South Latitude, and one hundred and forty-nine degrees fifteen muiutes v/est Longitude; and both the islands the commodore called King George's Islands. The boiits having returned on board, they saned westward the same day: and the next afternoon descried an^^ther island, towards which they immediately sailed, and found that it was well inhabited, a?nd had a fine appearance of verdure; but that a violent surf broke all along the coast. It lies in fifteen degrees south, and one hundred fifty-one degrees nfty-three min- uter west, and received the name of the Prince of Wales's Island. On the 24th they discovered another island, v/hich was namicd the Duke of York's Island. A terrible sea breaks round the const, out th-e place itself had a pleasing appearance. On the 29tli sailed northward, with a view to cross the equinoctial line, nn^ then sail for the Ladrone Islands. On the 2d of July they discovered a low flat island, abounding with the cocoa-nut and othe*' trees, and affording a most agreeable prospect. A great numl)e»* of the natives were seen on the beach, many of v/hom, in about sixty canoes or proas, sailed, and formed a circle round the snips ; which having surveyed for a considerable time, one of me Indians jumped out of his boat, swam to the ship, ran up its side m a moment, sat down on the deck, and began laughing mos. violently: he then ran about the ship, pilfering whatever he co'i^d lay hands on, which was taken from him as fast as stolen. Tni? lan having as many antic tricks as a monkey, was dressed in a jacKet and trowsers, and afforded exquisite diversion. He devoured some biscuit with great eagerness, and having played thf^ buffoon some time, made prize of his new dress, by jumping over the side of the ship, and swimming to his companions. These Indians are of a bright copper, with regular and cheerful features, and arc call and well made. One of them, who seemed to be of some rank, wore a string of human teeth round his waist. Some carried a long spear, the sides of which, for the length of three feet^ weie stuck with the teeth of the shark, which are as keen as a azor. The oflicers named this place Byron's island, in honor of the rommodore. It lies in one degree eighteen minutes south la^'^ude, and one hundred and seventy-three degrees and fnty-six minutes east longitude. They sailed hence on the 3d of July, an'' on the 28th had sight of the islands Saypan, Tinian, and Aiguigaii, which lie between two and three leagues from each otii;:.r. At noon, on the 31st, anchored at the south-west end of Tinian. The water is so wonderfully clear at thTs place, that, tho^igh one hundred and forty four feet deep, they could see the ground. The commodore went on shore where he saw many huts which had been left the precediiifr year by the Spaniards. Th« 56 BYRON. commodore remained at Tinian till the 30th of September, by which time the sick being tolerably well recovered, he weighed anchor and stood to the northward. On the 5th of November they came to an anchor off the island of Timoan on which Byron landed the day following. The inhab- itants, who are Malays, no sooner saw the boat approaching the shore, than many of them came to the beach, each having a dag ger by his side, a spear in one hand, and a long knife in the other. The boat's crew, however, made no hesitation to land, and bartered a few handkerchiefs for a goat, a kid, and a dozen of fowls. Nothing worth notice happened till the 14th, when a sloop being seen at anchor in the harbor of an island, named Pulo Toupoa, Byron, having anchored in the same harbor, and obser- ved that the vessel hoisted Dutch colors, sent an officer on board, who was received with great politeness. The commodore sailed the following day, and held his course till the 19th, when he spoke with an English snow, bound from Bencoolen to Malacca and Bengal, in the East India Company's service. At this time their biscuit was filled with worms, and rotten, and their beef and pork were unfit to eat. The master of the snow being apprized of^ the circumstance, sent Byron two gallons of arrack, a turtle, twelve fowls and a sheep. During their run hence to Prince's Island, in the Strait of Sunda, they were so abundantly supplied with turtle, by boats from the Java shore, that the common sailors sub- sisted wholly on that fish. They staid at Prince's island till tiiC 19th, when they sailed for the Cape of Good Hope. On the 13th of February they came to anchor, and v/ere treated with great politeness by the governor. They sailed on the 7th of March, and, on the 25th, crossed the equinoctial line. About this time an accident happening to tho rudder of the Tamar, and it being impossible to make a perfect repair of it at sea, the captain was ordered to bear away for Antigua; in consequence of which they parted company on the 1st of April; and the Dolphin, without meeting with any other ma- terial occurrence; came to an anchor in the Downs, on the 9th of INtay 17CG, after having been rather above twenty -two months m the circumnavigation of the globe. A TALE OF THE SEA ^7 NAUTICAL PHILOSOPHY. One night came on a hurricane — The sea was mountains rolling — When Barney Bunthne turned his quid, And cried to Billy Bowline — ** There 's a sou'-wester commg Billy, Don't ye hear it roar now ? Lord help 'em, how I pities them Unhappy folks on shore now. Fool-hardy chaps as lives in towns, What dangers they are all in — At night lie quaking in their beds, For fear the roof will fall in — Poor creatures,. how they envies us. And wishes, I 've a notion, For our good luck in such a storm. To be upon the ocean. Now, as to them that 's out all day On business from their houses, And late at night are walking home. To cheer their babes and spouses. While you and I, upon the deck, Are comfortably lying, My eyes ! what tiles and chimney tops, About their heads are flying ! You and I, Bill, have often heard, How folks are ruined and undone. By overturns in carilages, By thieves and fires in London — We've heard what risks all landsmen run, From noblemen to tailors, Then Billy, let 's bless Providence That you and I are sailors." A TALE OF THE SEA. It was a bright moonliirht eveninfj, and so warm that our men ay about the deck and in groups with hardly any covering; I thmk I never saw so perfectly clear and brilliant a night. Some of the ofhcers were reading, and with ease, by the ligiU of the moon, and the ocear as far as the sight could sketch was a glittering mirror without a single rufHe or wave; we lay like a log on the water, with all sails set, but not a breath of air to move them 68 A TALE OP THE SEA. The crew were collected in small parties about the forecastle and main deck lis-tening to the "long yarns" of some gray-headed seaman, about the " Flying Dutchman" of the " Black River of Gatand," while now and then some favorite sea song was bawled forth from the laughing crowd. The officers were walking about the quarter deck smoking and conversing, and occasionally extend- ing their walk so far as to listen to the stories of the forecastle. This was my first voyage on the " wide, wide sea," and as I was the youngest of the mids I found particular favor with several of the oldest seamen, with whom by-the-by I liked to associate better than with my brother middys — I always loved to listen to their tales of murder and battles, and v/ould sit for hours on the coils of rope, and hear old " Jack Transom" our second mate, an old man of sixty years relate his adventures and '^ hairbreadth escapes." We had left Port Royal on the south side of Jamaica the day be- fore on our way to the mouth of the Amazon, and were at the time of this writing passing between the small islands of Monts- Krrat and Guadaloupe: in the distance you could see the white moon beams playing on the fort and beach, and glistening on the low roofs and white walls of the little capital of Guadaloupe. I was standing on the capstan with a small night glass in my hand, looking at the opposite shore with its long low beach with here and there a smaH slave hut or mound of loose stones piled up as a covering over the grave of some drowned sailor whose body had been washed on shore. I dropped my glass and was getting down from my station when Jack Transom stepped up and asked for a squint, I handed the glass to him and after looking through it a moment he handed it back saying, '' Ay, ay, there it stands with its creaking chains and dry bones rattling in the still air as if a ten knot breeze was ripping over it." '' What 's that? "said I, eagerly catching the glass and pointing it where ' old starboard' as he was familiarly called, directed me. It was some time be- fore I saw what he meant. When I did, I was at no loss for his abrupt speech. A little north of the town on the white beach, stood a tall gibbet with its chains, and even as old Jack said, its white bones, for I plainly saw them even at that distance glimmer- ing in the rays of the bright moon, and I almost fancied I heard them rattling and shaking against each other, although as I said before, th(;re wasjiot a breath of air, not enough to move a feath- ♦^r; 1 shuddered at the sight, for I was young and easily affected by liny thing terrible or gloomy— we all knew that ' old starboard' was on one of his * long yarn tacks,' and in a short time a group was formed around the old fellow, as anxious as the crowds of coffee drinkers in the saloons of Constantinople to listen to the wonderful adventures of the Caliph Haroun Alraschid or Sindbad Hie Sailor. " It 's now forty yt^ars ago or thereabout," began 'old starboard,' stufling a huge quid of the true Virginia into his left cheek. " since I (irst laid eyes on that same death telling gallowsi A TALE OF THE SEA. 69 f was then a mere fore-mast-man and perhaps rather green, see- ing as now that was my first tack this way, and only the third time I had ever smelt salt water. It was a dark stormy night with a strong northwester blov/ing at the rate of ten knots an lioui', and we were beating across this very channel under a leavy press with the hopes of clearing the shoals before morning; all nands were on deck clearing olf and taking in some of our ligb^ canvass, for the gale kept on increasing and our main-mast creaked heavily with its load. When the watch ahead bawled oui^ helm-a-lee! sail a head! but before the words were scarcely out of his miouth we were upon the vessel; v/e struck her about mia ship, carrying away our bowsprit and dashing in the forecas- tle sails and knuckle timbers as if they had been glass; but it fared worse with the vessel we met; she was small, being about seven fee^ in the water, whereas we drew nearer fifteen — we passed slicK over her as if she had been a mere boy's plaything. You may be sure there v/as no standing still, every thing was hauled up and we were before the wind in less than half a shake, the boats were lov^ered although there was such a sea running that it was almost impossible to live in a small boat — logs of wood and hen coojjs, were thrown overboard so that if any were alive they mi^ht save themselves — our first mate was standing on the quar- ter listening, when he declared that he heard a shout — we listened and then it came again and again, but fainter every time — at length our captain ordered a boat out, with directions to put in to the «hore, and Gome off in the morning, as we should lay too. That night theie was not an eye closed in the ship. We v/ere all waiting foi ^he morning, for many thought it sheer madness in our cap- tain to send otf a boat m such a sea, and so dark a night, and projjhesied that she would be swamped in less than ten minutes. Though no one said so to the captain, for he was in one of his glouft.v moods, and walked the deck nearly the whole night v/ith- ou^ oi.?-'iing his mouth. We stood off and on till morning, and by this tih.e the wind had lulled considerably, and we had a moder- ate breeze — as soon as it v/as light we bore down to the little bay you see olT yonder to the nor'-east, and having anchored, sent off a boat to the shore; I was in her, and I shall never forget my joy when I first sav/ our men standing on the beach and hallooing to us — we were soon among them and asking questions enough to sink a lighter. After leaving the ship they steered as near as they couhl tell, to where the cries came from; after running about ten minutes, thev could hear them plainer, and at last got so near as to speak to the person — it was a man who was clinging to a large board, and was nearly exhausted — after a time they got him in, and finally reached the shore — the poor fellow was nearly gone, and could not speak a word, so they took him to a house, and aller awhile by rolling and warming him, brouglit him to — it so happened that the bouse beJDnnred to the governor or wh'^tever they call him — and aj 60 WALLIS soon as he clapt ?iis eyes on the man he knew him, and had him taken to prison — and it turned out that after all our trouble we had only saved the poor v/retch from being drowned that he might be hung — for as it was proved by many who knew him, having seen the fellow before, and by pieces of the wreck which floated ashore, that he was nothing better than a real pirate, (whose mur- ders were so numerous they could 'nt be counted) he had been taken twice before, but had escaped each time — the governor, to be sure of him now% ordered the execution to take place that day: — we had leave to stay on shore and see it — he looked pale and half dead when they brought him out, and for the soul of me I could'nt Jielp pitying him, he stept so firm, and went so willingly to meet his death — he was led out to the gallows between two files of soldiers, our parson talked to him all the way, but he paid no attention and seem- ed to be thinking of something else. Mayhap the fine vessel he had lost, and all that, — v/e saw the poor fellow swung off, and then went back to our ship, but here was no laughing or joking that day nor the next either — for we all felt as if we had some hand in it, and wished the poor devil had been food for the fishes, rather than to have fallen a prey to land-sharks. The body was taken down and then hung up in chains, and on our homeward voyage we saw them there rattling in the sea breeze and bleaching in the sun 1 have passed here often, but I have never forgotten to look f o ' the gallows and the Pirate's remains, and I shall never forget that night while I live." All hands ahoy! shouted the boatswain, and in a moment I was left alone. Before I went to my birth I took one more look at the dreaded object, and determined if ever i found leisure to commit the story to paper WALLIS. In 17GG, Capt. Wallis having been appointed to command the ehip Dolphin, destined for a voyage round the world, received or- ders to takci under his command the Swallow sloop, and Princ© Frederick store-shij). They sailed on the 22d of August, and, on tne 7th of September, came to anchor in the road of Madeira. On the 12th, they sailed thence, a id by the 12th of November, were in thirty degrees of south latitude, when they found the weather so cold as to have recourse /o their thick jackets. On the IGth of December, being very near Cape Virgin Mary, they saw several men riding on the shore. The captain went ashore, and give them combs, buttons, knivei, scissors, beads, &c, and ple?^s- WALLIS. 61 ed the women greatly by the distribution of some ribbands. The tallest among these people was six feet seven inches; but the general height was from five feet ten to six feet. They were muscular and well made, but their hands and feet very small, in proportion to the rest of their bodies. The captain took eight of them into the boats: w^ien they came into the ship, they expressed no surprise at the novelties they beheld, till a looking-glass being observed, they acted many antic gestures before it. The marineg being exercised before them, they were terrified at the firing of the muskets, and one of them falling down, shut his eyes, and lay with- out motion, as if to intimate that he knew the destructive nature of these weapons. On the 21st, they turned into the Strait of Magellan, and on the 26th, anchored in Port Famine Bay; and the sick were sent on shore. On the 28th, the empty water-casks were landed. When they arrived here, many of the people v/ere very sick v/ith the scurvy; but, by the plentiful use of vegetable;-,, and bathing in the sea, they all recovered in a short time. They sailed on the 18th and on the 3d of February, came to an- chor in York Road. The next day, Captain Wallis, with a party, went on shore near Bachelor's River. There is a cataract near this river, the noise of v/hich is tremendous, as it falls more than four hundred yards, partly over a very steep descent, and partly in a perpendicular line. On the 1st of March sailed again, and an- chored in a place called Swallow harbor, whence they sailed the next morning; and, on the following day, the Swallovv, being dri- ven among breakers, made signals of distress; but was happily relieved by a breeze from the shore. On the 10th of April the two ships sailed in company; and, on the 11th, lost sight o-f each other, and did not meet again during the whole voyage. This day the Dolphin cleared the Strait of Magellan, in which she had labored with innumerable difficulties, and escaped mo:- imminent dangers, in a passage of almost four months, viz. from December the ITth, 1776, to the 11th of April following. The Spaniards, it seems, built a town here in 1581, which they named Phillipville, and left in it a colcny of four hundred persons. They were all starved to death except twenty-four; and the place was called Port Famine, from the melancholy fate of these unfortu- na|e men. The long wished for relief wa^ now fast approaching, for on Saturday, the 6th, the man at the mast-head cried, ^^Land in the west-north-west." As no anchorage was to be found, the captam steered for the other island, giving the name of AVhitsun Island to this, because it was discovered on the eve of Whitsunday. Having approached the second, the lieutenant was -sent on shore, with two boats, to take possession of the island and to call it Qu Jen Charlotte's Island. The boats returned loaded with cocoa- nuts and scurvy-grass, after having found two wells of cxcelleu' 62 WALLIS. watci . Provisions for a week were now allotted for an officei ana twenty men, who were left on shore to take in water; the sick were landed for the benefit of the air; and a number of hands were ap- pointed tu climb the cocoa-trees, and gather the nuts. An adjoining island, lying in nineteen degrees twenty minutes south latitude, and one hundred thirty-eight degrees thirty minutes* svest longitude, received the name of Egmont Island. On the ilth, they observed about sixteen persons on an island, wnich was called Gloucester Island. This day they likewise discovered an- other, which was called Cumberland Island; and on the day follow- ing, a third, which received the name of Prince William Henry's Island. On the 17th, again discovered land, but could find no place in which the ship might anchor. This was named Osnaburgh Island, and having soon discovered high land, they came to anchor because the weather was foggy; but it no sooner cleared away, than hey found the ship encompassed by hundreds of people. They sailed alono^ the shore, while the canoes made towards the land On the 21st, the ship cam.e to anchor. The boats having been sent to sound along the coast, were fol- lowed by large double canoes, three of which ran at the cutter, staved in her quarter, and otherwise damaged her; the Indians, at the same time, armed with clubs, endeavoring to board her The crew now fired; and wounding one man dangerously, and killing another, they both fell into the sea. The ship made sail the following day, and was piloted round a reef, into a harbor, where she was moored. On the 24th, she sailed further up the harbor, followed by many canoes. In the evening, a number of very large canoes advanced, laden with stones; on which the cap- tain ordered the strictest watch to be kept. Soon after a large canoe advanced, in which was an awning, on the top of which sat one of the natives, holding some yellow and red feathers in his hand. He delivered the feathers; and, while a present was pre- paring, he put back from the ship, and threw the branch of a cocoa- nut tree ii the air. This appeared the signal for an onset, for the canoes, approaching the ship threw vollies of stones into every part of her. On this two guns, loaded with small shot, were fired, and tlic people on guard discharged their muskets. The number of Indians now round the ship was full- two thousand; and though tlicy were at first disconcerted, they soon recovered their spirits, and renewed the attack. Thojsands were observed on shore, embarking as fast as the canoes could bring them off; orders were therefore given for firing the cannon, some of which were brought to bear nj)()n the shore. The scattered canoes soon got together ngain, and threw stones of two pounds weight from slings by whic^i a nunih(3r of sc^anien were wounded. At this time several canoes aproarhed the bow of the ship, in one of which was an Indian, who aj)j)(:arod to have an authority over the rest; a gun was therefore levelled at his canoe, the shot of which split it in two pieces, which o WALL IS. 63 put an end to the contest; the canoes rowed off with the utmost speed, and the people on shore ran and concealed themselves be- hind the hills. jNext day a. lieutenant was despatched, with all the boats manned and armed, and liaving hoisted a pendant on a staff, he took possession of the place by the name of King George the Third's Island. Three days after tliis, the gunner conducted to the ship a lad) of a portly figure and agreeable face, whose age seemed to be upwards of forty. Her whole behavior indicated the woman of superior rank. The captain presented her with a looking-glass and some toys, and gave her a handsome blue man- tle, which he tied round her with ribbands. Having intimated that she would be glad to see the Captain on shore, on Sunday, the 12th, he landed, and w^as met by his fair friend, who was at- tended by a numerous retinue. As they advanced, great nurn'oers of Indians crowded to meet them. Many persons of both sexes advanced to meet her, whom she caused to kiss the captain's hand, ' while she signified that they were related to her. Her house v/as above three hundred and twenty feet in length, and about forty in breadth. The captain, lieutenant, and purser, who had been ill, being seated, the lady helped four of her female attendants to pull off their coats, shoes and stockings; which being performed, the girls smoothed down the skin, and rubbed it lightly with their hands for more than half an hour; and the gentlemen received great benefit from the operation. Orders had been given that the captain should be carried; but as he cliose to walk, she took hold of his arm, and when they came near any wet or dirty place, she lifted him over, with as much ease as a man would a child. On the 15th, a large party in all the boats rowed round the island. The island was found to be every where very pleasant, and to abound with various necessaries of life. On the 17th, Captain Wallis received another visit from the lady whom he called his queen. On the 21st, she repeated the visit, and presented him with some hogs. The captain having sent a party on shore on the 25th, to examine the country minutely, caused a tent to be erect- ed to observe an eclipse of the sun, and when it was ended, took his telescope to the queen's house to show her the use of it; and her surprise is not to be expressed, on her beholding several objects which she was very familiar with, but which were too distant to be seen by the naked eye. She made signs to be intormed if he held his resolution as to the time of his departure, and being an- jBwercd in the affirmative, her tears witnessed the agitation of her mind. The captain presented her with several articles of use and ornament, which she received in silent sorrow. After some time a breeze springing up, the queen and her attendants took their final leave, with many tears. The place where the ship had lain was called Port Royal Har- bor, and i* situated in 17 degrees 30 minutes south l-\titude, and 150 degrees west longitude, llie Dolphin sailed from Otaheite 64 VOYAGE FROM HALIFAX TO BERMUDA. on the 27th of July, 1767, and passed the Duke of York's Island On the 28th, they discovered land, which was called Sir Charleg Saunder's Island. On the 30th again made land, which received the name of Lord Howe's Island, on which smoke was seen, but no inhabitants. Their next discovery was some dangerous shoals, to which Captain Waliis gave the name of the Scilly Is^Jarids They now steered westward till the 13th of A^igust, when they sav/ two sm.all islands, one of w^hich was named Keppel's Isle, and the other Boscawen's Island. On the 16th they again dis- covered land, to which the officers gave the name of Waliis 's Island. On the 18th of September they discovered the island of Saypan, and soon afterwards that of Tinian, off which they anchored on the day following. Tents were erected for the sick, who were sent on shoro with all expedition. By the loth of October the 'fruit and water were carried on board, and all the sick being re- covered, on the next day they left the bay, and sailed to the west. On the 3d of November they discovered three islands, which were named Sandy Isle, Small Key, and Long Island; which islands are in 10 degrees 20 minutes north latitude, and 247 deg- rees 30 minutes west longitude. They now altered their course, and, on the 13th, saw the island of Timuun, Aros, and Pesang, On the 16th they crossed the equinoctial line, and came again into south latitude. The next day they saw the isUnds of Pulo Tote, and Pulo Weste, and the seven islands. On the 22d saw the coast of Sumatra; and came to an anchor in the road of Bata- via, on the 30th of November, 1767. From this place they sailed on the 8th of December, without losing a single man, and hdving only two on the sick list. On the 24th of January they encountered a dreadful storm, which tore the sails to pieces, broke a rudder-chain, and carried several of the booms overboard; yet during this storm they ob- served a number of birds and butterflies. On the 30th they saw land ; and came to anchor in Table Bay, at the Cape of Good Hope, on the 4th of February. Sailed on the 25th, and on the 17th ot JNIarch, anchored in the bay of St. Helena. On the 28th crossed the equinoctial line, and on the 24th of next month saw the Cape of Pico. No material incident happened from this time to the end of the voyage; and on the 20th of May, 1768, the Dolphin came to anchor in the Downs. VOYAGE FROM HALIFAX TO BERIMUDa. On the 6th of December, we sailed from Halifax, with u fresh north-westerly wind, on a bitter cold day, so that the harbor wag fevered \^ith a vapor called " the barber," a sort of low fog, which V'OYAGE FROM HALIFAX TO BERMUDA. 6^ clings to the surface of the water, and sweeps along with these biting vvinter blasts, in such a manner as to cut one to the very bone. As we shot past one of the lower wharfs of the town of Ilali fax, just before coming to the narrow passage between (jeorge'A Island and the main land, on the south side of this magnificenl harbor, a boat put off with a gentleman, who, by some accident, had missed his passage. They succeeded in getting alongside the ship; but, in seizing hold of a rope which was thrown to them from the mainchains, the boatmen, in their hurry, caught a turn with it round the afterthwart, instead of making it fast somewhere in the bow of the boat. The inevitable consequence of this pro- ceeding was, to raise the stern of the boat out of the v/ater, and, of course, to plunge her nose under the surface. Even a lands man will comprehend how this happened, when it is mentioned that the ship was running past at the rate of ten knots. In the twinkling of an eye, the whole party, officer, boatmen, and ail, were seen floating about, grasping at the oars or striking out for the land, distant, fortunately, only a few yards from them; for the water thereabouts is so deep, that a ship, in sailing out or in, may safely graze the shore As the intensity of the cold was groat, we were quite astonished to see the people swimming away so easily; but we afterwards learned from one of the party, that, owing to the water being between forty and fifty degrees warmer than the air, he felt, when plunged into it, as if he had been soused into a hot bath. The instant, however, he reached the pier, and was lugged out, like a half-drowned rat, he was literally enclosed in a firm case of ice from head to foot! This very awkward coat of mail was not re- moved without considerable difficulty; nor was it till he had been laid for some hours in a well-warmed bed, between two other persons, that he could move at all, and, for several months after- wards, he was not well enough to leave his room. For us to stop, at such a time and place, v/as impossible; so away we shot like a spear— past Chebucto Head, Cape Sambro, and sundry other fierce-looking black capes of naked rock. The breeze rapidly rose to a hard gale, which split our main-topsail to threads, and sent the fragments thundering to leeward in the storm, in such grand style, that, to this hour, I can almost fancy I hear the noise in my ears. I know few things more impressive than the deep-toned sounds caused by the flapping of a wet sail, in such a fierce squall as this, when the sheets are carried away, and the unconfined sail is tugging and tearing to get clear of the yard, v»hich bends and cracks so fearfully, that even the lower mast sometimes wags about like a reed. I certainly have heard thunder far louder than the sounds alluded to; but have seldom known it more effective or startling than those of a sail going tormuda some days after us, with the loss »f her main-mast and all three top-masts. The rock (d' the islands of Bermuda is of a very soft coar&a VOVAGE FROM HALIFAX TO BERMUDA. freestone, full of pores; so soft, indeed, that if it be required ta make an additional windov/ in a house, there is nothing to be done, we werie told, but to hire a black fellow, who, with a saw, could speedily cut an opening in any part of the wall. There is nothing more remarkable in this singular cluster of islands than the extensive coral reefs which fend olf the sea on the northern side, and stretch out in a semi-circular belt, at the distance of two or three leagues from the land. On these treach- erous reefs we saw many a poor vessel bilged, at moments when, from seeing the land at such a distance, they fancied themselves in perfect security. They tell a story of a boatman who, it was said, lived by these disasters, once going off to an unlucky vessel, fairly caught among the coral reefs, like a fly in a cobweb, not far from the North Kock. The wrecker, as he was called, having boarded the be- wildered ship, said to the master, *' What will you give me, now, to get you out of this place?" '' Oh, any thing you like — name your sum." '' Five hundred dollars?" ''Agreed! agreed!" cried the other. Upon which this treach- erous pilot ' kept his promise truly to the ear, but broke it to the nope,' by taking the vessel out of an abominably bad place, only CO fix her in one a great deal more intricate and perilous. *'Now," said the wrecker to the perplexed and doubly- cheated stranger, ''there never was a vessel in this scrape, that was known to get out again; and, indeed, there is but one man alive who knows the passage, or could, by any possibility, extri- cate you — and that's me!" "I suppose," drily remarked the captain, "that 'for a con- sideration' you would be the man to do me that good service What say you to another five hundred dollars to put me into clear water, beyond your infernal reefs?" This hard bargain was soon made; and a v/inding passage, unseen before, being found, just wide enough, and barely deep enough, for the vessel to pass through, with only six inches to spare under her keel, in half an hour she was once more in blue water, out of soundings, and out of danger. " Now, master rascallion of a wrecker," cried the disentangled mariner, "tit for tat is fair play all the world over; and, unless you hand me back again my thousand dollars, I'll cut the tow rope of your thievish-looking boat, and then, instead of returning evil for evil, as I ought bv rights to do, I'll be more of a Christ- ian, and do you a very great service, by carrying you away from one of the most infamous places in the v/orld, to the finest country imaginable — I mean America. And as you seem to have a certain touch of black blood in your veins, I may chince to get good in- terest for my loan of these thousand dollars, by selling you as a slave •n the Charleston negro market! What say you, my gay Mudian?" 68 DE BOUGAINVILi^iC. DE BOUGAINVILLE. A settlement having been commencea by the French on Falk« land's Islands, in the month of February, 1764, the Spaniards de- manded them as an appendage to the continent of South America; and France having allowed the propriety of the demand, Mons, de Bougainville was ordered to yield possession of the islands to tht Spaniards. On the 5th of December he sailed from the harbor of Brest, in the frigate La Boudeuse; having on board the Prince of Nas Bau Seighen, three gentlemen who went as volunteers, eleven officers in commission, and warrant-officers, seamen, soldiers, servants and boys, to the number of two hundred. On the even- ing of the 29th of January, they had sight of Rio-de-la- Plata, and on the morning of the 31st came to anchor in the Bay of Montevideo, where the two Spanish ships, which were to take possession of Falkland's Islands, had been at anchor for some weeks. They sailed with these ships on the 28th of February 1767; and, on the 1st of April, Bougainville, in the nam® of the French king, surrendered the islands to Don Puente, the Spanish governor, who received them for his most Catholic majesty, with the ceremony of hoisting the Spanish colors, and the firing of guns from the ships and on shore. Falkland's Islands lie in about 52 deg. south latitude, and 60 deg, west longitude. From the entrance of the Straits of JMagellan, and from the coast of Patagonia, their distance is about two hundred and fifty miles. The harbors are large, and well defended by small islands most happily disposed; and even the smallest vessels may ride in safety in the creeks, while fresh water is easily to be obtained. After waiting at these islands till the 2d of June, ^67, in expectation of the Etoiie store-ship from Europe, Bougainville steered for Rio-Janeiro, at which place he had appointed the Etoille to join him. They had fine weather from the 2d till the 20th of June, on which day they had sight of the mountains on the main land of Brazil, and enter- ed Rio-Janeiro the day following. At the same time a canoe was despatched from the captain of the Etoiie, with information of the safe arrival of that vessel, which now lay in the port; and on tiie Mill July, both vessels sailed, and on the 3 1st came to an- chor in the liay of Montevideo. As it was necessary that Bongain- villo should remain in his present station till the equinox was pass- ed, his first care was to build a hospital for the sick, and to take lodgin'js at Montcviaeo. On the Mth of November, 1767, they sailed from Montevideo, with a fine gale of wind at north. On the 16th, and the five fol- lowing days, the sea ran high, and the wind was contrary. The 2d of J)eceml>er they had sight of Cape Virgins, with a fair wind DE BOUGAINVILLE 6l> They now saw a number of albatrosses and petrels, the last of which are said to be a sign of bad weather, whenever they are seen. They made their best efforts to reach the entrance of the Straits of JMageHan; and Bougainville was seven weeks and three days in passing through it, the whole length of which, from Cape Virgin Mary to Cape Pillar, he computes at about three hund- red and forty miles. On the 2'id of March, land was discovered, and when they had coasted one of the islands for about two miles, they had sight of three men, v/ho advanced hastily towards the shore. They at first imagined that these were part of the crew of some European ship, which had been wrecked on the coast, but discovered their conjecture ill-founded, for the people retired to the woods, from which, in a short time, issued a number of them, supposed to be near twenty, with long staves in their hands, which they held up with an air of defiance. This done, they retreated to the woods. These islanders were of a copper complexion and very tall. During the night between the 22d and 23d they had much ra^in accompanied with violent thunder, while the wind blev/ almost a tempest. At day-break land was discovered, which was called Harp Island, and in the evening a cluster of islands, eleven o-f which were seen, received the name of the Dangerous Archipel- ago. A steep mountain, which appeared to be encompassed by the sea, was discovered on the 2d of April, and received the name of Boudoir, or Boudeuse Peak, from Bougainville's ship. Bearing to the northward of this peak they had sight of land, which extended farther than the eye could reach. As Bougainville coasted the island, he was charmed with the appearance of a noble cascade, which, falling immediately from the summit of a mountain into the sea, produced a most elegant efTect. On the shores very near to the fall of this cascade, was a little town, and the coast appeared to be free from breakers. It was the wish of our adventurers to hav^ cast their anchor with- in view of such an enchanting prospect; but, after repeated sound- ings, they found that the bottom consisted onJy of rocks, and they were, therefore, under a necessity of seeking another anchoring place, where the ships were safely moored. They renmined at Otaheite, until the 16th of April, when they departed, and in the beginning of IMay three islands were discov- '^red. On tlie following day another island was seen to the west- ward of the sliip^ course. To the islands the commodore gave ihe general name of the Archipelago of the Navigators. On the morning of the 1 1th, another island was discovered, which re- ceived the name of the Forlorn Hope. The ships now steered a westerly course, and early on the morning of the 22d two islands were discovered, cne of which re- ceived the name Aurora, from the early hour on which it was first «een, and the other that of Whitsuntide Isle, from the day which 70 DE BOUGAINVILLE gave birth to its being so named. In the afternoon, mountainous lands, at thirty miles distance, were seen, appearing, as it were, over and beyond the Island of Aurora. On the 23d it was discover- ed that this was a separate island, the appearance being lofty, itg descent steep, and the whole clothed with trees. From this time to the 27thj they passed many islands, on one of which thoy ob- served a fine plantation of trees, between which there were reg- ular walks, resembling those of an European garden. They now quitted this great cluster of islands, v/hicli received the general name of Archipelago of the great Cyclades, which, it is conjectur- ed, occupies no less than three degrees of latitude, and five of longitude. From the 14th to the 1 8th of June, they discovered a numbe: of islands. On July the 2d a cape was discovered, which was called Cape TAverdi, on which were mountains of an astonishing height. Two more islands were seen on the 5th, and, as the wood and water were expended, and disease reigning aboard, the com- modore resolved to land here, and, on the following afternoon, the ships came to anchor. In the afternoon of the 24th a favorable breeze enabled the ships to get out to sea. On the 31st a number of Indian boats attacked the Etoile with a volley of stones and arrows; but a single discharge of the musketry got rid of these troublesome companions. On the 4th of August two islands were seen. On the 5th a third island was seen, and then the northern point of New Britain, which lies only forty one minutes south of the land. On the 7th a flat island was seen, covered with trees, abounding with cocoa-nuts. Fish- ing-boats in multitudes surrounding the island; but the fishermen took no notice of the ships. This received the name of the Islana of Anchorets. From this time till the end of the month innumera- ble small islands were observed every day. Early in the morning of the 31st our voyagers had sight of the island of Ceram, which runs in a parallel ea&t and west, abounds in lofty mountains, and is partly cleared, and partly in its original state. At midnight a number of fires attracted their attention to the island of Boero, where there is a Dutch factory, at the en- trance of the Gulf of Cagei, which the French had sight of at day -break. Their joy on this occasion is not to be expressed, for at this time not half of the seamen were able to perform any duty, and the scurvy had raged so violently, that no man on board was perfectly clear of it. They sailed on the 7th September and on the 13th the ships were surrounded with Indian boats, bringing parroqucts, cockatoos, fowls, eggs, and bananas, which the natives sold for Dutch money, or exchanged for knives. By day-light on the 19th they were wiHiin about a league of the Coast of Celibes, which in this part is described as one »^f the finest countries in the world. On the rriorning of the 2Gth the coast of Java appeared with the rising HISTORY OF THE BUCCANEERS. 71 sun. Having come to an anchor for the night, the ships sailed early in the morning of the 27th and on the next d£:y came to anchor in the poi't of Batavia. The ships sailed thence on the- 16th of October, 1768, and cleared the straits of Sunda on the 19th in the afternoon. I^y this time the crew were all perfectly recovered of the scurvy, but a few remained ill of the bloody flux. On the 20th the ships were in sight of the Isle of France, and, on the 8th of November, the Boudeuse anchored in the port of that island; the Etoile, which had been unavoidably left behind, anchoring in the same port on the following day. They sailed from this the 12th of December, 1768, leaving the Etoile behind them to undergo some necessary repairs. Without encountering any singular accident they had sight of the Cape of Good Hope on the 18th of January, and came to anchor in Table Bay on the following morning. Bougainville quitted this on the 17th, anchored off St. Helena on the 4th of February, and on the 25th, joined the Swallow, commanded by Captain Cartert. Noth- ing material happened from this time till they had sight of the Isle of Ushant, where a violent squall of wind had nearly blasted the hopes of the voyage. On the 15th the commodore bore away for St. Maloes, which he entered on the following day, aftc-r an ab- sence of two years and four months from his native country; during all which time he had buried only seven of his crew, a circumstance that will be deemed truly astonishing, when we re- flect on the variety of dangers they had encountered and the amazing changes of climate they had experienced. HISTORY OF THE BUCCANEERS. The name Buccaneer, which originally signified one who dried or smoked flesh in the manner of the Indians, was given to the first French settlers of St. Domingo, who hunted wild boars and cattle, in order to sell the hides and flesh to their more settled neighbors. They lived in huts built on patches of cleared ground, just sufficiently large to admit of drying the skins. These spots were named Boucans, and the huts, which were commonly only temporary, Ajoupas, terms borrowed from the native Indians. With the more regular Spanish settlers of the same island they were continually at war, ajd therefore concealment was, in some degree, necessary: the motives of the Spaniards for this persecu- tion being jealousy of the presence of all other Europeans. The tenants of the Boucans, having neither women nor children, congregated in parties, each keeping a servant, who, being some 12 HISTORY OF THE BUCCANEERS. adventurer from Europe, v/as obliged to bind himself for three years to an older Buccaneer, in order to gain a footing in the community; more a companion, however, than a servant, the fruit? of their labors were enjoyed in common; and, in cases of death, the domestic regularly succeeded to the property of his master. In process of time, some, tired of this occupation, settled as plant- ers in the little island of Tortuga, situated at a short distance from the north side of St. Domingo, to which they were, by de- grees, driven by the repeated massacres of the Spaniards. Others commenced free-booters by sea, amply revenging upon that nation the injuries sustained by their companions on land. Success con- tinually added to their confidence and to their numbers. They seldom at first, acted together; but in parties of from fifty to two hundred men each, embarked in small boats, ill adapted either to war or security from the elements, and would attack the largest vessels, overpowering them by a desperate bravery which nothing could withstand. Thus they fought their way to riches and power Every additional prize afforded increased means of capturing others; till, at length, the Spaniards, afraid of proceeding to sea, had their intercourse with the mother-country nearl^y annihilated. Although their vengeance was directed against this, theii wealthiest and bitterest enemy, other nations were not exempted from their depredations. When distressed for men, money, or ships, almost every stranger became an enemy. Thus far they were pirates. The booty was regularly divided into as many shares as there were men. None had a preference. The leader of an enterprise, commonly elected only for the occasion, among the most distinguished for skill and courage, enjoyed more hon« ors, but had no claim to greater emoluments than his associates, except what the general voice chose to award when an c^iterprise proved profitable, and had been able conducted. No fixed laws guided their proceedings. These were mads upon the spur of the occasion. But offences against the general good, such as peculation or treachery, were severely and summa- rily punished, either by death, or by leaving the culprit upon ader sert island. Such was the certainty of punishment, or the sense of jusfice to each other, that few instances of this kind occurred. Their behavior verified the adage of — ''Honesty among thieves;*' for though robbers by profession, none were ever more equitable among themselves. Every share was chosen by lot. The woun- ded were provided for by a certain sum, and an allowance during cure. The companion, or servant of a member killed, received his share. If he had none, it was transmitted to his relations; or, if these were unknown, given to the p. or, or to churches, to apo- logize for misdeeds neither repented of nor discontinued. They seldom went to sea except when in want of money, and, when gain- ed, it was as quickly spent. Jamaica commonly formed the resort of the English, and St. Domingo of the French, where the fruits HISTORY OF THE BUCCANEERS. 73 of their cruizes being soon dissipated in rioting and debauchery, necessity drove them to the same desperate undertakings for further supplies. 'J'hese associations continued, with but few intermissions, for nearly 150 years, peace or war in Europe being of no import in the eyes of their leaders. The principal of these were Morgan, Samm'j Wilner, Towley, and others, among the English; Mont- bar, L'Olonois, Grognier, Picard, Le Sage, and Grammont, among the Frenoh; Van Horn, a Dutchman, and De Basco, a Portuguese. Morgan, the most renowned of the English freebooters, after a variety of minor exploits, conceived the bold project of subduing Porto-Bello, which he accom.plished with great skill and no loss^ gaining a large booty from its plunder and ransom. Panama, iiowever, a large town, situated across the isthmus of Darien, on the shore of the South Seas, promised still more wealth. Havmg re- duced the island of St. Catharine's by a secret understanding v/ith the Spanish governor, who wished to have the honor, though not the danger, of resisting the adventurers, he proceeded to the mouth of the river Chagres, leading part of the way to his ulti mate destination. Here was a fort situated upon a rock; against which beat the v/aves of the sea; and defended by an officer and a garrison, worthy of the trust committed to their courage. The buccaneers attacked it with desperation, and were as vigorously resisted, but this resistance only stimulated the energy of men ac- customed, not merely to expect, but almost to command success. For some time the contest continued doubtful, till a lucky shot killed the commander of the fort, while, at the same time, it took fire, when the besieged, losing courage, surrendered. Morgan leaving his vessels at anchor under a guard, proceeded in canoes up the river, thirty-five miles, where, being no longer navigable, he disembarked, and marched towards Panama, about thirty miles distant. On a plain, without the town, a considerable army appeared drawn up to oppose his progress. This was no sooner attacked than dispersed. In the city, in boats, and in the neighboring forests, were found vast treasures concealed in caves and cellars, the inhabitants having had time to retire themselves, but no' to carry off their wealth; added to these were immense quantities of valuable articles of commerce, which, being unable to remove, were, as well as the town, according to the barbarous practice of that age, set on fire by the adventurers, who regaincid their ships with a prodigious booty. "* Among the French, who distinguished themselves as much for cruelty as bravery, was Montbar, a native of Languedoc. He had, in early life, conceived a strong prejudice against the Span- iards, on account of their cruelties to the Indiana; this spirit in- creasing with his years, he embarked from Europe to join the buccaneers. In the passage out, a Spanish vessel being met with, 7 T4 HISTORY OF THE BUCCANEERS. was attacked, boarded, and taken, Montbar leading the ',vay to the decks Ox^the enemy, along which he carried wounds and death, nothing being able to resist his desperate fury; and when submis- sion terminated the engagement, his only pleasure seemed to be to contemplate^ not the treasures of the vessel, but the number of dead and dying Spaniards, against whom he had vowed a dead- ly and eternal hatred. This inveterate enmity never subsided His opponents suffered so much and so frequently from it, during the whole of his life, that he acquired from them the name of the Exterminator. Another of the sarpe nation, named L'Olonoit?, "rom the sitiia tion of bondsman, had raised himself to the command of two boats and twenty-two men, v/ith v/hich he was bold enough to attack, and fortunate enough to capture a small Spanish frigate on the coast of Cuba. With this vessel he succeeded in taking four shi[)s fitted out at Port-au-Prince to destroy him; but cruelly threv/ their crews overboard, excepting one man, sent back to the governor of the Havannah, with a message that all Spaniards who might fall into his hands, not excepting even his excellency himself, should experience a similar fate. At Tortuga he met with Michael de Basco, already celebrated for having taken a ship under ^he guns of Porto Beilo, valued at cf!220,000, and a variety of other enterp'-ises both daring and profitable. Between them a nev/ ex- pedition was planned, supported by 450 men: in the bay of Venezuela they reduced a fort, sinking the guns, and cruelly put- ting the garrison of 250 men to death. Re-embarking, they reached jNlaracaybo, built on the western shore of the lake of that name, a city which had acquired v/ealth by its trade in skins, cocoa, and tobacco. The inhabitants, at the first alarm, fled with their principal effects; enough, however, remained to keep the buc- caneers in drunkenness and debauchery for some time; in the mean while works were thrown up to impede their progress, which they reduced at t'he expense of blood and labor, but without any ])rotit. Maracaybo itself was ransomed; Gibraltar, situated near the extremity of the lake, was burned, owing to the exasperation of the adventurers at missing the expected plunder; and, at length they retired laden with crosses, pictures, and bells, more than with wealth. Van llornc, in 1G03, formed the design of an expedition, which promised a rich harvest to his followers. He himself was at once their admiration and terror, being not only remarkable for intre- pidity but for punishing the smallest want of it in others, often go- ing round the decks during the heat of an engagement, and instant- ly shooting those who, in the smallest degree, flinched from their gims. In other respects he was equitable and generouii, sharing e(iually with his crew the produce of their courage, though sail- ing in a ship wholly hir< private property. To ?u(l in the p^(^sf:nt scheme, lie took Gramont, Godfrey, Jon- HISTOUl OF THE BUCCANEERS. 75 que, and Do GrafT, all commanders of approved skill a/id courage, with riOO men, the largest force which had yet been mustered, and in six vessels sailed for Vera Cruz. JNight, and ignorance of the armament, favoring their design, the buccaneers landed eight miles from the town, entered it undiscovered, and, before day-break, secured the governor, forts, barracks, and all the sol- diers capable of making opposition. The inhabitants sought re- fuge in the churches, at the doors of which were placed barrels of gunpowder, guarded by the invaders with lighted matches, in or- der to destroy the whole in case of insurrection or tumult. The work of pillage, in the meantime, proceeded without interruption, nothing being left which it was possible or desirable to carry away. A proposal was likewise made to the imprisoned people, v/ho had not tasted food for three days, to ransom their lives and freedom for a sum of ,£430,000. This, v/hether able or not, they were compelled to accede to, half the money being paid immediately, and the other half promised in a few days. Suddenly, however, a large armed force appeared before the town, and a fleet of seven- een ships from Europe before the port, which though sufficient to intimidate a regular army, if not to desert their plunder, had no other effect on the buccaneers than to induce them to retreat quietly with 1500 slaves, as an indemnidcation for the remaining half of the expected ransom, and to push deliberately through the Spanish fleet, which, instead of intercepting, was itself happy to escape from such terrible assailants. For a long series of years these depredations continued Scarcely a town escaped, except such as were situated very far in the interior; forts and soldiers were of little use on the coast, for the former were soon reduced, and the latter, whenever they attempted a fair contest in the field, always conquered. Towards the decline of this predatory warfare, Gramont embarked with a considerable force for Campeachy, and landing without opposition, found 800 Spaniards drawn up to dispute the approach of the town, who were attacked, beaten, and pursued into it, with the invaders close behind, till stopped by the citadel. Against this all the can- non they could find was directed in vain. Fear, however, eflect- ed what force could not. The garrison dreading the name of the buccaneers, evacuated the place during the night, leaving only an Englishman in it, (a gunner,) who, with the spirit of a soldier, disdained to desert that which he had sworn to defend, and which, it appeared, was capable of being obstinately defended; and so highly did this principle of honor and courage operate upon the assailants, who were held together solely by the same feelings, that they received him with distinction, and rewarded him, not only with praises and liberty, but likewise with wealth. For two months the conquerors kept possession of the city, searching not only every nook and corner in it for plunder, bu* the country, for thirty or forty miles round discovering what had T6 HISTORY OF THE BUCCANEERS been nidden in the earth of in the woods, to the great loss of the inhabitants, who vainly believed they had, by this means, secured part of their property. The plunder;, as soon as collected, was deposited on ship-board. The governor of the province kept the field with nearly a thousand men, but dared not interrupt men who seemed as desperate, wherever booty was to be procured, as th^y were insensible to danger and regardless of death. His refusal to ransom the city caused its immediate destruction by fire. The citadel, likewise, was levelled to the ground. A more extraordinary sacrifice on the part of the free-booters was by a bon- fire, made of logwood, valued at <£ljOOO,000 and forming part of the plunder, which, in celebrating the festival of St. Louis, on the anniversary of the French king, whose subjects they principally ♦vere, was given to the flames in the intoxication of folly rather Lhan of loyalty. The last memorable attempt of the buccaneers, on a large scale, in this part of the world, took place in 1697, when twelve hun- dred men joined a squadron of seven ships from Europe, in order CO attack the city of Carthagena. Their commander was named Pointis, a man of little honor or generosity, but intent on aggran- dizing himself. The enterprise was arduous; the place the strong- est in the new world; the port difficult of approach to enemies; and, if not immediately reduced, the climate so bad, that were the Spaniards even to do nothing more than to contrive delays, it would soon destroy the invaders. This, however, the latter knew. They, cherefore, proceeded vigorously to work, seconded by that zeal accustomed to contend with and to conquer next to impossibilities; of guns they had no want, and their men were prodigal of their olood; each fought as if his individual honor and interest were at stake, which, indeed, formed the life of these associations; and their good fortune, as usual, prevailing, the city yielded to their arms with a booty calculattid at £1,750,000. Of a great part of this they were deprived by the knavish ra- pacity of their commander. Exasperated at his tricks, a party proceeded toward his ship, determined to inflict summary punish- ment on the offender, but recollecting this could be of no imme- diate service, cried out, ^'Brethren, why should we pollute ourselves with the blood of this knave? He is unworthy the in- dignation of honorable men! Let him live to be despised and hooted, rather than die lamented by any one who may hear of his fate, without knowing his crimes. Our share of the booty is still at Carthagena, and there ak)ne must we look for it." Returning to the city, which was re-entered without opposition, the inliahitants were shut up in the churches till the sum of JCS^O, 000 should be paid, tlie amount of the sum of which they believed themselves defrauded. Possessed of this, they promised to retire without molestation to property or person; without it they threat- ened the most fri of the ice, and during a day and night to crn})lf)y men incessantly m pushing off sucii masses of ice us floated against lu^r; but in this labor ail their poles were bro- ken. The wind at 'length blew a perfect hurricane, and, though VOYAGE OF CAPTAIN JAMES. 7S> the broken ice on almost all sides rose higher than the decks^ and the vessel was beaten about in a most alarming manner, she suffered no injury. On the morning of the tenth of June, these hardy adventurers passed some masses of ice that were as high as the topmast of their vessel, and left Cape Desolation, in Greenland, to the east- ward. The weather was now so cold that at one time the sails and rigging were all frozen. On the twentieth, the ship reached the southern point of the island of Resolution, at the entrance ot" Hudson's Strait, but she was several times carried round by the current, and floating ice, and was in imminent danger of being crushed to pieces before she could be brought to anchor. It now began to snow heavily, and the wind blew a storm from 2he west- ward. This drove the ice from the sea into the harbor where the vessel was stationed, until it was choked up. For some time the ice seemed to be perfectly firm and immoveable, but it floated out again at the ebb of the tide. The various dangers to which the vessel was exposed in this harbor, of being thrown against the rocks, crushed to pieces in the ice, and sunk, were so great that the captain almost gave up all hope of being able to save her He describes the thundering noise of the masses of ice beating against each other, the rushing of the water, and the fury of the current to have been tremendous. After much difficulty and the most persevering exertions, however, she was navigated into a little cove or harbor, where, being made fast to the rocks, she was at length rendered tolerably secure. Captain James landed on the island, but foiHid that, although the sunmier was far advanced, the ponds were yet frozen. The ground was rocky and barren, and no traces of animals v/ere visiMe in the snow, though it was evident from some hearths and remains of fire-wood which were seen, that human beings had not long before visited the place. Captain James continued here two days, and then sailed westward; but the m.asses of ice v/ere still almost impenetrable. They grated the sides of the vessel with such vio- lence that it was feared they would burst through the planks. On looking out from the mast-head scarcely an acre of open sea was visible: nothing was to be seen but a continued and irregular range of ice, towering in different places to an immense height. The ship was thus surrounded till the twenty-seventh of June^ v/hen, by a gale from the south-east, the ice opened, and she was enabled to make some way. Though exposed to incessant danger by the immense masses of ice which boated on the surface of the ocean. Captain Jamesi and his associates proceeded still westward, and entered Hud- son's Strait about the beginning of .July. On the fiftccntli of that month, they arrived betwixt Digg's Island and Nottingham Island, but the summer was so cold and unfavorable that it was now evident there would be no possibi.ity of proceeding much further 80 VOYAGE OF CAPTAIN JAMES. northward this year. About a fortnight afterwards, they were so fast enclosed in the ice, that, notwithstanding the ship had all hef sails set, and it blew a strong breeze, she was immoveable and as firmly fixed, as if she had been in a dry dock. On this, the cap- tain and many of the men walked out of her to amuse themselves upon the ice. Several of the crew now began to murmur, and to express great alarm, lest they should not be able either to proceed or return; and lest their provisions, which v/ere beginning to fall short, would soon wholly fail. The captain encouraged them as well as he was able, and though he was aware their murmuring was not without reason, he affected to ridicule their fears. Among other contrivances to amuse them, he took a quantity of spirits up- on the ice, and there drank the king's health, although there was not a single man in the ship, and though she was at that time under all her sails. This was the twenty-eighth of July. On the thir- tieth, they made some little way through the ice, part of the crew heaving the vessel along with their fchoulders, whilst others, at the same time, broke off the corners of the ice with mallets and iron crows, to clear the way. This labor was continued on the following day, and after much fatigue, they got the ship into thirty- five fathom water. All this time they were in latitude 58 deg. 45 minutes north, and a few days afterwards they were in an open sea free from ice. The captain and his crew now joined in devout thanksgiving for their deliverance from the dangers to which they had been exposed. A few days subsequently to this, whilst the ship was under sail, she struck upon some rocks that were concealed l)y the water, and received three such terrible blows, that the captain was fear- ful her masts would have been shivered to pieces, and he had no doubt that a hole had been beaten through her sides. But such was the strength of her timbers that she received little injury, anc in a short time, was again out of danger. On the twentieth of August, and in latitude 51 deg. north, the} came within sight of land, part of the continent of North America, which the captain named New South Wales, in honor of Charles, Prince of Wales, afterwards King Charles the second: and on the third of September they passed a cape, to which he gave the name of Cape Hervrietta Maria, after the Queen. In the ensuing even- mg, they encountered such a tempest of thunder, snow, rain, and wind, as none of the crew had ever before been exposed to. The sea washed completely over the decks, and the vessel rolled to tremendously, that it was not without great difficulty all things could be kept Aist in the hold, and betwixt the decks. As the winter was now approaching, Captain James began to look out for some hai-l)or, where he and his companions could pass tliat cheerless season, with as little discomfort, and in as much security, as possible. J^anding, on the third of October, upon un island, in the bav that has since been called James's Bay, ko VOYAGE OF CAPTAIN JAxMES. 81 found the tracks of deer, and saw some wil.d fowl; but not being able to discover a safe anchorage, he proceeded onward with tlie vessel, and two days afterwards moored the ship, in a place of tolerable security near the same island. It now snowed without intermission, and was so cold that the sails were frozen quite hard, and the cable was as thick with ice as a man's body. Several men were sent ashore to cut wood for fuel, and they collected as much as, it was estimated, would last two or three months. It was found inconvenient, particularly for some of the crew who were sick, to continue entirely in the vessel; a kind of house was, therefore, erected on shore, under the direction of the carpenter. In the meantime the captain and some of the men went into the woods to see whether they could discover any traces of human beings, that, in case they found such, they might be on their guard against attack. None were found. The top-sails were now taken down from the vessel, thawed, and dried by great fires, and then folded up and secured from wet between the decks. The main-sail was carried on shore, to be used as a coverino^ for the house. In about four days, the house was ready, and a por- tion of the crew slept in it every night, armed with muskets to de- fend themselves in case af attack, and guarded by two buck- hounds, which had been brought from England, for the hunting of deer. Such of the other rigging of the vessel as could be taken down, was now removed, and placed under the decks. On the fourteenth of October, six of the men set out with the dogs, in the hope of killing some deer, the tracks of which they had previously seen. They wandered more than twenty miles over the snow, and returned the next day with one small and lean an- imal; having passed a cold and miserable night in the woods. Others went out a few days afterwards, and to a still greater dis- tance; these were not only unsuccessful, but they lost one of their companions, who, on attempting to cross a small frozen lake, fell in and was drowned. The captain consequently gave directions that hunting to such distances should be no more attempted. The crew at first brought beer ashore from the ship; but this, even in their house, and close by the fire, was frozen and spoiled in one night. After this they drank water, which they obtained from a well that they sunk near the house. Their time was chiefly passed in setting traps and hunting for foxes and other animals, and in such occupations as were requisite for their own preservation. The winter was nov/ so far advanced, that the ship appeared, from the shore, like a piece of ice in the form of a ship. The snow was frozen on every part, and her decks and sides were cov- ered with ice. The captain began to despair of ever again get- ting her off. Every day the men were employe:! in beating the 'ce t^iom the cables, and dinrorin": it out of th " .lawsers with a 82 VOYACxE OF CAPTAIN JAMES. calking iron; and in these operations the water would freeze tn ^heir clothes and hands, so as very soon to render them unequal to almost any exertion. The ship was found to beat so much, that the captain could devise no other means of preventing her from being shattered to pieces and destroyed, than by directing holes to be bored through her sides, and sinking her in shallow water; where, in the ensu- ing spring, he might have a chance of again raising her. This was a fearful expedient; but, after all the provisions and things re- quisite for use on shore had been taken out of her, it was adopted; al- though it was the general opinion of the crew that she could never be floated again. They, however, had so strong an attachment for their captain, and so much confidence in him, that, even m the midst of despair, they obeyed implicitly all his commands. With true christian confidence, he exhorted them not to be dismayed. '' If," said he, '' we end our days here, we are as near heaven as in England; and we are much bound to God Almighty, for having given us so large a time for repentance, and having thus, as it were, daily called upon us to prepare our souls for a better life in heaven. He does not, in the meantime deny that we may use all proper means to save and prolong our lives; and in my judgment, we are not so far past hope of returning to our na- tive country, but that I see a fair way by which we may effect it." He then said that there was timber enough in the island for them to build a pinnace or large boat, by which they might endeavor to effect their escape, in case their vessel should be destroyed. This was on the thirtieth of November. The sufferings and the hardships which these brave men en- countered for many successive months, it is impossible to describe. Happily, they had a tolerable store of provisions from their ship, and had not to depend upon the precarious subsistence to be ob- tained by hunting. Their liquids of every kind, wine, vinegar, oil, Sec. were all frozen so hard, that they were obliged to cut them with hatchets, and then melt them over the fire for use. In the beginning of January, the whole surface of the adjacent sea was so entirely frozen, that no water whatever was to be seen. Some of the men were obliged to be out of doors a considerable part of the day, in fetching timber, and in other necessary em- ployments. Their shoes were all destroyed, except some that had been sunk in the ship, and which were now, of course in- accessible. They were, consequently, reduced to the necessity of binding up their i^eet, as well as they could, in pieces of cloth. Their noses, cheeks, and hands were sometimes frozen in blisters, wliich were as white as paper; and blisters as large as walnuts rose on diiTerent parts of their skin. Their mouths became sore, and rneir teeth loose. Timber was cu down, according to the direction of the captain, VOYAGE OF CAPTAIN JAMES. 83 and the carpenter and crew worked hard at the pinnace, till nearly the end of Marc»!i, when the carpenter became so weak and ill, that it was necessary, to lead him to his labor. Though they were in the midst of a wood, yet when their fuel began to fail, they had great difficulty in obtaining more. Al- most all the axes had been broken in felling timber for the pin- nace, and it was peculiarly requisite, that care should be taken of such cutting implements as remained, lest there would be none left for finishing it. And, in felling the timber aow, the trees were so hard frozen, that it was first requisite *o light large fires round such as were to be cut, in order to thaw he wood before the axes could make any impression upon them. During all this season of distress. Captain James and his crew never omitted to perform their religious dutios. They particular- ly solemnized Easter day, the twenty-sixth of April, 1632; and it was on this day, whilst they were sitting round their fire, that the captain proposed to attempt, on the first opening of the warm weather, to clear the ship of ice. This was considered by some of the crew impossible; because they believed her to be filled with one solid mass of ice. The attempt, however, was resolved upon; and the question was as to the implements with which it was to be made. These were brought into review, and were only two iron bars (one of w4iich was broken), and four broken shovels, apparently very iliefiectual instruments for such a labor. The time passed miserably and slowly on, till the sixteenth of May, when they had a comfortable and sunny day. Some efforts were this day m.ade to clear the decks of snow. From this period the vessel began to occupy much of tha attention of the captain and his crew. The great cabin was found to be free both from ice and water, and a fire was lighted both to clear and dry it. One of the anchors, which was supposed to have been lost, they found under the ice, and recovered. The rudder, which had been torn oif by the ice, they were not able to find. By the twenty-fourth of May, they had labored so hard in clearing the vessel, that they came to a cask, and could perceive that there was some wa- ter in the hold. They pierced the cask, and found it full of good beer; which was a cause of great joy to them. Their next object was to dig through the ice on the outside of the vessel, to the holes that had been cut for the purpose of sink- ing her. They succeeded in this operation; and, through the lowest of these, a considerable quantity of water flowed out. The holes were then prevented from admitting any more water, by havinir strono: boards nailed on the outside. Five days afterwards the weather became much warmer than it had been. The water in the hold of the vessel tended to thaw the ice; and, by means of pjmps, it was gradually cleared. Several butts of beer, one of cider, and another of wine, M'ere found perfectly sound and 84 VOYAGE OF CAPTAIN J MES. good; as well as many barrels of salt beef and pork. A con;5id- erable store of shoes and clothing was now also found. These, when dried, were peculiarly acceptable. But it was a subject ol sincere rejoicing, that, on examination of the vessel, no defect could be perceived in her; and sanguine hopes began to be en- tertained that she might still prove capable of performing the re- mainder of the voyage. Not long after this, the rudder wag discovered and got up from beneath the ice. The carpenter now died. He had been a man beloved by the whole crew, and, with the most exemplary patience, had endured a long illness, in the course of which, with great exertion, he had completed all the most difficult parts of the pinnace. Thus, al- though he was deeply lamented by his comrades, the loss of him was not so severely felt as it might otherwise have been. At this time nearly the whole of the crew were disabled, by illness, from working; nor did any of them recover until after the commence- ment of the v/arm weather. From the elevated parts of the land, the open water was first seen on the nineteenth of June. Four days afterwards the pro- visions and other articles that were ashore, were carried onboard. A cross was next erected: the king and queen's picture were tied to the top of it; and the island v/as named Charlton Island. The rigging of the ship was nov/ set. On the thirteenth, the sea was clear of ice; and on the second of July, after the captain and his crew had all devoutly paid thanksgiving to the Almighty for their providential deliverance, they weighed anchor, and pro- ceeded on their voyage. Still, however, though in the open sea, they suffered great in- convenience from the beating of the floatincr ice against the ship. On the twenty-second of July, they again passed Cape Henrietta Maria. The ship had now become so leaky, that, for some time, it was found difficult to keep her clear of water by the pumps. After almost incredible exertions, they made their way northward, according to their estimate, as far as 69 deg. 35 minutes, when at length they came to an impenetrable mass of ice. It was the opinion of the whole crew, that in the present condition of the ship, the autumn now fast approaching, it would not only be imprudent, but wliolly impracticable, to make any further attempt to discover the hoped for passage of the sea to the north-west. The captain, therefore, with a sorrowful heart, consented to relinquish his ob- ject: and, on the twenty-sixth of August, determined on returning to England. In his passage homeward, the vessel encountered many difficulties from contrary winds and stormy weather; but, at Icngtli, safely arrived at the mouth of the Severn, on the twenty Bfcond October, 1632. THE pirate's 7'REASURE. 85 THE PIRATE'S TREASURE. After many months of anxious and painful expectanc) , 1 al length succeeded in obtaining my appointment to the situation 1 had so ardently wished for. Despairing at my apparent want of success, I had given up ail hopes, and had engaged to go servant in the Clydesdale to the East Indies, when the favorable result of my friend's exertions changed the aspect of my affairs. JSly instructions set forth the necessity of my being at Surinam by a certain day, otherwise I should be too late to join the corps to which I was appointed, which, on the ceding up of the place to the Dutch, was to proceed to Canada. As it wanted only two months of that period, it became necessary to inquire for some vessel without loss of time. Giving up my engagement with the Clydes- dale, I proceeded to the harbor, and after a toilsome search, suc- ceeded in discovering a ship chartered by a Glasgow company lying ready at the west quay, and to sail with that evening's tide. VVhile I stood examining the vessel from the pier, two sailors, who seemed to be roaming idly about, stopped, and began to converse by my side. ^'Has the old Dart got all her hands, Tom!" said the one, ''that she has her ensign up for sailing? They say she is sold to tl/C lubberly Dutchmen now — what cheer to lend her a hand out, and get our sailing-penny for agidss of grog?" "No, no; bad cheer!" replied the other; ''mayhap I didn't tell you that I made a trip in her four years ago; and a cleaner or livelier thing is not on the water! But there is a limb of the bior devil in her that is enouo;h to cause her to sink to the bottom. It was in our voyage out that he did for Bill Burnet with the pump sounding-rod, because the little fellow snivelled a bit, and was not handy to jump when he was ordered aloft to set the fore-royal. It was his first voyage, and the boy was mortal afraid to venture; but the Captain swore he would make him, and in his passion took him a rap with the iron-rod, and killed him. When he saw what he had done, he lifted, and hove him over the side; and many a long day the men wondered what had become of little Bill, for they were all below at dinner, and none but myself saw the transaction. It was need- less for me to complain, and get him overhauled, as there were no witnesses; but I left the ship, and births would be scarce before 1 would sail with him again." Knowing what tyrants shipmasters are in general, and how much their passengers' comfort depends on them, I was somewliat istariled by this piece of information respecting the temper of the man I proposed to sail with. But necessity has no law! The cir- cunr.fitance probably was much misrepresented, and, from a simple a 8t» TIT. PIRATE S TREASURE. act of discipline exaggerated to an act of wanton cruelty. But be that as it might — my affairs were urgent. There w^as no other vessel for the same port — -I must either take my passage, or run the risk of being superseded. The thing was not to be thought of; so I went and secured my birth. As my preparations were few and trifling, I had everything arranged, and on board, just as the vessel was unmooring from the quay. During the night we got down to the Clock light-house, and stood off and on, waiting for the Captain, who had remained behind to get the ship cleared out at the Custom house. Soon afterwards he joined us, and the pilot leaving us in the return-boat, we stood down the Forth under all our canvass. For four weeks we had a quick and pleasant passage. The Dart did not belie her name; for, being American-built, and origi- nally a privateer, she sailed uncommonly fast, generally running at the rate of twelve knots an hour. As I had expected. Captain Mahone proved to be, in point of acquirements, not at all above the common run of shipmasters. He was haughty and overbearing, domineered over the crcAV with a high hand; in return for which, he was evidently feared and de- tested by them all. He had been many years in the West Indies; part of which time he had ranged as commander of a privateer, and had, between the fervid suns of such high latitudes and the copious use of grog, become of a rich mahogany color, or something be- tween Vermillion and the tint of a sheet of new copper. He was a middle-sized man; square built, with a powerful muscular frame. His aspect naturally harsh and forbidding, was rendered more so by the sinister expression of his left eye, which had been nearly forced out by some accident — and the lineaments of his countenance expressed plainly that he was passionate and furious in the ex- treme. In consequence of this, I kept rather distant and aloof; and, except at meals, we seldom exchanged more than ordinary civilities. By our reckoning, our ship had now got into the latitude of the Bermudas, when one evening, at sun-set, the wind, which had hitherto been ffxvorable, fell at once into a dead calm. The day had been clear and bright; but now, huge masses of dark and conical-shaped clouds began to tower over each other in the west- ern horizon, which, being tinged with the rays of the sun, dis- played that lurid and deep brassy tint so well known to mariners as the token of an ap{)roaching storm. All the sailors were of oj)inion that we should have a coarse night; and every precaution that good seamanship could suggest was taken to make the vessel snug before the gale came on. The oldest boys were sent up to hanrl and send down the royal and top-gallant sails, and strike the masts, while the top-sai^ls and stays were close-reefed. These j)reparations were hardly accomplished, when the wind shifted, and took us a-back with such violence as nearly to capsize the THE pirate's treasure. 87 vessel. The ship was put round as soon as possible, and brought too till the gale should fall: while all hands remained on deck in case of any emergency. About ten, in the interval of a squall, we heard a gun firer^ as a signal of distress. The night was as l)lack as pitch: but the Hash showed us that the stranger was not far to leeward: so, to avoid drifting on the wreck during the darkness, the main-top-srd was braced round, and filled, and the ship haul- ed to windward. In this manner we kept altcrnatel)^ beating and heaving-to as the gale rose or fell till the morning broke, when, through the haze, we perceived a small vessel with her masts car- ried away. As the v^ind had taken off, the Captain had gv ne to bed: so it wis the mate's watch on deck. The steersman, an old gray-headed seaman, named James Gemmel, proposed to bear down and save the people, saying he had been twice wrecked himself, and knew what it was to be in such a situation. As the Captain was below, the mate was irresolute v/hat to do; being aware that the success of the speculation depended on their get- ting to Surinam before it was given up: however, he was at length persuaded — the helm was put up, and the shsp bore away. As we neared the wreck, and were standing by the mizzen shrouds with our glasses, the Captain came up from the cabin. He looked uo with astonishment to the sails, and the direction of the vessel's head, and, in a voice of suppressed passion, said, as he turned to the mate, ''What is the meaning of this, Mr. Wyllie? Who has dared to alter the ship's course without my leave — when you know very well that we shall hardly be in time for the market, use v/hat expedition we may.^" The young man was confused by this unexpected challenge, and stammered out something about Gemmel having persuaded him. "It was me, sir!" respectfully interfered the old sailor, wishing to avert the storm from the mate; "I thought you wouldn't have the heart to leave the wreck and these people to perish, without lending a hand to save them. We should be neither Christians nor true seamen to desert her, and " "Damn you and the wreck, you old canting rascal! do you pretend to stand there and preach to me?" thundered the Captain, his fury breaking out, "I'll teach you to disobey my orders! — I'll give you something to think of!" and seizing a capstan-spar which lay near him, he hurled it at the steersman with all his might. The blow was effectual — one end of it struck him across the head with such force as to sweep him in an instant from his station at the wheel, and to dash him with violence against the lee-bulwarks, where he lay bleeding, and motionless. " Take that, and be damned!" exclaimed the wretch, as he took the helm, and sang out to the men, — "Stand by sheets, and braces — hard a-lce — let go!" In a twinkling the yards w^ere braced round, ana the Dart, laid within six points of the wind, was flying through the water. Meanwhile Gemmel was lying without any one daring to assist 53 THE PIRATE S TREASURE him; for the crew were so confounded th^t they seemed quite un determined how to act. I stepped to him, therefore, and the mate following my example, we lifted him up. As there was no ap- pearance of respiration, I placed my hand on his heart — but pul- sation had entirely ceased — the old man was dead. The bar had struck him directly on the temporal bone, and had completely frac- tured that part of the skull. *' He is a murdered man, Captain Mahone !" said I, laying dowB the body, '^murdered without cause or provocation.'' " None of your remarks, Sir!" he retorted; ''what the devil have you to do with it. ^ Do you mean to stir up my men to mutiny? Or do you call disobeying my orders no provocation.^ I'll answer it lo those who have a right to ask; but till then, let me see the man who dare open his mouth to me in this ship." "I promise you," re- turned I, "that though you rule and tyrannise here at present, your power shall have a termination, and you shall be called to account for your conduct in this day's work — rest assured that this blood shall be requ.red at your hands, though you have hitherto escaped punishment for what has stained them already." This allusion to the murder of little Bill Burnet seemed to stagger him considera- bly — he stopped short before me, and, while his face grew black with suppressed wrath and fury, whispered, ''I warn you again, young man! to busy yourself with your own matters — meddle no^ with what does not concern you; and belay your slack jaw, or, by ! Rink Mahone will find a way to make it fast for you!'* He then turned round, and walked forward to the forecastle. During this affray no attention had been paid to the wreck, though the crew had set up a yell of despair on seeing us leave them. Signals and shouts were still repeated, and a voice, loud- er in agony than the rest, implored our help for the love of the blessed Virgin; and offered riches and absolution to the whole ship's company if they would but come back. The Captain was pacing fore and aft without appearing to mind them, when, as if struck with some sudden thought, he lifted his glass to his eye — seemed to hesitate — walked on — and then, all at once changing his mind, he ordered the vessel again before the wind. On speaking the wreck, she proved to be a Spanish felucca from the island of Cuba, bound for Curacoa, on the coast of the Caraccas. As they had lost their boats in the storm, and could not leave their vessel, our Captain lowered and manned our jolly- boat, and went ofl'to them. After an abscmce of some hours he returned with the passengers, consisting of an elderly person in the garb of a catholic priest, a sick f.rentl(nian, a young lady, apparently daughter of the latter, and a female black slave. With the utmost difficulty, and writhing under some excruciating pain, the invalid was got on board and carried down to the cabin, where he was laid on a bed on the floor. To the tender of my professional services the invalid returned hii» THE pirate's treasure. 3^ ihanks, and would have declined them, expressing his conviction Df being past human aid, but the young lady, eagerly catching at even a remote hope of success, implored him with tears to accept my offer. On examination I found his fears were but too well grounded. In his endeavors to assist the crew during the gale he had been standing near the mast, part of which, or the rigging, having fallen on him, had dislocated several of his ribs, and injur- ed his spine beyond remedy. All that could now be done was to afford a little temporary relief from pain, which I did; and leaving him to the care of the young lady and the priest, I left the cabin. On deck I found all bustle and confusion. The ship was still lying-to, and the boats employed in bringing the goods out of the felucca, both of which were the property of the wounded gentle- man. The body of the old man, Gemmel, had been removed some- where out of sight; no trace of blood was visible, and Captain Mahone seemed desirous to banish all recollections both of our quarrel and its origin. As the invalid was lying in the cabin, and my state-room was oc- cupied by the lady and her female attendant, I got a temporary birth in the steerage made up for myself for the night. I had not long thrown myself down on my cot, which was only divided from the main-cabin by a bulk-head, when I was awakened by the deep groans of the Spaniard. The violence of his pain had again re- turned, and between the spasms I heard the weeping and gentle voice of the lady soothing his agony, and trying^ to impart hopes and prospects to him, which her own hysterical sobs told plainly she did not herself feel. The priest also frequently joined, and urged him to confess. To this advice lie remained silent for awhile ; but at length he addressed the lady: "The Padre says true, Isabella! Time wears apace, and I feel that I shall soon be be- yond its limits, and above its concerns! But ere I go, I would say that which it would impart peace to my mind to disclose — I would seek to leave you at least one human being to befriend and protect you in your utter helplessness. Alas! that Diego di Mon- taldo's daughter should ever be thus destitute! Go! my love! I would be alone a little while with the father." An agony of tears and sobs was the only return made by the poor girl, while the priest with gentle violence led her into the state-room. "Now," continued the dying man, "listen to me while I have Btrength. You have only known me as a merchant m Cuba; but ^uch I have not been always. IMine is an ancient and noble fajnily in Catalonia; though I unhappily disgraced it, and have been estrano;ed from it lono-. I had the misfortune to have weak and indulgent parents, who idolized me as the heir of their house, and did not possess resolution enough to thwart me in any of my wishes or desires, however unreasonable. My boyhood being hus spoiled, it is no matter of wonder that my youth should have 8* fO THE PIRATE S TREASURE. proved wilc and dissolute. My companioDS were as dissipated as myself, and much of our time was spent in gambling and other extravagances. One evening at play, I quarrelled with a young nobleman of high rank and influence; we were both of us hot and passionate, so we drew on the spot and fought, and I had the misfortune to run him through the heart and leave him dead. Not daring to remain longer at home, I fled in disguise to Barcelona^ where I procured a passage in a vessel for the Spanish Main. On our voyage we were taken by buccaneers; and, the roving and venturous mode of life of these bold and daring men suiting both my inclination and finances, I agreed to make one of their number. For many months we were successful in our enterprises: we ranged the whole of these seas, and made a number of prizes, some of v/hich were rich ships of our own colonies. In course of time we amassed such a quantity of specie as to make us un- willing to venture it in one bottom; so we agreed to hide it ashore and divide ii on our return from our next expedition. But our good fortune forsook us this time. During a calm the boats of the Guarda-iiosta came on us, overpov/ered the ship, and made ail the crew, except myself and two others, prisoners. We es- caped with our boat, and succeeded in gaining the island of Cuba, where both of my comrades died of their wounds. Subsequent events induced me to settle at St. Juan de Buenavista, where I married, and, as a merchant, prospered and became a rich man. But my happiness lasted not! My wite caught the yellow fever and died, leaving me only this one child. I now loathed the scene of my departed happiness, and felt all the longings of an exile to revisit my native country. For this purpose I converted all my effects into money; and am thus far on my way to the hidden treasure, with which I intended to return to Spain. But the green hills of Catalonia will never more gladden mine eyes! My hopes and wishes were only for my poor girl. Holy father! you know not a parent's feelings — its anxieties and its fears! The thoughts of leaving my child to the mercy of strangers; or, it may be, to their barbarities, in this lawless country, is far more dread- ful than the anguish of my personal sufferings. With you rests my only hope. Promise me yo-ir protection towards her, and the half of all my wealth is yours." "Fartldy treasures,*' replied the priest, * 'avail not with one whoso desires are fixed beyond the little handful of dust which pcrisheth — my Vii'a is devoted to the service of my Creator; and the conversion of ignorant men, men who have never heard of his Balvation. On an errand of mercy came I to this land; and if the heathen receive it, how much more a daughter of our most holy church? I, therefore, in behalf of our community, accept of your offer, and swear on this blessed emblem to fulfil all your wishes to the best of my poor abilities." '*Knough,enough!"said Montaldo, ' 'I am satisfied' Amongthaf THE pirate's treasure. 91 archipelago of desert islands, known by the name of the Roccas, situated on the coast of the province of Venezuela, in New Gra- nada, there is one called the Wolf-rock: it is the longest and most northern of the group, and lies the most to seaward. At the eastern point, which runs a little way into the sea, there stands an old vanilla, blasted and withered, and retaining but a single solitary branch. On the eve of the festival of St. Jago the moon will be at her full in the west. At twenty minutes past midnight she will attain to her highest latitude in the heavens, and then the shadow of the tree will be thrown due east. Watch till the branch and stem unite and form only one line of shade — mark its extrem- ity — for there, ten feet below the surface, the cask containing the gold is buried. That gold, father, was sinfully got; but fasts and penances have been done, masses without number have been said, and I trust that the blessed Virgin has interceded for the forgive- ness of that great wickedness! I have now confessed all, and confide in your promise; and as you perform your oath, so will the blessing or curse of a dying man abide with you. I teel faint, dying Oh! let me clasp my child once more to my heart before I ' Here the rest of the sentence became indistinct from the death- rattle in his throat. I leaped off my cot, and sprang up the hatch* way, and had my foot on the top of the companion-ladder, when a piercing shriek from below making me quicken my steps, I missed my hold, and fell on some person stationed on the outside of the cabin door. The person, without uttering a single word, rose and ascended the steps; but as he emerged into the faint light which still lingered in the horizon, I fancied that I could distin- guish him to be the Captain. On my entering, I found the Span- iard dead, and his daughter lying in a state of insensibility by his side; while the female slave was howling and tearing her hair like one in a frenzy. The priest was entirely absorbed in his de- votions; so, without disturbing him, I lifted the lady and bore her into the state-room. The greater part of the night was passed in trying to restore her to sensation. Fit after fit followed each other in such quick succession that I began to apprehend the re- sult; but at length the hysterical paroxysm subsided, and tears coming to her relief, she became somewhat com.posed, when 1 left her in charge of her attendant. The next day was spent in taking out the remahider of the felucca's cargo. There seemed now no anxiety on the caj)tain's part to proceed on his voyage — he appeared to have forgot the necessity, expressed on a former occasion, of being in port within a limited time. He was often in a state of inebriety ; for the wine and spirits of the Spaniards were lavishly served out to the whole «ihip's company,, with whom he also mixed more; and banished hat hauiditiness of bearinfj which had marked his conduct hith erto B2 THE PIRATE S TREASURE. In the evening the body of JL^c^n Diego was brought upon deck^ where his crew, under the superintendence of the priest, prepared il for its commitment to the deep. The corpse was, as is usual in such cases, wrapped up in the blankets and sheets in which it had lain, and a white napkin was tied over the face and head In its right hand, which v/as crossed over the breast, was placed a gold doubloon. Its left held a small bag containing a book, a hammer, and a candle, while on the bosom was laid the liltlft crucifix worn by the deceased. It was next enveloped in a ham- mock, with a couple of eight-pound shots, and a bag of ballast at the feet to sink it. At midnight the vessel was hove-to, and all the ship's company assembled at the lee-gangway. The Span- iards and negroes bore each a burning torch in his hand; the blaze of which, as they held them elevated above their heads, cast a strange and fearful light through the deep darkness, and illum- ined the ocean far and wide with a supernatural reful^oncy When all was ready, the priest, accompanied by Isabella, came up from the cabin, and the Spaniards lifting up the body, carried it forward to the waist, where one of the ship's gratings had been put projecting over the side, and on this the corpse was laid, and its feet to the water. Around this the torch-bearers formed a circle, and the priest, standing at the head, began the funeral service for the dead at sea. The wind had now subsided into a gentle breeze; and nothing disturbed the profound silence of the crew during mass, save the slight splashing of the waves against the windward side of ih.e ship, and the deep drawn, con- vulsive sobs of the young lady as she stood, enveloped in the mantillo, in the obscurity of the main-rigging. Mass being con- cluded, the priest solemnly chanted the funeral anthem: — "May the angels conduct thee into Paradise; may the martyrs receive thee at thy coming; and mayest thou have eternal rest with Laz- arus, who v/as formerly poor!" He then sprinkled the body with holy water and continued: — '' As it hath pleased God to take the soul of our dear brother Lere departed unto himself, we therefore, commit his body to the deep, in the sure and ceitain hope of a joyful resurrection on that day when the sea shall give up its dead. Let him rest in peace!" The Spaniards responded '* Amen!" and the priest repeating, ''IMay his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace — Amen!" made the sign of the cross; and the bow-chaser j which had been loaded and made ready for the occasion, firing, (he end of the grating was gently elevated, and the corpse heavily plunged into the water. The waves parted, heaving and foaming round the body as it disappeared, — when to our horror and aston- ishment we beheld it, the next minute, slowly return to the surface, deprived of the canvass covering in which it had been sewed The dead man came up as he had gone down, in an upright posi- tion, and floated a little time with his back to the vessel; but the THE pirate's treasure. 93 motion of the water turned him round by degrees till we G'^istincilv sav/ his face. The head was thrown back, and the eyes wide open; and under the strong stream of light poured on them from the torches, they seemed to glare ghastly and fearfully upwards His gray hairs, long and dishevelled, floated about his face, a\ times partially obscuring it; and one arm, stretched forth, anc agitated by the action of the waves, appeared as if in the aci of threatening us. When the first burst of horror had subsided, 1 caught hold of Isabella to prevent her seeing the body, and was leading her ofT, when some of the men, lowering their torches from the main-chains, whispered that it v/as the murdered man, old James Gemmel. The Captain had been hitherto looking on with the rest without having apparently recognised him; but wheu the name struck his ear, he shrunk back and involuntarily ex- claimed, *'it's a lie — it's an infamous lie! Who dares to say he was murdered.^ He went overboard two days ago? Bu don't let him come on board: for God's sake keep him down, or he'll tafke us all with him to the bottom. Will nobody keep him down.'' Will nobody shove him off .^ Helm a-lee !" he bawled out, waving to the steersman; but the man had deserted his post, eager to see what was going on; he, therefore, ran to the wheel himself, and again issued his commands, " Let go the main top-sail weath- er braces, and bring round the yard! Let them go, I say!" His orders were speedily executed. The vessel gathered way, and we quickly shot past the body of the old man. For several days after this, we pursued our course with a fa- v^orable wind, which drove us swiftly forward on our voyage. The Captain now kept himself constantly intoxicated, seldom made his appearance in the cabin, but left us altogether to the care of the steward. All subordination was now at an end — his whole time was spent among the seamen, with whom he mixed familiarly, and was addressed by them without the slightest portion of that respect or deference commonly paid to the Captain of the vessel. The appearance of the men, also, was much altered. From the careless mirth and gaiety and the characteristic good humor of sailors, there was now a sullenness and gloom only vis- ible. A constant whispering — a constant caballing was going on — a perpetual discussion, as if some design of moment was in agitation, or some step of deep importance was about to be taken. All sociality and confidence towards each other were banished. In place; of conversing together in a body, as formerly, they now walked about in detached parties, and among them the boatswain and carpenter seemed to take an active lead. Yet, in the midst of all this disorder, a few of our own crew kept themselves sepa- rate, taking no share in the general consultation; hut from the anxiety exi;)resscd in their coimtenances, as well as in that of the mate, I foresaw some storm was brooding, and about to burst on '>ur heads. 94 THE PIRATE S TREASURE. Since Montaldo's death, Isabella had been in the habit of leav- ing her cabin after sun-set, to enjoy the coolness of the evening breeze; and in this she was sometimes joined by the priest, but more frequently was only attended by her slave. One evening she came up as usual, and after walking back and forward on deck till the dews began to fall, she turned to go below: but just as we approached the companion-way, one of the negroes, who now, in the absence of all discipline, lounged about the quarter- deck without rebuke, shut down the head, and throwing himself on it, declared that none should make him rise without the reward of a kiss. This piece of insolence w^as received with an encour- aging laugh by his fellows, and several slang expressions of w^ii were uttered, which were loudly applauded by those around. Without a w^ord of remonstrance, Isabella timidly stooped, and would have attempted getting down the ladder without disturbing the slave; when, burning w^ith indignation, I siezed the rascal by the collar, and pitched him head foremast along the deck. In an instant he got on his legs, and pulling a long clasp-knife Otit of his pocket, with a loud imprecation he made towards me. All the other negroes likewise made a motion to assist him, and I expected to be assailed on all hands, when the mate interfered, and laying hold of the marlin-spike, which I had caught up to defend myself, pushed me back, as he wliispered, ''Are you mad, that you interfere? For heaven's sake, keep quiet, for I have no authority over the crew now!" And he spoke the truth; for the negro, brandishing his knife, and supported by his comrades, w^as again advancing, when the hoarse voice of the boatswain, as he ran to the scene of action, arrested his progress. *' Hallo! you there, what's the squall for? Avast, avast, Mingo off hands is fair play — ship that blade of yours, or I'll send my fist through your ribs, and make day-light shine through them in a minute." I related the behavior of the negro, and was request- ing him to order the slaves forward, when I was cut short with — " There are no slaves here, young man! we are all alike free in a British ship. But damn his eyes for an insolent son of a ; he pretend to kiss the pretty girl! I'll let him know she belongs to his betters! The black wench is good enough for him any day. Come, my dear!" he continued, turning to Isabella, "give me the same hire, and I'll undertake to clear the way for you myself." He made as if he meant to approach her, when, careless of what the consequences might be to myself, I hastily stepped forward, and lifting up the head of the companion, Isabella in an instant darted below. '' This lady is no fit subject either for wit or inso- lence," said I, shutting the doors, "and he is less than man who would insult an unprotected female." For a little v/hile he stood eyeing me as if hesitating whether he would resent my interfer- ence, or remain passive; at length he turned slowly and dogged- y away as he uttered — " you rulfle big, and crow with a brisii note. THE pirate's treasure. 96 my lad! But IVe seen me do as wonderful a thing as twist /our windjjipe and send you over the side to cool yourself a bit; and so I would serve you in the turning of a wave, if it wasn't thaj; we may have use for you yet! I see in what quarter the wind sets; but mind your eye! for sink me if I dont keep a sharp look out ahead over you." 1 now saw that things had come to a crisis — tha^ he crew meant to turn pirates; and I was to be detained among them for the sake of my professional services. I could not, without a shud- der, reflect on v/hat must be the fate of Isabella among such a gang of reckless villains: but I firmly resolved that, come what might, my protection and care over her should cease but with my life, To be prepared for the v/orst, I immediately went below, load- ed my pistols, and concealed them in my breast, securing at the same time all my money and papers about my person. While thus employed, one of the cabin-boys came down for a spy-glass, saying that a sail had hove in sight to windward. Upon this I fol- lowed him up, and found the crew collected together in clamor- ous consultation as to the course they should follow. Some were for lying-to till she came down, and taking her, if a merchantman; and if not, they could easily sheer off — but this motion was over- ruled by the majority, who judged it best to keep clear for fear of accidents: accordingly all the spare canvas v/as set, and we were soon gaining large before the wind. But the Dart, though reckon- ed the first sailor out of Clyde when close hauled on a wind, was oy no means so fleet when squared away and going free: she had now met with her match, for the stranger was evidently gaining rapidly on us, and in two hours we saw it was impossible for us to escape. The priest and I were ordered down with a threat of instant death if we offered to come on deck, or make any attempt to attract observation. I now communicated to Isabella my apprehensions with respect to the crew, along with my resolution to leave the vessel if the other proved a man-of-war, and earnestly advised both her and the priest to take advantage of it also. She thanked me with a look and smile that told me how sensible she was of the interest I felt in her welfare, and expressed her willingness to be guided by me whatever way I thought best. Shortly after this we heard a gun fired to bring us to, Jind the Dart hailed and questioned as to her port and destination. The answers, it appeared, were thought evasive and unsatisfactory, for we were ordered to come close under the lee-quarter of his ]Ma- jesty's sloop of war Tartar, while they sent to examine our papers. This was now our only chance, and I resolved, that if the oflicer should not come below, I would force the companion-door ana claim his protection. But I was not put to this alternative. Ag soon as he arrived, I heard him desire the hatches to he taken off, and order h's men to examiuc the hold. The inspection did not 96 THE pirate's treasure. satisfy him; for he hailed the sloop, and reported that ther< were Spanish goods on board which did not appear in the manifest: — " Th,en remain on board, and keep your stern lights burning all night, and take charge of the ship!" v/as the reply. In a state of irksome suspense we remained nearly two hours, expecting every minute to hear the officer descending. At length, to our relief, the companion-doors were unlocked, and a young man, attended by our captain, entered the cabin. He looked surprised on seeing us, and bowing to Isabella, apologized for intruding at such an unseasonable hour. " But I was not given to understand," he ad- ded, " that there were passengers in the ship — prisoners I should rather pronounce it, Mr Mahone, for you seem to have had them under lock and key, which is rather an unusual mode of treating ladies at least. JNo wine, sirl" he continued, motioning away the bottles which the Captain was hastily placing on the table — 'Sio wine, but be pleased to show me your register and bill of lading." He had not been long seated to inspect them when a shuffling and hurried sound of feet was heard overhead, and a voice calling on Mr. DulT for assistance, showed thht some scuffle had taken place above. Instantaneously we all started to our feet, and the lieutenant was in the act of drawing his sword, when, accidentally looking round, I observed Mahone presenting a pistol behind. With a cry of warning, I threw myself forward, and had just time to strike the weapon slightly aside, when it went off. The ball narrowly missed the head of Duff, for whom it had been aimed, but struck the priest immediately over the right eye, who, making one desperate and convulsive leap as high as the ceiling, sunk down dead, and before the Captain could pull out another, I discharged the contents of mine into his breast. We then rushed upon deck; but it was only to find the boat's crew had been mas- tered, and to behold the last of the men tumbled overboard. The pirates then dispersed, and exerted themselves to get the ship speedily under-way; while the boatswain sang out to extinguish the lanterns, that the Tartar might not be guided by the lights. ''It's all over with us!" exclaimed my companion; ''but follow me — we have one chance for our lives yet. Our boat is still tow- ing astern; do you throw yourself over, and swim till I slide down the painter, and cut her adrift. Come, bear a hand, and jump! don't you see them hastening aft?" And in an instant he pitched himself off the taffrel, slid down the rope which held the boat, and cast her loose. But this advice however judicious, it was impos- sible for me to follow — for, at the moment, repeated shrieks from Isabella put to flight all thoughts for my own individual safety; I, therefore, hurried back to the cabin, determined, that if I could not rescue her along with myself, to remain, and protect her with my life. And in a happy time I arrived! The candles were etill burning on the table; and through the smoke of the pistols, which still filled the cabin, I beheld her struggling in the arms of riiE pirate's treasure 97 ft negro — the identical slave who had displayed such insolence in the early part of the evening. With one stroke of the butend of my pistol I fractured the cursed villain's scull — caught up Isabella in my arms — ran up the ladder, and had nearly gained the side when the boatswain, attracted by her white garments, left the helm to intercept me — and I saw the gleam of his uplifted cutlass on the point of descending, when he was suddenly struck down by some person from behind. I did not stop to discover who had done me this good office, but hailing Duff, and clasping Isabella firmly to my heart, I plunged into the water, followed by my un- known ally. With the aid of my companion, whom I now found to be John Wyllie, the mate, we easily managed to support our charge till the boat reached us; when we found that the greater part of the men had been rescued in a similar manner. When the morning dawned, we perceived the Dart, like a speck in the horizon, and the sloop of war in close chase. Our atten- tion was next turned to our own situation, which was by no means enviable: we had escaped, it is true, with our lives, for the present; but without a morsel of food, or a single drop of fresh water, with us in the boat; we could, at best, only expect to protract existence for a few days longer, and then yield it up ultimately in horror and misery. By an observation taken the day before, on board of the Tartar, Mr. Duff informed us we were to the north-east of the Bahamas; and distant about one hundred and seventy miles from Walling 's Island, which was the nearest land. This was a long distance; but, as despair never enters the breast of a British sailor, even in. situations of the utmost extremity, w^e cheered up each other; and, as no other resource was left us, we manned our oars, and pulled away w^th life, trusting in the chance of meeting with some vessel, of which there was a strong probability, as this was the common course of the leeward traders. And our hopes v/ere not disappointed! for next day we fortunately fell in with a brig from the Azores, bound for Porto Rico, on board of which we were received with much kindness; and, in five days, we found ourselves safe moored in Porto-real harbor. My first step on landing was to inq^uire for a boarding-house for Isabella, and I had the good luck to be directed to one kept by a respectable Scotch family, in Orange Terrace, and to this I con- ducted her. My next transaction was to charter a small cutter; and to communicate to Duff the secret of the hidden treasure; at the same time asking him to adventure himself and his men on its recovery. I also gave him to understand the probability of a renconter with the pirates, in the event of their having escaped the sloop, for I was aware that IMahone had overheard the whole confession, from my finding him listening at the cabin door. Without hesitation, the lieutenant at once agreed to accompany me, and engaging some hands out of a vessel newly arrived, we soon mustered a partv of fourteen men. As it wanted only s»x 98 THE pirate's treasure. days of the festival of St. Jago, and the distance across the Carib» bean sea was great enough to require all our exertions to be there in time, we embarked and sailed that very night. Our cutter proved a prime sailer — and though the winds were light and variable, by the help of our sweeps we made the Hocca^ on the evening!: of the sixth day. As the Spaniard had foretold, the moon was climbing the western sky, and pouring the fulness of her splendor with a mild and beautiful effulgence on the un- troubled deep, as we slowly drifted with the current between the Wolf-rock and the adjacent isle. All was silent and calm over the whole desert of the Archipelago and the vast surrounding waters, save now and then the sudden flight of a sea-fowl awakening from its slumbers as we passed; or the occasional roar of the jaguar faintly wafted from the main land. We ran the cutter into a deep and narrow creek; moored her safe, and proceeded, well armed, to the eastern extremity. There we found the projecting point of land, and the old vanilla tree exactly in the situation des- cribed — its huge, twisted trunk was still entire; and from the end of its solitary branch, which was graced by a few scattered leaves, the body of a man in the garb of a sailor hung suspended in irons. The clothes had preserved the body from the birds of prey, but the head was picked clean and bare, leaving the eyeless and bleached skull to glitter white in the moonlight. In perfect silence, and with something of awe in our spirits impressed by the solitude, and dreariness of the scene, we seated ourselves on the rocks, and, with my timepiece in my hand, I began to mark the progress of the sliadov/. For nearly three hours we watched in this manner, listening attentively for the slightest sound from sea-ward; but every thing continued hushed and still, except the creaking of the chain as the dead manswang to and fro in the breeze. Midnight was now drawing near — the moon, radiant and full, was careermg high through the deep blue of heaven, and the shadows of the branch and siem were approaching each other, and towards ^he desired point. At length the hand of my timepiece pointed to witiiin one minute of the time. It passed over. The branch nnd stem now merged into one, and threw their shadow due east; and the (irst spade-full of earth had been thrown out, when the man who had been stationed to keep a look out came running to inform us that a boat was ra^pidly approaching from the east. We im- mediately concluded that they must be a part of the Dart's crew; and their long and vigorous strokes, as thev stretched out to tne full extent of their oars, showed that they \iiev/ the importance of (;vcry minute that elapsed. Our implements for digging were hastily laid aside, and we concealed ourselves amr^ng the rocks till they should come witliin reach. In a short time the boat was seon ashore, and eight armed men came forward, partly Spaniards and |}artly the ship's crew; among whom T recognised the boat swain, and, to my surprise, Ma-hone, whom I had shot and left for THE PIRATE S TREASURE. 91^ dead in the cabin. Without giving them time to prepare for the assault, we quitted our shelter, and sprung among them at once, laying abou with our cutlasses. For a little space the skirmish wastoughly and hotly contested; for the pirates were resolute and reckless, and fought with the desperation of men who knew that the only chance for their lives lay in their own exertions. In the confusion of the fray I had lost sight of Duff, and was closely engaged with one of the Span- iards, when the voice of the boatswain shouting forth a horrible imprecation sounded immediately behind me. I turned round, and sprung aside from the sweep of his cutlass, and, as my pistols were both empty, retreated, acting on the defensive; when he pulled out his, fired, and hurled the weapon at my head. The shot passed without injuring me — but the pistol, aimed with better ef- fect, struck me full in the forehead. A thousand sparks of light flashed from my eyes — I felt myself reeling, and on the point of falling, when a cut across the shoulder stretched me at once on the ground. When I recovered from my stupor, and opened my eyes, the mornins: was far advanced — the sun was shininir britrht over head; and I found myself at sea, lying on the deck of the cutter,* and Duff busily engaged in examining my wounds. From him I learned that the pirates had been mastered after a severe conflict — in which four had been slain, and left on the island; two had escaped unobserved during the fight, and made off with tlicir boat; and two had been wounded, and were prisoners on board, one of whom was INIahone. On our arrival at Porto Rico, we delivered them over to the civil power; and, soon afterwards, Mahone wag iOO MISSIONARIES IN GREENLAND. tried for the murder of the priest, when he was convicted on o'l evidence, condemned, and executed. Under good nursing, anc cave, I gradually recovered. Isabella is not now that destitute and unprotected orphan whom I first saw on the middle of the western ocean — but the happy mistress of a happy home, diffusing life and gladness on all around her. My friend Duff has lately been placed on the list of post captains, and is anxiously waiting for more bustling times, where there will be more knocking about, and more hard blows got, than what our present peace establishm.ent admits of John WyUie, too, has had advancement in his line, being now master of one of the finest ships from Clyde; and I had the additional satisfaction of knowing that none of the crew had reason tc regret their having jeopardized their lives in fighting for the ''Pirate's Treasure." MISSIONARIES IN GREENLAND. The hardships encountered by the early missionaries in Green- land were many and severe. The missionary Rudolph, in attempt- ing to return to Europe after devoting twenty-six years of his life to the cause of God in Greenland, experienced a very remarkable and merciful deliverance. On the 18th of June, he quitted Lich- tenau, in company with his wife, and in the evening embarked on a vessel which was lying off the Danish factory of Julianenhaab. The bay being nearly blocked up by drift-ice, they were detained here for several weeks; but, some Greenlanders having stated that the sea was open at a short distance, the captain weighed anchor on the 22d of August, though the wind was contrary, and vast bodies of ice were still within sight. For some time they advanced with a roaring noise and a most uneasy motion, through immense fields of ice; but, on the 25th, a storm arose from the south-west, which drove the mountains of ice close upon the ship, and appeared to menace immediate destruction. The scene was now truly tie- mcndous, and it appeared that the vessel, with her sails closely reefed, and driving before the wind must inevitably be dashed to atoms. At one time she struck upon a small rock; but was got off without receiving any particular damage; but soon afterwards, she struck with such violence against an immense field of ice, thai several planks started at once, the water rushed in, and the vessel fiHed so rapidly that the captain and the sailors had scarcely es- ca[)ed with their boats to an adjacent field of ice, when nothing moie appeared above the surface of the water thai the larboard gunwale. Our missionary and his wife were the last who wero MISSIONARIES IN GREENLAND. lOi taken from the wreck; cind, just before they quitted it, they were above their knees in water, and clinging firmly to the shrouds. The mariners were now anxious to make toward the shore, which was only about a league distant; but the large boat was so heavilj^ laden, and the wind was s ) high, that it was deemed more advisable to steer for the nearest island they could reach. This proved to be a rough pointed rock, and destitute of vegetation, exce[)t one small plot at a considerable height which was covered with short grass. — Here they attempted to land the provisions which had been saved from the vv^reck; but the waves beat with such fury against the rock, that the boats, with eight of the sailors on board, were driven to the opposite shore and appeared to be crushed in pieces. *' All our hopes of being saved," says Mr. Rudolph, " now van- ished; and the whole company gave vent to their feelings in loud and gerieral cries and lamentations. In the evening we lay down to rest, close to each other, without either tent or covering, and, as it continued to rain heavily during the whole of the night, the water rushed down upon us in torrents from the summit of the rock, and we were completely soaked in wet, lying as it were, in the midst of a pool." On the 21ih the captain and most of the sailors determined to attempt to reach the shore, by w^alking across the ice; though, as it was frequently necessary to leap from one mass to another, and a fall into any of the intermediate chasms would have been instant- ly fatal, this undertaking was extremely dangerous. Rudolph and the partner of his affections would v/illingly have joined them, but they were too much weakened by fatigue and want of food to allow of sucji an exertion. They were, therefore, compelled to remain, together with the ship's cook, who was in the same enfeebled sit- uation. The crew, however, promised that if they succeeded in reaching the shore, a boat should be sent to rescue them from their painful and perilous situation. Time now passed heavily indeed, with our missionary and his companions, who, when the sun shone, employed themselves in drying the few articles which they had been enabled to save from the wreck; but tiiey v/ere, at last, so enfeebled by cold and hun- ger, that even this little exertion proved too much for their ex- hausted strength. Day after day they looked witli inexpressible anxiety towards the land, with the hope of discovering some Green- lander hastening to their relief. On the 2d of September, as they were lying down to sleep, the wife of Rudolph happened to raise herself, and discovered so.me Greenianders, who had been rowing about in their kajaks the whole of the day without seeing any persons on the rock, and who were now proposing to return. From them the sufferers obtained a few herrings, but were obliged to remain on the rock another night, as the (Trcenlanders had no boat for their accommodation. The following veninji liowevor, they were safely conveyed to tho ' 9 * 102 DOLPHINS AND FLYING FISH. colony of Julianenhaaf, where they learned that the whole ship>^s company, with the exception of one man, had been providentially preserved; and on the llth they proceeded to the settlement at Lichtenau, where their miraculous deliverance afforded inexpres- sible pleasure to their feliov/ laborers and to the whole congrega- tion. — Here they passed the winter; and in the course of the following yea,r they removed to Lichtenfels, whence they sailed .n ono of the Danish vessels, to Copenhagen DOLPHINS AND FLYING FISH, Perhaps there is not any more characteristic evidence of our being within the tropical regions, — one, I mean, which strikes the imagination more forcibly, — than the company of those pictur- esque little animals, the flying-fish. It is true, that a stray one or two may sometimes be seen far north, making a few short skips out of the v/ater; and I even rem^ember seeing several close to the edge of the banks of Newfoundland, in latitude 45^. These, however, had been swept out of their natural position by the huge gulf-stream, an ocean in itself, which retains much of its tempera- ture far into the northern regions, and possibly helps to modify the climate over the Atlantic. But it is not until the voyager has fairly reached the heart of the torrid zone that he sees the flying- fish in perfection. No familiarity with the sight can ever render us indifferent to the graceful flight of these most interesting of all the finny, or, rather, winged tribe. On the contrary, like a bright day, or a smiling countenance, or good company of any kind, the more we see of them, the more we learn to value their presence. I have, indeed, hardly ever observed a person so dull, or unimag- inative, that his eye did not glisten as he watched a shoal, or, it may well be called, a covey of flying-fish rise from the sea, and skim along for several hundred yards. There is something in it so very peculiar, so totally dissimilar to every thing else in otlier parts of the world, that our wonder goes on increasing every time we sec even a single one take its flight. The incredulity, indeed, of the ohl Scotcii wife on this head is sufficiently excusable. ** You may hac seen rivers o' milk, and mountains o' sugar," said she to her son, returned from a voyage; " but you'll ne'er gar me believe you hae seen a fish that could flf;e !" We were once stealing along under the genial influence of a light breeze, which was as yet confined to the upper sails, and every one was looking ope ^mouthed to the eastward to catch a giil[) of ool air. when abo t a dozen flying-fish rose out of the DOLPHINS AND FLYING FISH. 103 water, just under the fore-chains, and skimmed away to \\ind\\ard at the height of ten or twelve feet above the surface. A large dolphin, which had been keeping company with us abreast of the weather gangway, at the depth of two or three fath- oms, and, as usual, glistening most beautifully in the sun, no sooner detected them ^„ake wing, than he turned his head towards them, and, darting to the surface, leaped from the water with a velocity little short, as it seemed, of a cannon bdU. But although the impetus with which he shot himself into the air gave him an initial velocity greatlj exceeding that of the flying-fish, the start which his fated prey had got, enabled them to keep ahead of him for a considerable time The length of the dolphin's first spring could not be less than len yards; and after he fell, we could see him gliding like lightni^^g through the water for a moment, when he again rose and shot forwards with considerably greater velocity than at first, and, of course, to a still greater distance. In this manner the merciless pursuer seemed to stride along the sea with fearful rapidity, while his brilliant coat sparkled and flashed in the sun quite splendidly. As he fell headlong on the water at the end of each huge leap, a series of circles were sent far over the still surface, which lay as smooth as a mirror; for the breeze, although enough to set the royals and top-gallant studding sails asleep, was hardly as yet felt below. The group of wretched flying-fish, thus hotly pursued, at length dropped into the sea; but we v/ere rejoiced to observe tha* '.hey merely touched the top of the swell, and scarcely sunk in it,- -at least they instantly set off again in a fresh u.nd even more vigorous flight. It was particularly interest- ing t^ observe that the direction they now took was quite difilsrent fromine one in which they had set out, implying but too obviously that they had detected their fierce enemy, who was following them with giant steps along the waves, and now gaining rapidly upon them. His terrific pace, indeed, was two or three times as swift as theirs — poor little things! and whenever they varied their flight m the smallest degree, he lost not the tenth part of a second in shaping a new course, so as to cut ofl" the chase, while they, in a manner really not unlike that of the hare, doubled more than once upon their pursuer. But it was soon too plainly to be seen that their strength and confidence were fast ebbing. Their flights became shorter and shorter, and their course more fluttering and uncertain, while the enormous leaps of the dolphin appeared to grow only more vigorous at each bound. Eventually, indeed, we could see, or fancied we could see, that this skilful sea-sportsman arranged all his springs with such an assurance of success, that he contrived to fall, at the end of each, just under the very spot on which the exhausted flying-fish were about to drop ! Sometimes this catastrophe took place at too great a distance for us to see from the deck exactly what happened; but on our mounting high 'nto the rigging, we may be said to have been in at the death; fa' 104 THE DYING DOLPHIN. then we could discover that the unfortunate little creatures^ one after another, either popped right into the dolphin's jaws as they lighted on the water, or were snapped up instantly afterwards It was impossible not to take an active part with our pretty little friends of the weaker side, and accordingly we very speedily had our revenge. The middies and the sailors, delighted with the chance, rigged out a dozen or twenty lines from the jib-boom-end and spritsail yard-arms, v/ith hooks baited merely with bits of tin, the glitter of which resembled so much that of the body and wings of the flying fish, that many a proud dolphin, making sure of a delicious morsel, leaped in rapture at the deceitful prize, and in his turn became the prey of a successful enemy. THE DYING DOLPHIN The truth and beauty of the following description of a dying Do^hin by Falconer,, will be attested by those of our readers who may hav-e witiessed a similar scene. And now, approaching near the lofty stern, A shoal of sportive dolphins they discern. From burnish'd scales they beam refulgent rays Till all the glowing ocean seems to blaze. Soon to the sport of death the crew repair, Dart the long'lance, or spread the baited snare. One, in redoubling mazes, wheels along, And glides, unhappy! near the triple prong. RoDMOJfD unerring o'er his head suspends The barbed steel, and every turn attends. Unerring aim'd, the missile weapon flew, And, plunging, struck the fated victim through Th' uptunning points his ponderous bulk sustain. On deck he struggles with convulsive pain — But while his heart the fatal javelin thrills, And flitting life escapes in sanguine rills. What radiant changes strike th' astonish 'd sight • What glowing hues of mingled shade and light ! Not equal beauties gild the lucid west, With parting beams all o'er profusely drest. Not lovelier colors paint the vernal dawn, When orient dews impearl th' enamel'd lawn, Than from his sides in bright suff*usion flow, That now with gold imperial seem to glow : Now in pellucid sappliires meet the view. And emulate the soil celestial hue : Now beam a flaming crimson on the eye ; And now assume the purple's deeper dye. But here description clouds each shining ray. What l^rms of art can nature's powers (Usplay ^ FAMINE ON BOARD THE IE JACQUES. 105 HENRY HUDSON. The distinguished Enghsh naval discoverer, Henry Hudson, Bailed from London in the year 1607, in a small vessel, for the purpose of discovering a north-east passage to China and Japan^ with a crew of only ten men and a boy besides himself, and, pro- ceeding beyond the 80th degree of latitude, returned to England in September. In a second voyage, the next year, he landed at Nova Zembla, but could proceed no farther eastward. In 1609, he undertook a third voyage, under the patronage of the Dutch East India Company. Being unsuccessful in his attempt to find a north-east passage, he sailed for Davis's straits, but struck the continent of America in 44*^ N. lat., and holding a southerly course, discovered the mouth of the river Hudson, which he as- cended about fifty leagues in a boat. His last voyage was un- dertaken in 1610. He sailed, April 17th, in a bark named the Discovery, with a crew of twenty-three men, and came within sight of Greenland, June 4th. Proceeding westward he reached, in latitude 60^, the strait bearing his name. Throuo-h this he advanced along the coast of Labrador, to which he gave the name of Nova Brittannia, until it issued into the vast bay, which is also called after him. He resolved to winter in the most southern part of it, and the crew drew up the ship in a small creek, and endeavored to sustain the severity of that dismal climate, in which attempt they endured severe privations. Hudson, however, fitted up his shallop for farther discoveries; but, not being able to es- tablish any communication with the natives, or to revictual his ship, with tears in his eyes he distributed his little remaining bread to his men, and prepared to return. Hviving a dissatisfied and niutinous crew, he imprudently uttered some threats of setting some of them on shore; upon which a body of them entered his cabin at night, tied his arms behind him, and put him in his own shallop, at the west end of the straits, with his son, John Hudson, and seven of the most infirm of the crew. They were then turned adrift, and were never more heard of. A small part of the crew, after enduring incredible hardships, arrived at Plymouth, in September, 1611. FAMINE ON BOARD THE FRENCH SHIP LE JACQUES. Of all the disasters to which mariners are subject, tlie want of provisions is doubtless one of the most dreadful. In the history »06 FAMINE ON BOARD THE LE JACQUES. of the return of the French ship Le Jacques from Brazil to France^ Jean de Lery gives an account of an extraordinary famine on board that vessel, attended with the most appalling circumstances. This ship, called St. Le Jacques, having completed her cargo of dying-wood, pepper, cotton, monkeys, parrots, &c. at Brazil, weighed anchor on the fourth of January, 1558. The whole crev/, seamen and passengers, consisted of forty-five men, exclu- sive of the captain. They had sailed seven or eight days, when a leak in the hold w^as discovered, which induced five of the pas- sengers to return in a bark offered them by the captain, in pre- ference to continuing on the course to France. We shall give in Lery's own words, the narrative of the re- maining part of the voyage. '^ On the third of February we found, that, in seven weeks, wo had not made more than one third of our way. As our provisions diminished very fast, it w^as proposed to bear away for Cape St. Roch, where some old seamen assured us that we should be able to procure refreshments. But the majority advised that we should eat the parrots and other birds, of which we had brought away great numbers; and their opinion prevailed. '' Our misfortunes began with a quarrel between the mate and the pilot; who, to aggravate each other, then went so far as to neglect their duty. On the twenty-sixth of March, the pilot being at the helm, in his turn, for three hours he kept all the sails set, when a violent squall assailed the vessel with such force that she was comoletely thrown on one side, so that the tops of the masts were immerseu Ir the water. The cables, the hen-coops, and all the boxes which were no. hashed fast, were swept overboard, and the vessel was on the point of upsetting. The rigging, however, being instantly cut away she righted again by degrees. The danger, though extreme, tended so little to produce a reconcilia- tion between the two enemies, that the moment it was past, they attacked each other and fought with the most savage ferocity, notwithstanding all the endeavors that were mad^ to pacify them. *' This was only the beginning of a horrid series of calamities. A few days afterwards, in a calm sea, the carpenter, and other artisans, in the attempt to relieve those who were laboring at the pumps, were so unfortunate as to remove, among others, a large piece of wood in the ship's hold; upon which the water rushed in with such impetuosity, that the affrighted workmen hurried breath- less upon deck, unable to give an account of the danger. Ai lengtli they cried, in a lamentable voice: ' We are lost! We are lost!' Upon this the captain, master, and pilot, not doubting of the magnitude of the danger, and determjned instantly to put the ship about, ordered a great quantity of Brazil wood and other articles to be thrown overboard, and concluding to abandon the vessel, they first provided for their own safety. The pilot fearing lest the boat should be overloaded by the numbers who demanded a FAMINE ON BOARD THE LE JACQ,UES 107 place in her, took his station, with a cutlass in his hand, and de- clared he would despatch the first v/ho should endeavor to enter. Seeing ourselves thus left to the mercy of the sea, we who re. mained fell to work with all our strength, to pump out the water, and if possible to keep the ship from sinking. We had the satis- faction to find that the v/ater did not gain upon us. *' But the most happy consequence of our resolution was, that it caused us to hear the voice of our carpenter, who, though small in stature, was a young man of great spirit, and had not, like the others, quitted the ship's hold. On the contrary, taking off his jacket he spread it ove. the largest leak, and stood upon it with both feet to prevent the entrance of the water, the violence of which, as he afterwards informed us, lifted him up several times. In this situation he shouted with all his might, desiring us to bring him clothes, cotton, and other things, to stop the leak, till he should be able to do it more effectually. I need not say that this demand was instantly complied with, and thus we were preserved from this danger. " We continued steering, sometimes to the east and sometimes to the west, which was aot our way; for our pilot, who did not perfectly understand hia business, was no longer able to observe his route. In this uncertainty we proceeded till we came to the tropic of Cancer, where we sailed a fortnight on a sea covered with grass and marine plants. These were so thick and close that we v/ere obliged to >pen a passage through them for the ship. Here we were near perishing by another accident. Our gunner being employed in drying some powder in an iron pot, lefl it so long upon the fire that the powder expl )ded, and the fire spread so rapidly from one end of the ship to the other that the sails and rigging were instantly in flames. " They had nearly communicated to the wood, which being covered with pitch, v/ould soon have taken fire, and have burned us alive in the midst of the ocean. Four men were much injured by the fire, and one of them died a few days afterwards. I should have experienced the same fate had I not covered my face with my hat, which defended me from its effects; so that I escaped with only the tips of my ears and my hair scorched." This misfortune Lery reckons only among those which he calls the prelude. '*^ It was now, (he continues) the fifteenth of April, and we had still a run a^five hundred leagues before us. Our provisions fell so short, thai notwithstanding the retrenchment we had already made, it was resolved ilidt we should be confined to only half of this reduced allowance. This measure, however, did not prevent our provisions from being exhausted by the end of the month. Our misfortune was occasioned by the ignorance of the pilot, who imagined that \vc were near Cape Finisterre, in Spain, while wo were in the latitude of the Azores, at least three hundred leagues l08 FAMINE ON BOARD THE LE JACQUES. distant from it. This cruel error suddenly reduced us to the last resource, which wa-s, to sweep the storeroom where the biscuit was kept. These sweepings were distributed by spoonfuls, and made a soup as black and more bitter than soot Those who had any parrots left (for most had eaten their 's long before this time,) resorted to this kind of food, at the beginning of May, when the ordinary provisions failed. Two seamen, who died of hunger, were thrown overboard; and to prove the miserable state to which we were reduced, one of our sailors, called Nargue, standing reclined against the main-mast, after swallowing their eyes, which he could not digest, I reproached him for not assisting the others to set the sails; the poor man, in a low and lamentable voice, re- plied: ' alas, I cannot,' and instantly dropped down dead. ''The horrors of this situation were augmented by the rough- ness of the sea, so that, either from want of skill, or strength to manage the sails, they were obliged to reef the sails, and even to lash the rudder fast. Thus the vessel was left to the mercy of the wind and v/aves. The unfavorable weather likewise deprived them of the only hope they had left, that of taking some fish. " Thus (continues Lery,) all on board v/ere reduced to the lowest degree of weakness and debility. Necessity obliged us to consider and contrive in what manner to appease our hunger. Some cut in pieces the skins of an animal called Tapiroiis son, and boiled them in water, but this method was not approved of Others laid them on the coals, and when they were a little broil- ed, scraped them with a knife and eat them: this expedient prov- ed so successful that we imagined it to be broiled sward of bacon. After this experiment, those who had any of these skins, preserved them with the greatest care; and being as hard as dried ox-hide, they required to be cut with hatchets, and other iron instruments Some even eat their leather stocks, and their shoes. The cabin- boys, pressed with hunger, devoured all the horn of the lanterns, and as many candles as they could get at. But notvv^ithstanding o\ir feebleness and hunger, we were obliged, for fear of founder- ing, to stick to the pumps night and day. " About the twelfth of May our gunner, whom I had seen eat- ing the intestines of a parrot quite raw, died of hunger. We were not much affected by this circumstance, for we were so far from thinking of defending ourselves, if we were attacked, that we rather wished to be taken by some pirate Avho v/ould have given us something to eat. But we saw, on our return, only a single vessel, which it was impossible for us to approach. " After devouring all the leather on boa.d, even to the coverings of the boxes, we imagined tliat our last moments were at hand. Necessity, however, inspired some one with the idea of catching the rats and mice, and we hoped to be able to take them the more easily as they no longer had any crumbs to subsist on, and ran about the ship in great numbers, dying with hunger They were FAMINE ON BOARD THE LE JACQUES. 109 pursued with such assiduity, and so many kinds of snares were laid for them, that very few were left. Even at night the men watched for them like cats. A rat was of greater importance than a bullock on shore, and the common price of one was four crowns. They were boiled in water, with all their intestines, which were eaten with the rest of the body. Neither the paws, nor any of the bones that could possibly be made soft, were thrown away. *' Our water likewise failed; we had nothing left to drink but a small barrel of cider, of which the captain and officers were ex- tremely sparing. Whenever it rained, cloths were spread, with a bullet in the middle, to catch the water. They even caught that which ran off through the drains of the ship, though mc"*^ muddy than the water in the kennels. '' We were at last reduced to such extremity that we had noth- ing left but Brazil wood; which, though more dry than any other, many, however, in their despair, gnav/ed between their teeth. Our leader, Corguilleray Dupont, one day holding a piece in his mouth, said to me with a profound sigh: Alas! my friend Lery! tlie sum of four thousand francs is owing me in France, to which I would gladly resign my claim for a halfpenny roll and a single glass of wine. '^ At length the Almighty, taking compassion on so many mise- rable wretches, extended almost motionless upon the deck, brought us on the twenty-fourth of May, 1558, within sight of the coast of Bretagne. We had been deceived so often by the pilot that we durst scarcely give credit to the first cries announcing this happy intelligence. We were, however, soon convinced, that we were within view of our native land. After returning thanks to heaven, the master of the ship publicly declared, *hat had our situation continued but another day, he had taken the resolution, not to drav/ lots as has sometimes been done in such cases, but, without informing any person of his design, to kill one of us for the rest to subsist upon. *' We found that we were very near Rochelle, where our sea- men had wished to unload the ship and dispose of their Brazil wood. The master, after coming to an anchor two or three leagues from the shore, went in the boat, accompanied by Dupont and some others to purchase provisions at Hodierne, from which we were not far distant. Two of our companions who were of the party, no sooner set their feet on shore, than, impelled by the recollection of their distresses and the fear of being again involv- ed in them, they betook thpiijselves to flight without waiting for their baggase, at the same time protesting they would never re- turn to the ship. The others immediately returned with all kinds of provisions recommending to their ftimishcd comrades to use them at first with moderation. ''We were now solicitous only to re[)air to Rochcllc, when n 10 110 THF LAW OF ARREST. French vessel p jsing within hail, informed us that the whole coast was infested by pirates. On account of our feeble state which would have rendered it impossible for us to make any de- fence, we unanimously agreed to follow the vessel from which we had received this intelligence. Thus, without losing sight of her we came to an anchor on the twenty-sixth in the port of BJavet." Many of the sailors on landing gorged themselves to such an excess as to produce sudden death. All the passengers survived, and after some suffering, were restored to health by adhering to 9 temperate and regular course of diet. THE LAW OF ARREST. A TALE FROM FACTS. Once upon a time there lived at Hamburgh, a certain merchant of the name of Meyer. He was a good little man: charitable to the poor, hospitable to his friends, and so rich that he was ex- tremely respected, in spite of his good nature. Among that part of his property vested in other people's hands, and called debts, was the sum of £500, owed him by the captain of an English vessel. This debt had been so long contracted, that the worthy Meyer began to wish for a new investment of his property. He accordingly resolved to take a trip to Portsmouth, in which town Captain T/^r.es was then residing, and take that liberty which, in my opinion, should never be permitted in a free country, viz: that of applying for his money. Our worthy merchant one bright morning found himself at Portsmouth. He was a stranger to that town, but not wholly unacquainted with the English language. He lost no time in calling on Captain Jones. ''And vat," said he to a man whom he asked to show him to the Captain's house, ''vat is dat fine veshell yondare." " She is the Royal Sally," replied the man, "bound for Calcutta — sails to-morrow: but here 's Capt. Jones's house, sir, and he'll tell you all about it." The merchant bowed, and knocked at the door of a red brick nouse — green door with a brass knocker. Capt. Gregory Jones was a tall man. He wore a blue coat without skirts. He had nigh cheek bones, small eyes, and his whole appearance was clofjuent of what is generally termed the bluff honesty of the sea- man. Captain Gregory seemed somewhat disconcerted at seeing hia THE LAW OF ARREST. I 1 1 friend He begged for a little further time. The merchant looked grave — three years had already elapsed. The captain demurred — the merchant pressed — the captain blustered — and the merchant growing angry, began to threaten. Suddenly Captain Jones's manner changed — he seemed to recollect himself, and begged pardon — said ho could easily procure the money, desired the mer- chant to go back to his inn, and promised to call on him in the course of the day. Mynheer Meyer went home, and ordered an excellent dinner. Time passed, and his friend came not. Meyer grew impatient. He had just put on his hat, and was walking out, \\hen the waiter threw open the door and announced two gentle- n\en. '•'Ah, dere comes de monish," thought Mynheer Meyer. The gentleman approached — the taller one whiped out what seemed to Meyer a receipt. "Ah, ver well — I will sign — ver well." "Signing, sir, is useless — you will be kind enough to accom- pany us. This is a warrant for debt, sir. My house is extremely comfortable — gentlemen of the first fashion go there — quite mod- erate, too, only a guinea a day — find your own wine." "I do — no — -understand, sare," said the merchant, smiling amiably. " I am ver veil off here, thank you." " Come, come," said the other gentleman, speaking for the first time, " no parlavoo Monsoo, you are our prisoner — this is a war- rant for the sum of ,£10,033, due to Capt. Gregory Jones." The merchant stared — the merchant frowned — but so it was. Captain Gregory Jones, who owed Mynheer Meyer £500, had arrested Mynheer Meyer for £10,000; for, as every one knows, any man may arrest us, who has conscience enough to swear tiuit we owe him money. Where was INTynheer Meyer in a strange town to procure bail? Mynheer Meyer went to prison. " Dis be a strange vay of paying a man his monlsh!" said Mynheer Meyer. In order to while away the time, our merchant, who was won- derfully social, scraped an acquaintance with some of his fellow prisoners. " Vat you be in prison for.^" said he to a stout, res- pectable looking man, who seemed to be in a violent passion — " for vat crime?" «« I^ sir — crime!" quoth the prisoner; "Sir, I was going to Liverpool to vote at the election, when a friend of the opposing candidate had me arrested for £^2000; before I can get bail the f.dection v/ill be over." " Vat's that you tell me? Arrest you to prevent your giving an honest vote? Is that justice?" " Justice, no !" cried our friend, " it's the Law of Arrest." " And vat be you in prishon for?" said the merchant pityingly, to a thin, cadaverous looking object, who ever and anon applied a handkerchief to eyes that were worn with weeping. '• An attorney offered a friend of mine to discount a bill, if be 112 THE LAW OF ARREST. could obtain a few names to endorse it. I, sir, endorsed it. 1 '- A Dill became due — the next day the attorney arrested all whoge names were on the bill, eight in number. The law allows him tst the use of his limbs alreadv, though it was but a CAPTAIN coot.. !I5 few minutes since he sat down. Every measure taken to relieve the black proved ineftectual; he remained motionless, and they were obliged to leave him to the care of the other black servant and a sailor, who appeared to have been the least hurt by the cold. Mr Banks and four others went forth at twelve o'clock and met the sailor, with just strength enough to walk; he was immediately sent to the fire, and they proceeded to seek for the two others. They found Richmond, one black servant, upon his legs, but in- capable of moving them; the other black was lying senseless upon the ground. All endeavors to bring them to the fire were useless, nor was it possible to kindle one upon the spot, on account of the snow that had fallen, and was still falling, so that there was no alternative, but to leave the two unfortunate negroes to their fate, making them a bed of boughs of trees, and covering them very thick with the same. On the 17th in the morning, at day-break, nothing presented itself but snow. However, about six in the morning they were flattered with a dawn of hope of being deliv- ered, by discovering the sun through the clouds, which gradually diminished. Previous to setting out, messengers were despatched to the unhappy negroes, who returned with the melancholy news of their death. In about three hours, to their great satisfaction, found themselves upon the shore, much nearer to the ship than their most sanguine expectation could have flattered them. January the 26th, Captain Cook sailed from Cape Horn. The farthest southern latitude he made was 60 deg. 10 min. by 74 deg. 30 min. west. April the 4th, a servant to Mr. Banks discovered land. Captain Cook came within a mile on the north-side, but found no bottom nor anchorage. There appeared along the beach some of the inhabitants, with pikes or poles in their hands, twice the height of themselves. This Island was in latitude 18 deg south, longitude 139 deg. 28 min. west, and was named Lagoon Island. They saw another island in the afternoon, w^hich was named Thrumb Cap. The 5th, continued their course, and dis- covered Bow Island. From the 6th to the 10th, they passed several islands, and on the 13th, entered Port Royal Harbour, Otaheite, anchoring within half a mile of the shore. When the ship w^as properly se- cured, the captain went on shore with Mr. Banks, Dr. Solander, a party under arms, and an old Indian. They were received by some hundreds of the natives, who were struck with such awe, that the first who approached crept almost upon his hands and knees. lie presented them branches of trees, the usual symptom of peace. On the 15th, the captain, attended by Mr. Banks and others. «\^ent on shore to fix. on a proper spot to erect a small fort for their defence. Before this party had gone much further, they were alarmed by the discharge of two pieces, fired by the tent-guard Upon their return, it appeared that an Indian had taken an or 116 CAPTAIN COOK portanity to snatch away one of the sentinel's muskets; whereup^r a young midshipman, ordered the marines to fire, which they did, when several Indians were wounded, but as the criminal did no, fall, they pursued and shot him dead. The fort began to be erected on the 18th. Mr. Banks's ten' being got up, he, for the first time, slept on shore. On the 24t\i, Mr. Banks and Dr. Solander made an excursion into the country On the 25th, Mr. Molineux, master of the Endeavour, seeing a woman, whose name was Oberea, he declared she was the person he judged to be the queen of the island, when he came there in the Dolphin. She was soon conducted to the ship, and wem on board, accompanied by some of her family. Many presents were made her, particularly a child's doll, which seemed the most to engross her attention. On the 5th, Mr. Banks and Dr. Solander set out in the pinnace and soon reached Eparre. Some Indians from a neighboring island, to which Captain Wallis gave the name of Duke of York's Island, informed them of more than twen- ty islands in the neighborhood of Otaheite. They now began to make the necessary preparations for the transit of Venus, and on the first of June, the next Saturday being the day of the transit, they sent the long-boat to Ermayo, having on board Mr. Gore, Mr. Monkhouse, and Mr. Sporing, :i friend of Mr. Banks; each furnished with necessary instruments They were visited on the 21st at the fort by many of the natives, and among the rest Oamo, a chief of several districts on the island, who was very inquisitive with respect to the English, and by his questions appeared a man of understanding and penetration. June 2Gth, the Captain set out in the pinnace, accompanied by Mr. Banks, to circumnavigate the island. July 1st, returned to the fort at Port Royal Harbour; having discovered the island, both peninsulas included, to be about one hundred miles in circumfer- ence. They now began to make preparations for their dep&rture. On the 10th, two marines being missing, an inquiry was made after them, when the Indians declared they did not propose returning, having each taken a wife. Mr. Hicks was immediately despatched in the long-boat, with several men, for them, and this party re- covered the men without opposition. July tiie 13th, after leaving the island of Otaheite, they sailed with a gentle breeze, and, on the 15th, discovered Huaheine. They found the people here nearly similar to those of Otaheite in almost every circumstance. This island is situated in the latitude of IG deg. 43 min. south, longitude 150 deg. 52 min. we^t, distant from Otaheite about thirty leagues, and is about twenty miles in circumference. From Huaheine they sailed to Ulieta. Captain Cook took possession of this and the adjacent islands in the name uf the king of Great I^ritain. On the 25th they were within a league or two of Otaha. On the 2r^th made sail to the northward, and at eight o'clock next morning were close under the high CAPTAIN COOX. in craggy peak of Bolabola; but, after giving the general name o: the Society Islands to the Island of Huaheine, Ulietea, Bolabola, Otaha, and Maurua, v/hich lie between the latitude of 16 deg 1? niir, and 16 deg. 55 min. south, they pursued their course. The Endeavour now passed a small island, white and high, and, as it appeared quite barren, was named Bare Island. On the 17th Captain Cook gave the name of Cape Turn-Again to a head-land, in latitude 40 deg. 34 min. south, longitude 182 deg 55 min. west. Before the Endeavour touched at ]^ew Zealand, vv'hich this was, it was not certainly known whether it was an §land, or part of the continent. On the 20th anchored in a bay, about two leagues north of Gable End Foreland. Sailing to the northward, they fell in with a small island named East Island. In* the evening of the 30th, Lieutenant Hicks discovered a bay, to which his name was given. On the 18th, the Endeavour steered between the main and an island which seemed very fertile, and as extensive as Ulietea. The 2Gth, Captain Cook continued his course along shore to the north. On the 29th, having v/eathered Cape Bret, they bore away to leeward, and got into a large bay, where they anchored on the south-vvest side of several islands. On the 5th they weigh- ed anchor. The Bay which they had left was called the Bay of Islands. On the 13th of March discovered a bay, which Captain Cook called Dusky-bay ; aud it is remarkable for having live high, peaked rocks, lying off it, v/hich look like the thumb and four fingers of a man's hand; whence it was denominated Point Five Fingers. It was now resolved to return by the East Indies, and with that view to steer for the east coast of New Holland, and then follow the direction of that coast to the northward. They sailed March 31st and taking their departure from an eastern point, called it Cape Farewell. The bay from which thej sailed was named Admiralty Bay, and the two capes thereot Cape Stephens and Cape Jackson. They sailed from Cape Farewell on the 31st of March, 1770. On the 19th, they discovered land four or five leagues distant. The name of Botany Bay was given to this place, from the large number of plants collected by Messrs. Banks and Solander. They saile*.* hence the 6th of May, 1770; at noon were off a harbor which was called Port Jackson. Coasting this shore till the 10th of June, an accident had nearly terminated their voyage fatally Tiie ship struck on a rock in the night, at some distance from the land, and made so much water as to threaten to sink every mo- ment, which was only prevented by great exertions. After soir* . litrle examination, they found a small harbor to look at the ship bottom, and there found, that the only thing which j)reventcd her from sinking, was a large piece of a rock, broken off and sticking n the uirgcst hole, which impeded the eutraiice of the water Here they procured some refreshments, landed the sick and stores, 18 CAPTAIN COOK. made a variety of excursions by land and * ater to the neigboiing places, and, for the first time, saw the animal now known as the Kangaroo. They sailed hence on the 13th of August, 1770, and got through one of the channels in the reef; happy to be once more in an open sea, after having been surrounded by dreadful shoals and rocks for near three months, during all which run they had been obliged to keep sounding without the intermission of a single minute; a circumstance which, it is supposed, never happened to any ship but the Endeavour. Previous to their leaving, Captain Cook, took possession of all the eastern coast of the country, from the 38th degree of south latitude to the present spot, by the name of New South Wales. They were now at the northern extremity of New Holland. The northeast entrance of the passage is form- ed by the mainland of New Holland, and by a number of islands, which took the name of the Prince of Wales's Islands. They nov/ held a northward course, within sight of land, till the 3d of September. On the 6th, passed two small islands, on the 9th, they saw what had the appearance of land, and the next morning were convinced it was Timor Lavet. On the 16th, they had sight of the little island called Rotte; and the same day sav/ the island of Savu, at a distance to the southward of Timor. The Endeavour sailed the 21st of September, 1770, and bent her courst westward. In the afternoon of this day a little flat island was: discovered in 10 deg. 47 min. south latitude, and 238 deg. 28 min. west longitude. They made considerable way, till at length, by the assistance of the sea-breezes, they came to anchor in the road of Batavia. The town of Batavia is situated in 6 deg. 10 min. south latitude, and 106 deg. 50 min. east longitude. On the 27th of December, 1770, the Endeavour left the road of Batavia, and on the 5th, came to anchor near Prince's Island. After a pas- sage in which they lost twenty-three more officers and men, the ship was brought to anchor off the Cape of Good Hope, on the 15th of March, 1771. Quitting the Cape, they came to anchor off the island of St. Helena, on the 1st of May, from which place they sailed on the 4th, and arrived in the Downs, on the 12th of June following. CAPTAIN COOK'S SECOND VOYAGE. A second voyage being resolved upon. Captain Cook was ap pointed (o the Resolution, and Captain Furneaux, tothe Adventure, •and on the 13th of July, 1772, the two ships sailed from Plymouth Sound; and, on the evening of the 29th, anchored in Funchial Road, in the Island of Madeira. CAPTAIN COOK. i 19 On the 9th of August they made the Island of Bonavista, and on the 29th of October the land of the Cape of Good Hope. The 10th of December, saw an island of ice to the westward^ being then in the latitude of 50 deg. 40 min. south, and longitude 2 deg. east of the Cape of Good Hope. On the 9th of February, found that the Adventure was not within the limits of the/r hori- zon. At ten o'clock of the 25th of March, the land of New Zealand was seen from the mast-head. On Friday, the 26th, came to anchor, at three in the afternoon, after having been one hundred and seventeen days at sea, in which time they had sailed 3660 leagues, without having once sight of land. On the 11th of April, weighed with a light breeze at south- east, and stood out to sea. After leaving Dusky Bay they direct- ed their course along shore for Queen Charlotte's Sound, where they expected to find the Adventure. On the 18th, they appear- ed off the harbor, and discovered their consort the Adventure, by the signals she mado. On the 7th of June, weighed and put to sea, with the Adventure in company, and on the 11th of Au- gust, land was seen to the south, which upon a nearer approach was found to be an island of ab^ut two leagues in extent. It lie? in the latitude of 17 deg. 24 min. longitude 141 deg. 39 min. west, and was called Resolution Island. Steering the same course, they discovered several of these low or half-drowned islands, or rather a large coral shoal of about twenty leagues in circuit, which M. de Bourgainville very properly calls the cluster of low overflowed isles the Dangerous Archipelago. On the 15th, at five o'clock in the morning, saw Osnaburgh Island, or Maitea, discovered by Captain Wallis. At day-break found themselves not more than half a leaj^ue from the reef of Otaheite. Several of the inhabitants came off in canoes, most of whom knew Captain Cook again, and many inquired for Mr. Banks and others who were there before. On the I7th, they anchored in Ouiti-piha Bay, about two cable's length from the shore. On the 1st of September the ships unmoored, and made sale for Ulieta. Arriving off the harbor of Ohamaneno, at the close of the day, they spent the niglit in making short tacks. Captain Furneaux agreed to receive on board his ship a young man named Omai, a native of Ulieta, where he had some property, of which he had been dispossessed by the people of Bolabola. After leaving Ulieta, they steered to the west, inclinini]^ to the south, to get clear of the tracts of former navigators, and to get into the latitude of the islands of Middleburgh and Amsterdam. At two o'clock p. m on the 1st of October, made Middleburgh, bearing west-south- west; and then made sail down to Amsterdam. These islands were first discovered by Captain Tasrnan, in January, 1642 — 3, and by him called Amsterdam and Middleburgh. But tlie former is called by the natives Ton-ga-ta-bu, and the latter Ea-vo-wee. Middleburgh or Eavowee, which is the southernmost, is about 120 CAPTAIN COOK. ten leagues in circuit, and of a height sufficient to be seen twelve leagues. The anchorage, named English Road, is on the north- west side, in latitude 21 deg. 20 min. 39 sec. south. The island is shaped something like an isosceles triangle, the longest sides whereof are seven leagues each, and the shortest four. On the 8th of October, made the Island of Pilstart. This island, which was also discovered by Tasman, is situated in the latitude of 22 deg. 26 min. south, longitude 175 deg. 59 min. west. On the 21st, made the land of New Zealand; atnoon Table Cape bore west, distant eight or ten leagues. On the 25th, early in the morning, they w-eighed, with a small breeze, out of the cove. On the 26th, took their departure from Cape Palliser, and steered to the south, inclining to the east, having a favorable gale from the north-west and south-west. At 4 o'clock, 12th of Dec. being in the latitude of 62 deg. 10 min. south, longitude 172 deg. west, saw the first ice Island, 11| deg. farther south than the first ice seen the preceding year, after leaving the Cape of Good Hope. On the 30th, at four o'clock in the morning, perceived the clouds, over the horizon to the south, to be of an unusual snow- white brightness, which they knew announced their approach to field-ice. Being at this time in the latitude of 71 deg. 10 min. south, longitude 106 deg. 54 min. west, they steered north from this time, and on the 11th of March, land was seen from the mast- head, bearing west. They made no doubt that this was Davis's Land, or Easter Island. After leaving Easter Island, they steer ed north-west-by-north and north-north-v*^est, with a fine easterly gale, intending to touch at the Marquesas. They continued to steer to the west till the 6th of April, at four in the afternoon, at which time, being in the latitude oT 9 deg. 20 min. longitude 133 deg. 14 min. west, they discovered an Island, bearing west by south, distant about nine leagues. Two hours after saw another, bearing south-Avest-by-south, which appeared more extensive than the former. By this time, they were well assured that these were the Marquesas, discovered by Mendana in 1595. The Marquesas are five in number, viz. La Magdalena, St. Pedro, La Dominica, Santa Christina, and Hood's Island, which is the northernmost, situated in latitude 9 deg. 26 min. south, and 13 deg. west, five leagues and a half distant from the east point of La Dominica, which is the largest of all the isles, extending east and west six leagues. Fioni the Marquesas, Captain Cook once more steered his course for Otahcite; and reached his former place of anchorage, JVIatavai Bay, on the twenty-second of April. During their resi- dence here, on this occasion, the voyagers were entertained with various exhibitions. One of these was a grand naval review. The vessels of War consisted of a hundred and sixty large double canoes, well cqui[)pcd, manned and armed. They were decorated with flags and streamers; and the chiefs, together with all those CAPTAIN COOK. 121 who were on the fighting stages, were dressed in their war habits The whole fleet made a noble appearance; such as our voyagers had never seen before. Besides the vessels of war, there were a hundred and seventy smaller double canoes, which seemed to be desififned for transports and victuallers. Upon each of these was a small house; and they were each rigged with a mast and sail, which was not the case with the war canoes. Captain Cook conjectured that there were no fewer than seven thousand seven l.undred and sixty men in the whole fleet. He was not able to obtain full' information concerning the design of this armament. The refreshments that were obtained at Otaheite during this visit were of great importance to the ship's company, for nearly all the bread they had left was decayed and scarcely eatable; and even of this, bad as it was, the quantity was so small that they were reduced to a very scanty allowance. After leaving Otaheite, the voyagers proceeded again to Huaheine. During Captain Cook's stay at Huaheine, bread- fruit, cocoa-nuts, and other vegetable productions, were procured ifi abundance, but not a sufficiency of hogs to supply the daily consumption of the ship's company. At Ulieta, to which the captain next directed His course, the inhabitants expressed the deepest concern at his departure, and anxiously importuned him to return Afler passing several other islands, he arrived, on the twentieth of June, at an island which appeared to have a numerous popula- tion. The captain, with the other gentlemen went ashore; but the natives were found to be fierce and untractable. All en- deavors to bring them to a parley were to no purpose. They approached with the ferocity of wild beasts, and instantly threw their darts. Two or three muskets discharged in the air did not prevent one of them from advancing still further, and throwing another dart, which passed close over Captain Cook's shoulder. The courage of this man had nearly cost him his life. \Yhen he threw his dart, he was not five paces from the captain, who had resolved to shoot him for his own preservation, it happened, however, that his musket missed fire; a circumstance on whicli he afterwards reflected with pleasure. This island, f'-om the disposition and behavior of the inhabi- tants, was called oy our Commander Savage Island. It is about eleven leagues in circuit; is of a round form and good height : and has deep waters close to its shores. Among its other disad- vantages, it is not furnished with a harbor. In pursuing his course toward the west-south-west. Captain Cook passed a number of small islands, and, on the twenty-sixtn. anchored on the north side of Anamooka, or Rotterdam. Here, as in many former cases, the captain was put to some trouble, on account of the thievish disposition of the people. It is one of a numerous group to which Captain Cook gave the name of the 1 1 122 CAPTAIN COOK Friendly Isles, in consequence of the firm alliance and friendship which seemed to subsist among the inhabitants, and of their kind and hospitable behavior to strangers. Pursuiag their course westward, the navigators, on the sixteenth of July, discovered land, which they believed to be the same that M. de Bougainville, the French navigator, had named the Great Cyclades. After having explored the coast of this island for some days, they came to an anchor, in a harbor of the island of Malli- coio The inhabitants of this island were in general the mos. ugly and ill-proportioned people that the voyagers had seen They were dark-colored, somewhat diminutive in stature, and had loner heads, flat faces, and countenances not much dissimilar to those of apes. Proceeding hence in a south-westerly direction the Resolution passed several small islands. The harbor in one of ihem caMed Tanna, in v/hich the ship was anchored, was only a little creek about three quarters of a mile in length, but no place could ex- ceed it in convenience for obtaining both wood and v/ater. After Captain Cook had finished his survey of the whole Archipelago, and had gained a knowledge of it infinitely superior to what he had attained before, he bestowed upon it* the appellation of the New Hebrides. Our voyagers sailed on the 1st of Septem.ber, and on the 4th, land was discovered; in a harbor belonging to which the Resolu tion came to anchor the next day. As Captain Cook was unable to learn what the Island was called by the natives, he gave to it the name of New Caledonia. Excepting New Zealand, this is perhaps the largest island in the South Pacific Ocean. The in- habitants were strong, robust, active, and well made; and in their dispositions were courteous and obliging. They did not appear in the least addicted to pilfering. On the 13th, the Resolution weighed anchor, and land vvas discovered, which was named Norfolk Isle. From this place our commander steered for New Zealand, in Queen Charlotte's Sound, where he shortly afterwards arrived. Several days elapsed before any of the natives made their appearance; but when they did so, and recognised Captain Cook and his friends, joy succeed- ed to fear. They hurried in numbers out of the woods, and em- braced the English over and over again, leaping and skipping about like madmen. The whole intercourse with the New Zealandcrs, during this third visit, was peaceable and friendly In the prosecution of his voyage, our commander, on the 17th of i)cccmbcr, reached the west coast of Terra del Fuego, and came to anchor in a place Vvhich he called Christmas Sound. Through the whole course of his various navigations, he had never seen so desolate a coast. But barren and dreary as the laud was, it was not wholly destitute of accommodations. The couiitry a!)ounded with v.ild fowl, and particularly with geese j CAPTAiN CCOK. 12b which afforded a refreshment to the whole ship's crew, that was the more acceptahle oa account of the approaching festival. Had they not thus been happily provided for, their Christmas cheer must have been salt beef and pork. Some Madeira wine, the only article of provision that was mended by keeping, was still left. This, in conjunction with the geese, wliich were cooked in every variety of method, enabled the navigators to celebrate Christmas as chesrfully as perhaps was done by their friends in England. Our commander soon afterwards proceeded through tlie Strait of Le Maire to Staten Island. About the end of February he cross- ed the line of the route he had taken when he left the Cape of Good Hope; having now made the circuit of the southern ocean in a high latitude, and traversed it in such a manner as to leave no room for the possibility of their being any continent in that part of the hemisphere, unless near the pole, and out of the reach o/.* navigation. By twice visiting the tropical sea, he had not only ascertained tlie situation of some old discoveries, but had made many new ones; and, indeed, even in that part, had left little more to be accomplished. The intention of the voyage had in every respect been answered, and the southern hemisphere suffi- ciently explored. A complete termination was hereby put to the searching after a southern continent. The great purpose of the navigation of Captain Cook round the globe being thus completed, he at length directed his views towards England, and determined to steer for the Cape of Good Hope; and on Wednesday, the twenty-second of March, accor- ding to his reckoning (who had sailed round the world), but on Tuesday, the twenty-first at the Cape, he anchored his ship in Table Bay. During the circumnavigation of the globe, from the period of our commander's leaving the Cape of Good Hope to his return to it again, he had sailed no less a distance than twenty thousand leagues. This was an extent of voyage nearly equal to three times the equatorial circumference of the earth, and such as had never been accomplished before, by any ship in the same compass of duration. On the remainder of the voyage it is not necessary to enlarge. The repairs of the ship having been completed, and the necessary stores carried on board, together with afresh supply of provisions and water. Captain Cook left the Cape of Good Hope on the 27th of April, and reached the island of St. Helena o» the 15th of INIay. Here he remained till the 21st, when he sailed, and arrived in safety at Portsmouth, having been absent from Eng- land three years and eighteen days; in which time, and under all changes of climate, he had lost but four men, and only one of these by sickness. 124 CAPTAIN COOK. CAPTAIN COOK'S THIRD VOYAGE Although the Resolution and the Discovery were d(,stined fol the same service, they did not leave England at the same time. Captain Cook, in the former, sailed from Plymouth on the twelfth of July; and Captain Cierke, in the latter, on the 1st of August, 1776. The two ships joined at the Cape of Good Hope, about the beginning of November. Here Captain Cook made an addition to his stock of animals, by the purchase of cattle, hoises, sheep, goats, rabbits, and poultry. All these, as well as most of the animals then on board the vessels, were intended for Otaheite, Nev/ Zealand, and other islands. The ships sailed from the Cape about the beginning of De- cember; and the navigators, pursuing their course towards the south-east, the weather soon became so cold that several of the goats and some of the sheep died. On the 12th, two islands were seen, the larger of which appeared to be about fifteen leagues in circuit. As no names had hitherto been assigned to these islands, our commander called them Prince Edward's Islands. Though it was now the middle of summer in this hemisphere, the weather was not less severe than what is generally experi- enced in England in the very depth of winter. Instead, however, of being discouraged by this circumstance, the captain directed his course still furtlier south, and on the 24th, reached the island called Kerguelen's Land; and the next day landed upon it. The weather was foggy during the whole time that the ships contin- ued here. The island was so excessively barren, that perhaps no place, hitherto discovered, under the same parallel of latitude, affords so scanty a field for a natural historian as this. If our commander had not been unwilling to deprive M. de Kerguelen of the honor of this island bearing his name, he would have call- ed it the ishand of Desolation. Captain Cook next directed his course towards New Zealand. that he might obtain a further supply of water, take in wood, and make hay for his cattle. Nothing very remarkable occurred to the voyajrers till the 24th of January, 1777, when they discover- ed iho coast of Van Dieman's Land, and in two days after came to anchor. One day they were agreeably surprised by a visit from some of the natives. Every present which (Japtain Cook made them they received without the least appeararce of satis- faction. During the few days that Captain Cook cor inued here, he nc^rkcted nothing that could promc»te the kr Dwledge of science or navigation. He sailed from Van Dieman's land en the 30th of January, 1777, and about a fortnight afterwards came to ancho-r at his CAPTAI?; COOK 125 old station of Queen Charlotte's Sound, in New Zealand. Ope- rations for refitting the ships, and for obtaining provisions, were carried on with great vigor. So healthy were the crews, that at this time there were only two invalids upon the sick lists of both ships. Captain Cook, in this his last visit to New Zealand, gave to one chief two goats, a male and female, v/ith a kid; and to another two pigs, a boar and a sow. It had been his intention to have left other animals than these; but he was unable to find a chief who was powerful enough to protect them, and he there- fore gav^e up all thought of it. On the 24th of February Captain Cook proceeded on hia voyage, in a north-easterly direction and, about five weeks after- wards, arrived at an island situated in about twenty degrees of south latitude, and called by the natives Wateeoo. This island, which is about six leagues in circuit, is a very beautiful spot, having a surface composed of hills and plains, covered with a verdure rendered extremely pleasant by the diversity of its hues. Its inhabitants were very numerous, and many of them were ele- gantly formed. Their whole behavior, whilst on board, showed that they were perfectly at ease, and that they felt no apprehen- sion, either that they should be detained or ill used. It has been stated that it was a principal object of this voyage to examine the Pacific Ocean in the high northern latitudes. But, hitherto, the progress of the vessels had been so unavoidably retarded by unfavorable winds, and other adverse circumstances, that it was become impossible for the commander, this year, to think of proceeding towards those latitudes. The rainy season soon afterwards commenced; and the united heat and moisture of the weather, in addition to the impossibility of keeping the ships dry, threatened to be very injurious to the health of his peoj)le. So great, and so judicious, however, were the attentions which he paid to their health, that there was not as yet one sick man on board either ship. On the 1st of May, the vessels arrived at Anamooka. A fricrdly intercourse was immediately opened with the natives. The :)nly interruption to the friendship which had been established, arose from the thievish disposition of the inhabitants of Anamooka. Numerous opportunities were here afforded, of remarking how expert these people were in the business of stealing. Even some of the chiefs did not think the profession unbecoming their dignity. One of them was detected in carrying a bolt out of the ship, con^ cealcd under his clothes. For this oiTence Captain Cook sen- tenced him to receive a dozen lashes, and kept him confined till he had paid a hog for his liberty; and afterwards the navigators were no longer troubled with thieves of rank. Their servants, oi slaves, however, were still employed; and upon them a Hogging seemed to make no greater impression, than it would have done upon the mainmast. At length, Captain Clerkc invented a mode 11 * 126 CAPTAIN COOK. of treatment, which was thought to be of good effect. He put the thieves into the hands of the barber, and completely shaved their heads. In consequence of this operation, they became objects of ridicule to their own countrymen; and our people, by immediately knowing them, and keeping them at a distance, were enabled to deprive them of future opportunities for a repetition of their rogueries. Captain Cook now proceeded to the Friendly Islands, and was received in the most friendly manner imaginable by the inhabitants. Besides the immediate benefits that were derived by the ships from the friendly intercourse which had been established, so exten- sive an addition was now made to the geographical knowledge of this part of the Pacific Ocean, as may render no small service to future navigators. From the information which our commander received, this Archipelago is very extensive. More than one hundred and fifty islands were reckoned by the natives, who made use of bits of leaves of different size for designating their number, and their relative dimensions. On the 17th of July, our commander took his final leave of the Friendly Islands; and in about three v/eeks, he reached Otaheite. Omai's first reception among his countrymen was not entirely of a flattering nature. Captain Cook found that since he was last at Otaheite, in 1774, two Spanish vessels had been there, and had left some hogs, dogs, goats, one bull, and a ram. The officers and crews of these vessels had behaved so well, that the inhabi- tants spoke of them in the strongest expressions of esteem and veneration. On the present visit, the navigators had undeniable proof that the offering of human sacrifices formed a part of the religious institutions of Otaheite. One day while the navigators were in Matavia Bay, Captain Cook, and Captain Clerke, mounted on horseback, and rode into the country. The Otaheitans, who had never seen such animals before, were utterly astonished, and gazed upon the gentlemen with as much amazement, as if they had been Centaurs. Nol all the novelties, put together, which European visiters had car- ried amongst them, inspired them with so high an opinion of the greatness of distant nations as this. During this visit to Otaheite, so cordial a friendship and confi dence were established betwixt the voyagers and the natives, that it was not once interrupted by any unpleasant incident. From Otaheite Captain Cook sailed on the 13th to the adjacent island of Eimeo. At this island the transactions were, for the most part, unpleasant. On i\\c 11th of October theships arrived lj aharb-:ir on the west side of the island of ITuaheine. Tlie grand business of Captain Cook at Huaheine was to settle Ornai there, on the very spot from which he had been taken. On the ^nd of November 177'7, Omai took his final leave ot the English in n very affectionate manner, but at the same time with CAPTAIN COOK. 121 manly resolution; and the vessels sailed for Ulieta, where they arrived on the following day. The last of the Society Islands which Captain Cook visited was Bolabola. Captain Cook con- ti/iued to the last his zeal for furnishing the natives of the South Sea with useful animals. The navigators finally departed from tlie Society Islands on the 12th of December. Frequently as these islands had been visited, it might have been imagined that their religious, political, and domestic regulations, ftrttnners, and customs, must, by this time, have been thoroughly understood. A great accession of knowledge was undoubtedly gained in the present voyage; and yet it was confessed by Captain Cook, that his account of these was, in various respects, still imperfect; and that he still continued a stranger to many of the most important institutions which prevailed there. In the night between the 22d and 23d of December, 1777, tho ships crossed the equator, in the longitude of two hundred and three degrees fifteen minutes west. The navigators stiii proceed- ed northward; and towards the end of January, 1778, they ap- proached a cluster of islands, which Captain Cook afterwards named the Sandwich Islands. One of the officers was sent with the boat to search for water at an island called by the natives Atooi. On attempting to land here the inhabitants came down in such numbers, and were so Violent in their endeavors to seize the oars, muskets, and, in short, every thing they could lay hold of, that he was compelled to fire UDon them, and one man was killed. The rapacious disposition they '^t first displayed, was entirely corrected by their conviction that It oould not be exercised with impunity. During the short stay of the vessels at this island, it was ascertained that the in- habitants were eaters of human flesh. It was, however, under- stood that their enemiies slain in battle were the sole objects of so abominable a custom. This people, v/hen Captain Cook became better acquainted with them, appeared, in general, to possess a frank and cheerful disposition, equally removed from the fickle b^ity whi^h distinguishes the natives of Otaheite, and the sedate CJaracier which is discernible among many of those of the othei islands of the South Sea. Of the Archipelago, which was denominated by Captain Cook (he Sandwich Islands, there v/ere five only with which, at this time, he became acquainted. Their names, as given by the niiives, were Woahoo, Atooi, Oneeheow, Oreehoua, and Ta- hoora Had the Sandwich Islands been discovered by the Span- iards at an early period, that people would undoubtedly have taken advantage of so excellent a situation, and have made use of them as refreshing places to t'leir ships, which sail annually from Acapulco for JManilla. Happy too would it have been for Anson, if he had known that there existed a group of islands half VI ay between Anerica and Tinian, v/hcre all his wants could 128 CAPTAIN COOK. effectually have been supplied, and the different haidships Id which he was exposed have been avoided. On the 2d of February, the navigators pursued their course northward; in doing which the incidents they met with were al- most entirely of a nautical kind. The coast of New Albion was seen on the Tth of March, the ships being then in the latitude of 44 deg. 83 min. north, and in the longitude of 235 deg. 20 min. east. As the vessels ranged along the west side of America, Captain Cook gave names to several capes and headlands, w'hich appeared in sight. At length, on the 29th, he came to anchor in a bay which was called by the natives Nootka, and was thence named by Captain Cook Ncotka Sound. Some of the natives came off to the ships in canoes, but they could not be prevailed with to venture on board. Shortly after this a regular trade was commenced. The articles which the inhabitants offered for sale were the skins of various animals, such as bears, wolves, foxes, deer, rarcoons, pole-cats, martins; and, in particular, of the sea- otters. To these were added garments made of skins; another sort of clothing, formed from the bark of a tree; and various pieces of workmanship. The articles, which the natives took in exchange for their commodities, were knives, chisels, pieces of iron and tin, nails, looking-glasses, buttons, or any kind of metal. Though commerce, in general, was carried on with mu- t.ial honesty, there were some among these people, who were as much inclined to thievery as the islanders in the Southern Ocean In the present abstract the time will not allow of an insertion of more than a short account of the inhabitants. Tbeir persons are described to have been generally under the common statur^^ somewhat full or plump, though without being muscular. They were undoubtedly eaters of human flesh, yet they had no appear- ance of inhumanity of character. To our navigators they seemed a docile, courteous, and well-disposed people. The chief employ- ments of the men were fishing and killing land or sea animals, for the sustenance of their families; while the women were occupied in manufacturing flaxen or woollen garments, or in other domestic, offices. On the 2Gth, the repairs of the ships having been completed. Captain Cook sailed from Nootka Sound. In the prosecution of his voyage northward, and back again to the Sandwich Islands, the facts that occurred were chiefly of a nautical kind. At an inlet where the ships came to anchor on the 12th of May, and to which Captain Cook gave the appellation of Prince Wil- liam's Sound, he had an opportunity not only of prosecuting his nautical and geographical discoveries, but of making considerable additions to his knowledge of the inhabitants of the American coast. The natives of this part of the coast had a near resem- blance to the Esquimaux and Greenlanders. It is remarkable concerning this people, that there were found amongst them hoik CAPTAIN COOK, 12^ beads and iron ; which must have come from some civilized na- tion, though there was reason to suppose that our navigators were the first Europeans with whom they had ever held a direct com- munication. Some days after leaving this sound, the navigators came to an inlet, from which hopes were strongly entertained, that it would be found to communicate either with the sea to the north, or with Baffin's Bay to the east; and, accordingly, it became the object of very accurate and serious examination. The Captain was soon persuaded that the expectations formed from it were groundless^ vet it was requisite that this should be perfectly ascertained. A complete investigation of the miet consequently took place, to the distance of seventy leagues from its entrance, and indubitable marks occurred of its being a river, but one of the most considera- ble ones that are known. It was called Cook's River. The navigators cleared Cook's river on the 6th of June. In the prosecution of the voyage, on the 26th, there was so thick a fog, that the navigators could not see a hundred yards before them; notwithstandmg which, as the weather was moderate, the Captain did not intermit his course. At length, however, being alarmed at the sound of breakers on one side of the ship, he im- mediately brought her to, and came to anchor; and the Discov- ery, by his order, did the same. A few hours afterwards, the fog having in some degree cleared away, it appeared, that both the vessels had escaped a very imminent danger. Providence, in the dark, had conducted them between rocks which the com- mander would not have ventured to pass through even in a clear day, and had conveyed them to an anchoring-place, as good as he could possibly have fixed upon, had the choice been entirely at his option. On the 27th, the vessels reached an island called Oonalaska, the inhabitants of which behaved with a degree of politeness and courtesy very unusual with savage tribes. About the 10th of August Captain Cook came to anchor under a point of land, to which he gave the name of Cape Prince of Wales, and which is remarkable by being the most western extremity of America hitherto explored. Tiiis extremity is distant from the eastern Cape of Siberia only thirteen leagues: and thus our Commander had the glory of ascertaining the vicinity of tlie two continents, which before had only been conjectured from the reports of tho neighboring Asiatic inhabitants, and the imperfect observatior.a of the Russian navigators. Resuming his course he crossed over to the opposite Asiatic coast, and anchored in a bay which he named tJie Bay of St. Lawrence, belonging to the country of the Tschutski. After this, again approaching the shore of America, he proceeded towards the north, and on the loth, he reached tlie latitude of 70 deg. 44 min. Th^^ shi'js were now close to the ef]£re of the ice^ and im 130 CAPTAIN COOK. able to go any further. The ice, was as compact as a wall, and was judged to be ten or twelve feet in height. Farther to the north, it appeared much higher. Its surface was extremely rugged, and in different places there were seen upon it pools of water. A prodigious number of sea-horses lay upon the ice; and some of them, on the 19th, were procured for food, there being at this time a want of fresh provisions. They were bad eating, but the voyagers lived upon them as long as they lasted; and most of the seamen preferred them to salt meat. Captain Cook continued until the 29th, to traverse the Icy Sea beyond Behring's Strait, in various directions, and through num- berless obstructions and difficulties. Every day the ice increased, so as to preclude all hope of attaining, at least during the present year, the grand object of the voyage, the discovery of a passage northward into the Atlantic. Before Captain Cook proceeded far to the south, he employed a considerable time in examining the sea and coasts in the neighborhood of Behring's Strait, both on the side of Asia and America; and on the 3d of October he returned to the island of Oonalaska. The navigators had not been here many days, when Captain Cook and Captain Clerke each received a very singular present, of a rye loaf, or rather a pie in the form of a loaf, for it inclosed some salmon highly sea- soned with pepper. And with each loaf was a note written in a language, which no one was able to read. It was imagined that the presents came from some Russians in the neighborhood, and therefore a few bottles of rum, wine, and porter, were sent to these unknown friends in return; it being rightly judged that such articles would be more acceptable than any thing besides, which it was in the power of the navigators to bestow. An intelligent man was sent with the bearer of the presents, for the purpose of obtaining further information. Two days afterwards this per- son returned with three Russian seamen. They had been station- ed here to collect furs; and had on the island a dwelling-housCj some store-houses, and a sloop of about thirty tons burden. One of them was the master or mate of the vessel, and they all ap- peared to be sensible and well-behaved persons. From a very intelligent Russian, who landed at Oonalaska on the 14th, Cap- tain Cook obtained the sight of two manuscript charts of these seas, and was permitted to copy them. All things being ready for his departure, Captain Cook left Oonalaska on the 2Gth, and sailed for the Sandwich Islands. On th J 30th of November, he arrived at Owhyee, one of the Sandv/ich r .ands; and one which appeared to him of greater extent and ii iportancc than any of the islands that had yet been visited in t. is Dan of tno world. J le occupied nearly seven weeks in sailing r)und, and cxaminin::^ its coast. On the IGth of January, 1779, t anoes arrived in such numbers from all parts, that there were not f iwer than a thousand nHout the two ships, most of them crowded c^APT\lX eOOK 131 with people. Aitiong rfuch multitudes, as, at times, were on boara it will not be deemt^d surprisin^^, that some should have betrayed a thievish disposition. One of them took out of the Resolution a boat's rudder; and made off with it so speedily, that it could not bf* >'ecovered. Captain Cook directed two or three muskets, and as m^K»v four pounders, to be fired over the canoe in which the rudd'vr riad been carried off, but, at the report of these, the sur- rounding muliitude of the natives appeared to be more surprised Hian terrified. The ships were anchored on the 17th, in a bay which was called by (he inhabitants Karakakooa. In the whole course of his voy- ages Captain Cook had never seen so many people assembled in ono place as he saw on this occasion; for, besides the multitudes that came off in canoes, all the shore of the bay v/as covered with sp>^ctators, and many hundreds were swimming round the ships like diioals of tish. In the progress of the intercourse which was mr/ itained between the voyagers and tlie natives, the quiet and inolfc;iisive behavior of the latter, took away every apprehension of danger; so that the F.nglish trusted themselves among them at all times, and in all situ itions. But the satisfaction . \at was derived from the generosity and hospitality of the inhabitants, was frequently interrupted by the p'op'-nsity of many of them to stealing; and this circumstance was the ui'jre distressino;, ap it sometimes obliged the commander and the other officers to havii recourse to acts of severity, v/hich they would willingly have av »ided, if the necessity of the case had not absolutely called for them. Early the next day, the ships sailed o'jt of Karakakuoa bay. It was the captain's design, before he visited the other Sandwich islands, to finish the survey of Owhyee, that he had begun. His object in this was, if possible, to find a harbor better sheltered from the v/eather than the bay he had jiitt left. Two days after- wards a gale of wind sprung up, in which the Resolution had the misfortune of injuring her foremast in so dangerous a manner, that he was obliged to return to Karakakooa. On the return of the ships several canoes approached, in which were many of the for- mer acquaintance of the navigators. The next day, February the 13th, the Resolution's foremast was landed, to be repaired, and tents were erected in their former situation on the shore An Indian was this day detected iu stealing the armorer's tongs from the forge, for which he receiv- ed a severe flogging, and was sent out of tlie ship. Notwithstand- ing the example made of this man, in the afternoon another had the audacity to snatch the tongs and a chisel from the same place, with which he jumped overboard, and swam for the shore. The master and a midsliipman were instantly despatched after him, in tiie small cutter. The Indian seeing himself pursued, made for » canoe; his countrymen tor,k Inm on board, and paddled as swiftly 13^ CAPTAIN COOK. as they could towards the shore. Several muskets were fired ai them, but without effect, for they soon got out of the reach of the shots. This was the commencement of a very fatal misunderstanding with the natives. In the night, one of the boats belonging to the Discovery was carried off; and many hostile indications on the part of the natives were remarked. These determined Captain Cook to secure, if possible, the person of the king as the most effectual step that could be taken for the recovery of the boat, and restoring amity betwixt the English and the inhabitants. Accompanied by the lieutenant of marines, a serjeant, corporal,, and seven private men; having at the yame time armed several men in the ship's launch and pinnace, he undauntedly proceeded to the residence of the king. At an inte. new with the king, the captain took him by the hand, in a friendly manner, and asked him to go on board the Resolution, to which he readily consented. A short time after this, several of the Indians were observed to be arming themselves with long spears, clubs, and daggers, and putting on thick mats which they used as armor. This hostile appearance increased, and became the more alarming, on the ar- rival of two men, with news that a chief called Kareeraoo had been killed by the men in one of the Discovery's boats. Captain Cook being at this time surrounded by a great crowd, thought his situation somewhat hazardous. He therefore ordered the lieu- tenant of marines to march his small party to the water-side, where the boats lay, within a few yards of the shore: the Indians readily made a lane for them to pass, and did not offer to interrupt them. The distance they had to go might be about fifty or sixty yards. Captain Cook followed, having hold of the king's hand, who ac- companied him very willingly: he was attended by his wife, two sons and several chiefs. His younger son went immediately into the pinnance, expecting his father to follow; but the latter had no sooner arrived at the v/ater-side, than his wife threw her arms about his neck, and, with the assistance of two chiefs, forced him to sit down by the side of a double canoe. Captain Cook expostu- latad with them, but to no purpose, they would not suffer the king to proceed, telling him that he would be put to death if he w^ent on board the ship. While the king was in this situation, another of the chiefs was observed lurking near, with an iron dagger partly concealed unde»^ his cloak His attention, apparently, v/as to stab either Captain Cook, or the lieutenant of marines. The latter proposed to fire at him, but the captain would not permit it. The chief closed upon them, on which the officer struck him with his musket, and comp'LJled him^ to retire. Captain Cook seeing the tumult in- crease, and that the Indians grew more daring and resolute, found ' ''it it would be impossible to carry off the king by force, without sacrificing many of his people. He therefore paused a little, and CAPTAIN COOK. 133 was on the point of giving orders to reimbark, when a man threw a stone at him. This Captain Cook returned by a discharge of small shot. The man brandished his spear, and was about to dart it at the captain, when the latter knocked him down with his musket. He expostulated strongly with the most forward of the crowd upon their turbulent behavior; and now only sought tc secure a safe embarkation for his small party, which was closel} pressed by a body of several thousand people. One man was observed behind a double canoe, in the action of darting his spear at Captain Cook. He therefore was forced to fire at him in his own defence, but he happened to kill another close to him, equally forward in the tumult. The serjeant observing that the captain had missed the man he aimed at, received orders to fire at him, which he did, and killed him. By this time the impetuosity of the Indians was somewhat repressed. They fell back in a body, and seemed staggered; but being pushed on by those be- hind, they returned to the charge, and poured a volley of stones among the marines, who without waiting for orders, returned it with a general discharge of musketry. This was instantly follow- ed by a fire from the boats. Captain Cook waved his hand to the boats, and called to them to cease firing, and to come nearer in to receive the marines. The officer in the pinnace immediately brought that vessel as close to the shore as he could, notwith- standing the showers of stones that fell among his people; but the lieutenant who commanded in the launch, instead of pulling in to the assistance of Captain Cook, withdrew his boat farther ofl^, at the very moment that every thing seems to have depended upon the timely exertions of those in the boats. By his own ac- count, he mistook the signal: but be that as it may, this circum- stance appears to have decided the fatal turn of the afiair, and to have removed every chance which remained with Captain Cook of escaping with his life. The marines several times fired upon the crowd, but to little purpose, for the Indians soon rushed among them, and forced them into the water where four of them were killed. Captain Cook was now the only Englishman re- maininor on shore. He was observed to be making: towards the pinnace, holding his left hand against the back of his head, to guard it from the stones which were thrown at him, and carrying his musket under his other arm. An Indian was seen following him, but with caution and timidity; for he stopped once or twice, as if undetermined to proceed. At last he advanced upon him unawares, and with a large club, or common stake, gave him a b :)\v on the back of the head, and then precipitately retreated. Tne stroke seemed to have stunned Captain Cook: he staggared a few paces, then fell on his hand and one knee, and dropped his musket. As he was rising, and before he could recover his feci, another Indian stabbed him in the back of the neck with an iron dagger He then fell into the water, m r place where it was 12 134 CAPTAIN COOK about knee deep; and others immediately crowded upon him, and endeavored to keep him under; but, struggling very stongly with them, he got his head up, and casting his look towards the pm- nance, seemed to solicit assistance. Though the boat was not above five or six yards distant from him, yet from the crowded and confused state of the crew, it seems it was not in their power to save him The Indians got him under again, but in deeper water. He was, however, able to get his head up once more; and, being almost spent in the struggle, he naturally turned to tho rock, and was endeavoring to support himself by it, when a sav- wxe gave him a blow with a club, and he was seen alive no more. Tliey hauled him up lifeless on the rocks, where they seemed to inke a savage pleasure in using every possible barbarity to his dead body, snatching the daggers out of each other's hands, to have the ^ orrid satisfaction of piercing the fallen victim of their barbarous Death of Captain Cook. rage; and after they had thus glutted their revenge, they carried it off in triumph. Captain Gierke, who succeeded to the com- mand of the expedition, made every effort to recover the remains of Captain Cook; but his bones only could be obtained, and these were committed to the deep, amidst the heartfelt grief of all who had served with him. In his manners, Captain Cook was plain, simple, and manly. He was an excellent husband and father, a sincere and steady Inend The benevolence and humanity of his disposition were peculiarly remarkable. They were apparent from his treatment of his men, through all his voyages; and from his conduct towards CAPTAIN COOK. 13 )he natives of all the countries which were discovered by him. The health, the convenience, and, as far as it could be admitted, the enjoyment of those under his command, were the constant objects of his attention: and he was invariably anxious to amelior- ate the condition of the inhabitants of the several islands and places which he visited. With regard to their thieveries, he can- didly apologized for, and overlooked many offences which others would have punished; and when he felt impelled to proceed to any acts of severity, he never exerted them without reluctance and concern. With respect to his talents, they v/ere undeniably of the most useful kind. He had a capacious and penetrating mind; and all his designs were accordingly bold and extensive. Wlicn these were formed, he never expressed a doubt respecting their execu- tion; for the same perspicuity and orderly arrangement of thought which enabled him to form the designs, also enabled him to devise the most simple and effectual modes of executing them. In the execution he was equally distinguished; no dilHculty })erplexed, no danger appalled him. The talents and knowledge which he possessed were always completely at his command, when they were most needed. And for great designs he was also qualified by the constitution of his body, which was inured to labor, and capable of supporting the greatest fatigue and hardships. In addition to a consummate acquaintance with navigation, Captain Cook possessed a knowledge of other sciences. In this respect, the ardor of his mind rose above the disadvantages of a very confined education. His progress in the different branches of mathematics, and particularly in astronomy, became so eminent, that, at length, he was able to take the lead in making the neces- sary observations of this kind, in the course of his voyages. He attained, likewise, to such a degree of proficiency in general learning, and in the art of composition, as to be able to express himself with a manly clearness and propriety, and to become re- spectable as the narrator, as well as the performer, of great ac- tions. Another trait, which was peculiarly conspicuous in the character of Captain Cook, was the perseverance with which he pursued tKe noble objects to which his life was devoted. In this he scarcely ever had an equal, and never a superior. Nothmg could divert him from the points he aimed at; and he persisted in /he prosecution of them, through difficulties and obstructions, ;vhich would have deterred minds even of considerable strength and firmness. In stature he is described to have been somewhat above the common size; and, though a good looking man, he was plain both in address and appearance. His head was small: his hair, wiiich was a dark brown, he wore tied behind. His face was full of expression; liis nose exceedingly well shaped; his eyes, which were small, and of a brown cast, were quick and piercing, and his eyebrows prominent; which gave to his counte 136 CAPTAIN COOK. nance altogether an air of austerity. In the year 1762 he ha(i married an amiable and deserving woman. He had by her six children, but of these three sons only survived him. They v/ere all brought up in the naval service. One of them was lost in a hurricane at sea, and the other two fell honorably in the cause of their country. On the v/idow a pension of two hundred pounds a y(;ar for her life, and on each of the sons a pension of twenty* five pounds a year was settled by the British government. NARRATIVE OF EVENTS WHICH OCCURRED SUBSE QUENTLY TO THE DEATH OF CAPTAIN COOK. After Captain Gierke, upon whom ike command of the expedi- tion devolved, had left the fatal island of Owhyhee, he considered it his duty to endeavor to execute the plans of r\iscovery that had been laid down by his lamented predecessor. He consequently coasted several others of the Sandwich Islands; and finally left them on the 15th of March, 1779. The ships now proceeded towards Kamtschatka; and, in their course, the Resolution sprung a leak so bad, that at one time the whole space between the decks was deluged with water. On the twenty-third the mountains of Kamtschatka, covered with snow, were within view. The v/eath- er was now so severe, that the ship appeared like a complete mass of ice, and the rigging was so incrusted with it, that the different ropes were more than double their usual thickness. Two days after the discovery of Kamtschatka, when off the en- trance of Awatska Bay, the Resolution lost sight of the Discov- ery. The Resolution entered the bay, and soon afterwards the town of Petropaulowski was within view. It consisted of a few miserable log-houses, and some conical huts raised on poles, amounting in all to about thirty; yet here the voyagers were re- ceived and treated with feelings of humanity, joined to a great- ness of mind and elevation of sentiment which would have done honor to any naa^n. On the 1st of May the Discovery also entered the harboi On the 5th of July the navigators passed through Hehring's Straits. They first sailed along the Asiatic coast, and then stretched over to that of America, with a view of exploring the sea l)etween the latitudes of sixty-eiglit and sixty- nine degrees. Hut in this attempt they were disappointed; on the 7tli tlieir fartlier progress was stopped by a large and compact field of ice connected witli the land. At one time, in attempting to penetrate towards the north-v/est^ • he Discovery v/as in a very dangerous situation. She became CAPTAIN COOK. 137 BO entangled by several large pieces of ice, that her way was stopped, and she suffered much injury. A change of wind, how ever taking place in the afternoon, the ice began to separate and the navigators, setting all their sails, forced a passage through it. On the 31st they repassed Bchring's Straits Captain Gierke's health now rapidly declined. On the 17th of August, he was no longer able to rise from his bed; and five days afterwards he died of a consumption, which had commenced before he left England, anc of which he had lingered during the whole voyage. The command of the expedition now devolved upon Captain Gore, who removed into the Resolution, and appointed Mr. King to the command of the Discovery. The body of Captain Clerke was interred near the town of Petropaulowski, on Sunday, the 29th, with all the solemnity and honors which the voyagers could bestow. On the 12th of October they lost sight of Kamtschatka. In the forenoon of the 29th of November, the ships passed several Chinese fishing-boats; and the sea was covered with the wrecks of boats that had been lost, as it was conjectured, in the late boisterous weather. The navigators were now in latitude 22 deg. one min. south. On the following day, they ran along the Lema Islands, and took a Chinese pilot on board; and at 9 o'clock in the morning of the 1st of December they anchored at the distance of three leagues from Macao. Captain King was sent to Canton to obtain supplies of provisions and stores. On account of the war between England and America, and with France and Spain as her allies, of which the navigators re- ceived intelligence at Canton, they put themselves in the best posture of defence that they v/ere able; in the Resolution they mounted sixteen guns, and in the Discovery ten. They had reason, however, to believe, from the generosity of their ene- mies, that these precautions were superfluous; for they were informed that instructions had been found on board all the French ships of war captured in Europe, directing their com- manders, in case of falling in with the ships that sailed under the command of Captain Cook, to suffer them to proceed without molestation ; and the same orders were also said to have been given by the American Congress in the vessels employed in their service. In return for these liberal concessions, Captain Gere resolved to refrain from availing himself of any opportuni- ties of capture, and to preserve, throughout the remainder of the voyage, the strictest neutrality. On the 12th of January, 1780, the navigators got under sail from Macao; on the 19th, they saw Pulo Lapata, and on the 20th, descried Pulo Condore, and anchored in the liarbor at the south-west end of the island. The navigators remained at Pulo Console till the 23tl of January, when they unmoored, and pro- 12* 1^8 SUFFER! x^GS 01' EPHRAIM HOAV. ceeded on their homeward passage; passing through the Straits of Eanca, and Simda, without any occurrence worthy of particu iar remark. On the ISth of February they left the Straits of Sunda. In the night, between the 25th and 26th, they experi^ enced a violent storm, during which almost every sail they had bent v/as split to rags; and the next day they v»^ere obliged to bend their last set of sails, and to knot and splice the rigging, their cordage being all expended. On the 7th of April, they saw the land of Africa; on the eve- ning of the 12th, they dropped anchor in False Bay, and ine next morning stood into Simon's Bay, at the Cape of Good Hope. They sailed out of the Bay on the 9th, and on the 12th of June, they passed the equator for the fourth time during the voyage. On the 12th of August they made the western coast of Ireland, and, after a fruitless attempt to put into Port Galway, they were obliged, by strong southerly winds, to steer northward; and on the 26th of August, both the ships came to anchor at Stromness in the Orkneys, whence Captain King was despatched by Captain Gore, to acquaint the Board of Adm.iralty of their arrival. On the 1st of October, the ships arrived safe at the Nore, after an absence of four years, two months, and twenty- two days. SUFFERINGS OF EPHRAIM HOW. On the 2oth of August, 1676, Mr. Ephraim How, of New Haven, in New England, w^ith his two eldest sons; one Mr. Augur; Caleb Jones, son to Mr. William Jones, one of the magistrates of New Haven; and a boy; six persons in all; set sail from New Haven for Boston, in a small ketch, of about seventeen tons. Having despatched his business there, he sailed for Nf^w Haven on the 10th of September, but was forced back to Bostoh by contrary winds. Here Mr. How was seized with a vioieni flux, which continued nearly a month; many being at that time sick, and some dying of the same. Being in some degree restored to health, he again sailed from Boston, October 10. They went with a fair wind as far as Cape Cod: but on a sudden the weather became very tempestuous, so that they could not pass the Cape, but were driven off to sea, where thoy were in great danger, experiencing terrible storms, with outrageous winds and seas. His olde^st son fell sick and died about the 21st; soon after hig other son was taken ill and died also. This was a bitter cup to ^hc poor father, for these youths were his only assistants in SUFFERINGS OF EPHRAIM HOW. 139 \%orking the vessel. Soon after Caleb Jones died, so that half the company were now no more. Mr. How continued in a very sickly and weak state, yet was necessitated to stand at the helm twenty-four and thirty-six hours together. During this time the sea was so boisterous as fre- quently to break over the vessel, that if he had not been lashed fast he must have been washed overboard. In this extiemity, he was at a loss in his own thoughts, v/hether he should persist in endeavoring to make for the New England shore, or beai away for the Southern Islands, Upon his proposing the question to Mr. Augur, they determined, according to the custom of some in those times, to decide this difficult case by casting lots. They did so, and it fell upon New England. Nearly about the 7th of November they lost their rudder, so that now their only dependence was upon Providence. In this deplorable state they drove up and down for a fortnight longer. During the last six weeks, the poor infirm Mr. How was hardly ever dry, nor had he the benefit of warm food above thrice or thereabouts. At length, about the 21st of November, early m the morning, the vessel was driven on the tailings of a ledge of rocks, where the sea broke violently. Looking out, they saw a dismal rocky island to the leeward, upon v/hich, if Providence had not by the breakers given them timely warning, they had been dashed to pieces. They immediately let go an anchor, and got out the boat, and the sea became calm. The boat proving leaky, and they being in great terror, they took but little out of the ketch, but got on shore as they could. Here they could discover neither man nor beast. It was a small, rocky, desolate island, near Cape Sable, the Southern extremity of Nova Scotia. They now appeared to be in great danger of being starved to death, but the storm returning, beat so violently upon the vessel, as it still lay at anchor, that it wis stove to pieces, and several things floated to the shore. The following articles were all they had towards their futu.;e support: — a cask of gunpowder, which received no damage from the water; a barrel of wine; half a barrel of molasses; several useful articles towards building a tent: all the above drifted from the wreck; besides which they had, firearms and shot; a pot for boiling; and most probably other things not mentioned in the narrative. Their tent was soon erected, for tlie cold was now getting severe, but nevv^ and great distresses attended them, for thougii they had arms and ammunition, there were seldom any fowls to he seen, except crows, ravens, and seagulls. These were so few, that they could seldom shoot more than one at a time. Many times half a fowl, with the liquor it was boiled in, served Or a men! for all three Once they lived five days without anv 140 AN ESCAPE THROUGH THE CABIN-WINDOWS. sustenance, but did not feel themselves pinched with hui.ger as at other times: which they esteemed a special favor of Heaven unto them. When they had lived in this miserable condition twelve v/eeks, Mr. How's dear friend and companion, Mr. Augur, died, about the n.iddle of February, 1677; so that he had none left to con- verse with but the lad, who likewise departed on the 2d of April Mr. How v/as now the sole inhabitant of this desolate spot during April, May, and June, and saw fishing vessels, every now and then, sailing by; some of v/hich came even nearer to the island than that which at last took him off. He used all the means in his power to make them acquainted with his distress; but they either did not see him, or were afraid to approach close to the island, lest some of those Indians should be quartered there, who were at that time in hostility against the English, viz the jVorth-East Indians, who held out after the death of the fa- mous Philip, king of the Wompanoags. At length a vessel belonging to Salem, in New England, provi- dentially passed by, and seeing this poor fellow, they sent their boat on shore, and took him away. He had been on the island more than seven months, and above a quarter of a year by himself. On the 18th of July he arrived at Salem, and at last returned to his family at New Haven. They for a twelvemonth had supposed him dead; by which it appears he did not get home till the end of August, or perhaps later AN ESCAPE THROUGH THE CABIN- WINDOWS. In the year 18 — , said Capt. M , I was bound, in a fin^ stout ship of about four hundred tons burden, from the port of P to Liverpool. The ship had a valuable cargo on board and about ninety thousand dollars in specie. I had been prevented, by other urgent business, from giving mvich of my attention to the vessel v/hile loading and equipping for the voyage, but was very particular in my directions to the chief mate, in whom I had great confidence, he having sailed with me some years, to avoid entering, if pc^^ible, any but native American seamen. When we were about to sail, he informed me that he had not been able to comply with my directions entirely in this particular; but had shipped two forei^rncrs as seamen, one a native of Guernsey, and the other a Ficnchman from Brittany. I was pleased, however, with th(3 ap[)earance of the crew generally, and particularly with the foreigners. Th(iy were both stout and able-bodied men, and were particularly alert and .ittentive to orders. AN ESCAPE THROUGH THE CABIiN -WINDOWS. 141 The passage commenced auspiciously, and promised to l)e a speedy one, as we took a fine steady westerly wind soon after we lost soundings. To my great sorrow and uneasiness, I soon dis- covered in the foreigners a change of conduct for the worse. They became insolent to the mates and appeared to be frequently under the excitement of liquor, and had evidently acquired an un« due influence with the rest of the men. Their intemperance soon became intolerable, and as it was evident that they had brought liquor on board with them, I determined upon searching the fore- castle and depriving them of it. An order to this effect was given to the mates, and they were directed to go about its execution mildly and firmly, taking no arms with them as they seemed in- clined to do, but to give every chest, birth and locker in the fore- castle a thorough examination; and bring aft to the cabin any spirits they might find. It was not without much anxiety that I sent them forward upott this duty. I remained upon the quarter deck myself, ready to go (o their aid, should it be necessary. In a few moments, a loud and angry dispute w^as succeeded by a sharp scuffle around the forecastle companion-way. The steward, at my call, handed my loaded pistols from the cabin, and wdth them I hastened forward. The Frenchman had grappled the second mate, who was a mere lad, by the throat, thrown him across the heel of the bowsprit, and was apparently determined to strangle him to death. The chief mate was calling for assistance from below, where he was struggling with the Guernsey man. The rest of the crew were in- different spectators, but rather encouraging the foreigners than otherwise. I presented a pistol at the head of the Frenchman, and ordered him to release the second mate, which he instantly did. I then ordered him into the foretop, and the others, who were near, into the maintop, none to come down under pain of death, until ordered. The steward had by this time brought another pair of pistols, with which I armed the second mate, di- recting him to remain on deck; and went below into the forecastle myself I found that the chief mate had been slightly wounded in two places by the knife of his antagonist, who, however, ceased to resist as I made my appearance, and we immediately secured him in irons. The search was now made, and a quantity of liquor found and taken to the cabin. The rest of the men were then called down from the tops, and the Frenchman was made the com- panion of his coadjutor's confinement. I then expostulated, at some length, Avith the others upon their improper and insubordi- nate conduct, and upon the readiness with which they had suf- fered themselves to be drawn into s.uch courses by two rascally foreigners, and expressed hopes that i should have no reason for further complaint during the rest of the voyage. This rcnion strance I thought had effect, as they appeared contrite and 14^ AN ESCAPE THROUGH THE CABIN-WINDOWS. promised amendment. They were then dismissed, and order was restored. The next day the foreigners strongly solicited pardon, with the most solemn promises of future good conduct; and as the rest of the crew joined in their request, I ordered that their irons should be taken off. For several days the duties of the ship were per- formed to my entire satisfaction; but I could discover in the countenances of the foreigners, expressions of deep and ran- corous animosity to the chief mate, who was a prompt, energetic seaman, requiring from the sailors, at all times, ready and implicit obedience to his orders. A week perhaps had passed over in this way, when one night, in the mid watch, all hands were called to shorten sail. Ordinari- ly u'^ion occasions of this kind, the duty was conducted by the mate, but I now went upon deck myself and gave orders, sending him upon the forecastle. The night was dark and squally; but the sea was not high, and the ship was running otf about nine knots, with the wind upon the starboard quarter. The weather being very unpromising, the second reef was taken in the fore and main topsails, the mizen handed and the fore and mizen top gal- lant yards sent down. This done, one watch was permitted to go below, and I prepared to betake myself to my birth again, di- recting the mate, to whom I wished to give some orders, should be sent to me. To my utter astonishment and consternation, word was brought me, after a short time, that he was no where to be found. I hastened upon deck, ordered all hands up again, and questioned every man in the ship upon the subject; but they, with one accord, declared that they had not seen the mate for- v/ard. Lanterns were then brought, and every accessible part of the vessel was unavailingly searched. I then, in the hearmg of the whole crew, declared my belief that he must have fallen overboard by accident, again dismissed one watch below, and re- paired to the cabin, in a state of mental agitation impossible to be described. For notwithstanding the opinion which I had ex- pressed to the contrary, I could not but entertain strong suspi cions that the unfortunate man had met a violent death. The second mate was a protegee of mine; and, as I have be fore observed, was a very young man of not much experience as a seaman. I therefore felt that, under critical circumstances, my main support had fallen from me. It is needless to add, that a deep sense of forlornness and insecurity was the result of these reflections. INly first step was to load and deposit in my £tate room all the fire arms on board, amounting to several muskets and four pairs of pistols. The steward was a faithful mulatto man, who had sailed with me several voyages. To him I communicated my suspicions, and directed him to be constantly on the alert: and AN ESCAPE THROUGH THE CABIN WINDOWS. M3 should any further difficulty with the crew occur, to repair imme- diately to my state room and arm himself. His usual birth was in the steerage, but I further directed that he should, ou the fol- lowing morning, clear out and occupy one in the cabin near my own. The second mate occupied a small state room opciiing into the passage which led from the steerage to the cabin. 1 called him from the deck, gave him a pair of loaded pistols, wixh orders to keep them in liis birth; and, during his night watches on deck, never to go forward of the main mast, but to continue as constant- ly as possible near the cabin companion-way, and call me upon the slightest occasion. After this, I laid down in my bed^ order- ing that I should be called at four o'clock, for the morning watch Only a few minutes had elapsed, when I heard three or four knocks under the counter of the ship, which is that part of the sle-^-n im- mediately under the cabin windows. In a minute or tv/o they were distinctly repeated. I arose — opened the cabin window and called. The mate answered!— l gave him the end of a rope to as- sist him up, and never shall I forget the flood of gratitude which my delighted soul poured forth to that Being, who had restored Hra to me uninjured. His story was soon told. He had gone forward upon being ordered by me, after the calling of atl hands, and had barely reached the forecastle, when he was seized by the two foreigners, and before he could utter more than one cry, which was drowned in the roaring of the winds and waves, was thrown over the bow. He was a powerful man and an excellent swimmer. The topsails of the ship were clewed down to reef, and her \vay, of course, considerably lessened — and in an instant, he found the end of a rope, vv^hich was accidentally towing overboard, within his grasp, by which he dragged in the dead water or eddy, that is always created under the stern of a vessel w^hile sailing, particularly if she is full built and deeply laden, as was the case with this. By a desperate effort, he caught one of the rudder chains, which was very low, and drew himself by it upon the step or jog of the rudder, where he had sufficient presence of mind to remain without calling out, until the light had ceased to shine through the cabin windows, when he concluded that the search for him was over. He then made the signal to me. No being in the ship, but myself, was apprised of his safety, for the gale had increased and completely drowned the sounds of the knocking, opening the window. Sec. before they could reach the quarter deck; and there was no one in the cabin but our- selves, the steward having retired to his birth in the steerage. If was at once resolved that the second mate only should be inform ed of his existence. He immediately betook himself to a Inline vacant state room, and, for the remainder of the passage, all hi? wants were attended to by me. Even the steward was alhnvcd to enter the cabin as rarely as possible. Nothing of note occurred during the remainder of the voyage, 144 LAMENT FOR LONG TOM. which was prosperous. It seemed that the foreigners had only been actuated by revenge in the violence they had committed; for nothing further was attempted by them. In due season we took a pilot in the channel, and, in a day or two, entered the port of Liverpool. As soon as the proper arrangements were made, we commenced warping the ship into dock, and while engaged in this opc.ration, the Mate appeared on deck, went forward, and attended to . his duties as usual! A scene occurred which is beyond descrip- tion: every feature of it is as vivid in my recollection as though it occurred but yesterday, and will be to my latest breath. The warp dropped from the paralysed hands of the horror-stricken sailors, and had it not been taken up by some boatmen on board, I should have been compelled to anchor again and procure assist- ance from the shore. Not a w^ord was uttered; but the two guilty wretches staggered to the mainmast, where they remained petri- fied with horror, until the officer, who had been sent for, approach- ed to take them into custody. They then seemed in a measure to be recalled to a sense of their appalling predicament, and uttered the most piercing expressions of lamentation and despair. They were soon tried, and upon the testimony of the mat®, capitally convicted and executed. LAMENT FOR LONG TOM. By J. G. C Brainard. ITiy cruise is over now Thou art anchored by the shar ?^ And never more shalt thou Hear the storm around thee roar , Death has shaken out the sands of thy g;Iase. Now around thee sports the whale And the porpoise snufFs the gale, And the night winds make their wail, As they pass. The sea-grass round thy bier Shall bend beneath the tide, Nor tell the breakers near, Where thy manly limbs abide ; But tlie granite rock thy tomb shall be Though ihe edges of thy grave Arc the combings of the wave — Yet unheeded they shall rave Over thee. At the callmg of all hands, When the judgment signals spread— THE FATAL jvEPAST. 145 When the islands, and the lands, And the seas give up their dead, And the south and the north shall com« When the sinner is betrayed, And the just man is afraid. Then may Heaven be thy aid, Poor Tom THE FATAL REPAST. We had been nearly five weeks at sea, when the captain found, by a nautical observation, that we were within one hundred and thirty miles of the north side of Jamaica. Favorable winds and smooth seas had hitherto been our constant attendants, and every thing on board conspired to render the confinement and monotony of a long voyage less annoying than they usually are. The cabin passengers consisted of Major and Mrs. L , a new-married couple; Miss P — — , sister to the latter; Mr. D , a young Irishman, and myself Our captain was a man of pleasing man- ners and liberal ideas, and formed an important acquisition to our party, by joining in all its recreations, and affording every facility to the indulgence of them. Much of our time was spent in con- versation, and in walking on deck; and when the dews of evening obliged us to descend to the cabin, the captain would often enter- tain us with a relation of the various dangers which he and other persons had encountered at sea, or detail, with great gravity, some of the prevailing superstitions of sailors. , Although he possessed more general information than usually falls to the lot of seafaring persons, his mind was tinctured with so.T.e of their weaknesses and prejudices. The ladies of our party had a great taste for natural history, and wished to obtair specimens of all the most interesting kinds of sea-birds. They had several times requested the captain to shoot one of JVIother Gary's chickens, that they might take a drawing from it; how- ever, he always declined doing so, but never gave any satisfactory reason for his unwillingness to oblige them in this respect. At last, Mr. D killed two of the birds, after having several times missed whole flocks of them. The captain seemed very much startled when he saw tlie animals drop on the waves; — " W^ili you have the goodness to let down the boat to pick up the game.^" said Mr. D . " Yes, sir," replied he, " if you '11 go off in her, and never return on board this vessel — Here is a seiious business — Ue assured we have not seen the end of it." He then walked away without offering to give any orders about lowering ' i6 THE FATAL REPAST. the boat; and the seamen, yAio witnessed the transaction, looked as if they would not have obeyed him had he .even done so. Though we saw no land, every thing proved that v/e were in the West India seas. The sky had, within a few days, begun to assume a more dazzli^ g aspect, and long ranges of conical shaped clouds floated pJong the horizon. Land birds, with beau- tiful plumage, often hovered round the vessel, and we sometimes fancied we could discover a vegetable fragrance in the breezes that swelled our sails. One delightful clear morning, when we were in hourly expect- ation of making the land, some dolphin appeared astern. As the weather was very moderate, the captain proposed that we should fish for them; and a great many hooks were immediately baited for that purpose by the seamen. Yie caught large quantities of dolphin, and of another kind of fish, and put the whole into the hands of the steward, with orders that part should be dressed for dinner, and part distributed among the crew. When the dinner-hour arrived, we all assembled in the cabin^ in high spirits, and sat down to table. It being St. George's day, the captain, who was an Englishman, had ordered that every thing should be provided and set forth in the most sumptuous style, and the steward had done full justice to his directions. We made the wines, Vv^hich were exquisite and abundant, circulate rapidly, and every glass increased our gaiety and good humor, )vhile the in- fluence of cur mirth rendered the ladies additionally amusing and animated. The captain remarked, that as there v/ere two clarinet players among the crew, we ought to have a dance upon the quarter-deck at sunset. This proposal was received with much delight, particularly by the females of our party; and the captain had just told the servant in waiting to bid the musicians prepare themselves, when the mate entered the cabin, and said, that the man at the helm had dropped down almost senseless, and that another of the crew was so ill that he could scarcely speak. The captain, on receiving this information, grew very pale, and seemed at a loss what to reply. At last, he started from his chair, and hiirried up the gangway. Our mirth ceased in a moment, though none of us appeared to knov/ why; but the minds of all were evidently occupied by what they had just heard, and Major L remarked,- with a faultcring voice, that seamen were very liable to be taken suddenly ill in hot climates. After a little time, v/e sent the servant to inquire what was goin^ forv/ard on deck. He returned immediately, and informed us that the two sailors were worse, and that a third had just been attacked in the same wny. Hci had scarcely said these words when Mrs. I-i gave a shriek, and cried out that her sister had fainted away. This added to our confusion and alarm; and the IMajor and Mr. D trembled so, that they were hardly able to convey the young lady to her state-room. THE FATAL REPAST. 141 All conversation was now at an end, and no one uttered a word til] Mrs. L returned irom her sister's apartment. While we were inquiring how the latter was, the captain entered the cabin in a state of great agitation. '' This is a dreadful business," said he. '"• The fact is — it is my duty to tell you — I fear we are all poisoned by the fish we have ate — One of the crew died a few minutes since, and five others are dangerously ill." "Poisoned! my God! Do you say so. ^ Must we all die.?'' exclaimed Mrs. L , dropping on her knees. " What is to be done.'^" cried the Major distractedly; "are there no means of counteracting it.?" — " None that I know of, " returned the captain. "All remedies are vain. The poison is always fatal, except — • but I begin to feel its eftects — support me — can this be imagina- tion.?" He stago;ered to one side, and would have fallen upon the floor, had not I assisted him. Ptlrs. L , notwithstanding his apparent insensibility, clung to his arm, crying out, in a tone of despair, " Is there no help — no pity — no one to save us?" and then fainted av/ay on her husband's bosom, who, turning to me, said, with quivering lips, " You are a happy man; you have nothing to imbitter your last moments — Oh, Providence! was I permitted to escape so many dangers, merely that I might suffer this mrsery.?" Mrs. L soon regained her senses, and I endeavored to calm her agitation by remarking, that we might possibly escape the fatal influence of the poison, as some constitutions were not so easily affected by it as others. " Is there then a little hope?" she exclaimed. " Oh! God grant it may be so! Kow dreadful to die in the midst of the ocean, far from friends and home, and then to be thrown into the deep!" — " There is one thing," said the captain, faintly, " I was going to tell you, that — but this sen- sation — I mean a remedy." — " Speak on," cried the major, in breathless suspense. " It may have a chance of saving you," continued the former; "you must immediately" — He gave a deep sigh, and dropped his head upon his shoulder, apparently unable to utter a word more. "Oh, this is the worst of all!" cried Mrs. L in agony; "he was on the point of telling us how to counteract the effects of the poison — Was it heavenly mercy that deprived him of the power of speech? Can it bo called mercy?" — " Hush, hush! you rave," returned her husband. *' We have only to be resigned 7ioiv — Let us at least die together." The crew had dined about an hour and a half before us, and consequently felt the effects of the poison much earlier than we did. Every one, however, now began to exhibit alarming symp- toms. Mr. D became delirious; the major lay upon tho cabin Hoor in a state of torpidity; and the captain had drowned all sense and rccoMection by drinking a large quantity of brandy Mrs. L watched her husband and her sister alternately, in / state of quiet de«5pair. 148 TKE FATAL REFAST. 1 was comparatively but little affected, and therefore employee myself in assisting others until they seemed to be past all relief, and then sat down, anticipating the horrid consequences which would result from the death of the whole ship's company. While thus occupied, I heard the steersman call out, '^ Taken all aback here." A voice, which I knew to be the mate's, imme- diately answered, " Well, and what 's that to us? Put her before the wind, and let her go where she pleases." I soon perceived, by the rushing of the water, that there was a great increase in the velocity of the ship's progress, and went upon deck to ascer- tain the cause. I found the mate stretched upon the top of the companion, and addressed him, but he made no reply. The man at the helm was tying a rope round the tiller, and told me he had become so blind and dizzy, that he could neither steer, nor see the compass, and vv^ould therefore fix the rudder in such a manner, as would keep the ship's head as near the wind as possible. On going forward to the bows, I found the crew lying motionless in every direction. They were either insensible of the dangerous situa- tion in which our vessel was, or totally indifferent to it; and all my representations on this head failed to draw forth an intelligi- ble remark from any of them. Our ship carried a great press of canvass, the lower studding sails being set, for we had enjoyed a gentle breeze directly astern, before the wind headed us in the way already mentioned. About an hour after sunset, almost every person on board seemed to have become worse. I alone retained my senses un- impaired. The wind now blew very fresh, and we went through the water at the rate of ten knots an hour. The night looked dreary and turbulent. The sky was covered with large fleeces of broken clouds, and the stars flashed angrily through them, as they were wildly hurried along by the blast. The sea began to run high, and the masts showed, by their incessant creaking, that they carried more sail than they could well sustain. T stood alone abaft the binnacle. Nothing could be heard above or below deck, but the dashing of the surges, and the moanings of the wind. All the people on board were to me the same as dead; and I was tossed about, in the vast expanse of waters, without a companion or fellow-sufferer. I knew not what might be my fate, or where I should be carried. The ves- sel, as it careered along the raging deep, uncontrolled by human hands, seemed under the guidance of a relentless demon, to whose caprices its ill-fated crew had been mysteriously consigned by some superior power. 1 was filled with dread lest we should strike upon rocks, or run ashore, and often imagined that the clouds which bordered the horizon were the black cliffs of some desolate coast. At last, I distinctly saw a light at some distance — I anticipated in THE FATAL REPAST. 149 scant destruction — I grew irresolute whether to remain upon deck, and face death, or to wait f()r it below. I soon discovered a sliij) a little way ahead — I instinctively ran to the helm, and loosed the rope that tied the tiller, which at once bounded back, and knocked me over. A horrible crashing, and loud cries, now broke upon my ear, and I saw that we had got entangled with another vessel. But the velocity with which we swept al >ng. rendered our extrication instantaneous; and, on looking back, 1 saw a ship, without a bowsprit, pitching irregularly among the waves, and heard the rattling of cordage, and a tumult of voices But, after a little time, nothing was distinguishable by the eye or by the ear. My situation appeared doubly horrible, when I reflected that I had just been within call of human creatures, who might have saved and assisted all on board, had not an evil destiny hurried us along, and made us the means of injuring those who alone were capable of affording us relief About midnight, our fore top-mast gave way, and fell upon deck with a tre:nendous noise. The ship immediately sv»amg round, and began to labor in a terrible manner, while several waves broke over her successively. I had just resolved to descend the gangway for shelter, when a white figure rushed past me with a wild shriek, and sprung overboard. I saw it struggling among the billows, and tossing about its arms distractedly, but had no means of affording it any assistance. I v/atched it for some lime, and observed its con- vulsive motions gradually grov/ more feeble, but its form soon )ecame undistin^uishable amidst the foam of the burstinjj waves. Ihe darkness prevented me from discovering who had thus com- mitted himself to the deep, in a moment of madness, and I felt a strong repugnance at attempting to ascertain it, and rather wished it might have been some spectre, or the offspring of my perturbed imagination, than a human being. As the sea continued to break over the vessel, I went down to the cabin, after having closely shut the gangway doors and com- panion. Total darkness prevailed below. I addressed the cap- tain and all my fellow passengers by name, but received no reply from any of them, though I sometimes fancied I heard moans ^nd quick breathing when the tumult of waters without happen- ed to subside a little But I thought that it was perhaps imagi- nation, and that they were probably all dead. I began to catch for breath, and felt as if I had been immured in a lart^e coffin along with a number of corpses, and was doomed to linger out life beside them. The sea beat against the vessel with a noise like that of artillery, and the crashing of the bulwarks, driven in by its violence, gave startling proof of the danger that threatened us. Havinf^ several times been dashed ajxainst the walls and transoms of the cabin by the vioknt pitching of the ship, 1 grop< 13* i50 THE FATAL REPAST. ed for my bed, and lay down in it, and, notwithstanding the tier- rors that surrounded me, gradually dropped asleep. When I awaked, I perceived, by the sunbeams that shone through the skylight, that the morning v/as far advanced. The ship rolled violently at intervals, but the noise of wind and waves had altogether ceased. I got up hastily, and almost dreaded to look round, lest I should find my worst anticipations concerning my companions too fatally realized. I immediately discovered the captain lying on one side of the cabin quite dead. Opposite him was Major L , stretched along the floor, and grasping firmly the handle of the door of his wife's apartment. He looked like a dying man, and Mrs. L , who sat beside him, seemed to be exhausted with grief and terror. She tried to speak several times, and at last suc- ceeded in informing me that her sister was better. I could not discover Mr. D any where, and therefore concluded that he was the person who had leaped overboa. d the preceding night. On going upon deck, I found that every thing wore a new aspect. The sky was dazzling and cloudless, and not the faint- est breath of wind could be felt. The sea had a beautiful bright green color, and was calm as a small lake, except when an oc- casional swell rolled from that quarter in which the v/ind had' been the preceding night; and the water was so clear, that I saw to the bottom, and even distinguished little fishes sporting around the keel of our vessel. Four of the seamen were dead, but the mate and the remain- ing three had so far recovered, as to be able to walk across the c'eck. The ship was almost in a disabled state. Part of the • t^reck of the fore top-mast lay upon her bows, and the rigging ind sails of the mainmast had suffered much injury. The mate told me, that the soundings, and almost every thing else, proved we were on the Bahama banks, though he had not yet ascertain- ed on what part of them we lay, and consequently could not say whether we had much chance of soon falling in with any vessel. The day passed gloomily. They regarded every cloud that rose upon the horizon as the forerunner of a breeze, which we above all things feared to encounter. Much of our time was employed in [)reparing for the painful but necessary duty of in- terring the dead. The carpenter soon got ready a sufiicieni munb(,T of boards; to each of which we bound one of the corpses, and also v/cights enough to make it sink to the bottom. Ab(.>ut ten at night, we began to commit the bodies to the deep. A dead calm had prevailed the Vv'hole day, and not a ^,loud obscured the sky. The sea reflected the stars so distinctly, that it seemed as if we were consigning our departed compan- ions to a heaven as resplendent is that above us. There was an JLtvful solemnity, alike in the scene and in our situation I read THE FATAL REPAST. 151 the funeral service, and then we dropped the corpses ovci board, one after another. The sea sparkled around each, as its sullen plu^nge announced that the waters were closing over it, and they all slowly and successively descended to the bottom, enveloped in a ghastly glimmering brightness, which enabled us to trace their progress through the motionless deep. When these last offices of respect were performed, v/e retired in silence to differ- ent parts of the ship. About midnight, the mate ordered the men to cast anchor, which, till then, they had not been able to accomplish They likewise managed to furl niost of the sails, and we went to bed, u«der the consoling idea, that though a breeze did spring up, oui moorings v/ould enable us to weather it without any risk. I was roused early next morning by a confused noise upon deck. When I got there, I found the men gazing intently over the side of the ship, and inquired if our anchor held fast. — '' Ay, ay," returned one of them, " rather faster than we want it." On approaching the buhvarks, and looking down, I perceived, to my horror and astonishment, all the corpses lying at the bottom of the sea, as if they had just been dropped into it. We v/ere now exempted from the ravages and actual presence of death, but his form haunted us without intermission. We hardly dared to look over the ship's side, lest our eyes should encounter -the ghastly features of some one who had formerly been a companion, and at whose funeral rights we had recently assisted. The seamen began to murmur among themselves, say- ing that we would never be able to leave the spot where v/e then were, and that our vessel would remain there and rot. In the evening a strong breeze sprung up, and filled us with hopes that some vessel would soon come in sight, and afford us relief. At sunset, when the mate was giving directions about the watch, one of the seamen cried out, " Thank Heaven, there they are." And the other ran up to him saying, ''Where, where?" He pointed to a flock of IMother Carey's chickens that had just appeared astern, and began to count how many there were of them. I inquired what v/as the matter, and the mate replied, '' ^\hy, only that we've seen the worst, that 's all, master. I've a notion we'll fall in with a sail before twenty hours are past." — " Have you any particular reason for think- ing so?" said I. "To be sure I have," returned he, "Aren't them there birds an omen of returning good fortune." — " I have always understood," said I, "that these birds indicate bad weather, or some unfortunate event, and this appears to me to be true." — "Ay, ay," replied lie, "they say experience teaches fools, and I have found it so; tliere was a time when I did not believe that these creatures were any thing but common birds, but now I know another story — Oh I've witnessed such stian;;e thinfTs! ' 152 THE FATAL REPAST. Next morning 1 was awakened by the joyful intelligence that a schooner was in sight, and that she had hoisted her flag in an- swer to our signals. She bore down upon us with a good wind, and in about an hour hove to, and spoke us. When we had in- formed them of our unhappy situation, the captain ordered the boat to be lowered, and came on board of our vessel, with three of his crew. He was a thick, short, dark-complexioned man, and his language and accent discovered him to be a native of the southern states of America. The mate immediately proceeded to detail minutely all that happened to us, but our visiter paid very little attention to the narrative, and soon interrupted it, by asking of what our cargo consisted. Having been satisfied on this point, he said, *' Seeing as how things stand, I conclude you'll be keen for getting into some port." — '' Yes, that of course is our earnest wish," replied the mate, '' and we hope to be able by your assist- ance to accomplish it." — ''Ay. we must all assist one another," returned the captain- — ''Well, I was just calculating, that your plan would be to run into New Providence— I'm bound for St. Thomas's, and you can't expect that I should turn about, and go right back with you — neither that I should let you heve any of my seamen, for I'll not be able to make a good trade unless I get slick into port. Novv^ I have three nigger slaves on board of me, — curse them, they don't know much about sea-matters, an-d are as lazy as h — 1, but keep flogging them, mister, — keep flogging them I say, — by which means, you will make them serve your ends. Well, as I was saying, I will let you have them blacks tcu help you, if you '11 buy them of me at a fair price, and pay it down in hard cash." — " This proposal," said the mate, " sounds strange enough to a British seaman; — and how much do you ask for your slaves.^" " I can't let them go under three hundred dollars each," replied the captain, ''I guess they would fetch more in St. Thomas's, for they 're primo, blow me." — "Why, there is'nt that sum of money on board this vessel, that I know of," answered the mate; '' and though I could pay it myself, I 'm sure the own- ers never would agree to indemnify me. I thought you would have aflbrded us every assistance without asking any thing in return, — a true sailor would have done so at least." — " Well, I vow you are a strange man," said th6 captain. ''Is'nt it fair that I should get something for my niggers, and for the chance r 11 run of spoiling my trade at St. Thomas's, by making myself Bhort of men? But we shan't split about a small matter, and I '11 lessen the price by twenty dollars a ' \id." — "It is out of the question, sir," cried the mate, " I ha ) money," — " Oh there's no harm done," returned the captain-, "we can't trade, that's all Get ready the boat, boys — I guess your men will soon get smart again, and then, if the weather holds moderate, you ^11 reach port with the greatest ease." — " You surely do not mean to leave us in this barbarous way?" cried I ; "the owners of thi^ CAPTAINS PORTLOCK AND DIXON, 153 vessel would, I am confident, pay any sum ratlier than that we fihould perish through your inhumanity." — " Well, mister, I 've got owners too," replied he, " and my business is to make a good voyage for them. Markets are pretty changeable just now, and it won't do to spend time talking about humanity — money 's the \^ord with me." Having said this, he leaped into the boat, and ordered his men to row towards his own vessel. As soon as they got on board, they squared their topsail, and bore away, and were soon out of the reach of our voices. We looked at one another for a little time with an expression of quiet despair, and then the seamen began to pour forth a torrent of invectives, and abuse, against the heartless and avaricious shipmaster who had inhumanly deserted us. Major L and his wife, being in the cabin below, heard all that passed. When the captain first came on board, they were filled with rapture, thinking that we would certainly be delivered from the perils and difficulties that environed us; but as the con- versation proceeded, their hopes gradually diminished, and the conclusion of it made Mrs. L give way to a flood of tears, in which I found her indulging when I went below. The mate now endeavored to encourage the seamen to exertion. They cleared away the wreck of the fore-top-mast which had hitherto encumbered the deck, and hoisted a sort of jury-mast in its stead, on which they rigged two sails. When these things were accomplished, we weighed anchor, and laid our course for New Providence. The mate had fortunately been upon the Ba- hama seas before, and was aware of the difficulties he would have to encounter in navigating them. The weather continued mode- rate, and after two days of agitating suspense, w'e made Exuma Islan^., and cast anchor near its shore. CAPTAINS PORTLOCK AND DIXON. This voyage was undertaken for the purposes of commerce; phncipally, indeed, for the fur-trade, on the north-west coast of America, which had been strongly recommended by Captains Cook and King in their last voyage. Two vessels were fitted out for this purpose, the King George and Queen Charlotte, by a society of merchants and others, the former commanded by Na- thaniel Portlock, the latter by George Dixon, bot!i of whom had been w^ith Captain Cook; the King George having sixty men, the Queen Charlotte tliirty. September 20th they quitted St. Helens, and, proceeding to l54 CAPTAINS PORTLOCK AND DIXON Guernsey, left it on the 25th. October 16th saw the Canarj Islands, and 24th the Cape de Verde group, anchoring for a short time in Port Praya Bay, in St. Jago. Proceeding south, they anchored in Port Egmont, Falkland's Islands, January 5th, 1786, where, taking in water, they made sail for States Bay, in Terra del Fuego. Having made a good offing from Cape Horn, the^ had tolerable weather; and continuing their route without touch- ing at any place, or meeting with any thing worthy of notice, dro])ped anchor 26th May in Karakooa Bay, in Owhyhee, Sand- wich Islands. The natives crowded them very much, bartering a variety of articles; but v/ere nevertheless extremely troublesome. It was the general opinion, that it would be impossible to water the ves- sels without a strong guard, v/hich they could not well spare; while the people were probably jealous that these vessels were come to revenge the death of Captain Cook. Next day they stood out of the bay, lying-to three leagues off, to carry on trade for hogs, plantains, taro, &lc. &c. which proved so serviceable that the sick, of whom there were several, began rapidly to recover. June 1st anchored in a bay in Woahoo, another of the islands, and v/ere received very civilly by the inhabitants. They now stood for another of the islands, named Oneehow; and, on the 8th, anchored in yam Bay, where supplies of fruit, vegetables, and pigs, were willingly afforded by the principal chief Abbenooe, who seemed strongly their friend, from recollecting Captain Port- lock along with Cook. They took leave of him, with regret, on the 13th, standing for the coast of America. July 19th made the entrance of Cook's River; and, while look- ing for good anchorage, were astonished by the report of a great gun; when, soon afterwards, a party of Russians came on-board, attended by some Indians; but none understaading the language of either, no satisfactory information could be gained from them. Most of the natives had fled from their huts, alarmed perhaps by the Russians; several bears were seen, but none near enough to fire at. Two veins of kennel-coal were found, which burned very well, and the place was, therefore, called Coal Harbor. An el- derly chief paying Captain Dixon a visit, informed him that they h battle with the Russians, in which the latter were worsted^ and added, that, from the difference of dress, he knew they were of a different nation. Quitting this place, they tried for some time to get into Prince William's Sound; but, by a series of unfavorable winds, failed in this pursuit. September 23rd, they stood away for the Sandwich Islands to pass the winter, and return in the spring. November 14th saw the summit of the high mountain in Owhyhee covered with snow, and employed tv*^o or three following days in coasting it, the natives bringing off a variety of articles to barter for iron and trinkets llie first mate of the King George reporting, that a bav CAPTAINS POllTLOCK AND DIXON. ' 155 (hey intended to anchor in did not admit of good anchorage, this design was dropped. During the time they lay to, hogs, fowls, wild-geese, bread-fruit, plantains, and several other things were procured in considerable quantities; the natives dealing pretty fairly, but committing a variety of thefts, even before their faces, with a dexterity almost inimitable. For several days they con- tinued lying to off the islands of Mowee and Morotoi, procuring r( fresh me nts and receiving visits till the 30th, when both ships b.ne away for King George's Bay, in Whoaboo, where they an- chored in safety, after experiencing a variety of winds from all points of the compass. Here they found every thing tabooed, or forbidden, so that *t became necessary to court the king's favor; for which purpose a present was sent to him, and another to a priest, their acquain- tance on the former occasion, who paid them a visit, handing up a fig and plantain, which in these islands are signs of friendship. Tkis was soon followed by a visit from Taheeierre, the king, fol- lo-^ved by all the chiefs, who took off the taboo. The priest was remarkable for drinking large quantities of the ava, or yava-juice, for w^iich he had two nen in constant attendance chewing the root, which, with their spittle, forms this singular and (to us) nausf^^us beverage. The yava is a root resembling liquorice in shap-"?*nd color. None but the chiefs and priests have permission to ub-. t, and these are never at the trouble of chewing it them- selves; but, as above observed, employ servants; these begin with chewing a sufficient quHTitity, and when well masticated, it is put into a wooden bowl kept for the purpose, to which a small quantity of water is added; the whole is then stra ned through a cloth, and, like wino in Europe, it thus forms not merely the drink, but the delight of all parties, feasts, rejoicings, and, in short, every public assemblage of the leading people. Its ctTects, however, are very pernicious; it is partly intoxicating or rather stupifying; and, by its constant use, the old priest was exceedingly debilitated, and his body covered by a wdiite scurf, resembling the leprosy, which is a common symptom throughout the South Sea islands of its fre- quent use. The taboo was again put on without any explanation being given, though several canoes nevertheless came off, but without any women, as had been formerly the case. Afterwards it was understood that one of them had been detected in the King George citing Pork, which being a heinous offence, she was taken as soon as she came on shore, and offered a sacrifice to the gods: human sacrifices, it appears, are here, as in most parts of the South Sea island^, frequently presented, and it is unquestionably the most inhulnan and barbarous custom among them. December 19th weighed, and two days afterwards anchored txetwcen Attoui and Wymea, where, after paying and receiving gome visits, their former friend i\bbenooe came on board with 156 CAPTAINS PORTLOCK AND DIXO>f two canoes loaded with provisions, and remained for two or three days, seemingly very well pleased with his new abode. The king also made his appearance; he was stout and well-made, about forty-five years of age, and possessed of more understand- ing and good-nature than any of his subjects. January 5th caught a shark in the King George, thirteen and a half feet long, eight and a half broad, and six feet in the liver; forty-eight young ones were in her, about eight inches each in length; tv/o whole turtles of sixty pounds each; several small pigs, and a quantity of bones; so that the numbers and the voracity of this fish may be conceived. From this time to the 10th they were employed in purchasing wood, water, provisions, curiosities, and every thing else they wanted; and now, quitting the anchorage, proceeded to yam Bay, in Oneehow, where, after making a few excursions, they departed once more for Wymoa Bay, Attoui. On the 3d March weighed, and made sail for the coast of America, and on the 24th April saw Montager Island, coming to anchor in the harbor, where there is sufiicient shelter from the prevailing winds. The weather continued very variable, several unsuccessful attempts being made to get into Prince Williams Sound, and only a single straggling inhabitant being seen now and then, so that there was no opportunity to trade. Captain Dixon now made an excursion in his boats up the Sound, and receiving some hints from the natives of a vessel be- ing there, continued his search for several days, and at length got on board a vessel called the Nootka, from Bengal, commanded by Mr. Meares, which had wintered in Snug-corner Cove. The scurvy had made dreadful havoc among them, nearly all the ofiicers and many of the crew having died of this frightful disorder, so that at length the Captain was the only person on board able to walk the deck. Along with his first mate he soon afterwards visited the ships, met with a hearty reception, and received such assistance as he wanted and as the others could afford. From him they learned that few or no furs could be procured here; that several vessels from India had been already on this coast for the purposes of trade; and that two or three were expected next month in the same pursuit, which immediately determined our voyagers to separate and push for different parts of the coast, in order to be before their expected rivals; the Quuon Charlotte to proceed to King George's Sound, and Messrs. Hay ward and llill to Cook's River in the Kinown which, joined to a long visage, hollow cheeks, high cheek-bones, and natural ferocity of temper, rendered him a most formidable figure. August 8th, made sail for the Sandwich Islands. September 2d made Owhyhee, and, after procuring refreshments, stood on for Whahoo, being visited the next day by Abbenooe and the king by whose commands they received abundant supplies of wood^ water, and provisions, of which they were in extreme want, several of the crew being nearly dead with the scurvy. Attoui was their next destination, where the chiefs inquired particularly after their friend Po-pote (Captain Portlocke,) and were desirous of contri- buting all in their power to the assistance of the ship, every one supplying the Captain with a liberality as unbounded as it was un- expected, but which did not go unrevt^arded; saws, hatchets, nails, and other iron instruments being given to the men, and buttons, beads, and a variety of ornaments to the women. September 18th made sail for China, and anchored in Macao Roads the'9th November, where being joined as already noticed, by the King George, their meeting was extremely agreeable Captain Portlock was very much surprised in Canton with his old friend Tiaana, from the Sandwhich Islands, who was no less pleas- ed at seeing him, embracing the Captain in the most cordial and affectionate manner. During his stay, Tiaana was introduced to every place worthy of notice; he was usually dressed in a cloak and fine feather cap, and, to show that he was a person of consequence, carried a spear in his hand. Afterwards, at the persuasion of Mr. Ross, he wore Q light satin waistcoat and a pair of trousers. He frequently at- tended places of public worship, behaving with the greatest de- corum, and joining the congregation in the ceremonies of kneel- ing or standing, as itMie had been all liis life regularly accustomed to them. Some of the customs of the Chinese displeased hnn ex- 160 CURIOSITY BAFFLEO. ceedingly, and, during the voyage, was nearly throwing the pilo! overboard for some real or imaginary offence; he was, hov/ever, of a kind disposition, displaying frequent instances of humanity as well as generosity. Being once at an entertainment, given by one of the Captains at Macao, his compassion was strongly excited after dinner by seeing a number of poor people, in Sam- pans, crowding round the vessel and asking alms; he solicited his host's permission to give them some food, remarking it was a great shame to let poor people v/ant victuals, and that in his country there were no beggars. In compliance with his importunities, the broken meat was collected under his care, and he distributed it in the most equal and impartial manner. Tiaana was six feet two inches high, exceedingly well-made, but inclined to corpulen- cy; he had a pleasing animated countenance, fine eyes, and other- wise expressive as well as agreeable features. He was universally liked, and, previous to his departure for Attoui, the gentlemen at Canton furnished him with bulls, cows, sheep, goats, rabbits, turkeys, Slc. &c. besides all kinds of seeds which could be useful in his island, with directions how to rear and propagate them. The best skins of their cargoes were disposed of to the East India Company for fifty thousand dollars, while the inferior ones were sold to the Chinese, both vessels receiving in return cargoes of tea. February, 6th, 1788, weighed and made sail down the river, quitting Macao finally a day or two afterwards. On the 20th saw the island of Pulo Sapata, four leagues distant; and, 25th, the islands of Aramba; three days afterwards Mr. Lander, surgeon of the Queen Charlotte, died, having been ill for some time, and attended by his brother surgeon, Mr. Hoggan, of the King George. On the 30th of March the ships agreed to sepa- rate, and make the best of their way to St. Helena, where the King George arrived the 13th June, and the Queen Charlotte on the 18th. The former at length reached England, without any occurrence worthy of remark, on the 22d August; and the latter the 17th September. Nor was the voyage unfortunate; -for though no great gain was made, yet nothing was lost, which, in a new commercial specuktion, is not an uncommon occurrence. CURIOSITY BAFFLED. Brook Watson was born of humble parentage, in the province of Maine, and in tliat part of it more appropriately known as Sagadahoc. History has not conveyed to us the incidents of his childhood. As he met with extraordinary success in life, we presume he was pretty soundly drubbed by the schoolmaster and CURIOSITY BAFFLED. 161 the older boys. He probably ran about bare-footed in summer, and in winter, wore old woollen stockings, with the feet cut off, under the name of leggins, to keep out snow-water. We imag- ine he got on the rafts of the lumher-men, and learned to swim, by being knocked off, as a mischief-maker, into the river. We think it likely he occasionally set up, of a moonshiny night, to watch the bears, as they came down, to reconnoitre the pig-stye; and we have little doubt that, before he was eleven years old, he had gone cabin-boy to Jamaica, with a cargo of pine boards and timber. But of all this we know nothing. It is enough for our story, that, at the age of twenty. Brook Watson was a stout athletic young man, sailing out of the port of Nev/ York to the West Indies. The Yankees knew the way to the West Indies a good while ago; they knew more ways than one. Their coasting vessels knew the way, without quadrant or Practical Navigator. Their skippers kept their reckoning with chalk, on a shingle, which they stowed away in the binacle; and, by way of observation, they held up a hand to the sun. When they got him over four fingers, they knew they were straight for the Hole-in-the-wall; three fingers gave them their course to the Double-headed-shot Keys, and two carried them down to Barbadoes. This was one way; and when the Monsieurs and the Dons at Martinico and the Havana heard the old New England drums, thumping away under the very teeth of their batteries, they understood to their cost, that the Yankees had another way of working their passage. But Brook Watson -went to the Havana in the way of trade. He went as second mate of the Royal Consort, a fine topsail schooner of one hundred and fifteen tons; and whether he had any personal venture in the mules, butter, cheese, codfish, and shooks, which she took out, is more than history has recorded. Captain Basil Hall says the Americans are too apt to talk about the weather. But in the tropics, in the month of July, aboard a small ship, without a breath stirring, captain, it is hot; — you have been a sailor yourself, and you ought to know it. It was very hot on board the Royal Consort, about four o'clock in the afternoon of the 14th of July, 1755. There was not the slightest movement in the air; the rays of the sun seemed to burn down into the water. Silence took hold of the animated creation. It w^as too hot to talk, whistle, or sing; to bark, to crow, or to bray. Every thing crept under cover, but Sambo and CulTee two fine looking blacks, who sat sunning themselves on the quay, and thought " him berry pleasant weather," and glistened like a new Bristol bottle. Brook Watson was fond of the water; he was not web-footed, nor was he branchioustegous; (there's for you, see Noah Web ster;) but were he asked whether he felt most at home on land or in the water, he v.ould have found it hard to tell. He had \\* sO'Z CURIOSITY BAFFLED. probably swum the Kennebec, where it is as wide and deep as the Hellespont between Sestos and Abvdos, at least once a day, for five months in the year, ever since he was eleven years old, without Lord Byron's precaution of a boat in company, to pick him up, in case of need. As his Lordship seemed desirous of imitating Leander, honesty ought, we think, to have suggested to him, to go without the boat. At all events, that was Brook Watson's w^ay ; and we have no doubt, had he been in a boat, with a head wind, he would have sprung into the river, in order to get across the sooner. With this taste for the water, and with the weather so oppressive as we have described it on the present occasion, it is not to be wondered at, that Brook Watson should have turned his thoughts for refreshment, to a change of element; in. other words, that he should have resolved to bathe himself in the sea. Such was the fact. About six o'clock in the afternoon, and Vv^hen every other being on board the vessel had crept away into the cabin or the forecastle, to enjoy a siesta, Brook, who had been sweltering, and panting, and thinking of the banks of the Kennebec, till his stout gay heart felt like a great ball of lead within him, tripped up on deck, dropped his loose clothing, and in an instant was over the side of the vessel. This was Brook's first voyage to the West Indies, since he had grown up; and the first day after his arrival. He was one of that class of mankind not bred up to books; and, consequently, in the way of learning wis- dom only by experience. What you learn by experience, you iearn pretty thoroughly, but at the same time, occasionally, much to your cost. Thus by cliopping off a couple of fingers with a broad axe, you learn, by experience, not to play with edge-tools. Brook Watson's experience in bathing had hitherto been confined to the Kennebec; a noble, broad, civil stream, harboring nothing within its gentle waters more terrible than a porpoise. The sea- serpent had not yet appeared. Brook Watson had certainly heard of sharks, but at the moment of forming the resolution to bathe, it had entirely escaped his mind, if it had ever entered^t, that the W^est India seas were full of them; and so over he went, with a fearless plunge Sambo and Cuffee as we have said, v/ere sitting on the quay, enjoying the pleasant sunshine, and making their evening repast 3f banana, when they heard the plunge into the water by the side of tiie Royal Consort, and presently saw Brook Watson emerging Irom the deep, his hands to his eyes, to free them from the brine, balancing up and down, sputtering the water from his mouth, and then throwing himself forward, hand over hand, as if at length he really felt himself in his clement. '^ Oh, Massa j^acra," roared out Sambo, as soon as he could recover his astonishment enough to speak, " O Senor; he white man neber go to swim; O, do tiburon; he berry bad bite, come CURIOSITY BAFFLED. 163 llamar — de shark; he hab berry big mouth; he eatee a Senor all iip down!" Such was the exclamation of Sambo, in the best English he had been able to pick up, in a few years service, in unlading the American vessels, that came to the Havana. It was intended to apprise the bold but inexperienced stranger, that the waters were illled with sharks, and that it was dangerous to swim in them. The words were scarcely uttered, and, even if they were :ieard, had not time to produce their effect, when Cuffee respo: dcd to the exclamation of his sable colleague, with — *' O, Madre de Dios, see, see, de tiburon, de shark; — ah San Salvador; ah pobre joven! matar, todo comer, he eat him all down, berry soon!" This second cry had been drawn from the kind-hearted negro, by seeing, at a distance, in the water, a smooth shooting streak, which an inexperienced eye would not have noticed; but which Sambo and Cuffee knew full well. It was the wake of a shark. At a distance of a mile or two, the shark had perceived his prey; and with the rapidity of sound he had shot across the inter- vening space, scarcely disturbing the surface with a ripple. Cuffee's practised eye alone had seen a flash of his tail, at the distance of a mile and a half; and raising his voice to the utmost of his strength, he had endeavored to apprise the incautious swim- mer of his danger. Brook heard the shout, and turned his eye in the direction, in which the negro pointed; and well skilled in all the appearances of the water, under which he could see almost as well as in the open air, he perceived the sharp forehead of the fearful animal rushing towards him, head on, with a rapidity which bade defiance to fligiit. Had he been armed with a knife, or even a stick, he would not have feared the encounter; but would have coolly waited his chance, like the negroes of the West Indies and the Spanish Main, and plunged his weapon into the opening maw of the ravenous animal. But he was wholly naked and de- fenceless. Every one on board the Royal Consort was asleep; and it was in vain to look for aid from that quarter. He cast a glance, in his extremity, to Sambo and Cuflee; and saw them, with prompt bei.evolence. throw themselves into a boat, to rescue him; but meantime the hungry enemy was rushing on. Brook thought of the Kennebec; he thought of its green banks, and its pleasant islands. He thought of the tall trunks of the nine trees, scathed with fire, which stood the grim sentinels of the forest, over the roof where he was born. He thought of the log school-house. He thought of his little brothers and sisters, and of his mother; and there was another image that passed through his mind, and almost melted into cov/ardice his manly throbbing heart He thouglit of Mary Atwood, and — but he had ^.o think of himself, f^or though these tumultuous emotions and a thousand others rushed through his mind in a moment, crowding that one 16 4 CURIOSITY BAFFLED. moment with a long duration of suffering; yet in the same fleet moment, the dreadful monster had shot across the entire space that separated him from Brook; and had stopped, as if its viiality had been instantly arrested, at the distance of about twelve feet from our swimmer. Brook had drawm himself up in the most pugnacious attitude possible; and was treading water \\ th great activity. The shark, probably unused to any signs of making battle, remained, for one moment, quiet; and then, like a flash of lightning, shot sideling ofl", and came round in the rear. Brook^ however, v/as as wide awake as his enemy. If he had not deaU with sharks before, he knew something of the ways of bears and catamounts; and contriving himself to get round, about as soon as the shark, he still presented a bold front to the foe. But a human creature, after all, is out of his element m the water; and he fights with a shark, to about the same disadvantage as the shark himself, when dragged up on deck, fights with a man. He flounces and flings round, and makes formidable battle with tail and mav\^; but he is soon obliged to yield. The near approach to a fine plump healthy Yankee was too much for the impatience of our shark. The plashing of the oars of Sambo and Cuffee, warned the sagacious monster of gathering foes. Whirl- ing himself over on his back, and turning up his long white belly, and opening his terrific jaws, set round with a double row of broad serrated teeth, the whole roof of his mouth paved with horrent fangs, all standing erect, sharp, and rigid, just permitting the blood-bright red to be seen between their roots, he darted toward Brook Brook's self-possession stood by him in this trying mo- ment. He knew very well if the animal reached him in a vitai part, that instant death v/as his fate; and with a rapid movement, either of instinct or calculation, he threw himself backward, kicking, at the same moiPicnt, at the shark. In consequence of this movement, his foot and leg passed into the horrid maw of the dreadful monster, and were severed in a moment, — muscles, sin- ews, and bone. In the next moment. Sambo and Cuffee were at his side; and lifted him into the boat, convulsed with pain, and fainting with loss of blood. The Royal Consort was near, and the alarm was speedily given. Brook was taken on board; the vesseTs company were roused; bandages and styptics were ap- plied; surgical advice was obtained from the shore, and in due seasoi the hearty and sound-constitutioned youth recovered. 'i he place of his lost limb was supplied by a wooden one; and mduftlry, temperance, probity, and zeal, supplied the place of a regiment of legs, when employed to prop up a lazy and dissipated frame. The manly virtues of our hero found their reward; his sufferings were crowned with a rich indemnity. He rose from one step to another of prosperity. Increased means opened a wider sphere of activity and usefuhiess. He was extensively engaged in public contrarts, which he fulfilled to the advantage of the ^ov- CURIOSITl^ BAFI-LED 165 ernmcnt as well as his own; — a thing rare enough among con- tracting biptds. From a contractor, he becamo a commissary, and from commissary. Lord Mayor of London. Behold our hero now, at the head of the magistracy of the me- tropolis of the British empire, displaying, in this exalted station, the virtues, which had raised him to it from humble life; and <',ombating the monsters of vice and corruption, which infest the metropolis, as boldly as he withstood the monster of the deep, and with greater success. All classes of his majesty's subjects, who had occasion to approach him, enjoyed the benefit of his civic qualities; and his fame spread far and wide through Great Britain Nor was it confined, as may well be supposed, to the British isles. The North American colonies were proud of their fellow citizen, who, from poverty and obscurity, had reached the Lord Mayor's chair. The ambitious mother quoted him to her emulous offspring. The thrifty merchant at Boston, would send a quintal of the best Isle-of-Shoals, as a present to his worship; and once, on the an- nual election-day, the reverend gentleman, who officiated on the occasion, in commenting on the happy auspices of the day, (it was just after the receipt of a large sum of money from England, on account of the expenses of the colony in the old war,) includ- ed among them, that a son of Nev/ England had been entrusted with the high and responsible duties of the Chief Magistracy of the metropolis of his majesty's dominions. It may well be supposed, that the Americans, who went home (as it was called, even in the case of those, who were born and bred in the colonies) were very fond of seeking the acquaintance of Sir Brook Watson, for knighthood had followed in the train of his other honors. Greatly to the credit of his worship, he uniformly received them with kindness and cordiality, and instead of shunning whatever recalled his humble origin, he paid partic- ular attention to every one, that came from Sagadahoc. There was but a single point in his history and condition, on which he evinced the least sensitiveness, and this was the painful occur- rence, whicri had deprived him of his limb. Regret at this severe loss; a vivid recollection of the agony, which had accompanied it; and probably no little annoyance at the incessant interrogatories to which it had exposed him through life, and the constant repeti- tion, to which it had driven him of all the details of tliis event, had unitedly made it a very sore subject with him. He at length ceased himself to allude to it, and his friends perceived, by the !)revity of his answers, that it was a topic on which he wished to be spared. Among the Americans who obtained an introduction to his worship in London, were Asahel Ferret and Richard Teaseweli, shrewd Yankees, who had found their way over to England, with a machine for dressing flax. They had obtained a letter ot re- commendation from a merchant in Boston to Sir Brook. They 166 CURIOSITY BAFFLED. had no reason to murmur at their reception. They were invitea to dine with his lordship and treated with hearty hospitahty and friendship. The dinner passed rather silently away, but with nc neglect of the main end of the dinner. Our Yankee visiters did full justice to his worship's bountiful fare They found his mutton fine; his turbot fine; his strong beer genuine (as they called it), and his wine most extraordinary good; and as the bottle circulat- ed, the slight repression of spirits, under which they commenced, passed of They became proportionally inquisitive, and opened upon their countryman a full battery of questions. They began with the articles, that formed the dessert; and asked whether his lordship's peaches were raised in his lordship's fewn garden. When told they were not, they made so bold as to inquire, whether they v/ere a present to his lordship or boughten The mayor having answered that they came from the m.arket, — '' might they presume to ask how much they had cost?" They were curious to be informed whether the silver gilt spoons were solid metal; — hov/ many little ones his worship had; what meeting he went to, and whether his lordship had ever heard Mr. Whitefield preach; and if he did not think him a fine speaker. They were anxious to know, whether his lordship went to see his Majesty sociably now, as you would run in and oat at a neighbor's; whether her majesty v/as a comely personable woman, and whether it was true, that the prince was left-handed, and the princess pock-marked. They inquired what his lordship was worth; how much he used to get, as commissary ; how much he got as lord mayor; and whether her ladyship had not something handsome of her own. They were anxious to know, what his worship would turn his hand to, when he had done being lord mayor; how old he was; whether he did not mean to go back and live in America; and whether it was not very pleasant to his lordship, to meet a countryman from New England. To all these questions and a great many more, equally searching and to the point, his lordship answered good- humoredly; sometimes with a direct reply, sometimes evasively, but never impatiently. He perceived, however, that the appecite of their curiosity grew, from what it fed on; and that it would be as wise in him to hope for respite on their being satisfied, as it was in the rustic to wait for the river to run out. These sturdy questioners had received a hint, that his lordship was rather sensitive, on the subject of his limb, and not fond oi having it alluded to. This, of course, served no other purpose, than that of imparting to them an intense desire to know every thing about it. They had never heard by what accident his lord- ship had met this misfortune; as indeed the delicacy, which had for years been observed on the subject, in the circle of his friends, had prevented the singular circumstances, which in early youth deprived him of his leg, from being generally known. It wag surmised by some, that he had broken it by a fall on the ice, i» CURIOSITY BAFFLED. 167 crossing the Kennebec in the winter. Others affirme j, of their 'iertain knowledge, that he was crushed in a raft of timber; and a third had heard a brother-in-law declare, that he stood by him, when it was shot off, before Quebec. In fact, many persons, not altogether as curious as our visitants, really wished they knew how his lordship lost his leg. This prev*'ailing mystery, the good humor with which lis wor- ship had answered their other questions, and the keen sting of curiosity wrought upon the visiters, till they were almost in a fi'enzy. The volubility, with which they put their other ques- tions, arose, in part, from the flutter of desire to probe this hidden matter. They looked at his worship's wooden leg; at eachotber; at the carpet; at the ceiling; and finally, one of them, by way of a feeler, asked his lordship, if he had seen the new model of a cork leg, contrived by Mr. Rivetshin and highly commended in the papers. His lordship had not heard of it. Baffled in this, they asked his lordship, whether he supposed it was very painful to lose a limb, by a cannon ball or a grape shot. His worship really could not judge, he had never had that misfortune. They then inquired whether casualties did not frequently happen to lumberers on the Kennebec river. The mayor replied that the poor fellows did sometimes slip off a rolling log, and get drowned *'Were there not bad accidents in crossing the river on the ice?'' His lordship had heard of a wagon of produce, that had been blown down upon the slippery surface of the ice, horses and all, as far as Merry Meeting Bay, when it was brought up by a shot from fort Charles, which struck the wagon between perch and axle-tree and knocked it over; but his lordship pleasantly added, he believed it was an exaggeration. Finding no possibility of getting the desired information by any indirect means, they began to draw their breath hard; to throw quick glances at each other and at his lordship's limb; and in a few moments one of them, with a previous jerk of his head and compression of his lips, as much as to say, '^ I will know it or die,'' ventured to take the liberty to inquire, if he might presume so far, as to ask his lordship, by what accident he had been deprived of the valuable limb, which appeared to be wanting to his lord- ship's otherwise fine person. His lordship was amused at the air and manner with which the question was put; like those of a raw lad, who shuts his eye, when taking aim with a gun. The displeasure he would other- wise have felt was turned into merriment; and he determined to sport with their unconscionable curiosity. •' Why, my friends, said he, what good would it do you to be mformed? How many questions I have already answered you this morning! You nov/ ask me how I lost my leg; if I answer vou on that point, you will wish to know the when, and the 168 CURIOSITY BAFFLED. wherefore; and instead of satisfying I shall only excite youi curiosity." '^ Oh no," they replied, '' if his lordship would but condescend to answer them this one question, they would agree never to ask him another." His lordship paused a moment, musing; and then added, with a smile, ^' But will you pledge yourselves to me to that effect.^" Oh, they were willing to lay themselves under any obligation; they would enter into bond not to trouble his lordship with any farther question; they would forfeit a thousand pounds, if they did not keep their word. '' Done, gentlemen," said his lordship, '' I accept the condition • — I will answer your question, and take your bond never to put me another." The affected mystery, the delay, and the near prospect of satis fying their own curiosity, rendered our visiters perfectly indiffer ent to the conditions, on which they were to obtain the object of their desire. His lordship rang for a clerk, to whom he briefly explained the case, directing him to draw up a bond, for the signature of his inquisitive countrymen. The instrument was soon produced, and ran in the following terms. *' Know all men by these presents. That we, Asahel Ferret and Richard Tease well, of the town of Gossipbridge and county of Tolland, in his majesty's colony of Connecticut, in New England, do hereby jointly and severally acknowledge ourselves firmly holden and bound to his worship, Sir Brook Watson, the present Lord Mayor of London, to his heirs, and assigns, in the sum of one thousand pounds sterling; and we do hereby, for ourselves, our heirs, and assigns, covenant and agree, to pay to his said worship, the present Lord Mayor of London, to his heirs and assigns, the aforesaid sum of one thou- sand pounds sterling, when the same shall become due, according to the tenor of this obligation; — And the condition of this obligation is such, that, whereas the aforesaid Ferret and Teasevv^ell, of the town and county, 8tc. and colony, &c. have signified to his aforesaid worship their strong desire, to be informed, apprised, instructed, told, made acquaint- ed, satisfied, put at rest, and enlightened, how and in v/hat man- ner his aforesaid worship became deprived, mutilated, maimed, curtailed, retrenched, damnified, abated, abscinded, amputated, or abridged in the article of his worship's right leg; and whereas his aforesaid worship, willing to gratify the laudable curiosity of the said Ferret and Teasewell; but desirous also to put some period, term, end, close, estoppel, and finish, to the numerous questions, queries, mterrogatories, inquiries, demands, and exam- mations of the said Ferret and Teasewell, whereby his aforesaid CURIOSITY BAFFLED 169 worship hath been sorely teased, worried, wherreted, perplexed^ annoyed, tormented, afflicted, soured, and discouraged; therefore, to the end aforesaid, and in consideration of the premises afore- said, liis worship aforesaid, hath covenanted, consented, agreed, promised, contracted, stipulated, bargained, and doth, 8tc. with the said Ferret and Teasewell, h,c. &,c. to answer such question, as they, the said Ferret and Teasewell, shall put and propound to his said worship, in the premises, touching the manner, &.c. &c. truly, and without guile, covin, fraud, or falsehood; and the said Ferret and Teasewell, also, do on their part, covenant, consent, agree, promise, stipulate, and bargain with his aforesaid worship, and have, &lc. that they will never propound, or put any farther or different question to his aforesaid worship, during the term of their natural lives; — And if the said Ferret and Teasewell, or either of them, contrary to the obligation of this bond, shall at any time hereafter, put or propound any farther, or other, or dif- ferent question to his said worship, they shall jointly and severally, forfeit and pay to his said worship, the sum aforesaid, of one thousand pounds, sterling money; and if, during the term of their natural lives, they shall utterly forbear, abstain, renounce, aban- don, abjure, withhold, neglect, and omit, to propound any such, other, or farther, or different question, to his aforesaid worship, then this bond shall be utterly null, void, and of no effect; — but otherwise in full force and validity. Witness our hand and seal, this tenth day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and sixty-nine. AsAHEL Ferret. (Seal.) Richard Teasewell. (Seal.) Signed, sealed, and delivered, in presence of Francis Fairservice. Samuel Slyplay. Middlesex, ss. 10th October, A. D. 1769. Then personallv appeared before me, the said Asahel Ferret and Richard Teasr^ well, and acknowledged the aforesaid obligation to be their free act and deed. Attest T11031AS Trueman, Justice of the Peace. Stamp, 3s.'' The instrument was executed, handed to his v^orship, and dc- p^>sited in his scrutoire. ** Now gentlemen," said lie, '' I am ready for your question." They paused a moment, from excess of excitement and antici- pation. Their feelings were like those of Columbus, when he beheld a light from the American shores; like Dr. Franklin's, when he took the electric spark from the string of his kite 15 170 THE RETURN OF THE ADMIRAL. *' Your lordship then will please to inform us, how your lord- ship's limb was taken off." '' It was bitten off!'' They started, as if they had taken a shock from an electric battery; the blood shot up to their temples: they stepped each a pace nearer to his lordship, and with staring eyes, gaping mouth, and with uplifted hands, were about to pour out a volley of ques- ^ions. '' by whom, by what bitten; how, why, when!" But his lordship smilingly put his forefinger to his lip, and then pointed to the scrutoire, where their bond was deposited. They sav/, for the first time in their lives^ that they were taken in; and departed rather embarrassed and highly dissatisfied, with having passed an afternoon, in finding out ihat his lordship's leg was bitten off. This mode of losing a limb being one of very rare occurrence, their curiosity was rather Increased than allayed by the information; and ^s they went downstairs, they were heard by the servants, muttering to each other, ''"' Who, do you 'spo&e, bit off his leg.^" — JV. England Magazine. Tim RETURN OF THE ADMIRAL. By Barry Cornwall. How gallantly, how merrily, We ride along the sea ! The morning is all sunshine, The wind is blowing free ; The billows are all sparkling, And bounding in the light Like creatures in whose sunny veins The blood is running bright All nature knows our triumph : Strange birds about us sweep ; Strange things come up to look at ua. The masters of the deep ; In our wake, like any servant, Follows even the bold shark — Oh, proud must be our Admiral Of such a bonny barque ! Proud, proud must be our Admira: (Though he is pale to-day.) Of twice five hundred iron men, Who all his nod obey ; »Vho've fought for liim, and conquered-- Wlio'v^e won with sweat and gore, Mobility ! which he shall have Whene'er he touch the shore. Oh ! would I were our Admiral, To order, witli a word — To lose a dozen drops of blood, And ctraight rise up a lord ! SHIPWRECKED MARINERS. 171 ! 1 'd shout e'en to yon shark, there, Who follows in our lee, ** Some day I '11 make thee carry me, Like lightning through the sea ! ** \ 1 — The Admiral grew paler, And paler as we flew ; Still talked he to his officers. And smiled upon his crew ; i And he looked up at the heavens, | And he looked down en the sea, ] And at last he spied the creature j That kept following in our lee. ] He shook — 't was but an instant-^ For speedily the pride Ran crimson to his heart, Till all chances he defied ; It threw boldness on his forehead ; Gave firmness to his breath ; ^ ] And he stood like some grim ^varrioir New risen up from death. 1 i That night, a horrid whisper Fell on us where we lay, And we knew our old fine Admiral i Was changing into clay ; -\ And we heard the wash of waters, ] Though nothing could we see, "j And a whistle and a plunge .; Among the billows in our lee ! i 'Till dawn we watched the body ! In its dead and ghastly sleep, | And next evening at sunset, j It was slung into the deep ! ■ And never, from that moment, j Save one shudder through the sea ^ Sav\^ v;e (or heard) the shark ] That had followed in our lee ! I SHIPWRECKED MARINERS SAVED THROUGH A DREAM. In June, 1695, the ship Mary, commanded by Captain Jones, with a crew of twenty-two men, sailed from Spithead for tho West Indies; and contrary to the remonstrances of one Adamg on board, the master steered a course which brought the vessel on the Caskets, a large body of rocks, two or three leagues south east of Guernsey. It was about three o'clock in the morning, when the ship struck agains! the higli rock, and all tlic bows were stove in; the water entered most rapidly, and in less than halt an hour, she sunk. Those of th6 crew who were in the tore part of \V2 SHIPWRECKED MARIAN ERS. the ship, got upon the rock; but the rest, to the number ^f eighty vvho were in the hind part, sunk directly, and were seen no more. Adams and thirteeji more, w4io were on the rock, had not t'me to save any thing out of the ship for their subsistence; and the place afforded them none, nor even any shelter from the heat of the sun. The first day they went down the rock, and gathered limpets, but finding that they increased their thirst, they eat no more of them. The third day they killed the dog which had swam to the rock, and eat him, or rather chewed his flesh, to allay their thirst, which was excessive. They passed nine days without any other food, and without any prospect of relief; their flesh wasted, their sinews shrunk, and their mouths parched with thirst; on the tenth day, they agreed to cast lots, that two of the company should die, in order to preserve the rest a little longer. When the two men were marked out, they were willing and ready to stab them- selves, as had been agreed on with horrible ingenuity, in ordei that those who were living might put a tobacco pipe into the inci- son, and each in his turn suck so many gulphs of blood to quench his thirst! But although the necessity w^as so pressing, they were yet unwilling to resort to this dreadful extremity, and resolved to stay one day more in hopes of seeing a ship. The next day, no relief appearing, the two wretched victims on whom the lots had fallen, stabbed themselves, the rest sucked their blood, and were thus revived for a short time. They still continued to make signals of distress, and having hoisted a piece of a shirt on a stick, it was at length seen by a ship's crew of Guernsey, one Taskard, master, bound from that island to Southampton. They were all taken on board, when each had a glass of cider and water to drink, which refreshed them considerably; but two of them eager- ly seizing a bottle, drank to excess, which caused the death of both in less than two hours. The most remarkable circumstance connected with this ship- wreck, is yet to be mentioned. It was with great reluctance that Taskard brought his ship near the Caskets, which w^ere out of his course; but he was very much importuned by his son, who had twice dreamed that there were men in distress upon these rocks. The father refused to notice the first dream, and was angr^ with his son; rior w^ould he have yielded on the seccnd, if Ihere had been a favorable wind to go on his own course A POLITE SEA-ROBBER. 173 « A POLITE SEA-ROBBER. We often read of extremely polite and gentlemanly highwaymen, who rob with such marvellous courtesy tliat a man can hardly {oe] it in his heart to w^ithhold his watch, his purse, or aught of goods and chattels that he may chance to have about him. — But it is quite otherwise with your sea robbers, alias pirates, who are rep- resented as a most brutal and unfeeling set, who have not the least dash of politeness about them, to redeem their characters from unmitigated odium. Such being their general reputation, it is with no slight feeling of relief that w^e read the account of so pol- ished and courteous a villain as the one described below. It is extracted from the *' Adventures of a Wanderer." He had ship- ped at New Orleans, on board the Governor Griswold, bound to Havana and Liverpool, as steward: — We got (says he) under way, and proceeded down the river until we came to a place called the English Turn, when a boat, manned by twelve or fourteen men, came off from shore, and when they had arrived within hail they called to us and asked if we wanted a pilot. The Captain answered, "No;" whereupon the man in the stern of the boat ordered one of the men to throw him a rope. The rope w^as handed him, and it being made fast to the boat, he came alongside. He ascended the ladder, and came on board with all his men, excepting four who remained in the boat. The captain of these desperadoes was a tall man, dark complexioned, and terrible in aspect. His eye was black and piercing, his nose slightly Roman, and he wore a huge pair of sable mustachios. His men were a ferocious looking band, har- dy and sun burnt. He saluted the cciptain in a courteous manner, and was profuse in compliments. His men, who wore long red Indian stockings, red caps, and were armed with pistols and knives, sauntered carelessly about the deck. The pirate captain asked our captain where he was bound; he answered correctly, " To Liverpool via Havana." Our captain then cut short the interrogation of the pirate, by Baying, " 1 know your business." The pirate then turned to our crew, and asked them what sort of usage they had received since they left Europe. '' Tolerable," they replied, '' but very little grog." The pirate then called for the steward. I made my appearance. *' Have you plenty of grog on board?" inquired lie. I replied in the afiirmative. -'Fill up that bucket," said h<«, *' and carry it down the forecastle for the men to drink." I took jp the bucket at which h(? pointed, carried it into the ca'^in, and 174 A POLITE SEA-ROBBER filled it with liquor. I then took it forward to the forecastle, where the men received it and conveyed it below. As soon as the crew had got below, and were asseianbled arouno the bucket, the pirate placed two of his men upon the scuttle to prevent any of the crew from coming on deck, while he with two of his gang stuck close to the captain and mate. — ''Now, stew- ard," snid the pirate, '' go down and invite all your passengers to come on deck." I did as I was ordered. Our passengers v/ere a lady and two small children, and a gentleman who had been en- gaged in teaching a school in New Orleans, but having rece'ved a letter purporting that the death of a near relation had left him heir to a large fortune, had embarked for his home, v»diich was. London. These persons came on deck. The lady was much frightened, but the pirate told her to be under no apprehension, arul soothed ber with language which would not have disgraced the court of Great Britain. The pirate now gave orders to bring up the gen tleman's trunk. The trunk was laid at his feet. — "Now " said he, ''bring up all the captain and mate's property." They also were produced. He then proceeded to overhaul the captain's trunk, which coa tained " no great shakes." 'Captain, you have a very poor kit!' said he, with a scornful smile. The pirate then examined the passenger's trunk. It contained about four hundred and forty dollars in specie. In rummaging the h'unk, the pirate fell in with the letter containing the information in respect to the fortune which had been left the passenger. This letter the pirate read, and giving a significant glance at the fortunate man whose direction it bore, folded it up carefully and laid it down. He then turned to the captain, and asked him if the man had paid his passage. ' No,' answered the captain. ' How much does his passage cost ?' inquired the pirate. ' Two hundred and twenty dollars,' replied the captain. 'That you must lose,' said the pirate. Then turning to the passenger — ' You,' said he, ' I will treat fairly! You will want,' continued the pirate, 'when you arrive at J/iverpool, two dollars to pay the porter for carrying your trunk;' ho laid df)wn the money; 'your passage to London will cost you £2 10s,' he counted it out and placed it with the two dollars; four dinner will come to live shillings, and you may want £2 more ^o treat some of your friends,' he laid down the money with the rest, ' and for fear that will not be sufficient, here are twenty-five dollars more.' He presented the amount of these several items to the passenger, gave the remainder to one of his gang, and told him to pass it into the boat. He then very courteously asked the time of day. Tiie captain pulled out a fine watch, and answered A POLITE SEA-ROBBER, 175 that it was half oast three. ' Your watch takes my fancy mightily,' said the pirate, and taking it from the captain, he put it into his fob with great nonchalance, and walked away to the forecastle. ' Come up here two of you who are sober,' said he. Two of them stum- bled up, and the rest came reeling after. '' Go down into the cabin, and bring me up all the small arms you can find," said the pirate. The two first sailors went down, and soon returned with an old fowling piece and a pair of pistols ^* j\ow," said he, turning to the sailors, " if any of you, boys, wish to change your situation for better pay and a shorter passage, I will give you a chance; for rent I am after and rent Til have' But stop!" cried he, '' ibis lady I had almost forgotten; come here madam, and let me hear a little of your worldly concerns." She immediately commenced an eloquent harangue, accompa- nied with tears. She had gone on for some time in this manner, when the pirate immediately cried, 'Avast! avast! there, that's enough, I'd sooner face the battery of a ninety-eight, than stem the torrent of female eloquence!" He then ordered some brandy for himself and his men. The liquor was brought; I poured out a glassful for him, v/hen he said, " Stop! captain just l3e so good as to drink this off your- self! after you is manners. I don't know what some of you Yan- kee inventors may have put into this liquor. You may have thrown an onyx in the cup. The captain drank it off readily The pirate eyed the captain closely for a few moments, and then said to his followers, " Come, my boys, we may venture," and the decanter was soon drained of its contents. The pirate then point- ed to the maintop, and requested the captain to take a walk up that way. ''And you, Mr. Mate," said he, " begin to travel up the forerigging. But mind!" said he, " stop when I tell yo,:!" The captain and mate had proceeded half way up the lower rigging, when he summoned them to halt. The captain was about stepping upon the next rattling, when the pirate again hailed him — " If you stir an inch backward or forward," said he, " you will come dov/n faster than you went up." The captain looked down and saw several pistols levelled at him, ready to be discharged on the in- stant. He then remained stationary. Then the pirate taking otf his cap, addressed the passengers. He told them he was once poor himself, and therefore knew how to sympathize v/ith persons in distress. He hoped they would be grateful for the lenity which he had shown them, and then wish- ing them a pleasant voyage, he stepped over the side into his boat, and was soon lost to our view beneath the foliage of ine thick underwood which lined the shore and hung over the green wave 176 FEELINGS EXCITED BY A LONG ^'Of^QM, \ i THE SEA-BIRD'S SONG.— by j. vj. ^KA^a -^. \ On the deep is the mariner's danger, On the deep is the mariner's death : Who to fear of the tempest a stranger, \ Sees the last bubble burst of his breath ? i 'T is the sea-bird, sea-bird, sea-bird, Lone looker on despair. The sea-bird, sea-bird, sea-bird, The only witness there. Who watches their course who so mildly, | Career to the kiss of the breeze ? -j Who lists to their shrieks, who eo wildly Are clasped in the arms of the seas I 'T is the sea-bird, sea-bird, sea-bird, 4m5, Who hovers on high o'er the lover, 1 And her who has clung to his neck ? Whose wing is the wing that can cover. With its shadows the foundering wreck f* 'Tis the sea-bird, sea-bird, sea-bird, &/C \ i My eye is the light of the billow, 'My wing on the wake of the wave— i I shall take to my breast — for a pillow — ' The shroud of ihe fair and the brave — I'm the sea-bird, sea-bird, sea-bird, &t, My foot on the ice-berg has lighted When hoa,rse the wild winds veer about, ; My eye when the bark is benighted i Sees the lamp of the light-house go out. j I'm the sea-bird, sea-bird, sea-bird^ i Lone looker on despair. The sea-bird, sea-bird, sea-bird, i The only witness there. j FEELINGS EXCITED BY A LONG VOYAGE VISIT TO A NEW CONTINENT.— By Washington Irving. To an American visiting Europe, the long voyage he has to make is an excellent preparative. From the moment you lose sight of the land you have left, all is vacancy until you step upon the opposite shore, and are launched at once into the bustle and aovelties of anothei worU^. FEELINGS EXCITED BY A LONG VOYAGE. 177 I have said that at sea all is vacancy. I should correct the expression. To one given up to day-dreaming, and fond of losing himself in reveries, a sea voyage is full of subjects for meditation; but then they are the wonders of the deep, and of the air, and rather tend to abstract the mmd from worldly themes. I delight- ed to loll over the quarter railing, or to climb to the main top on a calm day, and to muse for hours together on the tranquil bosom of a summer's sea; or to gaze upon the piles of golden clouds just peering above the horizon, fancy them some fairy realms, and people them with a creation of my own, or to watch the gen- tle undulating billows rolling their silver volumes as if to die away on those happy shores. There was a delicious sensation of mingled security and awo, with which I looked down from my giddy height on the monsters of the deep at their uncouth gambols. Shoals of porpoises tum- bling about the bow of the ship; the grampus slowly heaving his huge form above the surface, or the ravenous shark, dartmg like a spectre through the blue waters. My imagination would con- jure up all that I had heard or read of the watery world beneath me, of the finny herds that roam its fathomless valleys; of the shapeless monsters that lurk among the very foundations of the earth; and those wild phantasms which swell the tales of fish- ermen and sailors. Sometimes a distant sail gliding along the edge of the ocean would be another theme for idle speculation. How interesting this fragment of a world hastening to rejoin the great mass of^ existence! What a glorious monument of human invention, that has thus triumphed over the wind and wave; has brought the ends of the earth to communion, has established an interchange of blessings, pouring into the steril regions of the north all tlie luxuries of the south; diffused the light of knowledge and the charities of cultivated life; and has tlius bound together those scattered portions of the human race, between which nahire seemed to have thrown an insurmountable barrier! We one day descried some shapeless object drifting at a dis- tance. At sea every thing that breaks the monotony of the surrounding expanse attracts the attention. It proved to be the mast of a ship that must have been completely wrecked; for there were the reviains of handkerchiefs by which some of the crew had fastened themselves to this spar to prevent their being washed off by the waves. There was no trace by which the name of the ship could be ascertained. The wreck had evidently drifted about many months; clusters of shell-fish had fastened about it, and long sea weeds flaunted at its sides. But where, thought I, is the crew? Their strufrffle has lon^r been over; — tliev have gone down amidst the roar of the t(^mpest; — tlieir bones he whitening in the caverns of the deep. Silence — oblivion, hko the waves have closet] over them, an i no one can tell the stor) of ttieir end 178 FEELINGS EXCITED BY A LONG VOYAGE. What sighs have been wafted after that ship! what prayers of- fered up at the deserted fireside of home! How often has the mistress, the wife, and the mother, pored over the daily news, to catch some casual intelligence of this rover of the deep! How has expectation darkened into anxiety — anxiety into dread — and dread into despair! Alas! not one memento shall ever return for love to cherish. All that shall ever be known is that she sailed f?om her port '' and was never heard of more." The sight of the wreck as usual gave rise to many dismal an- ecdotes. This was particularly the case in the evening when the weather which had hitherto been fair began to look wild and threatening, and gave indications of one of those sudden storms that will sometimes break in upon the serenity of a summer voy- age. As we sat around the dull light of a lamp, in the cabin, that made the gloom more ghastly, every one had his tale of ship wreck and disaster. I was particularly struck with a short one related by the captain. *' As 1 was once sailing," said he, '^ in a fine stout ship, across the banks of Newfoundland, one of the heavy fogs that prevail in those parts rendered it impossible for me to see far ahead even in the daytime; but at night the weather was so thick that we could not distinguish any object at twice the length of our ship. I kept lights at the mast head and a constant watch forward to look out for fishing-smacks, which are accustomed to lie at an- chor on the banks. The wind was blov/ing a smacking breeze, and we v/ere going at a great rate through the water. Suddenly the watch gave the alarm of '' a sail ahead!" but it v/as scarcely uttered till we were upon her. She was a small schooner at anchor with her broad side towards us. The crew were all asleep, and had neglected to hoist a light. We struck her just amid-ships. The force, the size, and weight of our vessel, bore her down below the waves; we passed over her and were hurried on our course. ''As the crashing wreck was sinking beneath us, I had a glimpse of two or three half naked wretches, rushing from her cabin; they had just started from their cabins to be swallowed shrieking by the waves. I heard their drowning cry mingled with the wind. The blast that bore it to our ears swept us out of all far- ther hearing. I shall never forget that cry! It was some time Defore we could put the ship about, she was under such headway Wc returned as nearly as we could guess to the place where the ?hip was anchored. Wc cruised about for several hours in the dense fog. We fired several guns, and listened if we might hear tlic hallo of any survivors; but all was silent — we never heard nor saw an} thing of them more!" It was a fine sunny morning when the thrilling cry of land, was given from the mast-head. I question whether Columbus^ when he discovered the new world, felt a more delicious thiong FEELINGS EXCITED CY A LONG VOYAGE. 179 of sensations than rush into an American's bosom when he first comes in sight of Europe. There is a volume of associations in the very name. It is that land of promise, teeming with everj thing of which his childhood has heard, or on which his studious years have pondered. From that time until the period of our arrival it was all feverish excitement. The sliips :)f war that prowled like guardian giants round the coast; the headlands of Ireland stretching out into the channel; the Welsh mountains toAvering into the clouds; all v/ere objects of intense interest. As we sailed up the Mersey, I recon- noitred the shores with a telescope. My eye dwelt with delight on neot cottages, with .heir trim shrubberies and green grass plots. I saw the mouldering ruins of an abbey overrun v/ith ivy, and the taper spire of a village church rising from the brow of a neio;hborin(T hill — all were characteristic of England. The tide and wind were so favorable, that the ship was enabled to come at once at the pier. It was thronged with people; some idle lookers-on, others eager expectants of some friends or rela- tives. I could distinguish the merchant to whom the ship be- longed. I knew him by his calculating brow and restless air. His hands were thrust into his pockets; he was whistling thought- fully, and walking to and fro, a small space having been accord- ed to liim by the crowd, in deference to his temporary importance. The>c were repeated cheerings and salutations interchanged be- tween the shore and the ship, as friends happened to recognise each other. But I particularly noted one young woman of humble dress, but interesting demeanor. She was lecming forward from among the crowd, her eye hurried o'er the ship, as it neared the shore, to catch some wished for countenance. She seemed disappoint- ed and agitated when I heard a faint voice call her name. It was from a poor sailor, who had been ill all the voyage, and had excited the sympathy of every one on board. When the weath- er was fine, his messmates had spread a mattrass for him on deck in the shade, but of late his illness had so increased that he had taken to his hammock, and had only breathed a wish that he might see his wife before he died. He had been helped on deck as we came up the river, and was now leaning against the shrouds, with' a countenai^ce so wasted, so pale and so ghastly, that it is no wonder the eye of affection did not recognise him. But at the sound of his voice her eye darted on his features, it read at once the whole volume of sorrow; she clasped her hands, uttered a faint shriek, tcA stood wringing them in silent agony. All was now hurry and bustle. The meeting of acquaintances — the greetings of friends — the consultations of men of business. I alone was solitary and idle. I had no friend to meet, no cheer- ing to receive, i stepped upon the land of my forefathers — but felt that I was a stranorer in th.e land 180 FORTY-FIVE DAYS' SUFFERINGS. FORTY-FIVE DAYS' SUFFERINGS. Captain David Harrison, v/bo commanded a sloop of 'Nevf York, called the Peggy, has left a melancholy narrative cif the Bufferings of himself and his crew, during a voyage from Fayal, one of the Azores, m 1769. A storm which had continued for some days, successively blew away the sails and shrouds; and on the 1st of December, one shroud on a side and the main sail alone remained. In this situation they could make very little way, and all their provisions were exhausted, except bread, of which but a small quantity was left; they came at last to an al- lowance of a quarter of a pound a day, with a quart of water and a pint of wine, for each man. The ship was now become very leaky; the waves were swelled into mountains by the storm, and the thunder rolled incessantly over their heads in one dreadful almost unintermitting peal In this frightful dilemma, either of sinking with the wreck, or float- ing in her and perishing with hunger, two vessels came in sight ; but such was the tempest that neither could approach, and they saw with sensations more bitter than death itself, the vessels that would willingly have relieved them disappear. The allowance of bread and water, though Sftill farther contracted, soon exhaust- ed their stores, every morsel of food was finished, and only about two gallons of water remained in the bottom of the cask. The poor fellows who, while they had any sustenance, continued obe- dient to the captain, were now driven by desperation to excess; they seized upon the cargo, and because wine and brandy were all they had left, they drank of both till the frenzy of hunger was increased by drunkenness, and curses and blasphemy were blend- ed with exclamations of distress. The dregs of the water cask were abandoned to the captain, who, abstaining as much as pos- sible from wine, husbanded them with the greatest econoniy. In th^ midst of these horrors, this complication of want and excess, ^f distraction and despair, they espied another sail. Every eye was instantly turned towards it; the signal of distress was hung out, and they had the unspeakable satisfaction of being near enough to the ship to communicate their situation. Reliei was promised by the captain; but this, alas! was but *' the mock- ery of wo;^' and instead of sending the relief he had promised, the unfeeling wretch crowded all sail, and left the distressed crcvv' to all the agony of despair which misery and disappointmenl could occasion. The crew once more deserted, and cut off from their last hooe, vere still prompted by an intuitive love of life to preserve it aa l ^ng as possible. The onlv living creatures on board the vessel. FORTY-FIVE DAYs' SUFFERINGS. 18. besides themselves, were two pigeons and a cat. The pigeons were killed immediately, and divided among them for their Christ- mas dinner; the next day they killed the cat; and as there were nine persons to partake of the repast, they divided her into nine [/arts, which they disposed of by lot. The head fell to the share of Captain Harrison, and he declared that he never eat any thing that he thought so delicious in his life. The next day the crew began to scrape the ship's bottom for barnacles; but the waves had beaten off those above water, and the men were too weak to hang long over the ship's side. During all this time, the poor wretches sought only to forget their misery in intoxication; and while they were continually heating wine in the steerage, the captain subsisted upon the dirty water at the bottom ©f the cask, half a pint of which, with a few drops of Tur- lington's Balsam, was his whole sustenance for twenty-four hours. To add to their calamity, they had neither candle nor oil; and they were in consequence compelled to pass sixteen hours out of the twenty-four in total darkness, except the glimmering light of the fire. Still however, by the help of their only sail, they made a little way; but on the 28th of December, another storm over- took them, which blew their only sail to rags. The vessel now lay like a wreck on the water, and was wholly at the mercy of the winds and waves. How they subsisted from this time to the 13th of January, six- teen days, does not appear, as their biscuit had been long ex- hausted, and the last bit of animal food which they tasked, was the cat on the 26th of December; yet on the 13th of January they were all alive, and the crew, with the mate at their head, came to the captain in the cabin, half drunk indeed, but with suflicient sensibility to express the horror of their purpose in their counte- nances. They said they could hold out no longer, their tobacco was exhausted; they had eaten up all the leather belonging to the pump, and even the buttons from their jackets; and that now they had no means of preventing their perishing together, but by casting lots which of them should be sacrificed for the sustenance of the lest. The Captain endeavored to divert them from their purpose until the next day, but in vain; they became outrageous, and with execrations of peculiar horror, swore that what was to be done, must be done immediately; that it was indifferent to them whether he acquiesced or dissented; and that though they had paid him the compliment of acquainting him with their reso- luti(-n, yet they would compel him to take his chance with the "est, for general misfortune put an end to personal distinction. The Captain resisted, but in vain; the men retired to decide on the fate of some victim, and in a few minutes returned, and said the lot had fallen on the negro, who was part of the cargo. The poor fellow knowing what had been determined against him. and seeing one of the ^-rew loading a pistol to despatch him, im IG I \*2 FORTY-FIVE DAYs' SUFFERINGS. p 3red the Captain to save his life, but he was instantly dragged ij the steerage, and shot through the head. Having made a large fire, they began to cut the negro up ahaost as soon as he was dead, intending to fry his entrails for suv>per; but Jaaies Can>pbeil one of the foremast men, being ravenously impatient for food, tore the liver out of the body, and devoured it raw; the remainder of the crew, however j dressed the mciit, and continued their dreadful banquet until two o'clock in the morning. Ifte next day the crew pickled the remainder of the negro's body, except the head and fingers, which, by common consent, they threw overboard. The Captain refused to taste any part of it, and continued to subsist on the dirty water. On the third day after the death of the negro, Campbell, who had devoured the liver raw, died raving mad, and his body was thrown over- board, the crew dreading the consequences of eating it. The negro's body was husbanded with rigid economy, and lasted the crew, now consisting of six persons, from the 13th to the 26th of January, when they were again reduced to total abstinence, ex- cept their v^ine. This they endured until the 29th, when the mate again came to the Captain at the head of the men, and told him it was now become necessary that they should cast lots a second time. The captain endeavored again to reason them from their purpose, but without success; and therefore consider- ing that if they managed the lot without him, he might not have fair play, consented to see it decided. The lot now fell upon David Flat, a foremast man. The shock of the decision was so great, that the whole company remained motionless and silent for some time; when the poor victim, who appeared perfectly resigned, broke silence, and said, *' My dear friends, messmates, and fellow suiTerers, all I have to beg of you is, to despatch me as soon as you did the negro, and to put me to as little torture as possible." Then turning to one Doud, the man who shot the negro, he said, "It is my desire that you should shoot me." Doud reluctantly consented. The victim begged a short time to prepare himself for death, to which his companions most rradily agreed. Flat was much respected by the whole ship's company, and during this awful interval, they seemed incli- ned to save his life; yet finding no alternative but to perish with him, and having in some measure lulled their sense of horror at th2 approaching scene by a few draughts of wine, they prepared for the execution, and a fire was kindled in the steerage to dress tlieir lirst meal as soon as their companion should become their food. As the dreadful moment approached, their compunction increas- ed, and friendship and humanity at length triumphed over hunger and death. T\\ey determined that Flat should live at least until eleven o' clock the next morning, hopinfr, as they said that the FORTY-FIVE DAYS SUFFERINGS. 183 Divine Goodress would in the meantime open some other source of relief. At the same time they begged the captain to read prayers; a task which, with the utmost efibrt of his collected strength, he was scarcely able to perform. As soon as prayers were over, the company went to their unfortunate friend, Fhit, and with great earnestness and affection expressed their hopes that God would interpose for his preservation; and assuring him, that riiOdgh they never yet could catch or even see a fish, yet :iiey would put out all their hooks again to try if any relief could be procured. Poor Flat, however, could derive little comfort from the concern they expressed; and it is not improbable, that their friendship and affection increased the agitation of his mind; such, however, it was, that he could not sustain it, for before midnight, he grew al- most totally deaf, and by four o'clock in the morning was raving mad. His messmates, who discovered the alteration, debated whether it would be an act of humanity to despatch him immedi- ately; but the first resolution, of sparing him till eleven o'clock, prevailed. About eight in the morning, as the captain was ruminating in his cabin on the fate of this unhappy wretch, who had but three hours to live, two of his people came hastily down, with uncom- mon ardor in their looks, and seizing both his hands, fixed their eyes upon him without saying a word. A sail had been discov- ered, and the sight had so far overcome them, that they were for some time unable to speak. The account of a vessel being in sight of signals, struck the captain with such excessive and tumult- uous joy, that he was very near expiring under it. As soon as he could speak, he directed every possible signal of distress. His orders were obeyed with the utmost alacrity; and as he lay in his cabin, he had the inexpressible happiness of hearing them jumping upon deck, and crying out, *'She nighs us, she niglis us! she is standing this way." The approach of the ship being more and more manifest every moment, their hopes naturally increased, and they proposed a can to be taken immediately for joy. The captain dissuaded them all from it, except the mate, who retired, and drank it to himself. After continuing to observe the progress of the vessel for some hours, with all the tumult and agitation of mind that such a sus- pense could not fail to produce, they had the mortification to fmd the gale totally die away, so that the vessel was becalmed at only two miles distance. They did not, however, suffer long from this circumstance, for in a few minutes they saw a boat put out from the ship's stern, and row towards them fully manned, and with vigorous despatch. As they had been twice before confident of deliverance, and disappointed, and as they still considered them- selves tottering on the brink of eternity, the conflict between their hopes and fears, during the approach of the boat, was dreadful i84 THE GRECIAN MARINER's SOx\G. At length, however, she came alongside; but the appearance of the crew was so ghastly, that the men rested upon their oars, and With looks of inconceivable astonishment asked v/hat they were? Being at length satisfied, they came on board, and begged the people to use the utmost expedition in quitting the wreck, lest they should be overtaken by a gale of wind, that would prevent their getting back to the ship. The captain being unable to stir^ was lifted out of his cabin, and lowered into the boat with ropes; his people followed him, with poor Flat still raving; and they were just putting off, w^hen one of them observed, that the mate was still wanting. He was immediately called to, and the can of joy had just left him power to crawl to the gunnel, with a look of idiotic astonishment, having to all appearance forgot every thing that had happened. The poor drunken creature was ^ith difficul- ty got into the boat, and in about an hour they all reached the ship in safety, which was the Susannah of London, commanded by Cap- tain Thomas Evers. He received them with the greatest tender- ness and humanity, and promised to lay by the wreck until the next morning, that he might, if possible, save some of Captain Harrison's property; but the wind blowing very hard before night, he was obliged to quit her, and she probably, with her cargo, went to the bottom before morniag. The crew had been without provisions forty-five clays. The mate, James Doud, who shot the negro, and one Warner, a sea- man, died on the passage. The remainder, including Flat, who continued mad during the voyage, arrived sate in the Susannah, in the Downs, in the beginning of March; whence Captain Harrison proceeded on shore, and made the proper attestation on oath of \he facts related in this melancholy narrative. THE GRECIAN MARINER'S SOr^? . BY THOMAS MOORE, ESQ. Our home is on the sea, boy, Cur home is on the sea — When nature gave The ocean wave, She marked it for the free Wliatover storms befall, boy Whatever storms befall, The island bark, Is freedom's ark, /viid floats her safe through rU Behold yon sea of isles, boy, Behold yon sea of isles, * MONSIEUR DE LA PEROUSE. 1 8A Where every shore, Is sparkling o'er, With beauty's richest smiles. For us hath freedom claimed, boy For us hath freedom claimed Those ocean nests Where valor rests His eagle wing untamed. And shall the Moslem dare, boy, And shall the Moslem dare, While Grecian hand Can wield a brand. To plant his crescent there ! No ! — by our fathers, no, boy, No ! by the cross we show — From Maina's rills To Thracia's hills, All Greece reechoes ^' No !' MONSIEUR DE LA PEROUSE. France becoming jealous of the renown acquired by the Eng- lish circumnavigators, determined to send out an ^pedition, which, in its scientific equipments, should vie with them in every respect. Two ships w^ere appointed to thi«^ service, the Boussole and Astrolabe, the former commanded by La Perouse, the latter by M. de Langle, both captains in the navy, and men of consid- erable attainments, besides being assisted by men of science and artists. The voyage is interesting as far as it goes; but, unfor- tunately, the ships, after quitting Botany Bay, in 1788, have never since been heard of, to the regret of all lovers of science and humanity, on account not only of the acquirements but the amiable character of the commander. On the 1st of August, 1785, they quitted Brest, and, on the 13th, reached Madeira; they saw Teneriffe on the 19th, and on the 16th of October the island of Trinidada, barren, rocky, and with a violent surf breaking on the shores, where refreshments not being obtainable, the commander steered for St. Catharine's on the Brazil coast. This island is extremely fertile, producing all sorts of fruit, vegetables, and corn, almost spontaneously. It is covered with <;rees of everlasting green, but they are so curiously interwoven with plants and briars, that it is impossible to pass through the forests without opening a path with a hatchet: to add to the dif- ficulty, danger fs also to be apprehended from snakes whose bite is mortal. The habitations are bordering on the sea. Tlie woods are delightfully fragrant, occasioned by the orange-trees, and other odoriferous plants and slirubs, which form a part of them IG* lUt) MONSIEUR DE LA PEROUSE. On the i4th of January the navigators struck ground on th^ coast of Patagonia. On the 25th, La Peroust took hearings d league to the southv/ard of Cape San Diego forming the west point of the straits of Lemaire. On the 9th of February, he was abreast of the Straits of Magellan. Examining the quantity of provisions he had on board. La Perouse discovered he had very ii'.tle flour and bread lei^t in store; having been obliged to leave a hundred barrels at Brest. The worms had also taken possession of the biscuits, and consumed or rendered useless a fifth part of them. Under these circumstances, La Perouse preferred Con- ception to the island of Juan Fernandez. The Bay of Concep- tion in Chili is a most excellent harbor; the water is smoot^, and almost without any current, though the tide rises six feet three inches. At daybreak, on the 15th of March, La Perouse made the signal to prepare to sail. On the 17th, about noon, a light breeze sprung up, with which he got under way. On the 8th of April, about noon they saw Easter Island. The Indians were alarmed, except a few who had a kind of slight wooden club. Some of them assumed an apparent superiority over the others which in duced La Perouse to consider the form.er as chiefs, but he soon discovered that these selected persons w^ere the most notorious otfenders. Having but a few hours to remain upon the island, and wishing to employ his time to the best advantage. La Perouse left the care of the tent, and other particulars, to his first lieuten- ant M. D'Escures. A division was then made of the persons en- gaged in the adventure; one part, under the command of M. De Langle, was to penetrate into the interior of the island to en- courage and promote vegetation, by disseminating seed, &,c. in a proper soil ; and the other division undertook to visit the monu- ments, plantations, and habitations, within the compass of a league of the establishment. The largest of the rude busts upon one of tbe terraces is fourteen feet six inches in height, and the breadth and other particulars appeared to be proportionate. Returning about noon to the tent, La Perouse found almost every man without either hat or handkerchief; so much had for- bearance encouraged the audacity of the thieves, that he also ex- perienced a similar depredation. An Indian, who had assisted him in descending from a terrace, rewarded himself for his trouble by taking away his hat. Some of them had dived under water^ zu\ tbe small cable of the Astrolabe's boat, and taken away her grapnel. A sort of chief, to whom M. De Langle made a present of a male and female goat, received the animals with one hand, and robbed him of his handkerchief with the other. On the 28th of May, they saw the mountains of Ovvhynee, covered \\itli snow, and afterwards those of Mowee, which are 'ess elevated. About one hundred and fifty canoes w^ere seen ;^iitting off from the shore, laden with fruit and hogs, which the MONSIEUR DE LA PEROUSE. i8' Indians proposed to exchange for pieces of iron of the French navigators. Most of them came on board of one or the ether of the vessels, but they proceeded so fast through the water that they filled along-side. The Indians were obliged to quit the ropes thrown them, and leaping into the sea swam after their hcgs, when taking :hem in their arms, they emptied their canoes of the water, and resumed their seats. After having visited a village, M. de Langle gave orders that six soldiers, v/ith a sergeant, should accom_pany him: the others were left upon the beach, under the command of M. de Pierrevert^ the lieutenant; to them was committed the protection of the ship's boats, from which not a single sailor had landed. The party re- embaiked at eleven o'clock in very good order, and ,irrived on board about noon, where M. de Cionard had received a visit from a chief, of whom he had purchased a cloak, and a helmet adorned with red feathers; he had also purchased a hundred hogs, a quan- tity of potatoes and bananas, plenty of stuffs, mats, and various other articles. On their arrival on board, the two frigates dragged their anchors; it blew fresh from the south-east, and they were driving down upon the island of Morokinne, which was however at a sufficient distance to give them time to hoist in their boats. La Perouse made the signal for weighing, but before they could purchase the anchor, he was obliged to make sail, and drag it till he had passed Morokinne, to hinder him from driving past the channel. A fair wmd accompanied the navigators on their departure from the Sandwich Islands. Whales and wild-geese convinced them that they were approaching land. Early in the morning of the 23d they descried it ; a sudden dispersion of the fog opened to them the view of a long chain of mountains covered with snow. They dis- tinguished Behring's Mount St. Elias, on the north-west coast of America Having taken in as much wood and water as was re- quired, the navigators esteemed themselves the most fortunate of men, in having arrived at such a distance from Europe without having a sick person among them, or any one afllicted with 'he scurvy; but a lamentable misfortune now awaited them. At .he entrance of this harbor perished twenty brave seamen, in two boats, by the surf On the 30th of July, at four in the afternoon, La Perouse got under way. This bay or harbor, to v»hich he gave the name of Port des Francais, is situated in 58 deg. 37 min. north- latitude^ and 139 deg. 50 min. west longitude. In diflerent ex- cursions, he says, he found the high-water mark to be fifteen feet above the surface of the sea. The climate of this coast is infinitely milder than that of Hudson's Bay, in tlie same degree of latitude. Pines were seen of six feet in diameter, and one hundred and forty feet in height. Vegetation is vigorous during three or four months of the year. The men wear difierent small or namcnts, pendant from the ears and nose, scarify their arms and 188 MONSIEUR DE LA TEROUSE. breasts, and file their teeth close to their gums, using, for the last operation, a sand-stone, formed into a particular shape. They paint the face and body \vith soot, ochre, and plumbago mixed with train-oil, making themselves most horrid figure? Wh^n completely dressed, their flowing hair is powdered, an<^ plaited with the down of sea-birds; but, perhaps, only the chiefs: of certain distinguished families are thus decorated. Their should- ers are covered with a skin, and on the head, is generally worn a little straw-hat, plaited with great taste and ingenuity. Some- times, indeed, the head is decorated with two horned bonnets of eagles' feathers. Their head-dresses are extremely various, the grand object in view being only to render themselves terrible, that they may keep their enemies in awe. Some Indians have skirts of otters' skins. A great chief wore a shirt composed of a tanned skin of the elk, bordered by a fringe of beaks of birds, which, when dancing, imitated the noise of a bell; a common dress among the savages of Canada, and other nations in the eastern parts of America. The passion of these Indians for gaming is astonishing, and they pursue it with great avidity. The sort of play to which they are most devoted, is a certain game cf chance; out of thirty pieces of wood, each distinctly marked like the French Dice, they hide seven: each plays in succession and he who guesses nearest to the whole number marked upon the seven is the winner of the stake, which is usually a hatchet or a piece of iron. At length, afler a very long run, on the 11th of September, at three in the afternoon, the navigators got sight of Fort Monterey, and two three-masted vessels which lay in the road. The com- mander of these two ships having been informed, by the Viceroy of Mexico, of the probable arrival of the two French frigates, sent them pilots in the course of the night. Loretto, the only presidency of Old California, is situated on the east coast of this peninsula and has a garrison of fifty-four troopers, who furnish detachments to fifteen missions; the duties of which are per- formed by Dominican friars. About four thousand Indians, con- verted and residing in these fifteen parishes, are the sole produce of the long labors of the different religious orders which have succeeded each other. A small navy was established by the Spanish Government in this port, under the orders of the Viceroy of Mexico, consisting of four corvettes of twelve guns, and one goletta. They are destined to supply with necessaries the pres- idencies of North California; and they are sometimes despalciied as packets-boats to Manilla, when the orders of the court require the utmost expedition. The company were received with all possible politeness and re- spect: the president of the missions, in his sacerdotal vestment, with the holy water in his hand, waited to receive them at tna entrance of the church, which was sj)lendidly illuminated as o-^ MONSIEUR DE LA PEROUSE. 189 iheir highest festivals: he then conducted them to the foot of the high altar, where Tc Deum was sung in thanksgivings for their arrival. Before they entered the church they passed a range of Indians: the parish church, though covered with straw, is neat, ai.d decorated with paintings, copied from Italian originals. The I'ldians, as well as the missionaries, rise with the sun, and devote an hour to prayers and mass, during which time a species of boiled food is prepared for them: it consists of barley meal, the grain of which has been roasted previous to its being boiled. It is cooked in the centre of the square, in three large kettles. This repast is called atole by the Indians, who consider it as delicious; it is destitute of salt and butter, and must consequently be insipid. The women have little more to attend to than their housewifery, their children, and the roasting and grinding of several grams, the latter operation is long and laborious, as they employ no other means than that of crushing it in pieces with a cylinder upon a stone. The Indians of the rancheries, or independent villages, are ac- customed to paint their bodies red and black, when they are in mourning . but the missionaries have prohibited the former, though they tolerate the latter, these people being singularly attached to their friends. The ties of family are less regarded among them than those of friendship: the children show no filial respect to the father, having been obliged to quit his cabin as soon as they were able to procure their own subsistence. A Spanish commissary at Monterey, named M. Vincent Vassa- dre y Vega, brought orders to the governor to collect all the otter-skins of his missions and presidencies, government having reserved to itself the exclusive commerce of them; and M. Fages assured La Perouse that he could annually furnish twenty thousand of them. The Spaniards were ignorant of the importance of this valuable peltry till the publication of the voyages of Captain Cook; that excellent man has navigated for the general benefit of every nation; his own enjoys only the glory of the enterprise, and that of having given him birth. New California, though extremely fertile, cannot boast of having a single settler; a few soldiers, married to Indian women, who dwell in the forts, or who are dispersed among the different missions, constituting the whole Spanish nation in this district of .'\jnerica. The Franciscan missionaries are principally Europe- ans; they have a convent in ^lexico. On the evening of the !22d every thing was on board, and leave had been taken of the Governor and missionaries. On the morning of the 24th they sailed. On the 3d of November the fiigates were surrounded with noddies, terns, and man-of-war birds; and on the 4th they made an island which bore west. This small island is little more than a rock of about live hundred toises in length. La Perouse named it Isle Necker. About l90 MONSIEUR DE LA PEROUSE. an hour past one in the morning La Perouse saw bieakers at two cables' length ahead of the ship; the sea being so smooth, the sound of them was hardly heard; the Astrolabe perceived them at the same time, though at a greater distance than the Boussole: both frigates instantly hauled, with their heads to the south-east La Perouse gave orders for sounding; they had nine fathoms, rocky bottom; soon after ten and twelve fathoms, and in a quarter of an hour got no ground with sixty fathoms. They just escaped the most imminent danger to which navigators can be exposed. The Island of Assumption, to which the Jesuits have attributed six leagues of circumference, from the angles now taken, was re- duced to half, and the highest point is about two hundred toises above the level of the sea. A more horrid place cannot be con- ceived. It was a perfect cone, as black as a coal, and very mortifying to behold, after having enjoyed, in imagination, the cocoa-nuts and turtles expected to be found in some one of the Marianne Islands. Having determined the position, he continued his course towards China; and on the 1st of January, 1787, found bottom in sixty fathoms; a number of fishing-boats surrounded him the next day. On the 2d of January our navigators made the White Rock. In the evening they anchored to the north- ward of Ling-sing Island, and the following day in Macao Road. Macao, situate at the mouth of the Tigris, is capable of receiving a sixty-four gun-ship into its road, at the entrance of the Typa; and in its port, below the city, ships of seven hundred tons half laden. The climate of the road of Typa is, at this season of the year, precarious; most of the crews were afflicted with colds, accom- panied with a fever; which yielded to the salutary temperature of the island of Luconia, when they approached it on the 15th of February. Wanting wood, which he knew was dear at Manilla, La Perouse came to a resolution of remaining twenty-four hours at Marivella to procure some, and early the next morning all the carpenters of the two frigates were sent on shore with the long boats; the rest of the ship's company, with the yawl, were re- served for a fishing-party; but they were unsuccessful, as the) found nothing but rocks and very shallow water. On the 28th the navigators came to an anchor in the port of Cavite, in three fathoms, at two cables' length from the town Cavite, situate three leagues to the south-west of Manilla, was formerly a place of importance. Manilla is erected on the Bay which a\so bears its name, and lies at the mouth of a river, being one of the finest situations in the world: M the necessaries of life may be procured there in abundance, and on reasonable terms; but the cloths, and other manufactures of E.iropeare extravagant- ly dear. La Perouse confidently asserts, that a great nation, without any other colony than the Philippines, which would estab* ish a proper government there, might view all the Europea' MONSIEUR DE LA PEROUSE. 91 4 Bettlements in Africa and America without envy or regret. These islands contain about 3,000,000 of inhabitants, and that of Luco- nia consists of about a third of them. These people seem not inferior to Ei.:opeans; they cultivate the land with skill, and among them have ingenious goldsmiths, carpenters, joiners, masons, blacksmiths, &c. La Perouse says he has visited them at their villages, and found them affable, hospitable, and honest. On the 9th of April, according to the French reckoning, and the 10th as the Manillese reckon, our navigators sailed and got to the northward of the island of Luconia. On the 2 1st they made the island of Formosa; and experienced, in the channel which divides it from that of Luconia, some very violent currents. On the 22d they set Lamy Island, at the south-west point of Formosa^ about three leagues distant. The tack they then stood on conveyed them upon the coast of Formosa, near the entrance of the bay of Old Fort Zealand, where the city of Taywan, the capital of that island is seated. The whole of the next day a dead calm occurred, in mid-channel, between the Bashee Islands, and those of Botol Tabacoxima. It is probable that vessels might provide themselves in this island with provision, wood, and water. La Perouse preserved tlie name of Kumi Island, which Father Gambil gives it in his chart. In the night of the 25th our navigators passed the strait of Corea, sounding very frequently, and as this coast appeared more eligible to folloNv than that of Japan, they approached within two leagues of it, and shaped a course parallel to its direction. On the 27th they made the signal to bear up, and steer east, and soon perceiv- ed, in the north-north-east, an Island not laid down upon any chart, at the distance of about twenty leagues from the coast of Corea. He named it Isle Dagelet, from the name of the astrono- mer who first discovered it. The circumference is about three leagues. On the 30th of May, La Perouse shaped his course east towards Japan, and on the 2d of June saw two Japanese vessels, one of which passed within hail of him. It had a crew of twenty men, all. habited in blue cassocks resembling those worn by French priests. This vessel was about one hundred tons burden, and had a single high mast stepped in the middle. The Astrolabe hailed her as she passed, but neither the question nor the answer was comprehended. At different times of the day seven Chinese vessels of a smaller construction, were seen, which were better calculated to encounter bad weather. During the seventy-five days, since our navigators sailed from Manilla, they had run along the coasts of Quelpert Island, Corea, and Japan; but as these countries were inhabited by people in- hospitable to strangers, they did not attempt to visit tlicm. Hiey were extremely impatient to reconnoitre this land, and it was tire only part of the globe which had escaped the activity of Captain [92 MONSIEUR DE LA PEROUSE. Cook. The geographers who had drawn the strait of Tessoy, erroneously determined the limits of Jesso, of the Company's land, and of Staten Island; it, therefore, became necessary to termi- nate the ancient discussions by indisputable facts. The latitude of Baie de Ternai was the same as that of Port Acqueis, though the description of it is very different. The plants which France produces, carpeted the whole of this soil. Roses, lilies, and all F.uropean meadow-flowers were beheld at every step. Pine- tiees embellished the tops of the mountains; and oaks, gradual- ly diminishing in strength and size towards the sea, adorned the less elevated parts. Traces of men were frequently perceived by the havoc they had made. By these, and many other corrobora- ting circumstances, the navigators were clearly of opinion, that the Tartars approach the borders of the sea, when invited thither by the season for fishing and hunting ; that they assemble for these purposes along the rivers, and that the mass of people reside in the interior of the country, to attend to the multiplication of theii flocks and herds. M. de Langle, with several other officers who had a passion for hunting, endeavored to pursue their sport, but without success, yet they imagined that by silence, perseverance, and posting themselves in ambush in the passes of the stags and bears, they might be able to procure some of them. This plan was determined on for the next day, but, with all their address and management it proved abortive. It was therefore generally acknowledged that fishing presented the greatest prospect of suc- cess. Each of the five creeks in the Baie de Ternai aflbrded a proper place for hauling the seine, and was rendered more con- venient by a rivulet, near which they established their kitchen. They caught plenty of trout, salmon^ cod-fish, harp-fish, plaice, and herrings. At eight in the morning of the 7th, he made an island which seemed of great extent; he supposed, at first, that this was Sega- lien Island, the south part of which some geographers had placed two degrees too far to the northward. The aspect of this land was extremely different from that of Tartary; nothing was to be seen but barren rocks, the cavities of which retained the snow. To the highest of the mountains La Perouse gave the appellation'of Peak Lamanon. M. de Langle, who had come to anchor, came instantly on board his ship, having already hoisted out his long boat and small boats. He submitted to La Perouse whether it would not be proper to land before night, in order to reconnoitre the country, and gather some necessary information from the inhabitants. By the assistance of their glasses, they perceived Bome cabins, and two of the islanders hastening towards the woods. Our navigators were successful in making the natives compre- hend that they requested a description of their country, and that of the Mantchous; one oi' the old sages rose up, and, with great to MONSIEUR DE LA PEROUSE. 193 perspicuity pointed out the most essential and interesting particu- lars with the end of his staff. His sagacity in guessing the mean- ing of the questions proposed to him was astonishing, though, in this particular, he was surpassed by another islander of about thirty years of age. The last-mentioned native informed our navi- gators that they had a commercial intercourse with the people who inhabit the banks of Segalien river, and he distinctly marked, by strokes of a pencil, the number of days it required for a canoe to sail up the river to the respective places of their general traffic. The bay in which they lay at anchor was named Baie de Langle, as Captain de Langle was the first who discovered it, and first landed on its shore. They spent the remainder of the day in visiting the country and its inhabitants. They were sur- prised to find among a people composed of hunters and fishermen, who were strangers to the cultivation of the earth, and without flocks or herds, such gentle manners, and such a superiority of 'ntellect. The attention of the inhabitants of the Baie de Langle was attracted by the arts and manufactures of the French, they judiciously examined them, and debated among themselves the manner of fabricating the several articles. They were not un- acquainted with the weaver's shuttle. A loom of their construction was carried to France, by which it appeared that their methods of making linens was similar to that of the Europeans; but the thread of it is formed of the bark of the willow-tree. Though they do not cultivate the soil, they convert the spontaneous pro- duce of it to the most useful and necessary purposes. At daybreak, on the 4th of July, La Perouse made the signal for getting under way; early on the 19th, he saw the land of an island from north-east-by-north, as far as east-south-east, but so thick a fog prevailed that none of the points could be particularly discovered. The bay, which is the best in which he had an- chored since his departure from Manilla, he named Baie'd 'Esta- ing. M. de Langle, who first landed in the island, found the islanders assembled round three or four canoes, laden with smoked fish: he was there informed that the men who composed the crews of the canoes were Mantchous, and had quitted the banks of the Segalien river to become purchasers of these fish. In the corner of the island, within a kind of circus planted with stakes, each surmounted with the head of a bear, the bones of animals lay scat- tered. As these people use no firearms, but engage the bears in close combat, their arrows being only capable of wounding them, this circus might probably be intended to perpetuate the memory of certain great exploits. Having entertained conjectures relative to the proximity of the Coast of Tartary. La Perouse at length discovered that his conjectures were well-founded; for when the horizon became a little more extensive, he saw it per fectly. In the evening of the 22d he carnc to anchor in thirty- Beven fathoms, about a league from the land He was then abreast 17 tOl MONSIEUR DE LA FEROUSE of a small river, to the northward of which he saw a lemarkabl^ pealc; its base is on the shore, and its summit on all sid^s preser^'^ea a regular form. La Peroiise bestowed on it the title of Peak la Mariiniere. On the 28th, in the evening, our navigators were at the opening of a bay which presented a safe and convenient anchor- ago. M. de Langle reported to La Perouse that there was ex- cellent shelter behind four islands; he had landed at a village of Tartars, where he 'was kindly received, and where he discov- ered a watering place abounding with the most limpid element From M. de Laogle's report, La Perouse gave orders to prepare for anchoring in the bottom of the bay, which was named Baie de Castris. In this bay the French navigators first discovered the use of the circle of lead or bone, which these people, and the inhabitants of Segalien Lsland, wear on the thumb like a ring; it greatly assists them in cutting and stripping the salmon with a knife, which ih ahvays hanging to their girdle Their village was built upon low marshy land, which must doubtless be uninhabitable daring the v/inter, but on the opposite side of the gulf, another village appeared on a more elevated situation. It was seated at the en- trance of a wood, and contained eight cabins, larger and better constructed than the iirst. Not far from these cabins, they visited three yourts, or subterranean houses. They were suffi- ciently capacious to accommodate the inhabitants of the whole, eight cabins during the severity of the inclement season. On the borders of this village several tombs presented themselves, v/hich were larger and more ingeniously fabricated than the houses; each of them contained three, four, or five biers, deco- rated v/ith Chinese stiilfs, some pieces of which were brocade. Bows, arrows, and the other most esteemed articles of these people, were suspended in the interior of these monuments, the wooden door of v/liich was closed by a bar, supported at each end by a prop. The women are wrapped m a large robe of nankeen, or sal- mon's skin, curiously tanned, descending as lov/ as the ankle- bone, sometimes embellished with a border of fringe manufactured of copper, and producing sounds like those of little bells. Those salmon which furnish a covering for the fair, wxMgh thirty or forty pounds, and are never caught in summer; those which were taken by the French visiters did not exceed three or four pounds m wciglit; but that disadvantage v/as fully compensated by the extraordinary number, and the extreme delicacy of tlieir flavor. On the ^2d <»f August, La Perouse sailed with a light hreeze. On the 19th Cape Troun was perceived to the southward, and Cape Uries to the south-east-by-east; its proper direction, ac^ cording to the Dutch chart: their situation could nov pos-sibl}' have been determined with more precision by modern navigators MONSIEUR DE LA PEROUSE. 195 In the evening of the 6th, they made the entrance of Avatcha Bay, cr Saint Peter and Saint Paul. The light-house, erected by the Russians on the east point of the entrance, was not kindled during the night; as an excuse for which the governor declared the next day, that all their efforts to keep it burn had been in- effectual; the wind had constantly extinguished the flame, which v/as only sheltered by four planks of wood very indilferently cemented. The government of Kamtschatka had been materially changec since the departure of the English, and wasnov>^ only a dependency of that of Ochotsk. These particulars were communicated to oui navigators by lieutenant Kaborof, governor of the harbor of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, liaving a sergeant and forty soldiers under his command. M. de Lessops, who acted as interpreter, and who perfectly understood the Russian language, wrote a letter, in La Perouse's name, to the governor of Ochotsk, to whom La Perouse also wrote in French himself He told him that the narrative of Cook's last voyage had spread abroad the fame of the hospitality of the Kamtschadale government; and he flattered himself that he should be as favorably received as the English navigators, as his voyage, like theirs, was intended for the general benefit of all maritime nations. The Kamtschadales are of an imitative genius, and fond of adopting the customs of their conquerors. They have already abandoned the yourts, in which they were formerly accustomed to burrow like badgers, breathing foul air during the whole of the winter. The most opulent among them now build isbas, or wooden houses, like those of the Russians: they are divided into three small rooms, and are conveniently warmed by a brick-stove. The inferior people pass their winters and summers in balagans, resembling wooden pigeon-houses, covered with thatch, and placed upon the tops of posts twelve or thirteen feet high, to which the women, as well as men, find a ladder necessary for their ascen- sion. But these latter buildings will probably soon disappear: for the Kamtschadales imitate the manners and dresses of the Russians. It is curious to see in their little cottages, a quantity of cash in circulation; and it may be considered as a still greater curiosity, because the practice exists among so small a number of inhabitants. Their consumption of the commodities of Russia and China are so few, that the balance of trade is entirely in their i^ivor, in consequence of which it is necessary to pay them the difference in roubles, The Kamtschadales, says La Perouse, appeared to me to be the same people as those of the Bay of C 's- tries, on the coast of Tartary; they are equally remarkable for Iheir mildness and their probity, and their persons are not \ 3ry dissimilar. The approach of winter now warned our navigators to dept rt: the ground, which, on their arrival on the 7th of September, \ aj? V96 MONSIEUR DE LA PEROUSE adorned with the most beautiful verdure, was as 3^eIlow and parched ap on the 25th of the same month, as in the environs of Paris at the conclusion of December. La Perouse therefore gave prepar- atory orders for their departure, and, on the 29th, got under way. M. Kasioff came to take a final leave of him, and dined on board. He accompanied him on shore, with M. de Langle, and several officers, and was liberally entertained with a good supper, and a ball. Induced by a western gale. La Perouse attempted to reach the parallel of Bougainville's Navigator's Lslands, a discovery due to the French, where fresh provision might probably be procured. On the 6th of December, at three in the afternoon, he saw the most easterly island of that Archipelago, and stood on and off dur- ing the rest of the evening and night. Meaning to anchor if he met with a proper place. La Perouse passed through the channel between the great and the little islands that Bougainville left to the south; though hardly a league wide, it appeared perfectly free from danger. He saw no canoes till he was in the channel, fet he beheld several habitations on the windward side of the island, and a group of Indians sitting under the shade of cocoa-nut trees, who seemed delighted with the prospect afforded by the frigates. At break of day they were surprised not to see land to leeward; nor was it to be discovered till six o'clock next morning. Charm- ed with the beautiful dawn of the following morning, La Perouse resolved to reconnoitre the country, take a view of the inhabitants at their own homes, fill water, and immediately get underway; prudence warning him against passing a second night at that anchorage, which M. de Langle also thought too dangerous for a longer stay. It was therefore agreed on to sail in the afternoon, after appropriating the morning in exchanging baubles for hogs and fruit. At the dawn of day the islanders had surrounded the two frigates, with two hundred different canoes laden with provi- sion, which they would only exchange for beads, axes, and cloth; other articles of traffic, were treated by them with contempt. While a part of the crew was occupied in keeping them in order, and dealing, the rest were despatching empty casks on shore to be replenished with water. Two boats of the Boussole, armed, and commanded by Messrs de Clonard and Colinet, and those of 'n by a stone, but fortunately fell between the two long-boats, MONSIEUR DE LA TEROUSE. 193 on board of which not a man remained in the space of abo it five minutes. Those who preserved their lives by swimming to tho two barges, received several wounds; but those who unhappily fell on the other side w^ere instantly despatched by the clubs of the reinors?)less Indians. The crews of the barges, who had killed many of the islanders wr:h their muskets, now began to make more room by throwing their water-casks overboard. They had also nearly exhausted their ammunition, and their retreat was rendered dillicult, a number of wounded persons lying stretched out upon (he thwarts, and impeding the working of the oars. To the prudence of M. Vaujaus, and the discipline kept up by M, Mouton, who comman- ded the Boussole's barge, the public are indebted for the preser- vation of the forty-nine persons of both crews who escaped. M. Boutin had received five wounds in the head, and one in the breast, and was kept above water by the cockswain of the long- boat, who had himself received a severe w^ound. M. Colinet was discovered in a state of insensibility upon the grapnel-rope of the barge, with two wounds on the head, an arm fractured, and a finger broken, M. Lavaux, surgeon of the Astrolabe, was obli- ged to suffer the operation of the trepan. M. de Lamanon, and M. de Langle, were cruelly massacred with Talio, master at arms of the Boussole, and niuQ other persons belonging to the two crews. M. le Gobien, who commanded the Astrolabe's long-boat, did not desert his post till he was left alone; when, having exhaust- ed his ammunition, he leaped into the channel, and, notwithstand- ing his wounds, preserved himself on board one of the barges. A little ammunition was afterwards found, and completely ex- hausted on the infuriated crowd; and the boats at length extricated themselves from their lamentable situation. At five o'clock the officers and crew of the Boussole v/ere informed of this disastrous event; they were at that moment sur- rounded with about one hundred canoes, in which the nativea were disposing of their provisions with security, and perfectly innocent of the catastrophe which had happened. But they were .he countrymen, the brothers, the children of the infernal assas- sins, the thoughts of which so transported La Perouse with rage, that he could with difficulty confine himself to the limits of mode- ration, or hinder the crew from punishing them with death. On the 14th of December, La Perouse stood for the Island of 0} oHva, which had been observed beix)re they had arrived at the anch(jrag(i which proved so fatal. This island is separated from that of JMaouna, or of the Massacre, by a wide channel, and vies with Otaheite in beauty, extent, fertility, and population. At the distance of about three leagues from the north-east point, he was surrounded by canoes, laden v/ith bread-fruit, bananas, cocoa- nuts, sugar-canes, pigeons, and a few hogs. The inhabitants of this island rcsemh e those of the island of IMaouna, whoso treachcrv ^00 MONSIEUR DE LA PEROUSE had been so fatally experienced. Some exchanges were conduct- ed with these islanders with more tranquillity and honesty than at the island of Maouna, as the smallest act of injustice received immediate chastisement. On the 17th they approached the island of Pola, but not a single canoe came off; perhaps the natives had been intimidated by" hearing of the event which had taken place at Maouna. Pola is a smaller island than that of Oyolava, but equally beautiful, and is only separated from it by a channel four leagues across. The natives of Maouna informed our visiters, that the Navigator's Islands are ten in number, viz. Opoun, the most easterly, Leone, Fanfoue, Maouna, Oyolava, Calinasse, Pola Skika, Ossamo, and Ouera. These islands form one of the finest archipelagoes of the South Sea, and are as interesting with respect to arts, productions, and population, as the Society and Friendly Islands, which the English navigators have so satisfactorily described. In favor of their moral characters, little remains to be noticed; gratitude can- not find a residence in their ferocious minds; nothing but fear can restrain them from outrageous and inhuman actions. The huts of these islanders are elegantly formed: though they disdain the fabrications of iron, they finish their work with wonderful neatness, with tools formed of a species of basaltes in the form of an adze. For a few glass-beads, they bartered large three-legged dishes of wood, so well-polished as to have the appearance of being ftighiy varnished. They keep up a wretched kind of police; a few, who had the appearance of chiefs, chastised the refractory r/ith their sticks, but their assumed power seemed generally dis- regarded; any regulations which they attempted to enforce and to establish, were transgressed almost as soon as they were promul- gated. Never were sovereigns so negligently obeyed, never were orders enforced with such feeble shadows of authority. Imagination cannot figure to itself more agreeable situations than those of their villages. All the houses are built under fruit- trees, whi:h render them delightfully cool; they are seated on the borders of streams, leading down from the mountains. Though the principal object in their architecture is to protect them from offensive heat, the islanders never abandon the idea of elegance. Their houses are sufficiently spacious to accommodate several families; and they are furnished with blinds, which are drawn up to the windward to prevent the intrusion of the potent rays of the sun. The natives repose upon fine comfortable mats, which are cautiously preserved from all humidity. Nothing can be said, by our travell(TS, of the religious rites of these natives, as no morai was perceived belonging to them. Th<3 islands are fertile, and their population is supposed to be considerable. Opun, Leone. And Fanfoue, are small; but Maoune, Oyolava, and Pola, rnav be classed among the largest and most beautiful in the South Sea. Cocoa island is lofty, and formed like a sugar-loaf; it is nearly a MONSIEUR DE LA PEROUSE. 201 mile in diameter, covered with trees, and is separated from Trait- ors' Island by a channel about a league wide. At eight in the morning La Pe rouse brought too, to the west-south-west, at twu miles from a sandy bay in the western part of the Great Island of Traitors, where he expected to find an anchorage sheltered from easterly winds. About twenty canoes instantly quitted the shore and approached the frigates in order to make exchanges; several of them were loaded with excellent cocoa-nuts, with a few yams and bananas; one of them brought a hog, and three or four fowls. It evidently appeared that these Indians had before some know- ledge of Europeans, as they came near without fear, traded with honesty, and never refused to part with their fruit before they w^ere paid for it. They spoke, however, the same language, and the same ferocity appeared in their countenances; their manner of tattooing, and the form of their canoes were the same, but they had not, like them, two joints cut off from the little finger of the left hand; two individuals had, however, sulTered that operation. On the 27th of December, Vavao was perceived, an island which Captain Cook had never visited, but was no stranger to its existence, as one of the archipelago of the Friendly Islands; it is nearly equal in extent to that of Tongataboo, and is particularly fortunate in having no deficiency of fresh water. The two small islands of Hoongatonga are no more than two large uninhabitable rocks, which are high enougli to be seen at the distance of fifteen leagues. Their position is ten leagues north of Tongataboo; but that island being low, it can hardly be seen at half that distance. On the 31st of December, at six in the morning, an appearance like the tops of trees, which seemed to grow in the water, proved the harbinger of Van Dieman's point. The wind being northerly, La Perouse steered for the south coast of the island, which may, without danger, be approached within three musket-shots. Not the semblance of a hill is to be seen; a calm sea cannot present a more level surface to the eye. The huts of the natives were scattered irregularly over the fields, and not socially collected into a conversable neighborhood. Seven or eight canoes were launched from these habitations, and directod their course towards the vessels; but these islanders were awk vard seamen, and did not venture to come near, though the wattr was smooth, and no obstacle impeded their passage. At the distance of about eight or ten feet, they leaped overboard and swam near the frigates, holding in each hand a quantity of cocoa-nuts, which they were glad to exchange for pieces of iron, nails, and hatchets; from the honesty of their dealings a friendly intercourse ensued between ihe islanders and the navigators, and they ventured to come on board Norfolk Island, off the coast of New South V/ales, wiiich they caw on the 13th of January, is very steep, but does not exceed eighty toiscs above the level of the sea. It is coviMcd with pines 'i02 MONSIEUR DE LA FEROUSE. which appear to be of the same species as those of New Ca^edo^ nia, or New Zealand. Captain Cook having declared that he saw many cabbage-trees in this island, heightened the desire of the nav- igators to land on it. Perhaps the palm which produces these cabbages, is very small, for not a single tree of that species could be discovered. On the 26th, at nine in the morning, La Perouse let go the anchor at a mile from the north coast of Botany Bay, in seven fathoms water. An English lieutenant, and a midshipman, were sent on board his ship by Captain Hunter, commander of the Sirius. They offered him, in Captain Hunter's name, all the services in his power; but circumstances would not permit him to supply them with provision, ammunition, or sails. An officer was despatched from the French to the English Captain, returning thanks, and adding, that his wants extended only to wood and water, of which he should find plen4;y in the bay. The journal of La Perouse proceeds no further. La Perouse, according to his last letters from Botany Bay, was to return to the Isle of France in 1788. They left Botany bay in March, and, in a letter which the commodore wrote February 7, he stated his intention to continue his researches till December, when he expected, after visiting the Friendly islands, to arrive at the Isle of France. This was the latest intelligence received of the fate of the expedition; and M. d' Entrecasteaux, who was despatched by the French government, in 1791, in search of La Perouse, v/as unable to trace the course he had taken, or gain any clew to the catastrophe which had be- fallen him and his companions. In 1825, the attention of the public was excited towards this mysterious affair, by a notice published by the French minister of the marme, purporting that an Amerian captain had declared that he had seen, in the hands of one of the natives of an island in the tract between Louisiade and New Caledonia, a cross of the order of St. Louis, and some medals, which appeared to have been procured from the shipwreck of La Perouse. In consequence of this information, the commander of a vessel which sailed from Toulon, in April, 182f), on a voyage of discovery, received orders to make researches in the quarter specified, in order to restore to their country any of the shipwrecked crew who might yet re- main in existence. Other intelligence, relative to the wreck of two large vessels, on two different islands of the New Hebrides; was obtained by captain Dillon, the commander of an English vessel atTucopia, in liis passage from Valparaiso to Pondicherry, in May, j»2t^, in consequence of which he was sent back to as- certain the truth of the matter. The facts discovered by him on this mission, w^re, that the two ships struck on a reef at MallicolOj 1° 4' S. lati'ddc, 1G9^ 20' E. lf)ngitude; one of them imu cdiatcly tVent down and all on board perished; some of the crew of the other esG/^)ed, part of whom were murdered by the savages; the midshipman's prakks. 203 remainder built a small vessel, and set sail from Mallicolo; but what became of them is not known. It is not, indeed, certain that these were the vessels of La Perouse. MIDSHIPMAN'S PRANKS. BY CAPTAIN HALL. Dunng the long winters of our slothful discontent at Bermuda, caused by the peace of Amiens, the grand resource, both of the idle and the busy, amongst all classes of the Leander's officers, was shooting — that nf er-ending, still-beginning amusen^ent, which Englishmen carry to the remotest corner of the habitable globe — popping away in all countries, thinking only of game, and often but too reckless of the prejudices, or fear of the natives. This propensity is indulged even in those uninhabited regions of the earth which are visited only once in an age; and if Captain Parry had reached the pole, he would unquestionably have had a shot at the axis of the earth 1 In the meantime, the officers and yo'ing gentlemen of the flag- ship at Bermuda in the beginning of 1803, I suppose to keep their hands in for tht3 war which they saw brewing, and prayed hourly for, wfve constantly blazing-away amongst the cedar groves and orange plantations of those fairy islamls, which appeared to be more and more beautiful after every such excursion. The mid- shipmen were generally obliged to conteitt themselves with knock- ing^ down the blue and red birds with the ship's pistols, charged witii His Majesty's gunpowder, and, for want of small shot, with slugs formed by cutting up His Majesty's musket-bullets. Tiie officers aimed at higher game, and were, of course, better provid- ed with guns and ammunition. Several of these gentlemen had brought from England some fine dogs — high bred pointers, while tiie middies, also, not to be outdone, must needs have a dog of their own: they recked very little of what breed; but some sort of animal they said they must have. I forget how we procured the strange-looking animal whose services we contrived to engage; but having once obtained hiin, we were not slow in giving him our best affections. It is true he was as ugly as anything could possibly be. His color was a dirty i'cddish yellow; and while a part of liis hair twisted itself up in curls, a part hung down quite straight, almost to the ground. He was utterly useless for all t!ie purposes of real sport, but quite good enough to furnish the mids with plenty of fun when they wen on shore — in chasing pigs, barkiui" ut Old white lieadod nogresses 204 midshipman's franks. and other amusements suited to the exalted taste and habits of tha vising generation of officers. People will differ as to the merits of dogs; but we had no doubts as to the great superiority of ours over all others on board, though the name we gave him certainly implied no such confidence on our part. After a full deliberation, it was decided to call him Shakings. JVow it must be explained that shakings is a name [given to small fragments of rope yarns, odds and ends of cord^age, bits of oakum, old lanyards,— in short to any kind of refuse arising out of the wear and tear of the ropes. This odd name was per- haps bestowed on our beautiful favorite in consequence of his color not being very dissimilar to that of well tarred Russia hemp; while the resembrance was increased by many a oab of pitch, which his rough coat inbibed from the seams between the pianks of the deck in hot weather. If old Shakings was of no great beauty, he was at least, the most companionable of dogs; and though he dearly loved the midshipmen and was dearly beloved by them in return, he had enough of the animal in his composition to take a higher pleas- ure in the society of his own kind. So that when the high bred, showy pointers belonging to the officers came on bottrd, after a shooting excursion, Mr. Shakings lost no time in applying to them for news. The pointers who liked this sort of familiarity very well gave poor Shakings all possible encouragement. Not so with their masters; they could not bear to see an abominable cur, as they called our favorite, at once so cursedly dirty and so utterly useless, mixing with their sleek and well-fed animals. At first their dislike was confined to such insulting expressions as these; then it came to an occasional kick or knock on the nose with the but-end of a fowling-piece; and lastly, to a sound cut with the hunting whip. Shakings, who instinctively knew his place, took all this, like a sensible fellov/, in good part; while the mids, when out of hearing of the higher powers, uttered curses both loud and deep against the tyranny and oppression exercised against an animal which, in their fond fancy was declared to be worth all the dogs in the ward room put together. They were little prepared, however, for the stroke which soon fell upon them, perhaps inconsequence of these murmurs. To their great horror and indignation, one of the Lieutenants, provoked at some liberty which Master Shakings had taken with his new polished boots, called out one morning,— *' Man the jolly-boat, and land that infernal, dirty, ugly, beasi of a dog, belonging to the young gentlemen! '^ '^ Where shall 1 take him to, sir.?" asked the strokesman of the boat. ''Oh, any where; pull to the nearest part of the shore, and pitch him on the rocks. He'll shift for himself, I have no doubt ' So off went poor dear Shakings' midshipman's pranks. 20o If a stranger had come into the midshipixen s birth at that iii:> ment, he might have thought His Majesty's naval service was about to be broken up. All allegiance, discipline, or subordi- nation, seemed utterly cancelled by this horrible act. Many were the execrations hurled upwards at the offending "knobs," who, we thought were combinino; to make our lives miserable. Some of our party voted for writing a letter of remonstrance to the Ad miral against this unheard of outrage; and one youth swore deeply that he would leave the service unless justice was obtained. But as he had been known to sw^ear the same thing half a dozen times every day since he had joined the ship, no great notice v/as taken of his pledge. Another declared upon his word of honor, that such an act was enough to make a man turn Turk, and fly his country! At last, by general agreement, it was decided that we should not do a bit of duty, or even stir from our seats, till we obtained redress for our grievances. However, while w^e were in the act of vowing mutiny and disobedience, the hands were turned up to " furl sails I" upon which the whole party, totally forgetting^ their magnanimous resolution, scudded up the ladders, and jumped into their stations with more than usual alacrity, wisely thinking, that the moment of actual revolt had not yet arrived. A better scheme than throwing up the service, or writing to the Admiral, or turning Mussulmen, was afterwards concocted. The midshipmen who went on shore in the next boat easily got hold of poor Shakings who was howling on the steps of the watering place. In order to conceal him, he was stuffed, neck and crop, into the captain's clothes-bag, brought safely on board, and restored once more to the bosom of his friends. In spite of all we could do, however, to keep Master Shakings below, he presently found his way to the quarter-deck, to receive the congratulations of the other dogs. There he was^soon detect- ed by the higher powers, and very shortly afterwards trundled over the gangway and again tossed on the beach. Upon this occasion he was honored with the presence of one of his own masters, a middy, who was specially desired to land the brute, and not bring him on board again. Of course this particular youngster did not bring the dog off'; but, before night, somehow or other, old Shakings was snoring away, in grand chorus with his more fashionable friends, the pointers, and dreaming no evil, before the door of the very officer's cabin whose beautiful polished boots he had brushed so rudely in the morning, — an offence which had led to his banishment. This second return of our dog was too much. The whole posse of us were sent for on the quarter-deck, and in very distinct terms ordered not to bring Shakings on board again. These injunc- tions having been given, this wretched victim, as we termed him, of oppression, was once more landed amongst the cedar groves. This time he remained full a week on shore: but Vrw or when iip 18 £06 M[DSHiPMAN*S PRANKS. ever found h s way off again, no one ever knew; at Jeast no one chose to divulge. Never was there anything like the mutual joy (eU by Shakings and his two dozen masters. He careered about the ship, barked and yelled with delight, and, in his raptures, actually leaped, with his dirty feet on the milk-white duck trousers of the disgusted officers, who heartily v/ished him at the bottom of the anchorage! Thus the poor beast unwittingly contributed to accelerate his hapless fate, by this iil-timed show of confidence in those wdio were then plotting his ruin. If he had kept his paws to himself, and staid quietly in the dark recesses of the cock-pit, wings, cable-tiers and other wild regions, the secrets of which were known only to the inhabitants of our sub-marine worlds all might yet have been well. We had a grand jollification on the night of Shakings resto- ration; and his health was in the very act of being drunk, vvith three times three, when the otBcer of the watch, hearing an uproar helow, the sounds of which w^ere distinctly conveyed up the wind- sail, sent down to put our lights out, and w^e v/ere forced to march offgrovv^ling to our hammocks. JNext day to our surprise and horror, old Shakings w^as nowhere to be seen or heard of. We searched every where, interrogated the cockswains of all the boats, and crossquestioned the marines, who had been sentries during the night on the forecastle gangways and poop, but all in vain! — no traces of Shakings could be found. At length the opinion began to gain ground amongst us, that the noor beast had been put to death by some diabolical means, and our ire mounted accordingly. This suspicion seemed the more natural, as the officers said not a word about the matter^ nor even asked us what we had done with our dog. While we were in this state of excitement and distraction for our loss, one of ,he midshipmen, who had some drollery in his composition, gave a new turn for the expression of our thoughts. This gentleman, who was more than twice as old as most of us, say about thirty, had won the affigctions of all our class, by the gentleness of his manners, and the generous part he always took on our 8ide. He bore among us the pet name of Daddy; and certainly he was like a father to those amongst us who, like my- self, were quite adrift in the ship without any one to look after them. He was a man of talents and classical education, but he had c»itered the navy far too late in life ever to take to it cordially. His habits, indeed, had become so rigid, that they could never be made to bend to the mortifying kind of discipline, which it ap- pears every officer should run through, but v/hich only the youno and light-hearted can brook. Our worthy friend, accordingly, with all his abilities, tastes, and acquirements, never seemed at home on board the ship, and unless a man can reach this point ol liking for the sea, he is better on the shore. At all events old Daddy cared more about his books than about blocks, and delight- midshipman's pranks. 201 ed more in giving us assistance incur literary pursuits, and trying to teach us to be useful, than in rendering himself a proficient in those professional mysteries, which he never hoped to practise ir earnest himself. What this very interesting person's early history was, we could never find out; nor why he entered the navy; nor how it came, tnat a man of his powers and accomplishments should have been kept back so long. Indeed the youngsters never inquired into these matters, being quite contented to have the advantage of his protection against the oppression of the oldsters, who occasionally bullied them. Upon all occasions of difficulty, we were in the habit of clustering around him, to tell our grievances, great and small, with the certainty of always finding in him that great desi- deratum in calamity — a patient and friendly listener. It will easily be supposed, that our kind Daddy took more than usual interest in the affair of Shakings, and that he was applied to by us at every stage of the transaction. He was sadly perplex- ed, of course, when the dog was finally missing; and for some days, he could give us no comfort, nor suggest any mode of revenge which was not too dangerous for his young friends to put into practice. He prudently observed, that as we had no certainty to go upon, it would be foolish to get ourselves into any serious scrape for nothing at all. *' There can be no harm, however," he continued in his dry and slightly sarcastic way, which all who knew him will recollect, as well as if they saw him now, drawing his hand slowly across his chin, " There can be no harm my boys, in putting the other dogs in mourning for their departed friend Shakings; for whatever is become of him, he is lost to them, as well as to us, and his memory ought to be duly respected." This hint was no sooner given than a cry was raised for crape, and every chest and bag ransacked, to procure badges of mourn- ing. The pointers were speedily rigged up with a bunch of crape tied in a handsome bow, upon the left leg just above the knee. The joke took immediately. The officers could not help laugh- ing; for, though we considered them little better than fiends, at that moment of excitement, they were in fact, except in this in- stance, the best natured and most indulg-ent men I remember to have sailed with. They of course ordered the crape to be instant- ly taken off' from the dogs' legs: and one of the officers remarked to us seriously, that as we had now had our piece of fun out, there were to be no more such tricks. Off we scampered to consult old Daddy what was to be done next, as we had been positively ordered not to meddle any more with the do^s. *' Put the pigs in mourning," he said. All our crape was expended by this time, but this want was Eoon supplied by men whose trade it was to discover resources si08 midshipman's franks. in difficulty. With a generous spirit of devotion to the cause of public spirit one of these juvenile mutineers pulled off his black ne(,.k-handkercbief, and, tearing it in pieces, gave a portion to each of ;he circle and away we all started to put into practice this new suggestion of our director-general of mischief. The row which ensued in the pig-sty was prodigious— -for in those days, hogs were allowed a place on board a man-of-war j— a custom wisely abolished of late years, since nothing can bo more out of character with any ship than such nuisances. As these matters of taste and cleanliness were nothing to us, w^e did not intermit our noisy labor till every one of the grunters had his arm- let of such crape as we had been able to muster. We then watch- ed our opportunity and opened the door so as to let out the whole herd of swine on the main deck just at a moment when a group of officers were standing on the fore part of the quarter deck. Of course the liberated pigs delighted with their freedom, passed in review under the very noses of our superiors, each with his mourn- ing knot displayed, grunting or squealing along, as if it was their express object to attract attention to their domestic sorrow for the loss of Shakings. The officers were excessively provoked, as they could not help seeing all this was affi^rding entertainment, at their expense, to the whole crew; for though the men took no part in this piece of insubordination, they were ready enough, in those times of the weary, weary peace, to catch at any species of distraction or devilry, no matter what, to compensate for the loss of pommeling their enemies. The matter, therefore, necessarily became rather serious; and the whole gang of us being sent for on the quarter deck, we were ranged in a line, each with his toes at the edge of a plank accord- ing to the orthodox fashion of these gregarious scoldings, techni- cally called ' toe-the-line matches.' We were given to under- stand that our proceedings were impertinent, and after the orders we had received, highly offensive. It was wijth much dUTiculty that either party could keep their countenances during mis offi- cial lecture, for while it was going on, the sailors were endeav- oring by the direction of the officers, to remove the bits of silk from the legs of the pigs. If however it be difficult — as most difficult we found it — to put a hog in mourning, it is a job len times more troublesome to take him out again. Such at least is rnc fair infeience from these two experiments; the only ones, pernaps, on record, — for it cost half the morning to undo what we had done in less than an hour; to say nothing of the unceasing and out- rageous uproar which took place along the decks, especially an der the guns, and even under the coppers forward in the galley, where two or three of the youngest [)igs had wedged themselves, apparently resolved to die rather than submit to the degradation t)f being deprived of their mourning. All this v/as very creditable to the memory of poor ShakinIr. Bligh's cabin while he was asleep, and seizing hini, bound his hands behind his back, at the same time threatening mstant death if he resisted or made the least noise. Not intimi- dated by their threats, Mr. Bligh resolutely called for assistance, but the mutineers had taken care, previously to secure all those who '--ere not concerned in their diabolical scheme. They thei» MUTINY OF THE BOUNTY. 227 pulled him from hia bed. and forced him upon deck, with nothing on him but his shirt, where a guard was placed over him. The boatswain was ordered to hoist the launch out, which being done, Mr. Hayward and Mr. Hallet, midshipmen, Mr. Samuel, the clerk, with some others, were directed to go into her. Mr. Bligh frequently remonstiated with his people on the impropriety and violence of their proceedings, and endeavored to persuade them to return to their duty; but all his efforts proved ineffectual: the only reply he could obtain was, " hold your tongue sir or you are dead this instant." The officers who were confined below, were next called upoii deck and forced into the boat. The mutineers were some time undecided whether they should detain the carpenter or his mate; at length, after much altercation, it was determined that the car- ;>enter should go into the boat; and it was not without much 3pposition that they permitted him to take his tool-chest with him. Upon which some of them swore, that '' he (meaning IMr. Bligh) would find his way home if he gets any thing with him, and that he would have a vessel built in less than a month." While others turned their miserable situation into ridicule, little expect- ing from the boat being so deep and crov/ded, that she could long keep the sea. All those now being in the boat who were intended to accompany their unfortunate commander. Christian addressed him, saying, — '' Come, Captain Bligh, your officers and men are now in the boat, and you must go v/ith them; if you attempt to make the least resistance you will i.u-tantly be put to death." He was then forced over the side, and his hands unbound. When they were putting him out of the ship, Mr. Bligh looked steadfastly at Christian, and asked him, ilhis treatment was a proper return for the many instances he had received of his friendship.^ At this question he seemed confused, and answered with much emotion, — '' That, Captain Bligh, -that is the thing; 1 am in hell — I am in hell." The boat was veered astern, and soon after cast adrift, amidst the ridicule and scoffs of these deluded and unthinking men, whose general shout was, " huzza for Otaheite." The arm.orer and carpenter's mates called on Mr. Bligh, and begged him to remember that they had no hand in the transaction, and some others seemed to express by their manner a contrition for having joined in the mutiny. As no complaints had been made, or dissatisfaction shown, IMr. Bligh was at a loss how to account for this sudden and un- expected change in the disp<^sition of his people; unless it loso from the temptations held out to them by the chiefs of Otaheite, who were much attached to the English, and allured them by promises of large possessions if they would remain behind; this, in addition to the connexion which they had formed with the women, whom Mr. l^lirrji dBscribe-^ as handsome, mild and cheer 228 MUTINY OF THE BOUNTY. ful in their manners and conversation; possessed of great sen&i sibility, and having sufficient delicacy to make them admired and beloved. Although these were perhaps among the inducements which led to the mutiny, there is no doubt but that Bligh's intemperate language and insulting demeanor were the chief causes of the unhappy deed. It is pretty evident, that the mutiny was not, as Bligh in his narrative stated it to have been, the result of a con- spira^cy. It appears from the minutes of the court-martial, which was afterv/ards instituted, that the whole affair was planned and executed between the hours of four and eight o'clock on the morning of the 28th April, when Christian had the watch upon deck; that Christian, unable longer to bear the abusive language^ had meditated his own escape from the ship the day before, choos- ing to trust himself to fate rather than submit to the constant up- braiding to which he had been subject; but the unfortunate busi- ness of the cocoa nuts drove him to the commission of the rash and felonious act which ended, as such criminal acts usually do, in his own destruction and that of a great number of others, many of whom were wholly innocent. The following persons were those turned adrift with Mr. Bligh in the boat. John Fryer, master. T. Hayward, > Tho. Ledwood, acting surgeon; J. Hallet, ) he was never heard of after John Norton, quarter-master, Mr. Bligh left Batavia. killed by the natives at Tosoa D. Nelson, botanist; died at P. Linkletter, quarter-master; Batavia. died at Batavia. Wm. Peckover, gunner. L. Lebogue, sail-maker. Wm. Cole, boatswain. John Smith, cook. Wm. Purcill, carpenter. Tho. Hall, ditto; died at Bata- .Wm. Elphilstone, master's via. m*ate; died U-t Batavia. Robert Tinkler, boy. There remained in the Bounty y Fletcher Christian, mtister's Tho. M'Intosh, of carpenter's mate. crew. P. Heywood, ^ C. Churchill, master at arm*. EL Young > midshipmen. Joseph Coleman, armorer. G Stewart, ) Wm. Brown, gardiner; and M J. Jlills, gunner's mate. able seamen. Before the boat was cast off, Mr. Bligh begged that some ai.ns m' ght be handed into her; but these unfeeling wretches laughed at hi n, and said ''he was well acquainted with the people among w! lom he was going, and therefore did not want them." Tnev iif wever, Uirew four cutlasses into the boat MUTINY OF THE BOUNTY. 229 Their whol(3 stock of provisions consisted of oi.e hundred and fifty pound of bread, sixteen pieces of pork, six quarts of rum, with twenty-eight gallons of water; there were also four empty barrecoes in the boat. The boatswain had been allowed to col- lect a small quantity of twine, some canvas, lines, and cordage. Mr Samuel, the clerk, had been also permitted to take a quadrant and compass; but he was forbidden on pain of death to touch ei'h r chart, ephemeris, book of astronomical observations, sex- stant, time-keeper, or any of the surveys or drawings which Mr. Bligh had been collecting for fifteen years. Mr. Samuel had tho good fortune to secure Mr. Bligh's journal and commission, vv'iih some other ma.terial ship papers. At the time the boat left the ship they were about ten leaguca from Tosoa. ISlv. Bligh's first determination was to steer for this placjc, to seek a supply of bread-fruit and water, from thence to proceed to Tongataboo, and there to solicit the king to suffer him to equip the boat, and grant them such a supply of water and pro- visions, as might enable them to reach the East Indies. Arriving at Tosoa, they found the natives unfriendly and hostile; and availincr themselves of the defenceless state of the Enolish, at- tacked them violently with stones, so that the supply they got here was wevy scanty. It was indeed with some difficulty they es^caped being entirely cut off by the natives; which most probably would have been the case, had not one of the crew (John Norton) resolutely jumped on shore and cast off the stern-fast of the boat; this brave fellow fell a sacrifice to preserve the lives of his com- panions; he was surrounded and inhumanly murdered by these savages. The reception they met at Tosoa, gave them little encourage- ment to touch at Tongataboo; as it was evident that the former good behavior of these people proceeded more from the dread of fire arms, than a natural disposition to be friendly. It now seemed the general wish of all in the boat, that Mr Bligh should conduct them towards home. He pointed out to them that no hopes of relief remained, excepting what might be found at New Holland, or the island of Timor, which was at the distance of full one tiiousand and two hundred leagues; and that it would require the greatest economy to be observed, with regard \o the scanty allowance which they had to live upon for so long a voya^^e. It was therefore agreed by the whole crew, that only an ounce of bread, and a quarter of a pint of water should be issued to each person per day. After Mr. Bligh had recommended to them in the most solemn manner not to depart from the promise they had made; he on the 2d of May bore away, and shaped hi? course for New Holland, across a sea little explored, in a boat only twenty-three feet in length, six feet nine inches in bieadth, and two feet nine inclies deep, v/ith eighteen persons on board, and heavy Indr^i. The next cUvy they encoiMitered a violent 2-JO MUTINY OF THE BOUNTY. storm, the boat shipped such a quantity of water, that it was hy great exertions and with the utmost diiiiculty she could be kept afloat. The day following it moderated. On the 5th, they saw and passed a cluster of islands, continuing their course to the north-west. Hitherto they had not been able to keep any other account than by guess; but had now succeeded in getting a log- line marked, and by a little practice, some could count the aqc-' onds with a tolerable degree of exactness. The miserable and confined state in which they were, induced Mr. Bligh to put his crew to watch and watch, so that one half might be on the look out, while the others lay down in the boat's bottom, or upon a chest: even this gave but a trifling alleviation to their sufferings; being exposed to constant wet and cold, and not having room to stretch their limbs, they became often so dreadfully cramped^ as to be incapable of moving them. On the 7th, another group of islands was seen, from whence they observed two large canoes in pursuit of them, one of which at fo-ur o'clock in the afternoon, had arrived within two miles of the boat, when she gave over the chase and returned in shore. Mr. Bligh imagined from their direction and vicinity to the Friendly Islands these must have been the Fegee Islands, On the 8th, the weather was moderate and fair, which gave them an opportunity to dry their clothes, and clean out the boat. Mr. Bligh also amused the people, by relating to them a descrip- tion of New Guinea and 'New Holland, with every information in his power, that in case any accident happened to him, the survi- vors might be able to pursue their course to Timor; which place they before knew nothing of except by name. On the 10th, the weather again began to be extremely boisterous, with constant rain and frequent thunder and lightning; the sea was so rough, as often to break over the boat; so that they were forever baling, and often in imminent danger of perishing; in ad- dition to their misfortunes, the bread was damaged by the salt water; their clothes never being dry, they derived no refreshment from the little rest they sometimes got; and many were so be- numbed and cramped by the cold, that they were afflicted with violent shiverings and pains in the bowels. As the weather still continued tempestuous, Mr. Bligh, as an expedient, recommend- ed it to every one to strip, and wring their clothes in the salt- water, which had a good effect, and produced a warmth, that while wet with the rain they could not have. On the 14th they saw a number of islands, which appeared to be a new discovery, but as they lie so near the New^ Hebrides, they may he considered as a part of tluit group. Their latitude from 13 dog. 16 min. to 14deg. south, longitude 110 de^, 61 min 17 rnin. to 168 dog. 34 min. east from Greenwich; to these they gave the name of Bligh's Islands. On the 24t\ it was thought necessary to reduce their already MUTINY OF THE BOUNTY. ^51 miserable pktance; it was accordingly agreed that each person should receive one 25th part of a pound of bread for breakfast, and the same quantity for dinner; so that by omitting the allow- ance for supper, they would have forty-three days provision;^. The next day they saw several noddies and other sea fovvl, some of which they were so fortunate as to catch, and served them out as a part of the allowance. The sight of these birds in- dicated their being in the neighborhood of land. The weather was now more serene; but even this became distressing to ihem; the heat of the sun was so intense, that many of the people were seized with a langor and faintness, wliich made life indifferent At one in the morning on the 29th, breakers were discovered about a quarter of a mile distant under their lee; they immediate- ly hauled off and were soon out of danger. At daylight, they again stood in and discovered the reef, over which the sea broke furiously. Steering along the edge of it, an opening was soon observed, through which the boat passed; a small island which lay within the reef of a moderate height, Mr. Bligh named Island of Direction, as it serves to show the entrance of the channel; its latitude is ]2deg. 51 min. south. As they advanced within the reef, the coast of New Holland began to show itself distinctly. They landed in a fine sandy bay on an island near the main: here they found plenty of oysters, water, and berries, which to men in their deplorable condition, were looked upon as luxuries. After a more comfortable repose than they had experienced for many nights, they were preparing the next day to depart, when about twenty natives made their appearance on the opposite shore, run- ning and hallooing^, at the same time making sio^ns to land. Each o to ' too was armed with a spear or lance; several others were seen peep- ing over the tops of the adjacent hills. Mr. Bligh finding that he was discovered, judged it most prudent to make the best of his way to sea. He named the island on which they landed Restora- tion Island; as it was not only applicable to their own situation but the anniversary of King Charles's Restoration when it was discov ?red; its observed latitude 12 deg. 39 min. south. As the boat sailed along the shore, many other parties of the natives came down, waving green boughs as a token of friendship; but Mr. Bligh, suspicious of their intentions, would Lot venture to land. These people were naked, with black and woolly hair. On the 31st they landed on a small island, in order to get a distinct view of the coast; from thence, after making a hearty meal on oysters, they again put to sea, steering along the shore, often touching at the different islands and keys to relVesh them- selves, and get such supplies as they afforded. On the evening of the 3d of June, they had passed through Endeavour Straits, and were once more launched into the o[)en ocean, shaping their course for the island of Timor, which they were encouraged to expect they might reach in eight or ten days. A continuance of 232 MUTINY OF THE BOUNTY. wet and tempestuous weather, affected even the stoutest among them to such a degree, from incessant fatigue, that many showed evident signs of approaching dissolution. Mr. Bligh used everj effort to revive their drooping spirits, and comforted them v/ith a hope that they would soon arrive at a port where their distresses would be relieved. At three o'clock in the morning on the 12th of June, to their inexpressible joy, the island of Timor was discovered; and on the Hlh they arrived at the Dutch settlement of Coupang. Nothing could exceed the friendly and hospitable reception they met with from the governor, Mr. Van Este, who was lying rJmost at the point of death; he regretted that his infirmity should prevent him from officiating as a friend himself, but assured Mr. Bligh that he would give such orders, as should procure him and his fellow suf- ferers every assistance in his power; he accordingly committed them to the care of Mr. Wanjen, his son-in-law, who, with the other principal persons of Coupang, rendered their situation com- fortable during the time they staid among them. Mr. Bligh presented the governor a formal account of the loss of the Bounty; and a requisition in his Majesty's name, that in- structions might be sent to all the Dutch settlements, to stop the ship if she should touch at any of them; with a list and description of the mutineers. A short time after their arrival at Coupang, by the humane and kind attention of the Dutch inhabitants, they had so much recovered their health, and strength, that Mr. Bligh purchased a schooner for one thousand rix dollars, to convey them to Batavia before the October fleet should sail for Europe. This vessel was named the Resource; and by the assistance and friendship of Mr. Wanjen, (to whose liberal and hospitable treatment they were all much in- debted), Mr. Bligh was able to procure four brass swivels, four- teen stand of arms, and some ammunition, which was necessary to protect them against the pirates who infest the coast of Java. On the 20th of July, Mr. David Nelson, the botanist died of an inflammatory fever; he was a man much respected, and of great scientific knowledge. This was his second voyage to the South Seas in the capacity of botanist. The schooner being ready for sea, on the 30th of August Mr. Bligh and his crew took an affectionate leave of their benefactors, and sfiled from Coupang, with the launch that had preserved thck.' ves, in tow. On the 1st of October they arrived in Batavia road. The next day ]Mr. Bligh was taken so extremely ill, that he was obliged to be moved into the country. Shortly after the Dutch surgeon- general represented to him that his complaint was of such a natuie, that unless he quitted the air of Batavia, it might prove fatal. In consequence of this, Mr. Bligh applied to the governor- general for permission to return to Europe by the fleet whicp MUTINY OF THE BOUNTY. 233 ^rite with fluency, strength and clearness, and to sustain his part respectably in the polished society into which he was thrown. In his letters, he inculcates the necessity of knowledge for naval ofiicers, and intimates that he had devoted ''midnight studies" to the attainment of that information which he deemed requisite in his situation. His memorials, correspon- dence, Sec, are quite voluminous. He also wrote poetry, and, in Paris, was a great pretender to ton, as a man of fashion, especially after his victory over the Serapis, which, of course, gave him great eclat amongst the ladies of the French capital. At this period, he is described by an English lady then resident at Paris, as " a smart little man of thirty-six; speaks but little French, and appears to be an extraordinary genius, a poet as well as a hero." — *Bm. Eni. JAMES LAWRENCE James Lawrence, a distinguished American naval commander, was born at Burlino;ton, New Jersey, in 1781. He early manifest- ed a strong predilection fn* the sea; but his father, who was a lawye^ was anxious that he should pursue his own professi ; and, when only thirteen years of age, he commenced the study of the law; but after the deatli of his father, he entered the navy 260 JAMES LAWRENCE. as a midshipman, in 1798. In 1801, the Tripoli wai having commenced, he was promoted, and, in 1803, was sent out to the Mediterranean, as the first lieutenant of the schooner Enterprise. While there, he performed a conspicuous part in the destruction ot the frigate Philadelphia, which had been captured by the Tri- politans. In the same year, he was invested with the temporary command of the Enterprise, during the bombardment of Tripoli by commodore Preble, all the ships of the squadron being employed to cover the boats during the attack; and so well did he execute his duty, that the commodore could not restrain the expression of his thanks. He remained in the Mediterranean three years, and then returned with Preble to the U. States, having previously been transferred to the frigate John Adams, as first lieutenant In June, 1812, war was declared between Great Britain and the TJ. States, and Lawrence, at the time in command of the Hornet, a few days afterwards sailed with a squadron under the orders of commodore Rogers, for the purpose of intercepting the Jamaica fleet. They returned, however, at the end of the following month, to Boston, without having been able to accomplish their object. Lawrence then accompanied commodore Bainbridge on a cruise to the East Indies; but they separated near St. Salvador, on the coast of Brazil, the Hornet remaining there to blockade a British ship of war, laden with specie, till compelled to retire by the ar rival of a seventy-four. Feb. 24, 1813, the Hornet fell in with the brig Peacock, captain Peake, which he took after a furious action of fifteen minutes. This vessel was deemed one of the finest of her class in the British navy. In the number of her men and guns, she was somewhat inferior to the Hornet. She sunk before all the prisoners could be removed. The latter was con siderably damaged in the rigging and sails, but her hull was scarcely hurt. Lawrence returned to the U. States, where he was welcomed with the applause due to his conduct; but the most honorable eulogy bestowed upon it, was contained in a letter, published by the officers of the Peacock, expressing their gratitude for the consideration and kindness with which they Jiad been treat- ed. Shortly afi;er his return, he was ordered to repair to Boston, and take command of the frigate Chesapeake. This he did with great regret, as the Chesapeake was one of the worst ships in the navy. He had been but a short time at Boston, when the British frigate Shannon, captain Brooke, appeared before the harbor, anc* defied the Chesapeake to combat. Lawrence did not refuse the challenge, although his ship was far from being in a condition fcr action; and, June 1, 1813, he sailed out of the harbor, and e: gaged his opponent. After the ship had exchanged several b/ oadsides, and Lawrence had been wounded in the leg, he called \i s boarders, when he received a musket-ball in his body. At the liime time, the enemy boarded, and, after a desperate resistance, f flcceeded in taking possession of the ship. Almost all the officers ADDRESS TO THE OCEAN. 261 of the Chesapeake were either killed or wounded. The last ex clamation of Lawrence, as they were carrying him below, after the fatal wound, was, "Don't give up the ship." He lingered for four days in intense pain, and expired on the 5th of June. He was buried at Halifax, with every mark of honor — Ih. ADDRESS TO THE OCEAN Likeness of Heaven ' A^ent of power I Man is thy victim, Shipwreck's thy dower ! Spices and jewels From valley and sea. Armies and banners, Are buried in thee ! What are the riches Of Mexico's mines. To the wealth that far down In thy deep waters shines? The proud navies that cover The conquering west — Thou fling'st them to deiith With one heave of thy breast From the high hills that view Thy wreck making shore, When the bride of the mariner Shrieks at thy roar. When like lambs in the tempert Or mews in the blast, On thy ridge broken billows The canvass is cast How humbling to one, W^ith a heart and a soul, To look on thy greatness And list to its roll ; To think how that heart In cold ashes shall be. While the voice of Eternity Rises from thee ^ Yes ! where are the cities Of Thebes and of Tyrp ' Swept from the na^tions Like spa rks from the fire ; The g]ory of Athens, The spl -ndor of Rom^^ Dissolved- -and, forever ^ Like de .v in tbv f'.am. S5J EARLY AMERICAN HEROISM But thou art almighty, Eternal — sublime — Unwearied — un wasted— • Twin brother of Time I Fleets, tempests nor nations Thy glory can bow ; As the stars first beheld thee Still chainless art thou * Bu '; hold ! when thy surges No longer shall roll, And that firmament's^length Is drawn back like a scroll, Then — then shall the spirit That sighs by thee now, Be more mighty, more lasting, More chainless than thou. EARLY AMERICAN HEROISM. During one of the former wars, between France and I ngia sd^ in which the then Colonies bore an active part, a rcspec\ ible in- dividual, a member of the society of Friends, of the i ame of ■ , commanded a fine ship which sailed from an Eastern port, to a port in England. This vessel had a strong and effective crew, but was totally unarmed. When near her destined port, she was chased, and ultimately overhauled, by a French a assel of war. Her commander used every endeavor to escape, t at seeing from the superior sailing of the Frenchman, that his caj ture was inevitable, he quietly retired below: he was followed into the cabin by. his cabin boy, a youth of activity and enterprii *, named Charles Wager: he asked his commander if nothing mjre could be done to save the ship — his commander replied that i. was im- possible, that every thing had been done that was pr icticable, there was no escape for them, and they must submit Ij be cap- tured. Charles then returned upon deck and summone 1 the crew around him — he stated in a few words what was theii captain's conclusion — then, with an elevation of mind, dictated by a soul formed for enterprise and noble daring, he observed, '' if you will place yourselves under my command, and stand by r e, I have conceived a plan by which the ship may be rescued, and we in turn become the conquerors." The sailors no doubt .>^eling the irdor, and inspired by the courage of their youthful < ad gallant leader, agreed to place themselves under his command His plan was communicated to them, and they awaited with fiimness, the moment to carry their enterprise into effect. The sui^pense was »f short duration, for the Frenchman was quickly alongside, and CAPTAIN G. VANCOUVER. 253 as the weather \vds fine, immediately grappled fast to the unof- fending merchant ship. As Charles had anticipated, the exhila- rated conquerors, elated beyond measure, with the acquisition of so fine a prize, poured into his vessel in crowds, cheering and huzzaing; and not foreseeing any danger, they left but few men on board their ship. Now was the moment for Charles, v/ho, giving his men the signal, sprang at their head on board the op- posing vessel, while some seized the arms which had been left in profusior on her deck, and with which they soon overpowered the few mer eft on board; the others, by a simultaneous movement, relieved her from the grapplings which united the two vessels. Our hero now having the command of the French vessel, seized the helm, and placing her out of boarding distance, hailed, with the voice of a conqueror, the discomfited crowd of Frenchmen who were left on board of the peaceful bark he had just quitted, and summoned them to follow close in his wake, or he would blow them out of water, (a threat they well knew he was very capable of executing, as their guns were loaded during the chase.) They sorrowfully acquiesced with his commands, while gallant Charles steered into port, followed by his prize. The exploit excited uni- versal applause — the former master of the merchant vessel was examined by the Admiralty, when he stated the whole of the en- terprise as it occurred, and declared that Charles Wager had planned and effected the gallant exploit, and that to him alone belonged the honor and credit of the achievement. Charles was immediately transferred to the British navy, appointed a mid- sliipman, and his education carefully superintended. He soon after distinguished himself in action, and underwent a rapid pro- motion, until at length he was created an Admiral, and known as Sir Charles Wager. It is said, that he always held ia veneration and esteem, that respectable and conscientious Friend, whose cab- in boy he had been, and transmitted yearly to his old master, as he termed him, a handsome present of Madeira, to cheer his de- clining days. CAPTAIN G. VANCOUVER. Notwithstanding the valuable discoveries of Cook, further in- vestigation v/as required of some of the southern regions, with wh.ch view a voyai>;e was planned in autumn 1789, and the com- mand destined to Captain Henry Roberts, who had served under Captain Cook in the two last voyages, Captain Vancouver being namiid as his second; and for this purpose a ship of three hundred and forty tons was purchased, in a state nearly finished, and on ^54 CAPTAIN G. VANCOUVER. being launched was named the Discovery, and commissioned as a sloop; but the disputes with Spain respecting Nootka Sound for a short time suspended her equipment. These dilierences being terminated, and the fisheries and fur-trade of China being objects of material importance, it was deemed expedient to send an officer to Nootka to receive from tho Spaniards a formal restitution of the territories they had seized; to survey the coast, obtain every possible information of the natural and political state of the coun* try. To this command Captain Vancouver was now appointed The same ship, the Discovery, was equipped, carrying ten four pounders and ten swivels, with one hundred and thirty men includ- ing officers, Captain Vancouver being Captain, Messrs. Zacha- riah Mudge, Peter Puget, and Joseph Baker, lieutenants; and Joseph Whidbey, master. She was to be accompanied by the Chatham armed tender, of one hundred and thirty-five tons, four three-pounders, six swivels, and forty-five men, commanded by Lieutenant W. R. Broughton; James Hanson, second lieutenant; and James Johnstone, master. Mr. Archibald Menzies, a sur- geon of the navy, was also appointed for the special purpose of botanical research. On the 5th February, 1791, the Discovery anchored at Spithead , OR the 11th March proceeded down the chanel to Falmouth, where she was, on the 31st, joined by the Chatham. On the 28th April they made TenerifFe. They crossed the tropic of Capricorn the l^th June, in 25 deg. 18 min., after which it was resolved to proceed by the Cape of Good Hope, whither they arrived the 10th July, and where a variety of necessary repairs employed them till the 11th of August. After being detained by contrary winds and calms till the 17th, they then sailed out of the Simon's Bay, bound for the coast of New Holland, and directing their course between the tracks of Dampier and Marion, over a space before unfre- quented. On the 27th September they made land, and, in latitude 85 deg. 31 min. and longitude 160 deg. 35 min. 30 sec. passed by a conspicuous promontory, to which Captain Vancouver gave the name of Cape Chatham, after the Earl. The natives along this coast appeared to be a wandering people, who sometimes made their excursions individually; at other times in considerable parties; this was apparent, by their habitations being found single and alone, as weil as composing tolerably large villages. Besides the village they visited, Mr. Broughton dis- covered another about two miles distant from it, of nearly the same magnitude; but it appeared to be of a much later date, as all the huts had been recently built, and seemed to have been very lately inhabited. The larger trees in the vicinity of both villages had been hollowed out by fire, sufficiently to afford the shelter these people seemed to require. Upon stones placed in the inside of hese hollow trees fires had been made, which proved that they had been used as habitations, either for the inferior of the party. CAPTAIN G. VANCOUVER. 256 ♦vhich would argue a degree of subordination amongst them, or for those who were too indolent to build themselves the wattled huts before described. From this coast Captain Vancouver proceeded to New Zealand, which he reached on the 27th October, and anchored in Dusky Bay, when they encountered a heavy storm, the effects of which required considerable repair, particularly of the Discovery. Another heavy gale occurred on the 22d and 23d, after which, very unexpectedly, they made land, namely, a cluster of seven craggy islands, the largest situated in latitude 48 deg. 3 rnin. longitude 166 deg. 20 min., which had not been seen by Captain Cook. These sterile rocks Captain Vancouver denominated The Snares Another new island was discovered on the 22d of December, in 215 deg. 49 min. Several canoes came off to the ship, but the natives would Hot go on board, while they used every solicitation to in- duce the Eno^lish to land. One at lenoth ventured on board. These people weie evidently of the Great South Sea nation, both from language and a similarity to the Friendly Islanders. Two or three of them remained on board nearly an hour; but so much was their attention distracted, that they could scarcely give an answer as to the name of the island, or otherwise. It appear- ed on the whole, that they called it Oparo, by which name it is therefore distinguished by Captain Vancouver. The tops of six of the highest hills bore the appearance of fortified places, resemb- ling redoubts; having a sort of block-house, in the shape of an English glass-house, in the centre of each, with rows of palisadoes a considerable way down the sides of the hills, nearly at equal dis- tances. These, overhanocinor seemed intended for advanced works, and apparently capable of defending the citadel by a few against a numerous host of assailants. On all of them they no- ticed people, as if on duty, constantly moving about. These were the only habitations they saw. On the 29th the Discovery reached Otaheite, where they had been expected in consequence of information by an English vessel, which turned out to be the Chatham, that had separated near Facile Harbor, and arrived before them. The Chatham, during her separation, had seen several immaterial lands, named by Mr Broughton successively. Knight's Island, (the same as The Snares of Captain Vancouver), Point Alison, Mount Patterson, The Two Sisters, and Cape Soung. An island which he named Chatham Island, and the anchorage of which, in Skirmish Bay, was 43 deg 49 min. latitude, and 183 deg. 25 min. longitude, was taken posses- sion of Here, having gane on shore, a number of the natives^ came about, held a conversation by signs and gestures, and readi ly received ]Mr. Broughton's presents, but would make no ex- changes. Tiiey were very anxious to have the party follow then? to their habi ations, but this was thought imprudent. Nothing would preva'' on the islanders to give up any of their aiticle<* 2r56 CAPTAIN G. VANCOUVER. but they not only readily accepted, but carried off various things belonging to the party, and were particularly anxious to get Mr. Broughton's fowling-piece, which he had fired, much to their alarm. Having, in order both to get information and to procure water, at length made signs of their intention to accompany the natives, it appeared that the latter had meditated hostility, having collected large sticks, swinging them over their heads, as ii* with an intention of using them; several of them likewise had spears Yet, being well armed, Mr. Broughton's party were not afraid, especially as they thought they had purchased the good opinion of the savages. They were, however, mistaken; an attack was made so violently, that both Mr. Broughton and Mr. Johnstone were re- luctantly obliged to fire, as did the gentleman having the charge of the boat, which occasioned the natives to fly, but not before one of them had unfortunately perished. On the Discovery anchoring, she was surrounded by caiioes laden with the country productions. Captain Vancouver found that most of the friends he had left there in 1777 were dead, Otoo, now called Tomarrey, his father, brothers, and sisters, Potatou, and his family, were the only of their chiefs now living. Captain Vancouver and Mr. Broughton went on shore to fix on an eligible spot for tents, and to pay their respects to his Otahei- tan majesty. They found Otoo, Pomarrey's son and now king, to be a boy of about nine or ten years of age. He was carried on the shoulders of a man, and was clothed in a piece of English red cloth, with ornaments of pigeons' feathers hanging over his shoulders. When they had approached within about eight paces, they were desired to stop; the present they had brought was ex- hibited ; and although its magnitude, and the value of the articles it contained, excited the admiration of the by-standers in the highest degree, it was regarded by this young monarch with an apparent- ly stern and cool indifference. After some other ceremonies, a ratification of peace and mutual friendship being acknowledged on both sides, the different European articles composing the present were, with some little form, presented to Otoo; and on his shaking hands with them, which he did very heartily, his countenance became immediately altered, and he received them with the greatest cheerfulness and cordiality. On the 2d day of January, 1792, arrived Pomarrey, who was, to his great gratification, saluted with four guns. With him came IMatooara Mahou, the reigning Prince of Morea, under Otoo, but who was in a deep decline. At one of the entertainments on boaid, Pomarrey having drank a bottle of undiluted brandy, it threw him into convulsions; after which, having slept for an hour, he was perfectly recovered. Captain Vancouver endeavored to persuade him of the bad consequence of inebriety. The chief on this accused him of being a stingy fellow, and not iio iio, (a jolly companion). On this it was determined to give him his own CAPTAIN G. VANCOUVER. "25') way, and orders were given to let him have as much hrandy or ^um as he should call ibr, which had completely the effect, for in a week he ceased to call for any. Pomarrey's father, formerly called Happi, now Taou, also came to visit them, and a most affectionate interview took place hetweon the three sons and their aged and venerahle father. A very dif- ferent scene was afterwards exhibited. It wa,s announced that Otoo was approaching. On this occasion it became necessary that the grandfather should pay homage to his grandson. A pig and a plaintain-leaf were instantly procyred; the good old man stripped to the waist, and when Otoo appeared in front of the marquee, the aged parent, whose limbs were tottering with the decline of life, met his grandson, and on his knees acknowledged his own inferiority, by presenting this token of submission; which, so far as could be discovered, seemed offered with a mixture of profound respect and parental regard. The ceremony seemed to have little effect on the young monarch, who appeared to no- tice the humiliating situation of his grandsire with the most per- fect indifference and unconcern. This mode of behavior is, however, rather to be attributed to the force of education, than to a want of the proper sentiments of affection. On the 14th a message was received of the death of Mahou, . . . ^ .... at Oparre, which district was, for some days, by a religious in- terdict, forbidden communication with the rest of the island. Mr. Broughton, and a party of the gentlemen belonging to the ships, having made an excursion for purchasing curiosities among the islands, landed to see the grand morai, or tapootapootatea. Mowie, the sovereign of Uleatea, who attended them, on ap- proaching the sacred spot, desired the party would stop until he should address the Eatooa. Then, seating himself on the ground, he began praying before a watta, ornamented with a piece of wood, indifferently carved, on which was placed, for the occasion, a bundle of cloth and some red feafhers. During this ejaculation the names of the party were twice mentioned. He likewise re- peated the names of the several commanders who had visited the island, together with those of '' Keene George " (that is, King George) and " Britarne," which were frequently expressed. When these introductory ceremonies were finished, jMowree at- tended them to ever}' part of the morai, and explained every par- ticular. He appeared to be well versed in all the ceremonials and rites appertaining to their religion, which made the party greatly lament their want of a competent knowledge of the lan- guage, as they were unable to comprehend his meaning, except in a lew common instances. The next morning they were again honored by a visit from Otoo and several of the chiefs, in their way to the morai. Soon after a canoe, covered with an awning, was seen coming from the westward, paddlinnr in a slow and solemn manner towards the iloS CAPTAIN G. VANCOUVER. moral, in which was the corpse of the deceased chief. On their expressing great anxiety to seo Pomarrey, for the purpose of obtaining permission to attend the burial ceremony, they were informed that he was gone to the morai, but would have no objection to their being present. They proceeded; and near to the rivulet that flows by Urripiah's house, they saw the queen- mother, Fier-re-te, and the widov/ of the deceased Mahow, sitting all in tears; and, in the paroxysms of their affliction, wounding their heads with the sharks' teeth they had prepared the preceding evening. The widow had a small spot shaved on the crown of her head, which was bloody, and bore other evident marks of having frequently undergone the cruel effect of her despair. The body of Mahow, wrapped in English red cloth, was deposited under an awning in a canoe, whose bow was drawn up a little way on the beach near the morai, and was attended by one man only, at her stern, up to his middle in water, to prevent her driving from the spot. The priests continued chanting their prayers, frequently ex- alting their voices, until they ended in a very shrill tone. The address being ended, they all rose up and proceeded westward along the shore, followed by the canoe, in which was the corpse, to the mouth of the rivulet, where the three royal ladies still con- tinued to indulge their excessive grief; and, on perceiving the canoe, burst forth into a loud yell of lamentation, which was accompanied by an accelerated application of the sharks' teeth, until the blood, very freely following, mingled with their tears. The canoe entered the brook and proceeded towards another morai at the foot of the mountains, where the ceremonies to be performed on the body of the deceased required such secrecy, that on no account could the gentlemen be permitted to attend, although it was most earnestly requested. In consequence of a message from Pomarrey, Captain Van- couver and Messrs. Broughton and Whidbey went to Oparre, to assist at the mourning for the death of Mahow. The concern here of the relatives was by no means such as might have been expected from their tender regard to the chief when alive. The corpse was laid on the tapapaoo, which seemed to have been erect- ed for the express purpose, about a quarter of a mile to the east- ward of the grand morai, (or, as it is called, *' tapootapootatea ''); and appeared to be then undergoing the latter part of the embalm- ing process, in the same manner as described by Captain Cook in the instance of Tee. The body was exposed to the sun, and on their approach the covering was taken off. which exhibited the corpse in a very advanced state of putrefaction. The skin shone very bright with the cocoa-nut oil with which it had been anointed, and which they understood was highly impregnated with '* aehigh," or sweet-scented wood. One of the arms and a leg being moved, -he joints appeared perfectly flexible. The extremely offensive exhalations that were emitted, rendered it natural to conclude CAPTAIN G. VANCOUVER. ^59 \. A (he whole mass would soon be completely decomposed; but, i. ofedit may be given to their assertions, which were indubitably c, tifirmed by the remains of Tee, and to which the captain could boui- testimony, this will not be the case. Pomarrey infoimed tl«t.sfi, ihe corpse was to remain a month in this place; then a OiOiiih WHS to be employed in its visiting some of the western dis- tricis; dfter which it was to be removed to Tiaraboo for another nionih fi^hence it was to be carried to Morea, and there finally dtposiit^J with his forefathers in the morai of the family. In the course ui' a few months after its arrival there, it w^ould gradually begin to muuider away, but by such very slow degrees, that sev- eictl monihb \f'ould elapse before the body would be entirely con- sumed. Tho boat's crew were ranged before the paling that encompassed Ihe tapapaoo; a piece of red cloth from them was given to the widow, who spread it over the dead b-ody; some vol- lies were then hied, and the captain was directed to pronounce *' lera no oea j\icihow," that is, For you Mahow. On some rain falling, the body wud taken under cover and carefully wrapped up. They proceeded to an excellent new house of Whytooa's, where t: ey itined, and reitnned to Matarai with two large hogs, pre- sentet.\ on this mourhml occasion by the widow of Mahow. A serious theft ot n large quantity of linen belonging to IMr Brougiv.on, as well as iwo axes, now demanded the most rigorous inquiry. An additionnl mortification happened on the 21st. — Towereiv^o, a Sandwicti islander (brought out from England in the Discv^^ery,) had, in tiK? course of the preceeding night, found means to eiope from tnt ship. After much trouble of investiga- tion, and some coercion, on the 23d the three royal brothers brought baCiV rowereroo, with a variety of expiatory presents. The linen tao^jo appearcu now no prospect of recovering, without both losing lin^e and haviUg recourse to unpleasant measures; it was, therefore, \ ^solved tO depart without it; presents as usual were distributee, and the separation took place with the utmost harmony. Omai, it seem^j. tAavin*^ died without children, the house which Captain Cook had nuiU rbr him, the lands that were purchased, and the horse, whion wa^s still alive, together with sucli European commodities as rema\ryrct at his death, all descended to iNIatuarro, as king of the island, and, when his majesty is at home, Omai'3 house is his constant residence. From Matuarro they learned, that Omai was much vespected, and that he frequently aflbrded great entertainment {.v> him, and the other chiefs, with the a<> counts of his travetii, and describing the various countrie;^, objects, Sec that had fallen under his observation; and that he died universally regretted and lamented. His death, as well as that of the two New Zealand boys left with him by Caj)tain Cook, wns occasioned by a disorder that is attended by a large swe.jliny in tli(^ throat of whicli verv few recover 260 CAPTAIN G. VANCOUVEll On the 24th January, the Discovery and Chatham directed their course to the northward, for the first time pointing their heads lowards the grand object of the expedition. On the 2d February passed Owhyhee, one of the Sandwich Islands, and were honored by a visit from Tianna, the personage mentioned in Mr. Mears's voyage, who, since his return from China, had taken part vvith Tamaahmaah against Teamav»^heere, and, being victorious, these, two chiefs had agreed to share the government. Tianna way taken on board to go to the Leeward Islands. Tareehooa, who preferred the name of Jack, having been with Mr. Ingram com- manding an American ship, laden with furs, from North-West America, bound to Boston, by the way of China, v/as desirous of continuing on board the Discovery, and to proceed on the voyage, which, with consent of the chief, w^as complied with. After pas- sing some desolate islands, the Discovery anchored, on the 7th of March, in a bay called Whykete, south of the Island of Woahoo, on good and safe ground. Some of the inhabitants went .n board, and were exceedingly orderly and docile, which appear- ed the more remarkable, as they had formerly been re})resented as the most daring and unmanageable of any in the Sandwich Islands. Their new ship-m.ate. Jack, became very useful; he took upon him to represent them in the most formidable point of view to all his co\inlrymen; magnifying their powers and numbers, and pro- claiming that they were not traders, such as they had been accus- tomed to see; but were belonging to King George, and w^erc alJ mighty warriors. This being his constant discourse, it is not to be v/ondered that his countrymen became much intimidated; and, as this could be productive of no ill consequences, they permitted Jack to proceed in liis encomiums, and unanimously agreed it would not be his fault if they were not in high repute amongst the islanders. The natives having failed in supplying water as expected, Captain Vancouver set sail, on the 8th, for Attov/ai, where he understood it was to be had without difficulty. Whyhetce Bay lies in latitude 21 deg. 16 min. 47 sec, longitude 202 deg. 9 min. 37 sec. Next morning they made Whymea Bay, on the south side of Attowai. The inhabitants of this island behaved in the .same orderly manner, and with the same distant civility experi enced at VYoahoo, and gave the necessary assistance in watering and other operations. The land here was also much the same, and similai ly cultivated with the taro plant. Here were found Rowbottom, an Englishman, Williams, a Welshman, and Cole- man, an Irishman, left for the purpose of collecting pearls and sandal-wood for their master, John Kendrick, an American, com- manding the Lady Washington, and which was to call for them in her relurn ftom China, to take them on board v/ith the pearls and sandal-wood collected. They were visited by two chiefs, No ma CAPTAIN G. VANCOUVER. 261 tee-hc-tec and Too, announcing that Enemoh, guardian of the young prince Ta-moo-eree, who was the eldest son of Taio, sove- reign of this and the neighboring islands, together with the prince nirnself, would be with them in a few days. They accordingly came and behaved with the utmost propriety, although, from cer- tain appearances of fire, as well as the circumstance of a schooner taken by the Indians at Owyhee, and the cautions of Rowbottom, Captain Vancouver had not been without suspicions of treachery, Enemoh readily went on board and an exchange was made of presents, which, though liberal on the part of Captain Vancouver, did not give satisfaction; the great desire of the chief, as of all of them, being to have fire-arms and ammunition, with which the various traders touching at their islands had most improperly, and even cruelly, supplied the inhabitants. Wednesday, the 14th of March, the two ships sailed for the coast of America. On the 17th of April they saw land, being part of New Albion, and being then in 39 deg. 21 nan. latitude, 23G deg. '25 min, longitude. On the 28th they spoke an Ameri- can ship, Columbia, Mr. Robert Gray, commander, of Boston, whence she had been absent eighteen months. On the 29th, an- chored about eight miles within the entrance of the supposed Straits of Juan de Fuca. Of course they made a strict investiga- tion of this passage, and were satisfied that it did not exist. Port Discovery, where the vessels now went to anchor, is a perfectly safe and convenient harbor, having its outer points one mile and three quarters asunder, and situated in latitude 48 deg. 7 min., longitude 237 deg. 20|- min. The country of JNew Albion, in this neighborhood, is of a rich fertile soil. In respect to its mineral productions no great variety was observed. Iron ore, in its various forms, was generally found ; and, from the weight and magnetic qualities of some specimens, appeared tolerably rich, particularly a kind that much resembled the blood-stone. The next place of research was Admiralty Inlet, where the ships anchored off Restoration Point. The general informaticn li( re is little. The natives were much the same, equally ill-made, and their persons besmeared with oil and ochre, and a sort of shining chaffy mica very ponderous, and in colors resembling black-lead; but decked more with copper ornaments, while tliey were not wanting in acts and offers of friendship and hospitality, and behaved with perfect decorum and civility. About a dozen of these friendly people had attended at their iinner, one part of which was a venison pasty. Two of them, expressing a desire to pass the line of separation drawn between ihem, were permitted to do so. They sat down by the English, tncl ate of the bread and fish given them without tlie least hesita- jion; but, on being offered some of the venison, they could not be induced to taste it. They received it with great disgust, and presented it round to the rest of the party, by whom it underwent 2-62 CAPTAIxN G. VANCOUVER. a very strict examination. Their conduct on this occasion lefl no doubt that they believed it to be human flesh, an impression which it was highly expedient should be done away. To satisfy them that it was the flesh of the deer, they pointed to the skins of the animal they had about them. In reply to this they pointed to each other, and made signs that could not be misunderstood, that it was the flesh of human beings, and threw it down in the dirt with gestures of great aversion and displeasure. At length they happily convinced them of their mistake by showing them a haunch they had in the boat, by which means they were unde- ceived, and some of them ate of the remainder of the pie with a good appetite. On Monday, the 4th of June, the ship's companies were served a good dinner, it being the anniversary of his majesty's birth; on which day, they designed to take formal possession of all the countries they had lately been employed in exploring. Pursuing the usual formalities on such occasions, and under the discharge of a royal salute from the vessels, they took possession according- ly of the coast, from that part of New Albion, in the latitude of 39 deg. 20 min. north, and longitude 236 deg. 26 min. east, to the entrance of this inlet of the sea, said to be the straits of Juan de Fuca, as likewise all the caast, islands, &c. by the name of the Gulf of Georgia; and the continent binding the said gulf and extending southward to the 45th degree of north latitude, with th?iT of New Georgia, in honor of his majesty. On the 5th of June, the Discovery and Chatham sailed fronr, Possession Sound. Having anchored on the 11th in Strawberry Bay, so named from its producing that excellent fruit in abun- dance, latitude 48 deg. 36 min., longitude 237 deg. 34 min., and there being several things necessary to be done. Captain Van- couver and Mr. Puget, in the Discovery's yawl, and Mr. Whidby in the cutter, attended by the Chatham's launch, explored the nieighborhood. As they were rowing on the 22d, for Point Grey purposing there to land and breakfast, they discovered two ves- sels at anchor under the land. They were a brig and a schooner wearing the colors of Spanish vessels of war, most probably em ployed in pursuits similar to their own, and this idea was confirm ed. These vessels proved to be a detachment from the commis- sion of Seignor Malaspina, who was himself employed in the Phillippine islands. Seignor Malaspina had, the preceding year, visited the coast, and these vessels, his Catholic majesty's brig the Sutil, under the command of Seignor Don D. Galiano, with the schooner Mexicana, commanded by Seignor Don C. Valdes, both captains of frigates in the Spanish navy, had sailed from Acaj)ulco on the 8th of March, in order to prosecute discov- eries on this coast. From these gentlemen Vancouver understood, that Seignor Quadra, the commander-in-chief of the Spanish marine at St. Bias and at California, was, with three f igates and CAPTAIN G. VANCOUVER. 263 a brig, waiting his arrival at Nootka, in order to negotiate the restoration of those territories to the crown of Grer<4; Britain; Their conduct was replete with that politeness and friendship which characterize the Spanish nation; every kind of useful infor- mation they cheerfully communicated, and obligingly expressed much desire, that circumstances might so concur as to admit their respective labors being carried on together. The nth of August they were suddenly surprised by the arrival of a brig off the entrance of the cove, under English colors. She was the Venus, belonging to Bengal, of one hundred and ten tons burden, commanded by Mr. Shepherd, last from Nootka, and bound on a trading voyage along these shores. By him they received the pleasant tidings of the arrival of the Dosdalus store- ship, laden with a supply of provisions and stores for their use; and he acquainted Mr. Baker, that Seignor Quadra was waiting with the greatest impatience to deliver up the settlement and ter- ritories at Nootka. Mr. Shepherd had brought with him a letter from Mr. Thomas Newmaster of the Dasdalus, informing Van- couver of a most distressing and melancholy event. Lieutenant Hergest, the commander, Mr. William Gooch, the astronomer, with one of the seamen belonging to the Dasdalus, had been murdered by the inhabitants of Woahoo, whilst on shore procur- ing water at that island. August 19th they proceeded from the last station, namely. Point Menzies, in latitude 52 deg. 18 min., longitude 232 deg. 55 min., and on the 28th, arrived off Nootka Sound. The Chatham, by the nartial clearing of the fog, had found her way in some time before; the Daedalus store-ship, and a small merchant brig called the Three Brothers, of London, commanded by Lieutenant Alder of the navy, were also there at anchor. Seignor Quadra, with several of his officers, came on board the Discovery, on the 29th, where they breakfasted, and were saluted with thirteen guns on their arrival and departure; the day was afterwards spent in ceremonious offices of civility, with much harmony and festivity. Maquinna, the native chief of Nootka, who was present on this occasion, had early in the morning, from being unknown to them, being prevented coming on board the Discovery by the sentinels and the officer on deck, as there was not in his appearance the smallest indication of his superior rank. Of this indignity he had complained in a most angry manner to Seignor Quadra, whc very obligingly found means to soothe him. Some difficulties now occurred in respect to the particulars of the restitution, but after written and verbal correspondence^ it was agreed that the objections on both sides should be referred to the respective courts. Seignor Quadra, however, having ^nereafter made further objections, an additional correspondence took place; but the Spanislj officer insisting, and being positively resolved to adhere to certain principles proposed by him as to the 264 CAPTAIN G. VANCOUVER. restitution, to which Captain Vancouver could not accede, the latter acquainted him that he should consider Nootka as a Spanish port, and requested his permission to carry on the necessary em- ployments on shore, which he very politely gave, with the most friendly assurance of every service and kind office in his power. It was not till the 12th of October that the Discovery sailed from Nootka, with the Chatham and Daedalus store-ships, bound to the southward. November 15th discovered anchorage in a most excellent small bay. The herds of cattle and flocks of sheep grazing on the surrounding hills, were a sight they had long been strangers to, and brought m^any pleasing reflections. On hoisting the colors at sun-rise, a gun was fired, and in a little time after- wards several people were seen on horseback, coming from behind the hills down to the beach, who waved their hats, and made other signals for a boat, which was immediately sent to the shore, and on its return they were favored with the company of a priest of the order of St. Francisco, and a serjeant in the Spanish army to breakfast. The good friar, after pointing out the most convenient spot for procuring wood and water, and repeating hospitable of- fers, in the name of the fathers of the Franciscan order, returned to the mission of St. Francisco, which they understood was at no great distance, and to which he gave them the most pressing in- vitation. Whilst engaged in allotting to the people their different em- ployments, some saddled horses arrived from the commandant, with a very cordial invitation; which was accepted by the captain and some of the officers. They rode up to the Presidio, an ap- pellation given to their military establishments in this country, and signifying a safe-guard. The residence of the friars is called a mission. The Spanish soldiers composing the garrison amount- ed to thirty-five, who, with their wives, families, and a few Indian servants, composed the whole of the inhabitants. On the left of the church is the commander's house, consisting of two rooms and a closet only, which are divided by massy walls, and commu- nicating with each other by very small doors. Between these apartments and the outward wall was an excellent poultry-house and yard, which seemed pretty well stocked; and between the roof and ceiling of the rooms was a kind of lumber garret; these were all the conveniences the habitation seemed calculated to af- ford. On approaching it they found his good lady, who, like her spouse, had passed the middle age of life, decently dressed, seated cross-legged on a mat, placed on a small square wooden platform raised three or four inches from the grouud, nearly in front of the door, with two daughters and a son, clean and decent- ly dressed, sitting by her; this being the mode observed by these ladies wiien they receive visiters. The decorous and pleasing behavior of the children was really admirable, and exceeded any thing that could have been expected from them undei the circum- CAPTAIN G. VANCOUV^ER. 265 Stances of their situation, without any other adsantagi^s than the education and example of their parents, which, however, seemed to have been studiously attended to, and did them great credit. The next day was appointed for visiting the mission. Accom- panied by JMenzies and some of the officers, and Seignor Sal, the captain rode thither to dinner. The uniform, mild, and kind- Iiearted disposition of this religious order has never failed to attach to their interest the afflictions of the natives, wherever they have sat down amongst them; this is a very happy circumstance, for. their situation otherwise would be excessively precarious; as ^hey are protected only by five soldiers, who reside under the di- rections of a corporal, in the buildings of the mission at some distance on the other side of the church. The natives, however, seemed to have treated with the most perfect indifference the pre- cepts, and laborious example of their truly worthy and benevolent pastors. Their persons, generally speaking, were under the mid- dle size, and very ill made; their faces ugly, presenting a dull, heavy, and stupid countenance, devoid of sensibility or the least expression. On the 2.5th, they set sail for Monterrey, where they found the Dfcdalus, and also Seignor Qaudra, with his broad pendant on board the brig Acteon. He, as well as the acting governor, Seignor Anquilla, both behaved in the most friendly and liberal manner. They sailed on the 14th of January, and on the 12th of February arrived off the north-east point of Owhyhee. Having, on the 21st of February, reached Tyahtatooa, Captain Vancou- ver was honored with a visit from Tomaahmaah, the king of the island of Owhyhee, a chief of an open, cheerful, and sensible mind, combined with great generosity and goodness of disposition He was accompanied by John Young, an English seaman, who possessed much influence with him. The queen and some of his majesty's relations also visited on board. They were much pleased with the decorum and general con- iuct of this royal party. Though it consisted of many, yet not one j^olicited even the most inconsiderable article, nor did they appear to have any expectation of receiving presents. Being de- iermined that notliing should be wanting to preserve the harmony and good understanding that seemed to have taken place between them, and having learned from Young, that the royal visiters did nc* entertain the most distant idea of accepting any thing from th(. captain, until they had first set the example; he consideied thife ^ good opportunity to manifest a friendly disposition towards then by presents suitable to their respective ranks and situations. Accoidingly, such articles were distributed as they knew were likely to be highly acceptable to the whole party. This distribu- tion being finished, anu the whole party made very happy, the king, in addition to what he had before received, was presented with a scarlet cloak, that reached from his neck to the ground, 23 Z6ij CAPTAIN G. VAxNCOUVER. adorned with tinsel lace, trimmed with various colored gartenng tape, with blue ribbons to tie it down the front. The looking- glasses being placed opposite to each other, displayed at once the whole of his royal person; this filled him with rapture, and so delighted him, that the cabin could scarcely contain him. His ecstasy produced capering, and he soon cleared the cabin of many of their visiters vvhose numbers had rendered it very hot and un- pleasant. Next morning they reached Karakakooa, the residence of Tomaahmaah. Besides Young, his Owhyhean majesty's favorite before mentioned, there were here also John Smith, an Irishman, wbo had deserted from an American trader, and Isaac Davis, who had been captured by the islanders, in the schooner Fair American. These men behaved extremely well, and had been taken under the special patronage of Tamaahmaah, who was much irritated at the above capture; and the treatment of the people belonging to the schooner, which was atrociously taken by Tamamootoo, a powerful chief, and his people, but which Tamaahmaah caused to be delivered up to them, to be kept for the benefit of the proprietor Mr. Metcalf, who had the command of the schooner, was thrown overboard by Tamaahmootoo, who took out of her every thing he could, before the arrival of the king and Young. In this affair, Tianna had also acted a scandalous part, endeavoring, by fals-e insinuations, to prevail on the king to kill Young and Davis, but his arts were unsuccessful on his majesty, whose sound judgment, and humane attentions, would have done credit to the sovereign of a more civilized people. On the 4th of March, as soon as dinner was over, they were summoned to a sham-fight on shore; and as Tamaahmaah con- sidered all ceremonies and formalities as adding to his conse- quence, he requested that the captain would be attended on shore by a guard. They found the warriors assembled towards the north corner of the beach, without the limits of the hallowed ground. The party consisted of about one hundred and fifty men, armed with spears; these were divided into three parties, nearly in equal numbers; two were placed at a little distance from each other; that on the right was to represent the armies of Titeeree and I'aio; that on the left the army of Tamaahmaah. Their spears, on this occasion, were blunt-pointed sticks, about the length of their barbed ones, whilst, on each wing, they were to suppose a body of troops placed to annoy the enemy with stones from their sHngs. The combatants now advanced towards each other, seemingly witiiout any principal leader, making speeches as they approached, which appeared to end in vaunts and t^reats from both parties, wh(m the battle began, by throwing their sharK spears at each other. These were parried in most instance^- with great dexterity; but such as were thrown with effect, produced contusions and wounds, which, though fortunately of no danger- CAPTAIN G. VANCOUVER, 261 0U9 tendency, were yet very considerable, and it waa admirable to observe the great good-humor and evenness '^f temper that was preserved by those who were thus inji ed. This battle was a mere skirmish, neither party being supported, nor advancing in any order, but such as the fancy of the individuals directed. Some would advance even from the rear to the front, where they would throw their spears, and instantly retreat into the midst of their associates, or would remain picking up the spears that had fallen without effect. These they would sometimes hurl again ai the foe, or hastily retreat, with two or three in their possession. Those, however, who valued themselves on military achievements, marched up towards the tl*ont of the adverse party, and in a taunting manner bid defiance to the whole of their adversaries. In their left hand they held their spear, with which, in a contemptu- ous manner, they parried some of those of their opponents, whilst, with their right, they caught others in the act of flying immedi- ately at them, and instantly returned them with great dexterity. In this exercise no one seemed to excel his Owhyhean majesty, who entered the lists for a short time and defended himself with the greatest dexterity, much to their surprise and admiration, in one instance particularly, against six spears, that were hurled at him nearly at the same instant; three he caught as they were fly- ing, with one hand; two he broke, by parrying them with his spear in the other; and the sixth, by a trifling inclination of his body, passed harniless. This part of the combat was intended to represent the king sm having been suddenly discovered by the enemy, in a situation where he was least expected to be found; and the shower of darts that were instantly directed to that quarter, were intended to show that he was in the most imminent danger; until advancing a few paces, with the whole body of his army more closely con- nected, and throwing their spears with the utmost exertion, he caused the enemy to fall back in some little confusion, and he himself rejoined the English, without having received the slight- est injury. The consequences attendant on the first man being killed, or being so wounded as to fall on the disputed ground between the contending armies, were next exhibited. This event causes the loss of many lives, and much blood, in the conflict that takes place, in order to rescue the unfortunate individual, who, if car- ried off by the adverse party, dead or alive, becomes an immedi- ate sacrifice at the morai. On this occasion, the wounded man was supposed to be one cf Titeeree's soldiers, and until this uni.appy period no advantage appeared on either side; but now the dispute became very serious, was well supported on all sides, and victory still seemed to hold a level scale, until, at length, the supposed armies of Taio and Titeeree fell back, whilst that of Tamaahmaah carried off in triumph several supposed dead bodies, 268 CAPTAIN G VANCOUVER. dragging the poor fellows, (who already had been much trampled upon) b} the heels, some distance through a light, loose sand; and who, notwithstanding their eyes, ears, mouth, and nostrils, were by this means filled, were no sooner permitted to use their legs, than they ran into the sea, washed themselves, and appeared a? happy and as cheerful as if nothing had happened. in this riot-like engagement, the principal chiefs were consid- ered to bear no part; and, on its being thus concluded, each party sat quietly down on the ground, and a parley, or some other sort of conversation took place. The chiefs were now supposed to have arrived at the theatre of war, which had hitherto been carried on by the common people only of both parties; a very usual mode of proceeding among these islanders. They now on both sides came forward, guarded by a number of men armed with spears of great length, called pallaloos. These weapons are never relinquished but by death, or captivity; the former is the most common. They are not barbed, but reduced to a small point, and though not very sharp, yet are capable of giving deep and mortal wounds by the force and manner with which they are used. The missive spears are all barbed about six inches from the point, and are generally from seven to eight feet long. The warriors armed with the pallaloos now advanced with a considerable degree of order, and a scene of very different ex- ploits commenced; presenting, in comparison to what before had been exhibited, a wonderful degree of improved knowledge in military evolutions. This body of men, composing several ranks, formed in close and regular order, constituted a firm and compact phalanx, which in actual service was not easily to be broken. Having reached the spot in contest, they sat down on the ground about thirty yards asunder, and pointed their pallaloos at each other. After a short interval of silence, a conversation com- menced, and Taio was supposed to state his opinion respecting peace and war. The arguments seemed to be argued and sup- ported with equal energy on both sides. When peace under cer- tain stipulations was proposed, the pallaloos were inclined towards the ground, and when war was announced, their points were rt^ised to a certain degree of elevation. Both parties put on the appearance of being much upon their guard, and to watch each othei with a jealous eye, whilst this negotiation was going for- ward; which, however, not terminating amicably, their respective claims remained to be decided by the fate of a battle. Nearly at the same instant of time they all arose, and, in close columns, met each other by slow advances. This movement they conducted with much order and regularity, frequently shifting their ground, and guarding witli great circumspection against the various adva-itages of their opponents; whilst the inferior bands were supposed to be engaged on each wing with spears and slings. The success of the contest, however, seemed to depend entirelj? CAPTAIN G. VWCOUVER. 269 on those with the paUaloos, who firmly disputed every inch of the giouod, by parrying each other's lunges with the greatest dexter- ity, until some to the left of Titeeree's centre fell. This greatly encouraged Tamaahmaah's party, who, rushing forward with shouts and great impetuosity, broke the ranks of their opponents, and victory vvas declared for the arms of Owhyhee, by the sup- posed death of several of the enemies; these at length retreated; and, on being more closely pressed, the war was decided by the supposed deatii of Titeeree and Taio; and those who had the honor of personating these chiefs, v/ere, like those before, dragged in triumph by the heels over no small extent of loose sandy beech, to be presented to the victorious Tamaahmaah, and for the sup* posed purpose of being sacrificed at his moral. These poor fell- ows, like those before mentioned, bore their treatment with the greatest good humor. Having sailed from Owhyhee, they arrived on the 10th of March ofFMowee. On the 13th they were honored with the presence of Titeeree, who was considered as king of all the islands to the leeward of Owhyhee; and that from him Taio derived his author- ity. He came boldly alongside, but entered the ship with a sort of partial confidence, accompanied by several chiefs; he was greatly debilitated and emaciated; and, from the color of his skin, they judged his feebleness to have been brought on by an excess- ive use of the ava. Amongst the articles presented to him on this occasion, was a cloak, similar to those given Tamaahmaah, this highly delighted him; and he was also well pleased with the other presents he received. After some further interchange of civilities, and much negotia- tion respecting the wished for peace. Captain Vancouver sailed from Mo wee the 18th of Tvlarch, having Tomohomoho on board, and on the 20th reached Whyteetee, in Woahoo. One double canoe only made its appearance. In this came James Coleman, one of the three men they found last year, left by Mr. Kendrick, at Attowai. The 21st, Coleman, with Tomohomoho and Ten- navee, came on board. The two chiefs desired the captain would attend them into the cabin; where, after shutting all the doors, they informed him that the man who had murdered Mr. Hergest, v/ith tv/o others who had been equally active and guilty, Vvcre in the fore part of the canoe, and that no time should be lost in se- curing them, lest any thing should transpire, and they should again make tneir escape. On the 22d, a few of the natives were about the ship, but not so many as on the former days. After breakfast, Coleman, with Tomohomoho and Tennavee, came on board. The two latter demanded the immediate execution of the prisoners. This, however, was not complied with, as it was deemed right that tb.ey irliould again be accused by (heir own chiefs, in the presence of all tlie witnesses, of the crime with which they stood charged in order, if possible, to draw from them 270 CAPTAIN G. VANCOUVER. a conlession of their guilt, and to renew the opportunity which before had been given them, of producing some evidence in proot of their innocence. Nothing, however, could be extorted from any of them, but that they were totally ignorant of any such cir- cumstances having ever happened on the island. This very as- sertion amounted almost to self-conviction, as it is not easy to believe, that the execution of their comrades, by Titeeree's orders, for the same offence w'iVa which they had been charged, had not come to their knowledge, or that it could have escaped their recollection. Neither the captain nor the officers discovered any reason, from the result of this further examination, to retract or alter their former opinion of their guilt, or of delivering them over to their own people, to be dealt with according to the direc- tions of their chiefs. That the ceremony might be mrvde as solemn and awful as pos- sible, a guard of seamen and mariners were drawn up on that side of the ship opposite to the shore, where, alongside of the ship, a canoe was stationed for the execution. The rest of the crew were in readiness at the great guns, lest any disturbance or commotion should arise. One ceremony, however, remained yet to be performed. One of these unfortunate men had long hair; this it was necessary should be cut from his head before he was executed, for the purpose of being presented, as a customary tribute on such occasions, to the king of the island. They were shocked at the want of feeling exhibited by the two chiefs at this awful moment, who, in the rudest manner, not only cut off the hair, but, in the presence of the poor suffering wretch, without the least compassion for his situation, disputed and strove for the honor of presenting the prize to the king. The odious contest being at length settled, the criminals were taken one by one into a double canoe, where they were lashed hand and foot, and put to death by Tannavee, their own chief, who blew out their brains with a pistol; and so dexterously was the melancholy office per- formed, th-^ life fled with the report of the piece, and muscular motion seemed almost instantly to cease. They now bade adieu to thc3 Sandwich Islands, and made tiie best of their way for Nootka. The Discc very arrived the 20th of May. Mr. Puget had arrived with the Chatham on the 15th of April, and departed thence the 18th of May, according to his in- structions, to proceed in the survey of the coast. In the course of continumg the examination of the coast, they met with some Indians of very different behavior from those they had hitherto seen. The survey was continued sedulously till the 5th of Octo- ber, when both vessels returned to Nootka. The usual ceremoriea of salutes, and other formalities having passed, accompanied by Mr. Puget, Vancouver waited on Senr. Saavadra, the command- ant of the port; who said, that he had not received any intelligence, either from Euioj ?, or from ISlew Spain, since their departur« CAPTAIN G. VANCOUVER. 271 from hence in the spring; and that neither the Daedalus, nor any other ship with stores, had been there. Having quitted Nootka, nothing of importance occurred till their arrival, on the 19th, in Port St. Francisco. They were soon hailed from the shore, upon which a boat was despatched thither, and immediately returned with their civil and attentive friend, Seignor Sal; who, in addition to the offers of his services and hospitality, gratified them by communicating the interesting in- telHgence of the state of Europe, up to so late a date as the pre- ceding February. In proceeding towards Monterrey, they made so little progress, that they were still at no great distance from St. Francisco next morning, the ^5th; when a vessel was descried to the north-north-west; and, on standing towards her, she proved to be the Dsedalus. On the 1st of November, they reached Monterrey with the Daedalus. Having anchored before another Spanish establishment, Van- couver sent Lieutenant Swaine to inform the commanding officer at the presidio of their arrival. The next morning, accompanied by Lieutenants Puget and Hanson, Vancouver paid his respects on shore to Seignor Don Phelipe Goycochea, the commandant of the establishment of Santa Barbara, and lieutenant in the Spanish infantry. The pleasing society of their good friends at the mission and presidio, was augmented by the arrival of Friar Vincente Sta. Maria, one of the reverend fathers of the mission of Buena Ventura; situated about seven leagues from hence, on the sea- coast to the south-eastward. At eight in the evening they anchor- ed in fifteen fathoms water, about a league to the westward of Buena Ventura. Their reverend friend expressed great satisfac- tion at the mode of his return to the mission; and said, that hi* voyage hither would probably lay the foundation for removing the absurd and deep-rooted prejudice that had ever existed amongst the several tribes of Indians in his neighborhood, who, from their earli- est infancy, had invariably regarded all strangers as their enemies Nothing of consequence occurred till their arrival, on the 8th of January, 1794, at Owhyhee, off the Bay of Whyealea, where their return was proclaimed by shouts of joy, and they were visited by Tamaahmaah, rejoiced to meet his friends at this his favorite part of the island. Their course was now directed round the east point of the island, and as they worked into the bay of Karakakooa, many of the inhabitants were assembled on the shores, who an- nounced their congratulations by shouts of joy; many of their former friends, particularly of the fair sex, lost no time in testify- ing the sincerity of the public sentiment in their favor. Young and Davis they had likewise the pleasure of finding in the exercis« of those judicious principles they had so wisely adopted, and which, by their example and advice, had so uniformly been car- r ed into effect. On Thursdav the 30th, they were favored v/ith the company of 272 CAPTAIN G. VANCOUVEK. Terree-my-tee, Crymamahoo, Tianna, and some other chiefs from the distant parts of the island. Their arrival had been in consequence of a summons from the king, v/ho had called the grand council of the island, on the subject of its cession to the crown of Great Britain, which was unanimously desired. These chiefs brought intelligence, that a quantity of timber, which had been sent for at the captain's request, was on its way hither, it had been cut down under the direction of an Englishman, named lioyd, formerly mate of the sloop Washington, but who had re- linquished that way of life, and had entered into the service of Tamaahmaah. He appeared in the character of a shipwright, and had undertaken to build, with these materials, a vessel for the king, after the European fashion; but both himself and his comrades, Young and Davis, were fearful of encountering too many difficulties, especially as they were all much at a loss in the first outset, that of laying down the keel. This afforded Van- couver an opportunity of conferring on Tamaahmaah a favor that he valued far beyond every other obligation, by permitting his carpenters to begin the vessel, from whose example, and the as- sistance of these three engineers, he was in hopes that his people would hereafter be able to build boats and small vessels for them- selves. On Saturday, the 1st of February, they laid down the keel, and began to prepare the frame-work of his Owhyhean majesty's first man-of-war. The length of its keel w^as thirty-six feet, the extreme breadth of the vessel nine feet and a quarter, and the depth of her hold about five feet; her name was to be The Britannia, and was intended as a protection to the royal per- son of Tamaahmaah; and few circumstances in his life ever af- forded him m.ore satisfaction. Some solemn religious rites being now to take place. Captain Vancouver had frequently expressed to Tamaahmaah a desire of being present on some of these occasions; and he now informed him he had obtained the consent of the priests, provided he would, during the continuance of the interdiction, attend to all the restric- tions which their religion demanded. The restraints imposed con- siajsd chiefly in four particulars: first, a total seclusion from the company of women; secondly, partaking of no food but such as was previously consecrated; thirdly, being confined to the land, and not being afloat or wet with sea-water; and fourthly, not re- ceiving, or even touching, the most trivial article from any one who had not attended the ceremonies at the morai. Their prayers seemed to have some regularity and form, and they did not omit to pray for the welfare of his Britannic majesty, and their safe and happy return to their native country. The intermediate day, the J 3th, and the second night, were passed in prayer, during which they found no difficulty in complying with the prescribed regula- tions, and soon after the sun rose, the 14th, they were absolved from any fjjrtlier attention to their sacred injunctions CAPTAIN G. VANCOUVER. .275 The cession of Owhyhee to his Britannic majesty became now an object of serious concern. Some little delay and difficulty, however, arose from the absence of two chiefs, Commanow, who from local circumstances could not quit his government, and Ta- maahmooto, chief of Coarra, the person who had captured the Fair American schooner. At one of their evening amusements the captain was very well entertained. This was a performance by a single young woman of the name of Packoo, whose person and manners were both very agreeable. Her dress, notwithstanding fhe heat of the weather, consisted of an immense quantity of thin cloth, which was wound lound her waist, and extended as low as her knees. This was plaited in such a manner as to give a pretty effect to the varie- gated pattern of the cloth; and was otherwise disposed with great taste. Her head and neck were decorated with wreaths of black, red, and yellow feathers; but, excepting these, she wore po dress from the waist upwards. Her ankles, and nearly half «vay up her legs, were decorated with several folds of clotii, wide* ning upwards, so that the upper parts extended from the leg at least four inches all round, this was encompassed by a piece of net-work, wrought very close, from the meslies of which w^cre hung the small teeth of dogs, giving this part of her dress the ap- pearance of an ornamental funnel. On her wrists she wore brace- lets made of the tusks from the largest hogs. These were highly polished and fixed close together in a ring, the concave sides of *he tusks being outwards; and their ends reduced to an uniform length, curving naturally each way from the centre, were by no means destitute of ornamental effect. Thus equipped, her ap- pearance on the stage, before she uttered a single word, excited considerable applause from the numerous spectators, who observ- ed the greatest good order and decorum. In her performance, which was in the open air, she was accompanied by two men, who were seated on the ground in the character of musicians. Their mstrumentr were both alike, and were m.ade of the outsides or shells of large gourds, open at the tops; the lower ends ground perfectly flat, and as thin as possible, witiiout endangering their splitting. Tliese v^ere struck on the ground, covered with a small quantity of dried gracs, and in the interval between each stroke, they beat with their hands and fingers on the sides of these instru- ments, to accompany their vocal exertions, which, with the variou? motions of their hands and body, and tlie vivacity of their counte- nances, plainly demonstrated the interest they had, not only in excelling in their own parts, but also in the applause which the lady acquired by her performance, advancing or retreating from the musicians a few short steps in vario\i3 directions, a-^ the ud- tuie of the subject, and the numerous gesture:^ and motions of her person demanded. Her speech, or poem, v,a>; first began in a slow, and somewhat solemn manner, and gradually became en 274 CAPTAIN G. VANCOUVER. ergetic, probably as the subject matter became interestmg; until at length, like a true actress, the liveliness of her imagination produced a vociferous oration, accompanied by violent emotions. These were received with shouts of great applause; and although they were not sufficiently acquainted with the language to com- prehend the subject, yet they could not help being pleased in a high degree with the performance. On the 25th of February, Tamaahmaah, King of Owhyhee, in council with the principal chiefs of the island, assembled on board thr Discovery, in Karakakooa bay, and in the presence of George Vancouver, her commander, and Lieutenant Peter Puget, com- iLander of the armed tender the Chatham, and the other officers of the Discovery, after due consideration, unanimously ceded the island of Owhyhee to his Britannic majesty, and acknowledged themselves to be subjects of Great Britain. Thus concluded their transactions at Owhyhee, to which they bade adieu about three in the morning of the 3d of March. They left here, however, a banditti of renegadoes, that had quitted different trading vessels in consequence of disputes with their re- spective commanders, who had resorted to this island since the preceding year, under American or Portuguese colors. Amongst them was one Portuguese, one Chinese, and one Genoese, but all the rest appeared to be the subjects of Great Britain, as seemed also the major part of the crew of the brig Washington, although they called themselves Americans. With Kavaheeroo also re- sided a person by the name of Howell, who had come to Owhyhee, in the capacity of a clerk on board the Washington; he appeared to possess a good understanding, with the advantages of an uni- versity education, and had been once a clergyman in England, but had now secluded himself from European society, so that with Young, Davis, and Boyd, there were now eleven white men on the island; but, excepting from these latter, there Owhyhean friends will have little reason to rejoice in any advantages they will receive from their new civilized companions. After visiting some other parts of the Sandwich Islands, the ships finally bade them adieu on the 15th of March, from which period, till the end of August, the whole time was occupied in a very extensive and minute survey of the coast of North-west America. Suffice it to say, that one great object of the voyage was, namely, to ascertain the existence of a north-west passage, or any water communication navigable for shipping. The North Pacific, and the exterior of the American continent, within these limits, were completely examined, and it was proved that no such communication did exist, notwithstanding the assertions of Fuca, Fonte, and otlicrs, on that subject. On the 2d of September, the i )iscovery anchored in Friendly Cove, Nootka Sound, where V ere three of his Catholic majesty's armed vessels, and somo i-lnijlish and American traders. A VISIT TO ROCKALL. 215 At Monterrey they arrived on the 2d of November. Havin^g on the 2d of December quitted it, and proceeded southward, they passed the three Marias Islands, and afterwards the rich but un- inhabited island of Cocos. Its produce is luxurious and abundant, as are also fowl and fish. They afterwards successively passed the Gallipagos Islands, Massafuero, and Juan Fernandes. On the 24th of March they gained a distant view of the lofty coast of Chili to the westward, in latitude 32 deg. 53 min., and at a supposed distance of forty leagues, the immense mountains of the Andes. Their destination was, however, the bay of Valparaiso, which they reached next day. Nothing particular happened in the voyage :ound Cape Horn, and thence to St. Helena, where the Discovery arrived on the 2d of July, the Chatham having got thither before her. Here, in consequence of the hostilities with Holland, Captain Vancouver took a Dutch East Indiaman, the Macassar. On the 12th of September, made the western coast of Ireland; when having seen the Discovery safely moored in the Shannon, he proceeded to London, resigning the command of the ship to Lieutenant Baker, and taking with him such books, papers, and charts, as were necessary to lay before the Lords of the Admiralty, relative to the services performed. In the course of this long voyage of four years eight months and twenty-nine days, the Discovery lost by disease, out of one hundred men, only one, and five by accidents; and in the Chatham not one died from disease or otherwise A VISIT TO ROCKALL By Captain Hall. It was a fine autumnal morning, just a week after we had sailed from Lough Swilly, to cruise off the North of Ireland, a sail was reported on the leebeam. We bore up instantly, but no one «ould make out what the chase was, nor which way she was standing — at least, no two of the knowing ones could be found to agree upon these matters. These various opinions, iiowever presently settled into one, or nearly so — for there were still somt3 of the high-spyers who had honestly confessed they wxre puzzled. The general opinion was, that it must be a brig with very white sails aloft, while those below were quite dark — as if the royals were made of cotton, and the courses of tarpawling, — a strange anomaly in seamanship, it is true, but still the best theory we could form to explain appearances. A short time served to dispe* 276 A VISIT TO ROCK ALL. these fancies; for we discovered, on running close to our wynte" rious vessel, that we bad been actually chasing a rock — not a ship of oak and iron, but a solid block of granite, growing as it were, out of the sea, at a greater distance from the main land than, 1 believe any other island, or inlet, or rock of the same diminutive size, is to be found in the w^orld. This mere speck on the sur- face of the waters — for it seems to float on the sea — is only seventy feet high, and not more than a hundred yards in circum- ference. The smallest point of a pencil could scarcely give it a place on any map w^hich should not exaggerate its proportion to the rest of the islands in that stormy ocean. It lies at thf^ distance of no fewer than one hundred and eighty-four miles very nearly due west of St. Kilda, the romotest part of the Hebrides, two hundred and ninety from the nearest part of the main coast of Scotland, and two hundred and sixty from the north of Ireland. Its name is Rockall, and is well known to those Bal Rockaw, tic traders, which go north about. The stone of which this curious peak is composed, is a dark colored granite, but the top being covered with a coating as white as snow, from liaving bee« for ages the resting-place of myriads of sea-fowl, it is constantly mistaken f)r u vessel under all sail. We were deceived by it ■oeveral times during the same cruise, even after we had been put on our guard, and knew its place well. I remember boarding three vessels in one day, each of which in reckoning the number of vessels in sight counted Rockall as one, without detecting their mistake till I pointed their glasses to the spot A VISIT TO ROCKALL. 277 As we had nothing better on our hands it was resolved to make an exploring expedition to visit this little islet. Two boats were accordingly manned for the purpose; and while the sh«p stood dowr. to the leeward of it, the artists prepared their sketch books and the geologists their hammers, for a grand scientific field day. When we left the ship, the sea appeared so unusually smooth, that we anticipated no diihculty in landing; but on reaching the spot, we found a swell rising and falling many feet, which made it exceedingly troublesome to accomplish our purpose. One side of the rock was perpendicular and smooth as a wall. The others though steep and slippery, were sufiiciently varied in their surface to adrnit of our crawling up when once out of tlie boat. But it required no small coniidence in our footing, and a dash of that kind of faiih which carries a hunter over a five-bar gate, to render the leap at all secure. A false step, or a faltering carriage, after the spring was resolved on, might have sent the explorer to investigate the secrets of the deep, in those fathomless regions where the roots of this mysterious rock connect it with the solid earth. In time, however, we all got up, hammers, sketch-books, and chronometers inclusive. As it was considered a point of some moment to determine not only the position, but the size of the rock by actual observations made upon it, ail hands were set busily at work — somiO to chip off specimens — others to measure the girt by means of a cord — > while one of the boats was sent to make sounding in those direc- tions v/here the bottom could be reached. A.fter we had bcv^n employed for some time in this manner, we observed a current sweeping past us, at a considerable rate, and rather wondered that the ship, which was fast drifting away from us did not fill and make a stretch, so as to preserve her distance. But as the day was quite clear, we cared less about this addition to the pull, and went on with our operations. I forget exactly at what hour a slight trace of haze first came across the field of view. This soon thickened into a fog, which felt like a drizzle, and put some av/kward apprehensions into our heads. It was im- mediately decided to get into the boats and return to the Kndy- mion; for, by this time, we had finished all our real work, and were only amusing ourselves by scrambling about the rock. The swell had silently increased in the interval to such a height, that the operation of returning to the boats was rendered twice as difficult as that of disembarking; and what v/as a great deal worse, occupied twice as much time. It required tl:e greater part of half an hour to tumble our whole party back again. This proceeding, difl'icult at any season, I suppose, was now reduced to a sort of somerset or fiying leap; for the adventurer, whose turn it wa^. to spring, had to dash off the rock towards the boat. Vus^ing m-re to the chance of being caught bv his companions than to any skill of his own. Some of our Dutch-built ;x^i^^rv. '2i 878 A VISIT TO ROCKALL. known in the cockpit by the name of heavy-sterned Christians came floundering amongst the thwarts and oars with such a crash, that we half expected they would make a clear breach through the boat's bottom. As none of these minor accidents occurred, we pushed cfT, with our complement entire, towards the ship; but, to our aston- ishment and dismay, no Endymion could now be seen. Some said ''only a minute ago she was there!" others asserted, aa positively, that they had seen her in a totally different direction. In short, no two of us agreed as to where the frigate had last been seen, though all, unhappily, were of one mind as to the disa- greeable fact of her being now invisible. She had evidently drifted off to a considerable distance; and, as the first thickening of the air had destroyed its transparency, we could see nothing in the slightest degree, even like what is called the boom of a vessel. The horizon was visible — indistinctly indeed ; but it was certainly not the same horizon along which we had seen the ship sailing but half an hour before. The atmosphere had something of that troubled look which is given to a glass of water by dropping a little milk into it. So that, although there was no fog as yet, properly so called, there was quite enough of moisture to serve the unpleasant purpose of hiding the object of our search; and we remained quite at a loss what to do. We. rowed to some distan«^.e from the rock, supposing it possible that some condensation of vapor, incident to the spot, might have cast a veil over our eyes. But nothing was to be seen all round. It then occurred to some of our philosophers that as dense air, by its very definition (as they gravely put it), is heavier than light air, it might so happen that the humid vapors had settled down upon the surface of the sea, and that, in fact, we were groping about in a shallow stratum of untransparent matter. The top of the rock, which was seventy feet higher, it wag thought, might be in the clear region, and the ship's mast heads, if not her hull, be visible from thence. There was a sort of pedantic plausibility about the technology of these young savans, which induced the commanding officer of the party — a bit of r. dabbler himself in these scientific mysteries — to decide upon try- ing the experiment. At all events, he thought it might amuse and occupy the party. So one of the men was landed, the most alert of our number, who skipped up the rock like a goat. All eyes were now turned on our look-out man, who no sooner reached the summit, than he was asked what he saw, with an im- patience that betrayed more anxiety on the part of the officers than they probably wished should be perceived by the boats' crews. *' I can see nothing all round," cried the man, '' except some- thing out thereabouts" — pointing with his hand. *' What does it look like?' A VISIT TO ROCKALL. 279 ** I am afraid, sir, it is a fog bank coming down upon us." And so it proved. The experienced eye of the sailor, who in his youth had been a fisherman on the banks of Newfoundland, detected a strip or extended cloud, hanging along the verge of the horizon, like the first appearance of a low coast. This gradually swept down to leeward, and, at len^^th, enveloped rock, boats, and all, in a mantle of fog, so dense that we could not see ten yards in any direction. Although our predicament may now be supposed as hopeless as need be, it was curious to observe the ebbs and flows in human thought as circumstances changed. Half an hour before, we had been provoked at our folly in not having left the rock sooner; but it was now a matter of rejoicing that we possessed such a fixed point to stick by, in place of throwing ourselves adrift altogether. We reckoned with certainty upon the frigate's managing, sooner or later, to regain the rock; and as that was ihe only mark at which she could aim, it was evidently the best for us to keep near. We had been cruising tor some time off the north of Ireland, during which we observed that these fo<;s sometimes lasted a couple of days or even longer; and, as we had not a drop of water in the bocits, nor a morsel of provisions, the most unpleas- ant forebodings began to beset us. The wind was gradually rising, and the waves, when driven against the rock, were divided into two parts, which, after sweeping round the sides, met again to leeward, near the spot where we lay, and dashed themselves into such a bubble of a sea, that the boats were pitched about like bits of cork in a mill-lead. Their motion was disagreeable enough, but our apprehension was, that we should be dislodged altogether from our place of refuge; while the gulls and sea- mews, as if in contempt of our helpless condition, or offended at our intrusion, wheeled about and screamed close to us, in notes most grating to our ears. While we were waiting in this state of anxiety in the boats below, our faithful watchman perched on the peak of the rock, suddenly called out, *' I see the ship!" This announcement wa? answered by a simultaneous shout from the two boat's crews, which sent the flocks of gannets and sea-mews screaming to the right and left, far into the bosom of the fog. An opening or lane in the mist had occurred, along which wo could now see the frigate, far ofi^, but crowding all sail, and evi- dently beating to windward. We lost as little time as possible in picking our shivering scout ofl' the rock, an operation which cost nearly a quarter of an hour. This accomplished, away we rowed, at the utmost stretch of our oars towards the ship. We had hardly proceeded a quarter of a mile before the fog began to close behind our track, so as to shut out Rockall from our view. This we cared little about, as we not only still saw thf» 280 A VISIT TO ROCKALL ship, but trusted, from her movements, that she likewise sa^v the boats. Just at the moment, however^ she tacked, thereby prov- ing that she had seen neither boats lor rock, but was merely groping about in search of her lost sheep. Had she continued on the course she was steermg when we first saw her, she might have picked us up long before the fog came on again; but when she went about, this hope was destroyed. In a fev/ minutes more we, of course, lost sight of the frigate in the fog; and there we were, in a pretty mess, with no ship to receive us, and no island to hang on by! It now became necessary to take an immediate part; and we de- cided at once to turn back in search of the rock It was certain- ly a moment of bitter disappointment when we pulled round; and the interval between doing so and our regaining a resting-place, was one of great anxiety. Nevertheless w^e made a good land- fall, and there was a wonderful degree of happiness attendant even upon this piece of success. Having again got hold of Rockall, we determined to abide by our firm friend till circum- stances should render our return to the ship certain. In the meantime we amused ourselves in forming plans for a future resi- dence on this desolate abode, in the event of the ship being blown away during the night. -If the v/eather should become more stormy, and that our position to leeward was rendered unsafe, in consec,;ience of the divided waves running round and meeting, it was resolved, that we should abandon the heaviest of the two boats, and drag the other up to the brow of the rock, so as to form, when turned keel upwards, a sort of hurricane house. These, and • various other Robinson Crusoe kind of resources, helped to oc- cupy our thoughts, half in jest, half in earnest, till, by the increas- ed gloom, v/e knew that the sun had gone down. It now became indispensable to adopt some definite line of operations, for the angry looking night was setting in fast. Fortunately, we were saved from farther trials of patience or mgenuity by the fog suddenly rising, as it is called — or dissipa- ting itself in the air, so completely, that, to our great joy, we gain- ed sight of the ship once again. It appeared afterv/ards that they had not seen our little island from the Endymion nearly so soon as we discovered her; and she was, in consequence, standing almost directly away from us, evi- dently not knowing exactly whereabouts Rockall lay. This, i think, was the most anxious moment during the whole adventure; nor shall I soon forget the sensation caused by seeing the jib-sheet let fly, accompanied by other indications that the frigate was coming about. I need not spin out this story any longer. It was almost dark when we got on board. Our first question was the reproachfu" one, '^ Why did you fire no guns to give us notice of you^ position?" THE .SUBTERRAXEAN STREAM. £3 "Fire guns?" said they — ''why, we have done nothing bv blaze away every ten minutes for these last five or six hours. '^ Yet strange to say, Vv'e had not heard a single discharge! THE SUBTERRANEAN STREAM BY MRS. HE.^IANS. Darkly thou glidest onward Thou deep and hidden wave ! The laughing sunshine hath not looked Into thy secret cave. Thy current makes no music — A hollow sound we hear, A niufHed voice of mystery. And know that thou art near ! No brighter line of verdure Follows thy lonely way ! No fairy moss, or lily's cup, Is freshened by thy play. The halcyon doth not seek thee, Her glorious wings to lave ; Thou know'st no tint of the summer sky Thou dark and hidden wave ! Yet once will day behold thee. When to the mighty sea. Fresh bursting from their caverned veins Leap thy lone waters free. There wilt thou greet the sunshine For a moment, and be lost, With all thy melancholy sounds, In the Ocean's billowy host. Oh ! art thou not, dark river ! Like the fearful thoughts untold, Which haply in the hush of night O'er many a soul have rolled ? Those earth-born strange misgivings — Who hath not felt tlieir power ? Yet who hath breathed them to his friend Ev'nin his fondest hour .'* They hold no heart-communion. They find no voice in sonw, They dimly follow far from earth Tlio grave's departed tl^rono-. . 24* ^^^ CAPTAIN INGLEFIELD S NARRATIVR Wild is their course and lonely, And fruitless in man's breast; They come and go, and leave no trace Of their mysterious quest. Yet surely must their wanderings At length be like thy way ; Their shadows, as thy v/aters lost, In one bright flood of day CAPTAIN INGLEFIELD'S NARRATIVE. The Centaur, captain Inglefield, and four ships of the hne, part of a large convoy from Jamaica to England, foundered at sea, in a dreadful hurricane, in September 1782. Captain Inglefield, and the officers and crew, did every thing possible for the preservation of their lives and ship, from the 16th to the 23d of September; when the Centaur, by repeated storms, became a wreck, and was in a sinking state. Some of the men appeared perfectly resigned to their fate, and requested to be lashed in their hammocks; others lashed themselves to gratings and small rafts, but the most prominent idea was, that of putting on iheir best and cleanest clothes. The booms were cleared, and the cutter, pinnace, and yawl were got over the ship's side. Captain Inglefield and eleven others made their escape in the pinnace; but their condition was nearly the same with that of those who i-emained in the ship; and at best appeared to be only a pro- longation of a miserable existence. *' They were in a leaky boat, with one of the gunwales stove, in nearly the middle of the ocean, without compass, quadrant, sail, great coat, or cloak; all very thinly clothed, in a gale of wind, with a great sea running." In half an hour they lost sight of the ship; but before dark a blanket was discovered in the boat, of which they made a sail, and scudded under it all night, expecting to be swallowed up by every wave. They were two hundred and fifty or two hundred and sixty leagues from Fayal. Their stock consisted of '^ a bag of bread, a small ham a single piece of pork, two quart-bottles of water, and a few French cor- dials." Their situation became truly miserable, from cold and hunger. On the fifth day their bread '' was nearly all spoiled by salt water; and it was necessary to go to allowance — one biscun divided into twelve morsels, for breakfast; the same for dinner. The neck of a bottle broke ofl", with the cork in, served for a glass; and this filled with water, was the allowance foi* twenty- four hours for each man. This was done without paitiality or distinction. But they must have perished ere this, had they not CAPTAIN INGLEFIELD's NARRATIVE. 283 caught six quarts of rain-water: and this they could not have been blessed with, had they not found in the boat a pair of sheets, which by accident had been put there." On the fifteenth day that they had been in the boat, they Imd only one day's bread, and one bottle of water remaining of a second supply of rain. Captain Inglefield states: *' Our sufferings were now as great as human strength could bear; but we were convinced that good spirits were a better support than great bodily strength; for on this day Thomas Matthews, quarter- master, the stoutest man in the boat, perished from hunger and cold. On the day before, he had complained of want of strength in his throat, as he expressed it, to swallow his morsel; and in the night drank salt water, grew delirious, and died without a groan. '' As it became next to a certainty that we should all perish in the same manner in a day or two, it was somewhat comfortable to reflect, that dying of hunger was not so dreadful as our imag- ination had represented. Others had complained of the symptoms in their throats; some had drunk their own urine; and all but my- self had drunk salt water." Despair and gloom had been hitherto successfully prohibited; and the men, as the evenings closed in, had been encouraged b} turns to sing a song, or relate a story, instead of a supper. This evening it was found impossible to do either. At night they were becalmed, but at midnight a breeze sprung up; but being afraid of running out of their course, they waited impatiently for the rising sun to be their compass. On the sixteenth day their last bread and water had been serv- ed for breakfast; when John Gregory, the quarter-master, declared with much confidence, he saw land in the south-east, at a great distance. They made for it, and reached Fayal at about mid- night, having been conducted into the road by a fishing-boat: but they were not, by the regulation of the port, permitted to land till examined by the health officers. They got some refreshments of bread, wine, and water in the boat, and in the morning of the seventeenth day landed; where they experienced every friendly attention from the English consul, whose whole employment for many days was contriving the best means of restoring them to health and strength. Some of the stoutest men were obliged to be supported through the streets; and for several days, with the best and most comfortable provisions, they rather grew worse than better. A court-martial was held at Portsmouth on the 21st of January 1783, on the loss of the Centaur; w^hen the court honorably ac- quitted Captain Inglefield, as a cool, resolute, and experienced officer; and that he was well supported by his officers and ship's company; and that their united exertions appeared to have been %o great and manly, as to reflect the highest honor on the whole. 284 A MONKEY TRICK. and to leave the deepest impression on the minds of the court,—' that more couid not have possibly been done to preserve the Cen- taur from her melancholy fate. A MONKEY TRICK. In 1818, a vessel that sailed between Whitehaven and Jamaica embarked on her homeward voyage, and among other passengers, carried a female, who had at the breast a child only a few weeks old. One beautiful afternoon, the captain perceived a distant sail, and after he had gratified his curiosity, he politely offered his glass to his passenger, that she might obtain a clear view of the object. Mrs. B. had the baby in her ^rms; she wrapped her shawl about the little innocent, and placed it on a sofa upon which she had been sitting. Scarcely had she applied her eye to the glass, when the helmsman exclaimed, '^ Good God! see what the mis- chievous monkey has done." The reader may judge of the female's feelings, when, on turning round, she beheld the animal in the act of transporting her beloved child apparently to the very top of liie mast! The monkey was a very large one, and so strong and active, that while it grasped the infant firmly with the one arm, it climbed the shrouds nimbly by the other, totally un- embarrassed by the weight of its burden. One look v/as sufficient for the terrified mother, and that look had well nigh been her last, and had it not bt:;en for the assistance of those around her, she would have fallen prostrate on the deck, where she was soon after^vards stretched apparently a lifeless corpse. The sailors could climb as well as the monkey, but the latter watched their motions narrowly; and as it ascended higher up the mast the mo- ment they attempted to put a foot on the shrouds, the captain became afraid that it would drop the child, and endeavor to escape by leaping from one mast to another. In the meantime the little innocent was heard to cry; and though many thought it was suffer- ing pain, their fears on this point were speedily dissipated when they observed the monkey imitating exactly the motions of a nurse, oy dandling, soothing, and caressing its charge, and even endeavoring to hush it asleep. From the deck the la.dy was con- veyed to the cabin, and gradually restored to her senses. In the meantime, the captain ordered every man to conceal himself below, and quietly took his own station on the cabin stair, where he could see all that passed without being seen. This plan hap- pily succeeded; the monkey, on perceiving that the coast was clear, cautiously descended from his lofty perch, and replaced the infant on the sofa, cold, fietful, and perhaps frightened, but in CAPTAIN Kennedy's nariiative 284 every other respect as free from harm as when he took it up The humane seaman had now a most grateful task to perform, the hahe was restored to its mother's arms, amidst tears, and thanks, and blessings. CAPTAIN KENNEDY'S NARRATIVE. ' We sailed from Port Royal, in Jamaica, on the '21st day of December, 1818, bound for Whitehaven; but the tv/enty-third day having met with a hard gale at north, we were obliged to lay- to under a foresail for the space of ten hours, which occasioned the vessel to make more water than she could free with both pumps. Under this situation we set sail, in hopes of being able to make the island of Jamaica again, which from our reckoning we judged lay about ten leagues to the eastward. But in less than an hour's time the water overflowed the lower deck; and we could scarcely get into the yawl (being thirteen in number) before the vessel sank; having only with much difficulty been able to take out a keg containing about sixteen pounds of biscuit, ten pounds of cheese, and two bottles of wine; vv^ith which small pittance we endeavored to make the land. But the wind continuing to blow hard from the north, and the sea running high, we were obliged, after an unsuccessful attempt of three days, to bear away for Honduras, as the wind seemed to favor us for that course, and it being the only visible means we had of preserving our lives. On the seventh day we made Swan's island; but being destitute of a quadrant, and other needful helps, we were uncertain what land it was. However, we went on shore, under the flattering hopes of finding some refreshments; but, to our unspeakable re- gret and heavy disappointment, we only found a few quarts of brackish water in the hollow of a rock, and a few wilks. Not- withstanding there was no human nor visible prospect of finding water, or any other of the necessaries of life, it was with the ut- most reluctance the people quitted the island; but being at length prevailed upon, with much difficulty and through persuasive means, we embarked in the evening, with only six quarts of water, (or {\ie Bay of Honduras. Between the seventh and fourteenth days of our being in the boat, we were most miraculously sup- ported, and at a time when nature was almost exhausted, having nothing to eat or drink. Yet the Almighty Author of our being furnished us with supplies, which, when seriously considered, not only serve to display his beneficence, but fill the mind with admi- ration and wonder. Well may we cry out, with the Royal Wise Man — ' Lord, what is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?' 286 CAPTAIN Kennedy's narrative. ^* In the evening the wild sea-fowls hovered over our heads, &nd lighted on our hands when held up to receive them. Of these our people eat the flesh and drank the blood, declaring it to be as palatable as new niUk. I eat twice of the flesh, and thought it very ^^ood. '' It may appear very remarkable, that, though I neither tasted food nor drink for eight days, I did not feel the sensations of hunger or thirst, but on the fourteenth, in the evening, my drought often required me to gargle my mouth with salt water; and on the fifteenth it increased; when, happily for us I we made land, which proved to be u*^ island called Ambergris, lying at a small distance from the niain lauc., -.nd about fourteen leagues to the northward of St. George's Quay (where the white people reside) in the Bay of Honduras; though the want of a quadrant and other necessa- ries left us still in suspense. We slept four nights on this island, and every evening picked up wilks and conchs for next day's provision, embarking every morning, and towing along the shore to the southward. On the first evening of our arrival here we found a lake of fresh water, by which we lay all night, and near it buried one of our people. ''On walking along the shore we found a few cocoa-nuts, which were full of milk. The substance of the nuts we eat with the wilks, instead of bread, thinking it a delicious repast, although eaten raw — having no implements whereby to kindle a fire. From the great support received by this shell-fish, I shall ever revere the name. '' On the third day after our arrival at this island, we buried another of our people, which, with four who died on the passage^ made six who perished through hunger and fatigue. *'On the fifth day after our arrival at Ambergris, we happily discovered a small vessel at some distance, under sail, which we made for. In the evening got on board her; and in a few hours (being the tenth of January), we arrived on St. George's Quay, in a very languid state. *' I cannot conclude without making mention of the great ad- vantage I received from soaking my clothes twice a day in salt water, and putting them on without wringing. *' It was a considerable time before I could make the people comply with this measure; though, from seeing the good effects it produced, they afterwards, of their own accord, practised it twice a day. To this discovery I may with justice impute the preservation of my own life, and that of six other persons, who must have perished but for its being put in use. M7 ^S FAST AND FAR O'ER WAVES WE FLTf ! As fast and far o'er waves we fly, ] And seen beneath the distant sky i Our native land's deep shadows fade, ' j We gaze upon the wave and sigh, j And think upon the absent maid Who sits and listens to the wind, , And turns the dark thought in her mind^ i Of what may be ^ Our lot at sea, j Till the breeze freshening to a gale j Calls us aloft to shorten sail, Then duty bids our wishes move, And toil diverts our souk from love. Sharply its breath the vessel feels, Down on her groaning side she heels ; Another reef is taken in — Loudly the dreadful thunder peals. Old Ocean echoes to the din : Beneath the blow I She rises slow i As smart the helmsman luffs her, then ' We think no more, but feel like men., j But cheerly to our duty move, ] And leave the future hour of love. ; 'T is past ; top-gallant masts ascend, ^ O'er top sail yards we gaily bend ; ' The loosened sail abroad we shake ; Top gallant sails aloft we send ; No more the surges o'er us break ;— j Awhile with flowing sheet we glide, Till slow we feel the swell subside. And the sea slumber like a lake. ■ Then thoughts of home j Across us come, \ With recollections warm and clear, ; Our anxious hearts we fondly cheer; Our duty o'er — our wishes move ; Again from toil to ease and love. ' TOM CRINGLE'S LOG. We had refitted, and been four days at sea, on our voyage to Jamaica, when the gun-room officers gave our mess a blow out. Tlie increased motion and rushing of the vessel through the water, the groaning of the masts, the howling of the gale, and the fre<;uent trampling of the watch on deck, were prophetic of wet ^8tt TOM cringle's log jaeketrf to some of us; still, midshipman-iike, we v/ere as happy as a good dinner and some wine could make us, until the old gun- ner shoved his weather beaten phiz and bald pate in at the door '' Beg pardon Mr. Splinter, but if you will spare Mr. Cringle or- the forecastle an hour, until the moon rises " — ("Spare," quotha, ' is his majesty's officer a joint stool?") — '' Why, Mr. Kennedy, why? hes.e, man, take a glass of grog." '' I thank you sir." " 1* IS coming on a roughish night, sir; the running ships should be crossing us hereabouts; in3eed, more than once I thought there ^vas a strange sail close aboard of us, the scud is flying so low ■jind in such white flakes; and none of us have an eye like Mr Cringle, unless it be John Crow, and he is all but frozen.' '' Well, Tom, 1 suppose you will go" — Anglice, from a first liev teiiant to a mid — tSrusn nstanter " Having changed my uniform for shag trousers, pea-jacket, and -outh-wesc cap, I went forward and took my station, in no pleas:* ant humor, on the stowed jib, with my arm around the stay. 1 had been half an hour there, the weather was getting worse, the rain was beating in my face, and the spray from the stern was splashing over me, as it roared through the waste of sparkling and hissing waters. I turned my back to the weather for a moment to press my hands on my straining eyes. When I opened them, I saw the gunner's gaunt, high-featured visage thrust anxiously orward; his profile looked as if rubbed over with phosphorus, and his whole person as if we had been playing at snap dragon. *' What has come over you Mr. Kennedy? who's burning the blue light now?" '* A wiser man than I must tell you that; look for- ward Mr. Cringle — look there; what do your books say to that?" I looked forth, and saw at the extreme end of the jib boom, what I have read of, certainly, but never expected to see, a pale, greenish, glow-worm colored flame, of the size and shape of the frosted glass shade over the swinging lamp in the gun-room. It drew out and flattened as the vessel pitched and rose again, and as she sheered about, it wavered round the point that seemed to attract it, like a soap suds bubble blown from a tobacco pipe, be- fore it is shaken into the air; at the core it was comparatively bright, but faded into a halo. It shed a baleful and ominous light on the surrounding objects; the group of sailors on the forecastle looked like spectres, and they shrunk together, and whispered when it began to roll slowly along the spar where the boatswain was sitting at my feet. At this instant something slid down the stay, and a cold clammy hand passed around my neck. I v/ag ^\ithin an ace of losing my hold and tumbling overboard. ** Hea- ven I ave mercy on me what's that?" '' It's that sky-larking son of a Ejun, Jem Sparkle's monkey, sir. You Jem, you'll nevci rest tUl that brute is made shark's bait of." But Jacko vanished up th 3 8tay again, chuckling and grinning in the ghastly radiance TOM cringle's log 289 as if he had heen 'the Spirit of the Lamp.' The light was still there, but a cloud of mist, like a burst of vapor from a steam boiler, came down upon the gale and flew past, when it disappeared. 1 followed the white mass as it sailed down the wind; it did not, as it appeared to me, vanish in the darkness, but seemed to r-emain in sight to leeward, as if checked by a sudden flaw; yet none of our sails were taken aback. A thought flashed on me. I peered still more intensely into the night. 1 was not certain. '' A sail, broad on the lee bcw." The captain answered from the quarter deck — " Thank you, Mr. Cringle. How shall we steer?" *'Keep her away a couple of points, sir, steady." '' Steady," sung the man at the helm; and a slow melancholy cadence, although a fa- miliar sound to me, now moaned through the rushing wind, and smote upon my heart as if it had been the wailing of a spirit. I turned to the boatswain, who was now standing beside me, '' Is that you or Davy steering, Mr. Nipper? if you had not been thepe bodily at my side, I could have sworn that was your voice." — When the gunner made the same remark, it started the poor fe low; he tried to take it as a joke, but could not. '' There may be a laced hammock with a shot in it, for some of us ere morning." At this moment, to my dismay, the object we were chasing shortened, — gradually fell abeam of us, and finally disappeared. '* The Flying Dutchman." " I can't see her at all now." '' She will be a fore and aft rigged vessel that has tacked, sir." And sure enough, after a few seconds, I saw the white object length- en and draw out again abaft our beam. '' The chase has tacked, sir; put the helm down, or she will go to windward of us." We tacked also, and time it was we did so, for the rising moon now showed us a large schooner with a crowd of sail. We edged down on her, when finding her manoeuvre detected, she brailedup her flat sails and bore up before the wind. This was our best point of sailing, and we cracked on, the captain rubbing his hands — " It's mv turn to be the bii^ un this time." Althoun^h blowinoj a strong north-wester, it was now clear moon-light, and we ham- mered away from our bow guns, but whenever a shot told amongst the rigging, the injury was repaired as if by magic. It was evi- dent we had repeatedly hulled her, from the glimmering white . streaks along her counter and across her stern, occasioned by the splintering of the timber, but it seemed to produce no efl^ect. At length we drew well upon her quarter. She continued all black hull and white sail, not a soul to be seen on deck, except a dark object which w^e took for the man at the helm. *' What schooner is that?" No answ^er. '' Heave to, or I'll sink you." Still all silent. '' Serjeant Armstrong, do you think you can pick ofl'that chap at the wheel?" The mariner jumped on the forecastle, and levelled his piece, when a musket-shot from the schooner crushed through his skull, and he fell dead. The old skipper's blood was up. " Forecastle there! Mr. Nipper, clap a canister of grape 25 290 TOM CR NGLE S LOG. over the round shot, in the bow gun, and give it to liini." *' Ay ay, sir!" gleefully rejoined the boatswain, fcjrgetting the augury and every thing else, in the excitement of the moment. In a tv/inkling, the square foresail — topgallant — royal, and studding- sail haulyards, were let go by the run on board the schooner, as if they had been shot away; and he put his helm hard aport, as •fto round to. "'Rake him, sir, or give him the stern. He has not surrendered. I know their game. Give him your broadside, sir, or he is off to windward of you, like a shot. No, no, v/e have him now; heave to, Mr. Splinter, heave to!" We did so, and that so suddenly, that the st-udding sail booms snapped like pipe shanks short off by the irons. Notwithstanding, we had shot two hun- dred yards to the leeward, before we could lay our maintopsail to the mast. I ran to windward. The schooner's yards and rigging were now black with men, clustering like bees swarming, her square sails were being close furled, her fore and aft sails set, and away she was, dead to windward of us. '' So much for under- valuing our American friends," grumbled Mr. Splinter. We made all sail in chase, blazing away to little purpose; we had no chance on a bowline, and when our ' Amigo ' had satisfied himself of his superiority by one or two short tacks, be deliberately took a reef in his maiiisail, bawled down his flying jib and gaff top- sail, triced up the bunt of his foresail, and fired his long thirty-two at us. The shot came in our third aftermost port or the starboard side, and dismounted the carronade, smashing the slide, wounding three men. The second missed, and as it was madness to remain to be peppered, probably winged, whilst every one of ours fell short, we reluctantly kept away on our course, having the gratifi- cation of hearing a clear well blown bugle on board the schooner play up " Yankee Doodle." As the brig fell off, our long gun was run but to have a parting crack at her, when the third and last shot from the schooner struck the sill of the midship port, and made tho white splinters fly fi'om the solid oak like bright silver sparks in the moon-light. A sharp, piercing cry rose in the air — my soul identified that death-shriek with the voice that I had heard, and I saw the man who was standing with the lanyard of the lock in his hand drop heavily across the breech, and discharge the gun in his fall. Thereupon a blood-red glare shot up in the cold blue sky, as if a volcano had burst forth from beneath the mighty deep, followed by a roar, and a scattering crash, and a mingling of unearthly cries and groans, and a concussion of the air and the water as if our whole broadside had been fired at once. — Then a solitary splash here, and a dip there, and short enarp yells, and 1 )v/ choking bubbling moans, as the hissing {ntg ments of the noble vessel we had seen fell into the sea, and \ne last of her gallant crew vanished forever beneath that pale brond moon. IVc were alone ; and once more all was dark, wild and stormv Fearfully had that ball sped, fired by a dead man's hand. Bui NELSON. 291 what is it that clings, black and doubled, across the fatal cannon, dripping and heavy, and choking the scuppers with clotting gore, ^nd swaying to and fro with the motion of the vessel, like a bloody fleece? "Who is it that was hit at the gun therer'* *' Mr. JVipper, the hoaiswain^ sir, the last shot has cut him in two. ' NELSON. Horatio, son of Edmund and Catharine Nelson, was born Sept. 29, 1753 — in the parsonage house of Burnham Thorpe, a village in the county of Norfolk, England. He was never of a strong body; and at the age of twelve years, when he entered the service of his country, the ague, which at that time was one of the most common diseases in England, had greatly reduced his strength; yet he had already given proofs of a resolute heart and great nobleness of mind. His first appointment, was on board the Raisonnable, com- manded by his uncle, Capt. Maurice Suckling. The Raisonnable was lying in the Medway. He was put into the Chatham stage, and on its arrival was set down with the rest of the passengers, and left to find his way on board as he could. After wandering about in the cold, without being able to reach the ship, an officer observing the forlorn appearance ofthe boy, questioned him; and happening to be acquainted with his uncle, took him home, and gave him some reireshments. — When he got on board, Capt. Suckling was not in the ship, nor had any person been apprised of the boy's coming. He paced the deck the whole remainder of the day, without being noticed by any one; and it was not till the second day that somebody, as he expressed it, " took compas- sion on him." The Raisonnable having been paid off shortly afterwards, ho was removed to the Triumph, a seventy-four, then stationed as a guard-ship in the Thames; but this being considered too inactive a life for a boy, he was sent a voyage to the West Indies, and re- turned a practical seaman, but with a hatred ofthe king's service, and a saying then common among sailors — '' aft the most honor, forward the better man." Being reconciled to the service, he was received on board his old ship, the Triumph, where he had not been many months, before his love of enterprise was excited by hearing that two ships were fitting out for a voyage of discov- ery towards the North Pole. By his uncle's interest, he was admitted as coxswain under Capt. Lutwidge, second in command They sailed from the Nore on the 4th of June 1773, and were away about three years, sufiTering many hardships and braving ^92 NELSON. many dangers, in which Nelson, young as he was, displayed many of those qualities, for which he afterwards became so re- markable. After they had carefully surveyed the barrier of ice» extending for more than twenty degrees between the latitudes of SC^ and Sl'^, v/ithout the smallest appearance of any opening, they returned to England and were paid off. Nelson was then appointed to the Seahorse, of twenty guns, then going out to the East Indies; but in about eighteen months, he experienced the effects of that climate, so perilous to Euro- pean constitutions; and was carried home, with a body broker down by sickness, and spirits which had sunk with his strength His health being somewhat improved, he was appointed acting- lieutenant in the Worcester, sixty-four, then going out with con- voy to Gibraltar, and on his return, passed his examination for a lieutenancy, on the 8th of April, 1777. The next day Nelson received his commission as second lieu- tenant of the Lowestoffe frigate and sailed for Jamaica. On the 8th of December, 1778, he was appointed commander of the Badger brig. While the Badger was lying in ?Vlontego Bay, Jamaica, the Glasgow, of twenty guns came in and anchored there, and in two hours was in flames, the steward having set fire to her while stealing rum out of the after-hold. Her crew were leaping into the water, when Nelson came up in his boats, made them throw their powder overboard, and point their guns upward* and, by his presence of mind and personal exertions, prevented the loss of life which would otherwise have ensued. On the 11th of June, 1779, he was made post into the Hinchinbrook, of twen- ty-eight guns; so that we find him, before he had attained the age of twenty-one, with that rank that brought all the honors of the service within his reach; thoroughly master of his profession, and his zeal and ability acknowledged wherever he was known. He remained in the West Indies about five years, actively employed, until he became so debilitated that he was compelled to ask leave of absence, and returned home with Capt. (afterwards Admiral Cornwallis), to whose care and kindness Nelson believed himself indebted for Wis life. His health was not thoroughly established, when he was sent to the North Seas; and on his return to the Downs, in the Albemarle, while he was ashore visiting the senior officer, there came on so heavy a gale, that almost all the vessels drove, and a store ship came athvvart-hawse of the Albemarle. Nelson feared she would drive on the Goodwin Sands: he ran to the beach; but even the Deal boatmen thought it impossible to get on board, such was the violence of the storm. At length, some of the most intrepid of- fered to make the attempt for fifteen guineas; and to the astonish- ment and fear of all tlie beholders, he embarked during the height of the tempest. With great difficulty and imminent danger, he succeeded in reaching her. She lost her bowsprit and foremast NELSON. 295 but escaped farther injury. He next sailed for Canada, and dur ing his first cruise on that station, captured a tishing schooner^ which contained, in her cargo, nearly all the property that hei master possessed; and the poor fellow had a large family at home, anxiously expecting him. Nelson employed him as a pilot in Boston Bay, then restored him the schooner and cargo, and gave him a certiticate to secure him against being captured by any other vessel. The man came off afterward to the Albemarle, at the hazard of his life, with a present of sheep, poultry, and fresh provisions. The certificate was preserved at Boston in memory of an act of unusual generosity; and now that the fame of Nelson has given interest to every thing connected with his name, it is regarded as a relic. On Nelson's arrival at New York, Lord Hood, on introducing him to Prince William Henry, as the Duke of Clarence was then called, told the prince, if he wished to ask any questions respecting naval tactics. Captain Nelson could give him as much information as any officer in the fleet. After cruis- ing some time off the Spanish Main and making many captures, he received intelligence that the preliminaries of peace had been signed, and he returned to England, at the latter part of the year 1783. " I have closed the war" said Nelson, in one of his letters, '' without a fortune, but there is not a speck in my character. True honor, I hope, predominates in my mind, far above riclies." He did not apply for a ship, because he was not wealthy enough to live on board in the manner which was then customary Finding it, therefore, prudent to economise, on his half pay, he went to France. In March 1784 — he was appointed to the Boreas twenty-eight guns, going to the Leeward Islands on the peace establishment. On the 11th, March 1787, he was married to the widow of Dr. Nisbet, who was niece to Mr. Herbert, the President of Nevis — then in her eighteenth year; Prince William Henry, being present, gave away the bride. During his stay upon this station he had ample opportunity of observing the scandalous practices of the contractors, prize-agents, and other persons in the West Indies connected with the naval service. These accounts he sent home to the different departments w^hich had been defrauded; but the peculators were too powerful; p.nd tliey succeeded not merely in impeding inquiry but even in raising prejudices against Nelson at the board of Admiralty, which it was many years before he could subdue. He returned to Enoland and remained principally in the country, with his family and friends. On the 30th of January 1793, he was appointed to the Aga- memnon of sixty-four guns, awd ordered to the JNIediterranean under Lord Hood, by whom he was sent with despatches to Sir William Hamilton, at the court of Naples. Here, that acquaint- ance with the Neapolitan court commenced, which led to tlie only 25* 294 J^ELSON. blot upon Ia^ son's public character. Having accompli&hed this mission Nelson received orders to join Commodore Linzie a( Tunis, and was detached with a small squadron, to cooperate with General Paoii and the Anti-Gallican party in Corsica. After a successful attack of the fort of Bastia, at the siege of C^ilvi, a shot struck the ground near him, and drove the sand and small gravel into one of his eyes. He spoke of it lightly at the time, but the sight was lost. Falling in with the Ca-Ira, of eighty-four guns, and Censeur, seventy-four, he engaged and captured both of them. In 1795, Nelson was made colonel of marines. Sir John Jervis had now arrived to take the command of the Medi- terranean fleet. Nelson sailed from Leghorn, and joined the admiral in Fiorenzo Bay, and the manner in which he was re- ceived is said to have excited much envy. During this long course of services in the Mediterranean, the whole of his conduct had exhibited the same zeal, the same indefatigable energy, the same intuitive judgment, the same prompt and unerring deci- sion, which characterized his after career of glory. On one occasion, and only one, Nelson was able to impede Buonaparte Six vessels, laden with cannon and ordinance-stones for the siege of Mantua, sailed from Toulon for St. Pier d' Arena. He drove them under a battery, pursued them, silenced the batteries, and captured the whole. Nelson was now ordered to hoist his broad pennant on board the Minerve frigate and proceed to Porto Ferrajo. On his way, he captured the Sabina, Spanish frigate, after an action of three hours, during which the enemy lost one hundred and sixty-four men. Another enemy's frigate coming up, compelled him to cast off the prize, and after half an hour's trial of strength, this new antagonist wore and hauled off. He sailed from Porto Ferrajo with a convoy for Gibraltar and fell in with the Spanish fleet off the Straits, on the 13th of February 1797, and communicated this intelligence to the Admiral. He was now directed to shift his broaa pennant on board the Captain, seventy-four, Captain R. W. Miller; and, before sun- set, the signal was made to prepare fo action, and to keep, dur- ing the night, in close order. At daybreak the enemy'were in sight. The British force consisted of two ships of one hundred guns, two of ninety-eight, two of ninety, eight of seventy-four, and one sixty-four: fifteen of the line in all; with four frigates, a sloop and a cutter. The Spaniards had one four-decker, of one bundled and thirty-six guns; six three-deckers, of one hundred and twelve; two eighty-fours; eighteen seventy-fours; in all, twenty-seven ships of the line, with ten frigates and a brig. When the morning of the 14th broke, and discovered the English fleet, a fog for some time concealed their number. Soon after day- light the Spanish fleet were seen very much scattered, while the British ships were in a compact little body. Before the enemy could form a regular order of battle. Sir J. Jervis, by carrying NELSON. 295 a press of sail, came up with them, passed through their fleet, then tacked, and thus cut off nine of their ships from the main body. These ships attempted to form on the larboard tack, either with a design of passing through the British line, or to leeward of it, and thus rejoining their friends. Only one of them succeeded ir this attempt; and that only because she was so covered whh smoke that her intention was not discovered till she had reached the rear: the others were so warmly received, that they put about, took to flight, and did not appear again in the action till its close. The admiral was now able to direct his attention to the enemy ^3 ^ain body, which was still superior in number to his whole fleet, and more so in weight of metal. He made signal to tack in suc- cession. Nelson, whose station v/as in the rear of the British line, perceived that the Spaniards were bearing up before the wind, with an intention of farming their line, going large, and joining their separated ships, or else, of getting off without an engagement. To prevent either of these schemes, he disobeyed the signal without a moment's hesitation, and ordered his ship to be wore. This at once brought him into action with the Santissi- ma Trinidad, one hundred and thirty-six, the San Joseph, one hundred and twelve, the Salvador del Mundo, one hundred and twelve, the St. Nicolas, eighty, the San Isidro, seventy-four another seventy-four, and another first-rate. Captain Trowbridge^ in the CuUoden, immediately joined, and most nobly supported him, and for nearly an hour did the Culloden and Captain main- tain what Nelson called '' this apparently, but not really, unequal contest;" — such was the advantage of skill and discipline, and the confidence which brave men derive from them.-r-The Blenheim then passing betvv^een them and the enemy, gave them a respite, and poured in her fire upon the Spaniards. The Salvador del Mundo and S. Isidro dropped astern, and were fired into, in a masterly style, by the Excellent Captain Collingwood. The S. Isidro struck; and Nelson thought that the Salvador struck also; *'■ But Collingwood," says he, " disdaining the parade of taking possession of beaten enemies, most gallantly pushed up, with every sail set, to save his old friend and messmate, who v/as, to appearance, in a critical situation," for the Captain was at this time actually fired upon by three first-rates, by the S. Nicolas, and by a seventy-four within about pistol-shot of that vessel The Blenheim was ahead, the Culloden crippled and astern Collingwood ranged up, and hauling up his mainsail just astern, passed within ten {"eet of the S. Nicolas, giving her a most tre- mendous fire, then passed on for the Santissima Trinidad. The S. Nicolas luffing up, the S. Joseph fell on board her and Nelson resumed his station abreast of them, and close along-side. The Captain was now incapable of farther service either in the line or n chase: she had lost her fore-topmast; not a sail, shroud, 01 ope was left, and her whef^l was shot av/ay. Nelson, therefore, 296 NELSON. directed Captain Miller to put the helm a-starboard, and, calling for the borders, ordered them to board. Captain Berry, who had lately been Nelson's first lieutenant, was the first man who leap ed into the enemy's mizen-chains. Miller, when in the very act of going, was ordered by Nelson to remain. Berry was support- ed from the spritsail-yard, which locked in the S. Nicolas's m.ain rigging. A soldier of the sixty-ninth broke the upper quarter- gallery window, and jumped in, followed by the Commodore him- self, and by others as fast as possible. The cabin-doors were fastened, and the Spanish officers fired their pistols at them through the window: the doors were soon forced, and the Span- ish brigadier fell while retreating to the quarter-deck. Nelson pushed oil, and found Berry in possession of the poop, and the Spanish ensign hauling down. He passed on to the forecastle, where he met two or three Spanish officers, and received their sv/ords. — The English were now in full possession of every part of the ship; and a fire of pistols and musketry opened upon them from the admiral's stern gallery of the San Joseph. Nelson having placed sentinels at the different ladders, and ordered Cap- tain Miller to send more men into the prize, gave orders for boarding that ship from the San Nicolas. Berry assisted him into the main-chains; and at that moment a Spanish officer looked over the quarter-deck-rail, and said they surrendered. It was not long before he was on the quarter-deck, where the Spanish captain presented to him his sword, and told him the admiral was below, dying of his wounds. There, on the quarter-deck of an enemy's first-rate, he received the swords of the officers; giv- ing them, as they were delivered, one by one, to William Fearney, one of his old Agamemnon's, who, with the utmost coolness, put them under his arm; " bundling them up," in the lively expres- sion of Collingwood, " with as much composure, as he would have made a fagot, though twenty-two sail of their line were stib within gunshot." Twenty-four of the Captain's men were killed and fifty-six wounded; a fourth part of the loss sustained by tho whole squadron falling upon this ship. Nelson received only a few bruises. The Spaniards had still eighteen or nineteen ships which had suffered little or no injury; but they declined continu- ing the action; and the British admiral made signal to brin^ to. Nelson went on board the admiral's ship, and Sir John Jervis received him on the quarter deck, took him in his arms, and saic* he could not sufficiently thank him. For this victory, the com- mander-in-chief was rewarded with the title of Earl St Vincent Nelson, who, before the action was known in England, had been advanced to the rank of rear-admiral, had the Order of the Batb given him. Sir Horatio, who had now hoisted his flag as rear-admiral of the blue in the Theseus, was employed in the command of the inner squadron at tlie blockade of Cadiz. During this service, NELSOxN 297 the most perilous action occurred in which he was ever engaged Making a night-attack upon the Spanish gunboats, his barge wag attacked by an armed launch, under their commander, D. Miguel Tregoyen, carrying twenty-six men. Nelson had with him only his ten bargemen, Captain Freemantle, and his coxswain, John Sykesi an old and faithful follower, who twice saved the life of his admiral, by parrying the blows that were aimed at him, and, at last, actually interposed his own head to receive the blow of a Spanish sabre, whi S02 NLLSUN. mand ( f the Mediterranean fleet. He took his station immediately off To lion; and then, with incessant vigilance, waited for the coming out of the enemy. War between Spain and England was aow declared; and, on the eighteenth of January, the Toulon fleet, having the Spaniards to cooperate with them, put to sea. Nelson wa3 at anchor off the coast of Sardinia when, at three in the afternoon, on the 19th of Januarj/, the Active and Seahorse frigates brought this long-hoped for intelligence. Nelson beat about the Sicilian seas for ten days, and baffled in his pursuit, core up for Malta. From the 21st of January the fleet had re- mained ready for battle, without a bulk-head up night or day. On the 4th of April, he met the Phebe, with news that Villen- euve had put to sea on the last of March with eleven ships of the line, seven frigates, and two brigs. When last seen, they were steering towards the coast of Africa. After five days, a neutral gave mtelligence that the French had been seen off Cape de Galle on the 7th. It was soon after ascertained that they had passed the Straits of Gibraltar on the day following. Nelson received certain knowledge that the combined Spanish and French fleets were bound for the West Indies. May 15th, he made Madeira, and on June 4th, reached Barbadoes, where he found accounts that the combined fleet had been seen from St. Lucia on the 28th, standing to the Southward, and that Tobago anc Trinidad were their object. Advices met him, that the combined fleets, were then at Martinique. On the 9th Nelson arrived off that island; and there learned that they had passed to leeward of Antigua the preceding day, and taken a homeward bound convoy That they were flying back to Europe he believed, and for Europe he steered in pursuit on the 13th, On the 17th of July he came in sight of Cape St. Vincent, and steered for Gibraltar where he arrived on the 19th; *' and on the 20th," says he, '' I went on shore for the first time since June 16, 1803; not having had my foot out of the Victory, for two years, wanting ten days." On the 15th of August, he joined Admiral Cornwallis off Ushant. No news had yet been obtained of the enemy; and on the same evening he re- ceived orders to proceed, with the Victory and Superb, to Ports- mouth. At Portsmouth, Nelson, at length, found news of the combined fleet. Sir Robert Calder, had fallen in with them on the 22d of July, and after an action of four hours, captured an eighty-four and a seventy-^our. Nelson offered his services once more, which were willingly accepted, and he was desired to choose his own oflicers. Un- remitting exertions were made to equip the ships which he had chosen, and especially to refit the Victory, which was once more to bear his flag. Early on the following morning he reached Portsmouth; and arrived off Cadiz on the 29th of Septeraber The station which Nelson had chosen was some fifty or sixty miles to the west of Cadiz, near Cape St. Mary's. There was no\ NELSON. 30^ every indication that the enemy would speedily venture out. On the 9th of October, Nelson sent CoUingwood his plan of attack. The order of sailing was to be the order of battle: the fleet in two lines, with an advanced squadron of eight of the fastest sail- ing two-deckers. The second in command, having the entire direction of his line, v/as to break through the enemy, about the twelfth ship from their rear: he would lead through the centre, and the advanced squadron was to cut off three or four ahead of the centre. One of the last orders of this admirable man was, that the nam.e and family of every officer, seaman, and marine, who might be killed or wounded in action, should be as soon aa possible returned to him, in order to be transmitted to the chair- man of the patriotic fund, that the case might be taken into con- sideration, for the benefit of the sufl^erer or his family. About two in the afternoon of the 19th, the repeating ships announced, that the enemy were at sea. At daybreak on the next day the combined fleets were distinctly seen from the Victo- ry's deck, formed in a close line of battle ahead, on the starboard tack, about twelve miles to leeward, and standing to the south. Nelson's fleet consisted of twenty-seven sail of the line, and four frigates; theirs of thirty-three, and seven large frigates. Their superiority was greater in size, and weight of metal, than in numbers. They bad four thousand troops on board; and the best riflemen who could be procured. On the 21st of October, soon after daylight. Nelson came upon deck. The wind was now from the west, light breezes, with a long heavy swell. Signal was made to bear down upon the enemy in two lines; and the fleet set all sail. CoUingwood, in the Royal Sovereign, led the lee line of thirteen ships; the Victory led the weather line of fourteen. Having seen that all was as it should be. Nelson re- tired to his cabin, and wrote the following prayer: ''May the great God, whom I worship, grant to my country, and for the benefit of Europe in general, a great and glorious victory, and may no misconduct in any one tarnish it; and may humanity after victory be the predominant feature in the British fleet! For my- self, individually, I commit my life to Him that made me; and may his blessing alight on my endeavors for serving my country faithfully! To him I resign myself, and the just cause which is intrusted to me to defend. Amen, Amen, Amen." About six, he appeared to be in good spirits, but very calm, with his whole attention fixed on the enemy. They tacked to the nortlf^vard. and formed their line on the larboard tack, thus brin^infr the shoals of Trafalgar and St. Pedro under the lee of the Britisn, and keeping the port of Cadiz open for themselves. This was judiciously done: and Nelson, aware of all the advantages which it gave them, made signal to prepare to anchor. Villeneuve was a skilful seaman. His plan of defence was as well conceived, and as original as the plan of attack He formed the fleet in a 304 NELSON. double line, every alternate ship being about a cable's lon^ying at anchor. Being told that the captain was below and asleep he went down and awaJ^enet' him. He came on deck with three or four men all armed with s| ears, and inquired where they wer(^ going. Captain Woodward told him to Macassar and inquired of him the distance to that place. He answered that it would take a month and a day to reach it. Captain Woodward told him it was not true, and made the best of his v/ay off. The JNIalays howevei made chase, but Captain Woodward and his men by putting out to sea and making great exertion, soon lost sight of them and were able aorain to stand in towards the land. 524 adve?;tures of captain woodward. At daylight they discovered a number of fishing canoes, two of which made towards them. They let them come alongside as there was only one man in each. One of them came on board and Captain Woodward put the same question to him respecting Macassar. He first said it would take thirty days to reach there afid asked them to go on shore and see the Rajah. But they de- clined doing this, and he afterwards acknowledged that a proa could go there in two days. They then left the canoe and sailed along the coast. At evening they perceived a proa full of Pvlalay men set off from the shore. It v/as soon along side, and four or five of them jumping into the boat they nearly upset her, and thus Captain Woodward and his men were again prisoners of the Malays. They were carried to a town called Pamboon and then ccuducted to the Rajah's house. The Rajah demanded of them whence they came and whither they were going. Captain Woodward answered the same as before; he also told him that they must go immediately, and must not be stopped. They had now become so familiar with dangers and with captures, and were also so much nearer Macas- sar, than they could have expected after so many narrow escapes that they became more and more desperate and confident, froiT the persuasion that they should at last reach their destined port. In the morning Captain Woodward again waited on the Rajah and begged to be sent to Macassar; telling him that the Govern- or had sent for them, who would stop all his proas at Macassar if he detained them. After thinking on it a short time, he calleo the captain of a proa, and delivered the prisoners to him, telling him to carry them to Macassar, and if he could get any thing tot them, to take it, but if not to let them go. The proa not being ready they stayed in their canoe three da^s, quite overcome by their many hardships and fatigues. Captain Woodward having had no shirt, the sun had burnt his shoulder so as to lay it quite bare and produce a bad sore. Here ne caught cold, and was soon attacked with a violent fever, so that by the time the proa was ready to sail he was unable to stand. He was carried and laid on the deck without a mat or any kind of clothing. The cold nights and frequent showers of rain would without doubt have killed him, had he not been kept alive by the hopes of reach- ing Macassar, the thoughts of which kept up all their spirits. They landed at Macassar on the 15th of June 1795, after a voyage of about nineteen days from Tomboo, and after having been two years and five months in captivity; tiie reckoning which Captain Woodward kept during that time, being wrong only cne da/ SHIPWRECK OF THE ELINDENHALL. 325 SHIPWRECK OF THE BLINDENHALL ON THE INACCESSIBLE ISLAND. After fortune and victory had finally abandoned Napoleon on the field of Waterloo, and it had been determined by the bellige- rent powers that the fortress of St. Helena should be tWe Uih prison of the fallen Emperor, the British government deemed it a measure of prudence to occupy Tristan Da Cunha, situated about twenty degrees south of St. Helena, and which, in the event of any plot for a rescue, it was apprehended might have afTorded a secure rendezvous, and offered considerable facilities for com- bined and ulterior arrangements. In pursuance of that determi- nation, a company of artillery was stationed on Tristan da Cunha, a temporary framed barrack was erected, a fort constructed, provisions were laid up, a few milch cov/s and calves were landed, and the British fiag*^vaved over the melancholy waste! About thirty-five miles from Tristan da Cunha stands, on abase of solid rock, the Inaccessible Island. In 1820-1, the Biindenhall, free trader, bound for Bombay, partly laden w^ith broadclo.ths, was prosecuting her voyage, and being driven by adverse winds and currents, more to the westward and soiithvvard than her course required, it became desirable to make Tristan da Cunha, in order to ascertain and rectify the reckoning. It v/as while steering to effect this purpose, that one morning a passenger, who chanced to be on deck earlier than usual, observed great quantities of sea-weed occasionally floating alongside. This excited some alarm, and a man was immediately sent aloft to keep a good look-out. The weather was then ex- tremely hazy, though moderate; the weeds continued — all were on the alert; they shortened sail, and the boatswain piped for breakfast In less than ten minutes, " Breakers a-head!" staitled every soul, and in a moment all were on deck. " Breakers star- board! — breakers larboard! — breakers all around!" was the omin- ous cry a moment afterwards, and all v/as confusion. The words were scarcely uttered, when — and before the helm was up — the ill-fated ship struck, and, after a few tremendous shocks against the sunken reef, she parted about midship. Ropes and stays were cut away — all rushed forward, as if instinctively, and had barely reached the forecastle, when the stern and quarter broke asunder with a violent crash, and sunk to rise no more. Two of the seamen miserably perished; the rest, including ollicers, passen- gers, and crew, held on about the head and bows; — the struggle was for life! At this moment the Inaccessible Island, which till then had been veiled in o'ouds and thick niist, appeared frowning above the •23 526 SHIPWRECK OF THE GLINDENHALt. haze. The wreck was more than two miles from the frightfiij shore. The hase of the Island was still hurled in impenetrable gloom In this perilous extremity one was for cutting away the anchor, which had been got up to the cat-head in time of need: another was for cutting down the foremast, (the foretopmast being already by th.e board). The fog totally disappeared, and the black rocky island stood in all its rugged deformity before their eyes! Suddcmly the sun broke out in full splendor, as if to ex pose more cl(3arly to the view of the sufferers their dreadful pre- dicament. Despair was in every bosom; death, arrayed in all its terrors, seemed to hover over the wreck. But exertion was required, and Providence inspired unhopedfor fortitude; — every thing that human energy could devise was effected; and the wreck on which all eagerly clung, was miraculously drifted by the tide and wind, between ledges of sunken rocks and thunder ing breakers, until after th^ lapse of six hours, it entered ike 07ily spot on the island where a landing was possibly practicable, for all the other parts of the coast consisted of perpendicular cliffs of granite rising from amidst deafening surf, to the height of twenty, forty, and sixty feet. As the shore was neared, a raft was prepared, and on this a few paddled for the cove; — at last the wreck drove right in; ropes were instantly thrown out; and the crew and passengers (except two who had been crushed in the wreck,) including three ladies and a female attendant, were providentially snatched from the watery grave, which a few short hours before had appeared inevitable, — and safely landed on the beach. Evening had now set in, and every effort was made to secure v/hatever could be saved from the wreck: bales of cloth, cases of wine, a few boxes of cheese, some hams, the carcass of the milch cow that had been washed on shore, buckets, tubs, butts, a seaman's chest (containing a tinder-box, and needles and thread), with a number of elegant mahogany turned bed-posts, part of an investment for the India market, were got on shore. The rain poured down in torrents, all hands were busily at work to procure a shelter from the weather, and with the bed-posts and broadcloths, and part of the foresail, as many tents were soon pitched as there were individuals in the island. Drenched with the sea and with the rain, — hungry, cold, and comfortless, thousands of miles from their native land, almost be- yond expectation of human succor, hope nearly annihilated, the shipwrecked voyagers retired to their tents, some devoutly to prostrate themselves in humble thankfulness before that merciful Joeing who had so wonderfully delivered them from destruction, others to rest after the dreadful fatigue by which they were exhausted, and some to drown their cares in wine. In the morn- ing the wreck had gone to pieces; and planks and spars and whatever had floated in, were eagerly dragged on shore. No fjoonor was the unfortunate ship broken up, than, deeming them- SHIPWRECK OF THE BLINDExXHALL. 32/ Belves freed from the bonds of authority, many beg<.n to secure whatever came to land; and the captain, officers, passengers and crew, were now reduced to the same level, and obliged to take their turn to fetch water, and explore the island for food. The work of exploring was soon over: there was not a bird, nor a quadruped, nor a single tree to be seen! All was barren and desolate. The low parts were scattered over with stones and sand, and a few stunted weeds, reeds, fern and other plants. The top of the mountain was found to consist of a fragment of original table-land, very marshy, and full of deep sloughs, inter- sected with small rills of water, pure and pellucid as crystal, and a profusion of wild parsley and celery. The prospect was one dreary scene of destitution, without a single ray of hope to re- lieve the misery of the desponding crew. After some days the dead cow, hams and cheese were consumed, and from one end of the Island to the other, not a morsel of food could be seen. Even the celery began to fail. A few bottles of wine, which, for security, had been secreted under ground, only remained. Famine now be gan to threaten; — every stone near the sea was examined for shell tish, but in vain. In this extremity, as the Quarter-master's wife was sitting at her tent door, with the child crying at her breast, faint and exhausted, — a group of half starved seamen passed by, when one of them turning round exclaimed " by — that will make a drop oj broth, if njihing else turns iipl^^ The observation spoke daggers to the poor creature. On the return of night, as the poor hungry wretches were squatting in sullen dejection round their fires, on a sudden hundreds of birds from seaward came actually flying through the flames; many fell dead, scorched o" sufljocated, and thus were the sufferers again rescued for a timt from the horrors which so imminently beset them. For several nights in succession, similar flocks came in, and by multiplying their fires, a considerable supply was secured. These visits however ceased at length, and the wretched party were again exposed to the most severe privation. When their stock of wild fowl had been exhausted for more than two days, each began to fear they were now approaching that sad point of necessity, when between death and casting lots who should be sacrificed to serve for food for the rest, no alternative remains. While horror at the bare contemplation of an extremity so repulsive occupied the thoughts of all, the horizon was observed to be sud- denly obscured, and presently clouds of penguins lighted on the island. The low grounds were actually covered; and before the evening was dark, the sand could not be seen for the numbers of eggs, which like a sheet of snow, lay on the surface of the earth! The penguins continued on the island four or five days, when', as if by signal, the whole took their flight, and were never seen again. A few were killed, but the flesh was so extremely rank and nauseous, that it coul d not be eaten. The e<];f{s were r.ol- 39,8 THE CI.fFFS OF DOVF.R. lected, and dressed in all manner of ways, and supplied abundance of food for upwards of three weeks. At the expiration of thai period, famine once more seemed inevitable; the third morning began to dawn upon the unfortunate company, after their stock of eggs were exhausted; they had now been without food for more than forty hours, and were fainting and dejected, — when, as though this desolate rock were really a land of miracles, a man came running up to the encampment, with the unexpected and joyful tidings, that '' millions of sea-cbws had came on shore!" The crew climbed over the ledge of rocks which flanked their tents, and the sight of a shoal of manatees immediately beneath them gladdened their hearts. These came in with the flood, and were left in the puddles between the broken rocks of the cove This supply continued for two or three weeks. The flesh was mere blubber and quite unfit for food, for not a man could retain it on his stomach, but the liver was excellent, and on this they subsisted. In the meantime, the carpenter with his gang had constructed a boat, and four of the men had adventured in her for Tristan da Cunha, in hopes of ultimately extricating their fellow sufferers from their perilous situation. Unfortunately the boat was lost, whether carried away by the violence of the cur- rents that set in between the islands, or dashed to pieces against the breakers, was never known, for no vestige of the boat or the crew was ever seen. Before the manatees, however, began to quit the shore, a second boat was launced; and in this, an offi- cer and some seamen made a second attempt, and happily succeeded in effectins: their landino;, after much labor, on the island of Governor Glass. He received them most cordially, and with humanity, which neither time, nor place, nor total seclusion from the world had enfeebled or impaired; he instantly launched his boat, and, unawed by considerations of personal danger, hastened, at the risk of his life, to deliver his shipwrecked coun- trymen from the calamities they had so long endured. He made repeated trips, surmounted all difficulties, and fortunately succeed- ed in safely landing them on his own island, after they had been exposed for nearly three months to the horrors of a situation almost unparalleled in the recorded sufferings of seafaring men THE CLIFFS OF DOVER Dover, a seaport town of England, in the county of Kent, is Biluated on a small stream which falls into the harbor. It lies ir ft valley almost surrounded by chalky cliffs, from the precipitation «f some of which serious accidents have ensued. Dover consists THE CLIFFS OF DOVER 329 chiefly of tareo long streets converging to one point; the upper part called the town, and the lower the pier. It is defended h^ a strong and spacious castle, including an area of about tliirty- five acres; and all the neighboring heights are fortified. It or cupies a lofty eminence, steep and rugged towards the town and harbor, and presents a precipitous cliiT three hundred ai>d twenty feet higher than the sea. Some antiquaries have ascribed its origin to the Romans under Julius; aad it is certain that a Roman |)baros, or watch-tower, whose site exhibits a modern redoubt, stood in the neighborhood It consists of numerous edilices, 11 w- Dover Caslle among which are many towers, erected at diflerent times, anJ al designated by particular names. The keep, which stands in the upper court is ninety-two feet high, is in good preservation, and is used as a magazine. Water is draw^n from wells three hundred and seventy feet deep to supply the garrison. The castle makes a distinguished iigure in history, and was once deemed impregnable; but it was surprised and taken by a very small party of the parliamentary forces in the .ign of Charles I. Near the edge of the clift' there is a beautiful piece of brass ordnance, twenty-four feet long, and carrying a twelve pound ball: it is linely ornamented by ligures in has relief, and was made at Utrecht in 1544. Among the recent improvements, and fortifications resulting from tbe apprehension of invasion by the French, are subterraneous works and casemates capable of accommodating two thousand men. Dover is one of the Cinque Ports. The harbor can receive vessels of four hundred or live hundred tons, and is IIERY. 333 cessful ia the attempt when the fish " comes up within a st-ut/ that is, within the distance of about two hundred yards. Whenever a whale lies on the surface of the water, unconcious of the approach of its enemies, the hardy fisher rows directly upon it; and an instant before the boat touches it, buries his harpoon in its back. The wounded whale, in the surprise and agony of the moment, makes a convulsive elFort to escape. Then is the moment of danger. The boat is subjected to the most violent blows from its head, or its fins, but particularly from its ponderous tail, which sometimes sweeps the air with such tremendous fury, that both boat and men are exposed to one common destruction. The head of the whale is avoided, because it cannot be pene- trated with the harpoon; but any part of the body, between the head and the tail, will admit of the full length of the instrument, with- out danger of obstruction. The moment that the wounded whale disappears, a Hag is displayed; on sight of which, those on watch in the ship, give the alarm, by stamping on the deck, accompani- ed by shouts of " a fall." At the sound of this, the sleeping crew are roused, jump from their beds, rush upon deck, and crowd into the boats. The alarm of" a fall," has a singular effect on the feelings of a sleeping person, unaccustomed to hearing it. It has often been mistaken as a cry of distress. A landsman, see- ing the crew, on an occasion of a fall, leap into the boats in their shirts, imagined that the ship was sinking. He therefore tried to get into a boat himself, but every one of them being fully manned, he was refused. After several fruitless endeavors to gain a place among his comrades, he cried out, in evident distress, " \Vhat shall 1 do? — Will none of you take me in?" The first effort of a " fast-fish," or whale that ba^ been struck^ is to escape from the boat by sinking under water. After this, it pursues its course directly downward, or reappears at a little distance, and swims with great celerity, near the surface of the water. It sometimes returns instantly to the surface, and gives evidence of its agony by the most convulsive throes. The down- ward course of a whale is, however, the most common. A whale, struck near the edge of any large sheet of ice, and passing under- neath it, will som.etimes run the whole of the lines out of one boat. The approaching distress of a boat, for want of line, is indicated by the elevation of an oar, to which is added a second, a third, or even a fourtli, in proportion to the nature of the exigence. Tiie ut- most care and attention are requisite, on the part of every person in the boat, when the lines are running out; fatal consequences 'laving been sometimes produced by the most trifling neglect When the line happens to " run foul," and cannot be cleared on he instanf, it sometimes draws the boat under water; on which, if no auxiliary boat, or convenient piece of ice, be at hand, tlie crew are plunged ioto the sea, and are obliged to trust to their oars or their skill in swimming, for supporting themsehxs on the surface 354 AN ACCOUNT OF THE WHALE-FISHERY. Captain Scoresby relates an accident of this kind, which hap- pened on his first voyage to the whale-fisherj. A thousand fath- oms of line were already out, and the fast-boat was forcibly pres- sed against the side of a piece of ice. The harpooner, in his anx- iety to retard the flight of the whale, applied too many turns of the line round the bollard, which, getting entangled, drew the boat beneath the ice. Another boat, providentially was at hand, into which the crew had just time to escape. The whale, with near two miles' length of line, was, in consequence ofthenxcci- dent, lost, but the boat was recovered. The average stay under water, of a wounded whale, is febout thirty minutes. When it le-appears, the assisting boats make for the place with their utmost speed, and as they reach it, each harpooner plunges his harpoon into its back, to the amount of three, four, or more, according to the size of the whale. It is then actively plied with lances, which are thrust into its body, aiming at its vitals. The sea to a great extent around is dyed with its blood, and the noise made by its tail in its dying struggle, may be heard several miles. In dying, it turns on its back or Dn its side; which circumstance is announced by the capturers ivith the striking of their flags, accompanied with three lively huzzas! Whales are sometimes captured, with a single harpoon, in the space of fifteen minutes. Sometimes they resist forty or fifty hours, and at times they will break three or four lines at once, or tear themselves clear off" the harpoons, by the violence of their strug- gles. Generally the capture of a whale depends on the activity of the harpooner, the state of the wind and weather, or the pecu- liar conduct of the animkl itself. Under the most favorable cir- cumstances, the length of time does not exceed an hour. The general average may be stated at two hours. Instances have oc cured where whales have been taken without being struck at all, simply by entangling themselves in the lines that had been used to destroy others, and struggling till they were drowned or died of exhaustion. The fishery for whales, when conducted at the margin of those wonderful sheets of ice, called fields, is, when the weather is fine, and the refuge for ships secure, the most agreeable and some- times the most productive of all other ways. When the fish can be observed *' blowing " in any of the holes in a field, the men travel over the ice and attack it with lances, to turn it back. As connected with this subject. Captain Scoresby re* lates the following circumstance, which occurred under his own observation. On the eighth of July 1813, the ship Esk lay by the edge of a arge sheet of ice, in which there were several thin parts, and some holes. Here a whale being heard blowing, a harpoon, with ft line fastened to it, was conveyed across the ice, from a boat '^d AN ACCOUNT OF THE WHALE-FISHERY, fj;35 guard, and the harpooner succeeded in striking the whalf, u\ ^he distance of three hundred and fifty yards from the verge. Ir. nster. Captain Pollard and his men for several days suflered B€.vere hardships from the weather, and from a want of water and food. At length the delightful vision of another ship broke upon f^eir sight, 'i'hey were all taken on board, and finally reached their native country in safety. In 182*2, two boats belonging to the ship Baffin went in pursuit of a whale. John Carr was harpooner and commander of one of them. The whale they pursued led them into a vast shoal of his own species; they were so numerous that their blowing was in- cessant, and they believed that they did not see fewer than aa hundred. Fearful of alarming them without striking any, they remained for a while motionless. At last, one rose near Carr's boat, and he approached, and fatally for himself, harpooned it. When he struck, the fish was approaching the boat; and, passing very rapidly, jerked the line out of its place over the stern, and threw it upon the gunwale. Its pressure in this unfavorable position so careened the boat, that the side was pulled under water, and it began to fill. In this emergency, Carr, who was a brave, active man, seized the line, and endeavored to relieve ine boat by restoring it to its place; but, by some circumstance which was never accounted for, a turn of the line fiew over his arm, dragged him overboard in an instant, and drew him under the water, never more to rise. So sudden was the accident, that only one man, who was watching him, saw what had happened; so that when the boat righted, which it immediately did, though half full of water, the whole crew on looking round inquired what had become of Carr. It is impossible to im.agine a death more awful- ly sudden and unexpected. The invisible bullet could not have effected more instantaneous destruction. The velocity of the whale at its first descent is from thirteen to fifteen feet per sec- ond. Now as this unfortunate man was adjusting the line at the water's very edge, where it must have been perfectly tight, owing to its obstruction in running out of the boat, the interval between the fastening the line about him and his disappearance could not have exceeded the third part of a second of time, for in one sec- ond only he must have been dragged ten or twelve feet deep Indeed he had not time for the least exclamation; and the person who saw his removal, observed that it was so exceeding quick, that though his eye was upon him at the moment, he could scarcely distinguish his figure as he disappeared. As soon as the crew recovered from their consternation, they applied themselves to the needful attention which the lines re- quired. A second harpoon was struck from the accompanyinj;^ boat on the raising of the whale to the surface, and some lances were applied, but this melancholy occurrence Iiad cast such a ilamp on all present, that they became timid and inav^tive in their subsequent duties. The wliale when nearly exhausted was allow- ed to remain some minutes unmolested, till having recovered somo 346 THE LOSS OF THE PEGGY. degree of energy, it made a violent effort and tore itself awuy from both harpoons. The exertions of the crews thus proved fruitless, and were attended with serious loss. Innumerable instances might be adduced of the perils and dis- asters to which our whalemen are subject; of their never tiring fortitude and daring enterprise; but we believe the examples we have given alone will sufficiently convey a full and correct idea of the customs and dangers of the whale-fishery. THE LOSS OF THE PEGGY. On the 28th of September, 1785, the Peggy, commanded by Captain Knight, sailed from the harbor of Waterford, Ireland, for the port of New York, in America. Here it is necessary to observe, that the Peggy was a large unwieldy Dutch-built ship, about eight hundred tons burden, and had formerly been in the Norway, and timber trade, for which, indeed, she seemed, from her immense bulk, well calculated. There being no freight in readiness for America, we were under the necessity of taking in ballast: which consisted of coarse gravel and sand, with about fifty casks of stores, fresh stock, and vege- tables, sufficient to last during the voyage; having plenty of room, and having been most abundantly supplied by the hospitable neighbourhood, of which we were about to take our leave. We weighed anchor, and with the assistance of a rapid tide and pleasant breeze, soon gained a tolerable offing: we continued under easy sail the remaining part of the day, and towards sun- set lost sight of land. Sept. :29th, made the old head of Kingsale; the weather con tinning favorable, wo shortly came within sight of Cape Clear, from whence we took our departure from the coast of Ireland. Nothing material occurred for several days, during which time we traversed a vast space of the Western Ocean. Oct. 12th, the weather now became hazy and squally; — all hands turned up to reef top-sails, and strike top-gallant-yarda. — Towards night the squalls were more frequent, indicating an ap- proaching gale: — We accordingly clued, reefed top-sails, and struck top-gailant-masts; and having made all snug aloft, the ship weathered the night very steadily. On the 13th the crew were imployed in setting up the rigging, and occasionally pumping, the ship having made much water during the night. I'he gale increasing as the day advanced, occasioned the vessel to make heavy rolls, by which an accident bappened, which was nea ^oing much injury to the capfain'a THE LOSS OF THE PEGGY. SlT cabin A puncheon of rum, which was lashed on the larboard side ot the cabin, broke loose, a sudden jerk having drawn asunder the cleets to which it was fastened. By its velocity it stove in the state rooms, and broke several utensils of the cabin furniture. The writer of this, with much difficulty, escaped with whole limbs: but not altogether unhurt, receiving a painful bruise on the right foot: having, however, escaped from the cabin, the people on deck were given to understand that the rum was broke loose. The word rum soon attracted the sailors' attention, and this cask being (he ship's only stock, they were not tardy (as may be supposed) m rendering their assistance to double lash, what they anticipated — the delight, of frequently splicing the main-brace therewith dur- ing their voyage. On the 14th the weather became moderate, and the crew were employed in making good the stowage of the stores in the hold, which had given way during the night; — shaking reefs out of the top-sails, getting up top-gallant-masts and yards, and rigging out studdinor-sails. All hands beino; now called to dinner, a bustle and confused noise took place on deck. The captain (who was below) sent the writer of this to discover the cause thereof, but before he could explain, a voice was crying out in a most piteous and vociferous tone. The captain and chief mate jumped on deck, and found the crew had got the cook laid on the windlass, and were giving him a r^iost severe cobbing with a flat piece of his own fire wood. As soon as the captain had reached forward, he was much exasperated with them for their precipitate conduct, in punishing without his knowledge and permission, and having prohibited such proceedings in future cases, he inquired the cause of their grievance. The cook, it seems, having been served out fresh water to dress vegetables for all hands, had inadvertently used it tor some other purpose, and boiled the greens in a copper of salt water, which rendered them so intolerably tough, that they were not fit for use; Consequently the sailors had not their ex- pected cjarnish, and a general murmur taking place, the above punishment was inflicted. A steady breeze ensuing, all sails filled, and the ship made way, with a lofty and majestic air; and at every plunge of her bows, which were truly Dutch-built, rose a foam of no small ap- pearance. Durmg four days the weather continued favorable, which flat- tered the seamen with a speedy sight of land. On the 19th we encountered a very violent gale, with an unusual heavy sea:^The ship worked greatly, a\:d took in much water through her seams; — the pumps were kept ti.^quently going. At mid-day, while the crew were at dinner, a tren»?ndous sfia struck the ship right aft, which tore in the cabin winciv'^ws, upset the whole of the dinner, and nearly drowned the captav.'^, mate, ana myself, who was at that time holding a dish on the table, while 348 TIlx^ LOSS OF THE PEGGV. the captain was busily employed in carving a fir.e goose, which much to cur discomfiture, was entirely drenched by the salt water. Some of the coops were washed from the quarter-deck, and several of the poultry destroyed. In consequence of the vessel shipping so great a quantity of wc- ter, the pumps were doubly manned, and soon gained on her. Tha gale had not in the least abated during the night. The well was plummed, and there was found to be a sudden and alarming in- crease of water. The carpenter v/as immediately ordered to ex- amine the ship below, in order to find the cause of the vessel's ma- king so much water. His report was, she being a very old vessel, her seams had considerably opened by her laboring so much, there- fore, could devise no means at present to prevent the evil. FJe also reported, the mizen-mast to be in great danger. The heel of the mizen-mast being stepped between decks (a very unusual case, but probably it was placed there in order to make more room for stowage in the after-hold) was likely to work from its step, and thereby might do considerable damage to the ship. The captain now held a consultation with the officers, when it was deemed expedient to cut the mast away without delay : this was accordingly put into execution the following morning, as soon as the day. made its appearance. The necessary preparations having been made, the carpenter began hewing at the mast, and quickly made a deep wound. Some of the crew were stationed ready to cut away the stays and lanyards, whilst the remaining part was anxiously watching the momentary crash which was to ensue ; the word being given to cut away the v»-eather-lanyards, as the ship gave a lee-lurch, the whole of the wreck plunged, v>*ith- 3ut further injury, into the ocean. The weather still threatening a continuance, our principal em- ploy was at the pumps, v>'hich were kept continually going. The sea had now rose to an alarming height, and frequently struck the vessel with great violence. Towards the afternoon, part of the star- board bulwa:*k was carried away by the shock of a heavy sea, which made the ship broach-to, and before she could answer her helm again, a sea broke through the fore-chains, and swept avray the ca- boose and all its utensils from the deck ; fortunately for the cook he was assisting at the pumps at the time, or he inevitably must have shared the same fate as his galley. Notwithstanding the exertions of tiie crew, the water gained fast, and made its way into the hold, which washed a great quan- tity of the ballast through the timber-liolcs into the hull, by v/hich the suckers of the pumps were much damaged, and thereby fre- quently choked. By such delays the leaks increased rapidly. We were under the necessity of repeatedly hoisting the pumpa ca deck, to apply different m.eans which were devised to keep tha land from entering, but all our efforts proved ineffectual, and tha THE LOSS oF THE PEGGY. 349 pumps were deemed of no further utility. There was now no time to be lost; accordingly it was agreed that the allowance of fresh water should be lessened to a pint a man; the casks were immediately hoisted from the hold, and lashed between decks. As the water was started from two of them, they were sawed in two, and formed into buckets, there being no other casks on board fit for that purpose; the whips were soon applied, and the hands began baling at the fore and after hatchways which continued without intermission the whole of the night, each man being suf- fered to take one hour's rest, in rotation. The morning of the 22d presented to our view a most dreary aspect, — a dii-r^xal horizon encircling — not the least appearance of the gale abating — on the contrary, it seemed to come with re- doubled vigor — the ballast washing from side to side of the ship at each roll, and scarce a prospect of freeing her. Notwithstanding these calamiities, the crew did not relax their efforts. The mam hatchway was opened and fresh buckets went to work; the captain and mate alternately relieving each other at the helm. The writer's station was to supply the crew with grog, which was plentifully served to them every two hours. By the motion of the ship tlie buckets struck against the combings of the hatch- ways with great violence, and in casting them in the hold to fill, they frequently struck on the floating pieces of timber which were generally used as chocks in stowing the hold. By such accidents the buckets were repeatedly stove, and we were under the neces- sity of cutting more of the water casks to supply their place. Starting the fresh v/ater overboard was reluctantly done, particu- larly as we now felt the loss of the caboose, and were under the necessity of eating the meat raw, which occasioned us to be ver} thirsty. TSight coming on, the crew were not allowed to go be low to sleep;- each man, when it came to his turn, stretched himscll on the deck. Oct. 23. Notwithstanding the great quantity of water baled froir the vessel, she gained so considerably that she had visibly settled much deeper in the water. All hands were now called atl;, in order to consult on the best measures. It was now unanimously resolved to make for the island of Bermudas, it being the nearest land. Accordingly we bore away for it, but liad not sailed many leagues before we found that the great qiuintity of water in the vessel had impeded her steerage so much that she would scarcely answer her helm; and making a very heavy lurch, the ballast shifted, v/hich gave her a great lift to the starboard, and rendered it very difficult to keep a firm footing on deck. The anchor3 which were stowed on the larboard bow were ordered to be cut away, and the cables which were on the orlop deck to be hove overboard in order to right her; but all this had a very trifling eflect, for the ship was now become quite a log. The crew were still employed in baling; one of whom, in pre- 350 THE LOSS OF THE PEGGY. t venting a bucket from being stove against the combings, let g« Ut^ ^old, and fell down the hatchway; with great difficulty he escaped being drowned or dashed against the ship's sides. Hav- ing got into a bucket which was instantly lowered, he was orovi- dentially hoisted on deck without any injury. DurinIahon. The boatswain and his crew were engaged in fitting a new gang of rigging; the gunner in repairing his breechings and gun-tackles; ''he lb 'castle-men in calking; the tcp-men in sending down the yards and upper spars; the holders aad v.aisters in whitewashiiig and holy stoning; and even the poor marines were kept busy, like oeasts of burden, in carrying breakers of water on their backs On the quay, near the ship, the smoke of the armorer's forge wbich had been hoisted out and sent ashore, ascended in a thin black column through the clear blue sky; from one of the neigh- boring white stone warehouses the sound of saw and hammer toM that the carpenters were at work; near by, a livelier rattlinc* B5b THE MAIN-TRUCK, OR A LEAP FOR LIFE, drew attention to the cooper, who in the open air was tiglitning the water-casks; and not far removed, under a temporary shed, formed of spare studding-sails and tarpaulins, sat the sailmaker and his assistants, repairing the sails, which had been rent or in- jured by the many storms we had encountered. Many hands, however, make light work, and in a very few dayg all was accomplished: the stays and shrouds were set up and new rattled down; the yards crossed, the running rigging rove, and sails bent; and the old craft, fresh painted and all a-taunt-o, look* ed as fine as a midshipman on liberty. In place of the storm- stumps, which had been stowed away among the booms and other spare spars, amidships, we had set up cap to'gallant-masts, and royal-poles, with a sheave for skysails, and hoist enough for sky- scrapers above them: so you may judge the old frigate looked pretty taunt. There was a Dutch line-ship in the harbor; but though we only carried forty-four to her eighty, her main-truck would hardly have reached to our royal-mast-head. The side- boys, whose duty it was to lay aloft and furl the skysails, looked no bigger on the yard than a good-sized duff for a midshipman's mess, and the main-truck seemed not half as large as the Turk's- head-knot on the main-ropes of the accommodation ladder. When we had got every thing ship-shape and man-of-war fash- ion, w^e hauled out again, and took our birth about half way between the Arsenal and Hospital island; and a pleasant view it gave us of the town and harbor of old Mahon, one of the safest and most tranquil places of anchorage in the world. The water of this beautiful inlet — which though it makes about four miles into the land, is not much over a quarter of a mile in width — is scarcely ever ruffled by a storm; and on the delightful afternoon to which I now refer, it lay as still and motionless as a polished mirror, except when broken into momentary ripples by the pad- dles of some passing waterman. What little wind we had had in the fore part of the day, died away at noon, and, though the first dog-watch was almost out, and the sun was near the horizon, not a breath of air had risen to disturb the deep serenity of the scene. The Dutch liner, which lay not far from us, was so clearly reflected in the glassy surface of the water, that there was not a rope about her, from her main-stay to her signal hal- liards, which the eye could not distinctly trace in her shadowy and inverted image. The buoy of our best bovver floated abreast our larboard bow; and that, too, was so strongly imaged, that its en- tire bulk seemed to lie above the water, just resting on it, as if upborne on a sea of molten lead; except when now and then, the wringing of a swab, or the dashing of a bucket overboard from the head, broke up the shadow for a moment, and showed the sub- stance but half its former apparent size. A small polacca craft had got underway from Mahon in the course of the forenoon, in- tending to stand over to Barcelona" but it fell dead calm just TRE MAIN-TRUCK, OR A LEAP FOR LIFE. 359 titfore she reached the chops of the harbor; and there she lay as motionless upon the blue surface, as if she were only part of a mimic scene, from the pencil of some accompHshed painter. Her broad cotton lateen-sails, as they hung drooping from the slanting and taper yards, shone with a glistening whiteness that contrasted beautii'ully with the dark flood in which they were reflected; and the distant sound of the guitar, which one of the sailors was listlessly playing on her deck, came sweetly over the water, and harmonized well with the quiet appearance of every thing around. The whitewashed walls of the lazaretto, on a verdant headland at the mouth of the bay, glittered like silver in the slant rays of the sun; and some of its windows were burnished so brightly by the level beams, that it seemed as if the whole interior of the edifice were in flames. On the opposite side, the romantic and oictur- esque ruins of fort St. Philip, faintly seen, acquired double beauty from being tipped with the declining light; and the clusters of ancient-looking windmills, which dot the green eminences along the bank, added, by the motionless state of their wings, to the eflfect of the unbroken tranquillity of the scene. Even on board our vessel, a degree of stillness unusual for a man-of-war prevailed among the crew. It was the hour of their evening meal; and the low hum that came from the gun-deck had an indistinct and buzzing sound, which, like the tiny song of bees of a warm summer noon^ rather heightened than diminished the charm of the surrounding quiet. The spar-deck was almost deserted. The quarter-master of the watch, with his spy-glass in his hand, and dressed in a frock and trowsers of snowy white- ness, stood aft upon the tafl^rel, erect and motionless as a statue, keeping the usual look-out. A group of some half a dozen sailors had gathered together on the fo'castle, where they were supinely ying under the shade of the bulwarks; and here and there, upon the gun-slides along the gangway, sat three or four others — one, with his clothes-bag beside him, overhauling his simple wardrobe; another working a set of clues for some favorite officer's hammock ; and a third engaged, perhaps, in carving his name in rude letters upon the handle of a jack-knife, or in knotting a laniard with which to suspend it round his neck. On the top of the boom cover, and in the full glare of the level sun, lay black Jake, the jig-maker of the ship, and a striking specimen of African peculiarities, in whose single person they were all strongly developed. His flat nose was dilated to unusual width, and his ebony cheeks fairly glistened with delight, as he looked up at the gambols of a large monkey, which, clinging to the main-stay, just above Jake's woolly head, was chattering and grinning back at the negro, as if there existed some means of mutual intelligence between them. It was my watch on deck and I had been standing several minutes loaning on the main fife- rail, amusing myself by observing the antics of the black and '..la S60 THE. aiATN-TRUCK, OR A LEAJ* FOR LIFE. congenial playmate; but at length, tiring of the rude mirth, had turned towards the taffrel, to gaze on the more agreeable features of that scene which I have feebly attempted to describe. Just at that moment a shout and a merry laugh burst upon my ear, and looking quickly round, to ascertain the cause of the unusual sound on a frigate's deck, I savv^ little Bob Stay (as we called our commodore's son) standing half the way up the main-hatch lad- der, clapping his hands, and looking aloft at some object that seemed to inspire him with a deal of glee. A single glance to the main-yard explained the occasion of his merriment. Pie had been coming up from the gun-deck, when Jacko, perceiving him on the ladder, dropped suddenly down from the m.ain-stay, and rui^aiing along the boom-<3over, leaped upon Bob's shoulder, seized his cap fi'om his head, and immediately darted up the main-topsail sheet, and thence to the bunt of the mainyard, where he now sat, picking threads from the tassal of his prize, and occasionally scralching his side, and chattering, as if v/ith exultation for the success of his mischief. But Bob was a sprightly, active little fellow; and though he could not climb quite as nimble as a monkey, yet he had no mind to lose his cap vvithout an effort to regain it. Perhaps he was the more strongly incited to make chase after Jacko, from noticing me to smile at his plight, or by the loud laugh of Jake, who seemed inexpressibly delighted at the occurrence, and endeavored to evince, by tumb- ling about the boom-cloth, shaking his huge misshapen head, and sundry other grotesque actions, the pleasures for which he had no words. ^' Ha, you d — n rascal, Jocko, hab you no more respec' for de young officer, den to steal his cab.^ We bring you to de gang- way, you black nigger, and gib you a dozen on de bare back for a tief." The monkey looked down from his perch as if he understood the threat of the negro, and chattered a sort of defiance in an- swer. '* Ha, ha! Massa Stay, he say you mus' ketch him 'fore you flog him; and it's no so easy for a midshipman in boots to ketch SI monkey barefoot." A red spot mounted to the cheek of little Bob, as he cast one glance of offended pride at Jake, and then sprang across the deck to the Jacob's ladder. In an instant he was half-way up the rig- ring, running over the ratlines as lightly as if they were an easy flight of stairs, whilst the shrouds scarcely quivered beneath his elastic motion. In a second more his hand was on the futtocks. ''3Iassa Stay!" cried Jake, who sometim.es, from being a favorite, ventured to take liberties with the younger oflicers, ** Massa Stay, you best crawl through de lubber's hole — it take a sailor to climb a futtock shroud." But he had scarcely time to utter his pretended caution, before THE JMAIN-TPwUCK, OR A LEAP FOR LIFE. 35 Bob was in the top. The monkey in the meanwhile had awaited his approach, until he had got nearly up the rigging, when it suddenly put the cap on its own head, and running along t\if) yard to the opposite side of the top, spK-^ng up a rope, and thence to the topmast backstay, up which it rau to the topmast cross- trees, where it again quietly seated itself, and resumed its work of picking the tassel to pieces. For several minutes I stood watching my little messmate follow Jacko from one piece of rig- ging to another, the monkey, all the while, seeming to exert only so much agihty as was necessary to elude the pursuer, and pans- ing whenever the latter appeared to be grov/ing weary of the chase. At last, by this kind of manoeuvring, the mischievous animal succeeded in enticing Bob as high as the royal-mast- head, v\'hen springing suddenly on the royal-stay, it ran nimbly down to the fore-to'gailant-mast head, thence down the rigging to the fore-top, when leaping on the foreyard, it ran out to the yard- arm, and hung the cap on the end of the studding-sail boom, where, taking its seat, it raised a loud and exulting chattering. Bob by this time was completely tired out, and, perhaps, unwilling to return to the deck to be laughed at for his fruitless chase, he sat down on the royal cross-trees; while those who had been attracted by the sport, returned to their usual avocations or amusements. The monkey, no longer the object of pursuit or attention, remained but a little while on the yard-arm; but soon taking up the cap, returned in towards the slings, and dropped it down upon deck. Some little piece of duty occurred at this moment to engage me, as soon as which was performed I walked aft, and leaning my elbow on the taffrel, was quickly lost in the recollection of scenes very different from the small pantomime I had just been witnessing. Soothed by the low hum of the crew, and by the quiet loveliness of every thing around, my thoughts had travelled far away from the realities of my situation, when I was suddenly startled by a cry from black Jake, which brought me on the instant back to consciousness. *' My God! Massa Scupper," cried he, '' JMassa Stay is on. de main-truck!" A cold shudder ran through my veins as the word reached my ear. I cast my eyes up — it v/as too true! The a;dventurous boy, after resting on the royal cross-trees, had been seized with a wish to go still higher, and impelled by one of those impulses by which men are sometimes instigated to place themselves in situations of imminent peril without a possibility of good resulting from the exposure, he had climbed the skysail-pole, and, at the moment of my looking up, was actually standing on the main-truck! a small circular piece of wood on the very summit of the loftiest mast, and at a hciglit so great from the deck that my brain turned dizzy aa I looked up at him The reverse of Virgil's line was true in 36:2 THE MAIN-TRUCK, OR A LEAP FOR LIFE this instance. It was comparatively easy to ascend — but to cle« scend — my head swam round, and my stomach felt sick at thought of the perils comprised in that one word. There was nothing above him or around him but the empty air — and beneath him, nothing but a point, a mere point — a small, unstable wi eel, that seemed no bigger from the deck than the button on the end of a foil, and the taper skys-ail-pole itself scarcely larger than the hlade. Dreadful temerity! If he should attempt to stoop, v/iiat could he take hold of to steady his descent.^ His feet quite covered up the small and fearful platform that he stood upon, and beneath that, a long, smooth, naked spar, which seemed to bend With his weight, v/as all that upheld hftn from destruction. An attempt to get down from ''that bad eminence," would be almost certain death; he would inevitably lose his equilibrium, and be precipitated to the deck a crushed and shapeless mass. Such was the nature of the thoughts that crov^^ded through my mind as I first raised my eye, and saw the terrible truth of Jake's excla- mation. What was to be done in the pressing and horrible exi gency.^ To hail him, and inform him of his danger, wt)uld be but to ensure his ruin. Indeed, I fancied that the rash boy already perceived the imminence of his peril; and I half thought that I could see his limbs begin to quiver, and bis cheek turn deadly pale. Every moment I expected to see the dreadful catas- trophe. I could not bear to look at him, and yet could not with- draw my gaze. A film came over my eyes, and a faintness over my heart. The atmosphere seemed to grow thick, and to tremble and waver like the heated air around a furnace; the m.ast appeared to totter, and the ship to pass from under my feet. I myself had the sensations of one about to fall from a great height, and making a strong effort to recover myself, like that of a dreamer who fancies he is shoved from a precipice, I staggered up against the buhvarks. When my eyes were once turned from the dreadful object tc which they had been riveted, my sense and consciousness came back. I looked around me — the deck was already crowded with people. The intelligence of poor Bob's temerity had spread through the ship like wild-fire — as such news always will — and the officers and crew were all crowding to the deck to behold the appalling — the heart-rending spectacle. Every one, as he lookea up, turned pale,* and his eye became ffistened in silence on the tiuck — like that of a spectator of an execution on ihQ gallows— w'lih a steadfast, unblinking and intense yet abhorren.t gaze, as ii^ momently expecting a fatal termination to th.e awful sus[)ensv. No one made a suggestion — no one spoke. Every feeling, every faculty seemed to he absorbed and swallowed up in one deep, ij« tense emotion of agony. Once the first lieutenant seized tht, trumpet, iis if to liail poor Bob, ])ut he had scarce raised it to Ins lips when l.is ar' r; dropped again, and smili listlessly down beside THE MAIN-TRUCK, OR A LEAP FOR LIFE. 363 him, as if from a sad consciousness of the utter mutilit}' of what he h.ad been going to say. Every soul in the ship was now on the spar-deck, and every eye was turned to the main-truck. At this moment there was a stir among the crew about the gangway, and directly after another face was added to those ou th^ quarter-deck — it was that of the commodore, Bob's father He had come alongside in a shore boat, without having been noticed by a single eye, so interise and universal was the interest that had fastened every gaze upon the spot where poor Bob stood trembling on the awful verge of fate. The commodore asked not a question, uttered not a syllable. He was a dark-faced, austere man, and it was thought by some of the midshipmen that he entertained but little affection for his son. However that might have been, it was certain that he treated him with precisely the same strict discipline that he did the other young officers, or if there was any difference at all, it was not in favor of Bob. Some, who pretended to have studied his character closely, af- firmed that he loved his boy too well to spoil him, and that, in- tending him for the arduous profession in which he had himself risen to fame and eminence, he thought it would be of service to him to experience some of its privations and hardships at the outset. The arrival of the commodore changed the direction of several eyes, which nov/ turned on him to trace what emotions the danger of his son would occasion. But thoir scrutiny was foiled. By no outward sign did he show wnat was passing with- in. His eye still retained its severe expression, his brow the slight frown which it usually wore, and his lip its haughty curl. Immediately on reaching the deck, he had ordered a marine to hand him a musket, and with this stepping afl, and getting on the lookout-block, he raised it to his shoulder, and took a deliberate aim at his son, at the same time hailing him, without a trumpet, in his voice of thunder. ** Robert!" cried he, ''jump! jump overboard! or I'll fire at you." The boy seemed to hesitate, and it was plain that he was totter- ing, for his arms were thrown out like those of one scarcely able to retain his balance. The commodore raised his voice again, and in a quicker and more energetic tone cried, " Jump! 't is your only chance for life." The words were scarcely out of his mouth, before the body was seen to leave the truck and spring out into the air. A sound, between a shriek and groan burst from many lips. The father spoke not — sighed not — indeed he did not seem to breathe. For a moment of intense agony a pin might have been heard to drop on deck. With a rush l*ke that of a cannon ball, the body descended to the water, and before the waves closed over it, twenty stout fellows, among (hem several cfficers, had dived frona 864 THE HARrOONER TRANSPORT. the bulwarks. Another short period of bitter suspense ensued It rose— he A\as aUve! his arms were seen to move! — he struck out towards the ship! — and despite the disciphne of a man-of-war three loud huzzas, an outburst of unfeigned and unrestrainable joy from the hearts of our crew of five hundred men, pealed through the air, and made the welkin ring. Till this moment, the old commodore had stood unmoved. The eyes, that glisten- ing with pleasure, now sought his face, saw that it was ashy pale. He attempted to descend the horse-block, but his knees bent under him; he seemed to gasp for breath, and put up his hand, as if to tear open his vest; but before he accomplished his object, he staggered forward, and would have fallen on the deck, had he rot been caught by old Black Jake. He was borne into his cabin, where the surgeon attended him, whose utmost skill was required to restore his mind to its usual equability and self-com- mand, in w^hich he at last happily succeeded. As soon as he recovered from the dreadlul shock, he sent for Bob, and had a long confidential conference with him; and it was aoticed when the little fellow left the cabin that he v. as in tears. The next day we sent down our taunt and dashy poles, and replaced them with the stump-to'gallant-masts; and on the third, we weighed anchor, and made sail for Gibraltar. THE HARPOONER TRANSPORT. The hired transport Harpooner, was lost near Newfoundland, in Noveniber, 1818; she had on board three hundred and eighty five men, women, and children, including the ship's company. The passengers consisted of detachments of several regiments, with their families, who were on their way to Quebec. On Sat- urday evening, November 10th, a few minutes after nine o'clock, the second mate on watch called out, '' the ship's aground;" at which she slightly struck on the outermost rock of St. Shotts, in the Island of Newfoundland. She beat over, and proceeded a short distance, when she struck again, and filled; encircled among rocks, the wind blowing strong, the night dark, and a very heavy Bca rolling, she soon fell over on her larboard beam end; and, to heighten the terror and alarm, a lighted candle communicated fire to some spirits in the master's cabin, which, in the confusion, »vas with difficulty extinguished. The ship still driving over the rocks, her masts were cut away^ by Avhich some men were carried overboard. The vessel drifted orer, near tlie high rocks, towards the main. In this situation every one became terrified: the suddeness of the sea rushing in^ THF. HAnrOOXErv TRAN53rORT. 36S carried away the births and staimcheons between decks, when men, women, and cliildren, were drowned, and many were killed by the force with which they were driven against the. lose bag- gage, casks, and staves, which floated below. All that possibly could, got upon deck, but from the crowd and confusion that prevailed, the orders of the oflicers and master to the soldiers and seamen were unavailing; death staring every one in the face; the ship striking on the rocks, as though she would instantly upset. The shrieking and pressing of the people to the starboard side was so violent, that several were much hurt. About eleven o'clock, the boats on the deck were washed overboard by a heavy sea: but even from the commencement of the disaster, the hopes of any individual being saved were but very small. From this time, until four o'clock the next morning, all on the wreck were anxiously praying for the light to break upon them. The boat from the stern v/as in the meanwhile lowered down, when the first mate and four seamen, at the risk of their lives, pushed off to the shore. They with difficulty effected a landing upon the main land, behind a high rock, nearest to where the stern of the vessel had been driven. The log-line was thrown from the wreck, with a hope that they might lay hold of it; but darkness, and the tremendous surf that beat, rendered it imprac- ticable. During this awful time of suspense, the possibility of sending a line to them by a dog occurred to the master: the ani- mal was brought aft, and thrown into the sea with a line tied round his middle, and with it he swam towards the rock upon which the mate and seamen were standing.. It is impossible to describe the sensations which were excited at seeinij this faithful do^ struir- gling with the waves; and on reaching the summit of the rock repeatedly dashed back again by the surf into the sea; until at length, by unceasing exertions, he efl^ected a landing. One end of the line being on board, a stronger rope was hauled and fastened to the rock. At about six o'clock in the morning of the 11th, the first person was landed by this means; and afterwards, by an im|)rovemeiit in rigging the rope, and placing each individual in slings, they were with greater facility extricated from the wreck; but during this passage, it was with the utmost difficulty that the unfortunate, suiferers could maintain their hold, as the sea beat over them and some were dragged to the shore in a state of insensibility. Lieu- tenant Wilson was lost, being unable to hold on the rope with his hands; he was twice struck by the sea, fell backwards out of the slin(fs, and after swimming for a considerable time amongst tlie floating v/reck, by which he was struck on the head, he per- ished. INiany who threw themselves overboard, trusting for their safety to svvinuning, were lost: tiiey were dashed to pieces by the Burf on the rocks, or by the floating pieces of the wreck. The rope at length, bv constant working, and by sv^inging 3 * 366 THE HARPOONER TRANSPORT across the sharp rock, was cut in two; and there being no means of replacing it, the spectacle became more than ever terrilic; the sea beating over the wreck with great violence, washed numbers overboard; and at last the wreck, breaking up at the stern from midships and forecastle^ precipitated all that remained into one common destruction. The parting of the ship was noticed by those on shore, and signified with the most dreadful cry of '' Go Forward!" — It is ditticuit to paint the horror of the scene; — children clinging tc their parents for help; parents themselves struggling v/ith death, and stretching out their feeble arms to save their children, dying within their grasp. The total number of persons lost was two hundred and eight, and one hundred and seventy-seven were saved. Lieutenant Mylrea, of the 4th Veteran Battalion, one of the oldest subalterns in the service, and then upwards of seventy years of age, was the last person who quitted the wreck; when he had seen every other person either safe, or beyond the power of assistance, he threw himself on to a rock, from which he was afterwards rescued. Among the severest sufferers, was the daughter of Surgeon Armstrong, who lost on this fatal night her father, mother, brother, and two sisters! The rock which the survivors were landed upon, was about one hundred feet above the water, surrounded at the flowing of the tide. On the top of this rock they were obliged to remain during the whole of the night, without shelter, food, or nourishment, ex- posed to wind and rain, and many without shoes. The only comfort that presented itself was a fire, which was made from pie-ceu of the wreck that had been washed ashore. At daylight on the morning of the 12th, at low water, their removal to the opposite land was effected, some being let down by a rope, others slipping down a ladder to the bottom. After they crossed over, they directed their course to a house or fisherman';? shed, distant about a mile and a half from the wreck, where they remained until the next day; the proprietor of this miserable shed not havi>ng the means of supplying relief to so considerable a num- ber as took refuge, a party went over land to Trepassy, about fourteen miles distant, through a marshy country, not inhabited by any human creature. This party arrived at Trepassy, and re- ported the event to Messrs. Jackson, Burke, Sims, and the liev Mr. Brown, who immediately took measures for alleviating the dist^-essed, by despatching men with provisions and spirits, and to assist in ;:)ringing all those forward to Trepassy who could walk. On the 13th, in the evening, the major part jof the survivors (assisted b} the inhabitants, v/ho, during the journey carried the v/eak and feeble upon their backs) arrived at Trepassy where COMMODORE BARNEY. 367 they were billeted, by order of the magistrate, proportionably upon each house. There still remained at St. Shotts, the wife of a serjeant of the Veteran Battalion; with a child, .of which she was delivered on the top of the rocks shortly after she was saved. A private, v/hose leg was broken, and a woman severely bruised by the wreck, were bIso necessarily left the;*e. Immediately after the arrival at Trepassy, measures were adopt- ed for the comfort and refreshment of the detachments, and boats were provided for their removal to St. John's, where they ultimate- ly arrived in safety. COMMODORE BARNEY. ** The old Commodore, The fiffhtincr old Commodore he.' No old Triton who has passed his calms under the bows :f the long boat could say of Joshua Barney that he came into a master's .berth through the cabin windows. He began at the rudiments, and well he understood the science. All his predilections were for the sea. Having deserted the counting room, young Barney, at the age of twelve, was placed for nautical instruction in a pilot boat at Baltimore, till he was apprenticed to his brother-in-law. At the age of fourteen, he was appointed second mate, with the approbation of the owners, and before he was sixteen he was call- ed upon to take charge of his ship at sea, in which the master died. This was on a voyage to Nice. The ship was in such a state that it was barely possible to make Gibraltar, where for necessary repairs he pledged her for £700, to be repaid by the consignee at Nice, who however declined, and called in the aid of the Governor to compel Barney to deliver the cargo, which he had refused to do. He was imprisoned, but set at large on some intimation that he would do as desired, but when he came on board, he struck his flag, and removed his crew, choosing to consider his vessel as captured. He then set out for IVIilan, to sohcit the aid of the British Ambassador there, in which he succeeded so well, that the authorities of Nice met him on his return to apolo- gi7,e for their conduct. The assignees paid the bond, and Bar- ney sailed for Alicant, where his vessel was detained for the use of the great armada, then fitting out against Algiers, the fate of which was total and shameful defeat. On his return home, his employer was so well satisfied with his conduct, that he became his firm friend ever after. He soon offered himself as second in command on board the sloop Hornet, often guns, oneoftwu ves 368 COMMODORE BARNEY. sels then preparing for a cruise under Commodore Hopkins, for this was in the early part of the revolution. The sloop fell in with a British tender, which she might have captured^ but for the timidity of the American captain. The tender, mistaking her jnemy, ran alongside and exposed herself to much danger. Bar- ney, stood by one of the guns as the enemy came near, and was about to apply the m.atch, when the bold commander commanded hira to desist. Barney, v/hose spirit revolted at such a cause, threw his match-stick at the captain, wdth such force that the iron point stuck in the door of the round-house. This, in a youth not seventeen, argued well for the pugnacity of the man. At the end of this cruise, he volunteered on board the schooner Wasp, in which he soon had a brush with the Roebuck and another frigate, and with the aid of some galleys in which he had a command, the enemy was forced to retreat, with more loss than honor. Barney, for his good conduct in this affair, was appointed to the command of the sloop Sachem, w^ith the commission of Lieutenant, before he was seventeen. Before the cruise, however. Captain Robin- son took command of the Sachem, which soon had an action with a letter-of-marque of superior force and numbers. It was \vell con- tested, and nearly half the crew of the brig were killed or wound- ed. In about two hours the letter-of-marque struck. The captors secured a valuable prize, in a cargo of rum, and also a magnihcent turtle, intended as a present to- Lord North, whose name was marked on the shell. This acceptable West-Indian, Lieutenant Barney presented to a better man than it had been designed for, I;br he gave it to the Hon. R. Morris. On the return of the Sa- chem, both oiiicers were transferred to a fine brig of fourteen guns, the Andrew Doria, which forthwith captured the Racehorse, of tv/elve guns, and a picked crew. This vessel was of the Royal Navy, and had been detached by the Admiral purposely to take ihe Doria; but, saith the proverb, if two men ride the same horse, ')ne must ride behind. On this voyage a snow was captured, in which the Lieotenaiit went as prize master, making up his crev/ partly of the prisoners. Being hard by an enemy's ship, he discovered signs of mutiny among his crew, and shot the ringleader in the shoulder; a pro- ceeding that offered so little encouragement to his comrades, that they obeyed orders, and made sail, but it v/as tQo late to escape The purser of the frigate which captured him, was, on a subse- quent occasion, so much excited as to strike Barney, who knocked him down, and went further in his resentment than fair fighting permits, for he kicked him dov/n the gangway. — The commander obliged the purser to apologize to Barney. Having been cap- urcd in the Virginia frigate, which ran aground at the Capes, and was deserted by her commander, Barney, with five hundred other prisoners, was sent round, in the St. Albans frigaie, U New York. As the prisoners were double in number lo the crew COMMODORE BARNEY. ,369 Barney formed a plan of taking the ship, wi'iich was defeated or prevented, by the treachery of a Frenchman. '^ O for a curse to kill the slave, Wkose treason, like a deadly bllglit, Comes o'er the councils of the brave, To blast them in the hoar of might." Barney was a prisoner at New York, for five months, after which he took the command of a schooner of two guns, and eight men, with a cargo of tobacco for St. Eustatia, for he was better pleased to do a little than to do nothing. He was, however, taken, after a running fight, -by boarding, by a privateer of four large guns and sixty men. His next cruise was with his friend Robin- son, in a private ship of ten guns and thirty-five men, in which they encountered the British privateer Rosebud of sixteen guns and one hundred and twenty men. On the return, a Ictter-of- marque of sixteen guns and seventy men was captured. The Lieutenant had now prize money enough to be converted, on his return, into a large bundle of continental bills, which he stowed away in a chaise box, on taking a journey, but which he could not find when he arrived at his destination. He kept his own secret, hov/ever, and " went to sea again," second in command of the United States' ship Saratoga, of sixteen nine-pounders. The first prize was a ship of twelve guns, captured after an acti -n of a few minutes. On the next day, the Saratoga hoisted Eng- lish colors, and came along side a ship which had two brigs in company; then running up the American ensign, she poured in a broad side, while Lieutenant Barney, with fifty men, boardedthe enemy. The immediate result was, the conquest of a ship of thirty two guns and ninety men. The two brigs, one of fourteen, ano the other of four guns, were also captured. The division of prize money would have made the officers rich, but no division took place, for all but the Saratoga were captured by a seventv-four and several frigates. Lieutenant Barney was furnished with bed and board, on deck, and, with him, bed and board were synonvr mous terms, but he was allowed to choose the softest plank he could find. In England he was confined in prison, from which he escaped, and, after various adventures, arrived at Beverly, INIassa- chusetts, and, as soon as he landed, was offered the command of a privateer of twenty guns. On his arrival at Philadelphia, he accepted the command of one of several vessels, cruising against the enemies' barges, and the refugee boats, that infested the Delaware River and Bay. His ship was the Hyder Ally, a small vessel of sixteen six-pounders. As a superior vessel of the enemy was approaching, Barney directed his stcersn^.an to interpret hid command by the rule of contraries. When the enemy were ranging alongside, Barney crii:d ou;, ^' Hard a-port." The helmsman clapped his helm the other way, and the enemy's ib boom caught in the fore rigging, and held lier 370 COMMODORE BARNEY. in a position to be raked, and never was the operation of raking more suddenly or effectually performed. The British flag came down in less than half an hour, and the captors made little delay for compliments, for a frigate from the enemy was rapidly ap- proaching. The prize was the general Marie, of the Royal Navy, with twenty nine pounders, and one hundred and thirty-six men; nearly double the force and metal of the captors. After the peace. Commodore Barney made a partial settlement in Kentucky, and became a favorite with the old hunters of that pleasant land. He was appointed Clerk of the District Court of Maryland, and also an auctioneer. He also engaged in commerce, when his business led him to Cape Francois during the insurrection, and where he armed his crew, and fought his way, to carry off some specie which he had secreted in barrels of coffee. On his return he was captured by a pirate, which called herself an English privateer. Barney, however, was a bad prisoner, and with a couple of his hands rose upon the buccaneers and captured their ship. In this situation it was no time for Argus himself to sleep, with more than an eye at a time. The Commodore slept only by day in an armed chair on deck, with his sword between his legs, and pistols in his belt, while his cook and boatswain, weK armed, stood the watch at his side. On another occasion, he v/as captured in the West Indies, by an English frigate, where he re- ceived the usual British courtesies, and he was tried in Jamaica for piracy, &c. It is needless to say that, though in an enemy's country, he was acquitted by acclamation. This accusation origi- nated with the commander of the frigate, who, however, prudently kept out of sight; though an officer in the same frigate, expressed at a Coffee House, a desire to meet Barney, without knowing that he was present, that he might have an opportunity to settle accounts with the rascal. The rascal bestowed upon the officer the compliments that were usual on such occasions, and tweaked that part of his head that is so prominent in an elephant. We cannot follow the Commodore through his subsequent for- tunes and adventures, but refer to the book for a more interesting account of them. In France he received the hug fraternal of the President of the Convention, and the commission of Captain of the highest grade in the Navy. He fitted out several vessels of his own to harass the British trade, in which he was very success- ful. He received the command of two frigates, v/hich were al- most totally wrecked in a storm, though he succeeded in saving them In the last war, his services are more immediately in our memories. The Memoir of Commodore Barney, from which vhese particulars are taken, is }.:3t published by Gray andBowen, and it is a v^ uable additior ;3 our naval biography.. — Boston Courier. NAVAI BATTLES. 371 NAVAL BATTLES OF THE UNITED STATES. The depradations committed on American commerce in the Mediterranean, by the piratical corsairs of the Barbary powers, induced Congress, in 1794, to authorise the formation of a naval force for its protection. Four ships of forty-four guns each and two of thirty-six were ordered to be built. Captain Tho3ia3 Truxtox was one of the first six captains appointed by the Presi- dent, at the organization of the naval establishment, in 1794. He was appointed to the command of the Constellation of thirty- six guns, and ordered to protect the commerce of the United States in the West Indies from the ravages of the French. On the ninth of February, 1799, he captured the French frigate Insurgente, of which twenty-nine of the crew v/ere killed and forty-tour wounded. The Constellation had but one man killed and two wounded. In 1800, the Constellation engaged with the French frigate Vengeance of fifty-four guns, near Guadaloupe; but owing to the darkness of the night the latter escaped, after having thrice struck her colors and lost one hundred and sixty men. The same year, the United States frigate Boston captured the French national corvette Le Berceau. In the month of August, 1801, Captain Sterrett of the LTnited States schooner Enterprize, of twelve guns, and ninety men, fell in, off Malta, with a Tripolitan cruiser of fourteen guns, and eighty-five men. In this action the Tripolitans thrice hauled down her colors, and thrice perfidiously renewed the conflict. Fifty of her men were killed and wounded. The Enterprize did not lose a man. Captain Sterrett's instructions not permitting him to make a prize of the cruiser, he ordered her crew to throw overboard all their guns and powder, Stc, and to go and tell their countrymen the treatment they might expect from a nation, deter- mined to pay tribute only in powder and ball. On her arrival at Tripoli- so great was the terror produced, that the sailors aban- doned me cruisers then fitting out. and not a man could be pro- cured to navigate them. The Tripolitan cruisers continuing to harass tlie vessels of the U. States, Congress determined, in 1803, to fit out a fleet that should chastise their insolence. The squadron consisted of the Constitution, 44 guns; the Philadelphia, 44; the Argus, 18; the Siren, 16; the Nautilus, 16; the Vixen, 16; and the Enter i.rize, 14. Commodore Preble was appointed to the command of this Bquadron, in May, 1803, and on the 13th of August, sailed in he Co istitution for ."^Iie IMediterranean. Having adjusied the STi2 NAVAL BATTLES. difficulties which had sprung up with the emperor of Morocco he turned his whole attention to Tripoli. The season was., how ever, too far advanced for active operations. On the 31st of October, the Philadelphia, -being, at nine o'clock in the morning, about five leagues to the westward of Tripoli, discovered a sail in shore, standing before the wind to the east- ward. The Philadelphia immediately gave chase. The sai^ hoisted Tripolitan colors, and continued her course near the shore. The Philadelphia opened a fire upon her, and continued it, till half past eleven; when, being in seven fathoms water, and finding her fire could not prevent the vessel entering Tripoli, she gave up the pursuit. In beating off, she ran on a rock, not laid down in any cliait, distant four and a half miles from the town. A boat was immediately lowered to sound. The greatest depth of water was found to be astern. In order to back her o^F, all sails were then laid aback; the top-gallant-sails loosened; three anchors thrown away from the bows; the water in the hold started; and all the guns thrown overboard, excepting a few abaft tc de- fend the ship against the attacks of the Tripolitan gun-boats, then firing at her. All this, however, proved ineffectual; as did also the attempt to lighten her forward by cutting away her fore- mast. • The Philadelphia had already withstood the attack of the numerous gun-boats for four hours, when a large reinforcement coming out of Tripoli, and being herself deprived of every means of resistance, and defence, she was forced to strike, about sunset The Tripolitans immediataly took possession of her, and made prisoners of the ofhcers and men, in number three hundred. Forty-eight hours afterwards, the wind blowing in shore, the Tri- politans got the frigate off, and towed her into the harbor. On the 14th of December, commodore Preble sailed from Malta, in company with the Enterprize, commanded by lieutenant Stephen Decatur. Yfhen the latter was informed of the loss of the Philadelphia, he immediately formed a plan of recapturing and destroying her, which he proposed to commodore Preble. At first the commodore thought the projected enterprise too hazar- dous; but at length granted his consent. Lieutenant Decatur then selected for the enterprise the ketch Intrepid, lately captured by him. This vessel he manned with seventy volunteers, chiefly of his own crew; and on the 3d of February sailed from Syra- cuse, accompanied by the brig Siren, lieutenant Stewart. After a tempestuous passage of fifteen days, the two vessels ar- lived off the harbor of Tripoli, tov/ards the close of day. It was determined that at ten o'clock in the evening the Intrepid should enter the harbor, accompanied by the boats of the Siren. But a viliange of wind had separated the two vessels six or eight miles. As delav mif^rht prove fatal, lieutenant Decatur entered the liar- bor alone about eight o'clock. The Philadelphia lay within I:alf gun shot of the Bashaw's castle and principal battery. On her iNAVAL BATTLES. ? / ■ itarboard quarter lay two Tripoiitan cruisers within two cables length; and on the starboard bow a number of gun-boats witliir. halt* gun-shot. All her guns were mounted and loaded. Tlirec hours were, in consequence of the lightness of the w^ind, consum- ed in passing three miles, when, being v/ithin two hundred yards of the Philadelphia, they were hailed from her, and ordered to anchor on peril of being fired into. The pilot on boara tlie Intrepid was ordered to reply, that all their anchors were lost The Americans had advanced within fifty yards of the frigate, when the wind died away into a calm. Lieutenant Decatur ordered a rope to be taken out and fastened to the fore chains o- the frigate, which was done, and the Intrepid warped alongside. It was not till then the Tripolitans suspected them to be an enemy; and their confusion in consequence was great. As soon as the vessels were sufhciently near, lieutenant Decatur sprang ork board the frig'ate, and was followed by midshipman Morris. It was a minute before the remainder of the crew succeeded in mounting after them. But the Turks, crowded together on th*:. quarter deck, were in too great consternation to take advantage of thi§ delay. As soon as a sufficient number of Americans gained the di;ck tliey rushed upon the Tripolitans; who were soon over- powered; and about twenty of them wxre killed. After taking possession of the ship, a firing commenced from the Tripolitau batteries and castle, and from tvvo corsairs near the frigate; a number of launches v/ere also seen rowing about in the harbor; whereupon lieutenant Decatur resolved to remain in the frigate, for there he would be enabled to make the best defence. But perceiving that the launches kept at a distance, he ordered the frigate to be set on fire, which was immediately done, and so ef- fectually, that with difliculty was the Intrepid preserved. A favorable breeze at this moment sprang up, which soon carried them out of the harbor. None of the Americans w^ere killed, and oirly four wounded. For this heroic achievement lieutenant Deca .ur was promoted to the rank of post captain. His conmiis- •sion was dated on the day he destroyed the Philadelpliia. After the destruction of the Philadelphia frigate, commodore Preble was, during the spring and early part of the summer, employed in keeping up the blockade of the harbor of Tripoli, in preparing for an attack upon the town, and in cruising. A prize that had been taken was put in commission, and called the Scourge A loan of six gun-boats and two bomb-vessels, com[}letely fitted for service, was obtained from the king of Na[)les. Permission was also given to take twelve or fifteen Neapolitans on board each boat, to servv!; under the AmcFican flag. W'lih this addition to his force, the commodore, on the ^ilst of July, joined the vessels oiY Tripoli. The number of men engag- ^d in the service amounted to one thousand and sixty. On the Tripoiitan castle and batteries, one iiundred and llftoca n2 S74 NAVAL BATTLES. guns were mounted: fiftj-five of which were pieces of heavy ordnance; the ethers long eighteen and twelve pounders. In the harbor were nineteen gun-boats, carrying each a long brass eigh- teen or twenty-four pounder in the bow, and two howitzers abaft: also two schooners of eight guns each, a brig of ten, and two galleys, of four guns each. In addition to the ordinary Turkish garrison, and the crews of the armed yessels, estimated at three thousand, upwards of twenty thousand Arabs had been asseobled for the defence of the city. The weather prevented the squadron from approaching the city until the 28th, when it anchored within two miles and a half of the fortifications; but the wind suddenly shifting^ and increasing to a gale, the commodore was compelled to return. On the 3d of August, he again approached to within two cr three miles of the batteries. Having observed that several of the enemy's boats v/ere stationed without the reef of rocks, covering the entrance of the harbor, he resolved to take advantage of this circumstance. He made signal for the squadron to come w^ithin speaking dis- tance, to communicate to the several commanders his intention of attacking the shipping and batteries. The gun-boats and bomb-ketches were immediately manned, and prepared for action The former were arranged in two divisions of three each At half past one, the squadron stood in for the batteries. At two, the gun-boats were cast off. At half past two, signal was i lade for the bomb-ketches and gun-boats to advance and attack At three quarters past two, the signal was given for a general action It commenced by the bomb-ketches throwing shells into the town A tremendous fire immediately commenced from the enemy's bat- teries and vessels, of at least two hundred guns. It was immedi- ately returned by the American squadron, now within musket-shot of the principal batteries. At this moment, captain Decatur, with the three gun-boats under his command, attacked the enemy's eastern division, consisting of nine gun-boats. He w^as soon in the midst of them. The fire of the cannon and musketry was immediately changed to a desperate- attack with bayonet, spear, sabre, &c. Captain Decatur having grappled a Tripolitan boat, and boarded her with only fifteen Americans; in ten minutes her decks were cleared, and she was captured. Three Americans were wounded. At this moment captain Decatur was informed that the gun-boat commanded by his brother, had engaged and captured a boat belonging to the enemy; but that his brother, as he was stepping on board, was treacherously shot by the Tripolitan commander, who made off with his boat. Captain Decatur immediately pursued the mur derer, who was retreating within the lines; having succeeded m coming along side, he boarded with only eleven men. A doubtful contest of twenty minutes ensued. Decatur immediately attacked the Tripolitan commander, who was armed with a spear and cut- NAVAL BATTLES 376 ass. In parrying the Turk's spear, Decatur broke his sword close to the hilt, and received a slight wound in the right arm and breast; but having seized the spear he closed; and, afler a violent struggle, both fell, Decatur uppermost. The Turk then drew a dagger from his belt; but Decatur caught hold of his arm, drew a pistol from his pocket, and shot him. While they were struggling, the crew of both vessels rushed to the assistance of their commanders. And so desperate had the contest around them been, that it was with difficulty Decatur could extriv^ate himself from the killed and wounded that had fallen .around him. In this affair an American manifested the most heroic courage and attachment to his commander. Decatur, in the struggle, was attacked in the rear by a Tripolitan; who had aimed a blow at his head, which must have proved fatal, had not this generous-minded tar, then dangerously v/ounded and deprived of the use of both his hands, rushed between him and the sabre, the stroke of which he received in his head whereby his scull was fractured. This hero, however survived, and afterwards received a pension from his grateful country. All the Americans but four were wounded Captain Decatur brought both his prizes safe to the American squadron. Two successive attacks were afterwards made upon Tripoli; and the batteries effectually silenced. The humiliation of this barbarous power was of advantage to all nations. The Pope made a pubhc declaration, that, "the United States, though in their infancy, had, in this affair, done more to humble the anti-christian barbarians on that coast, than all the European States had done for a long series of time." Sir Alexander Bail, a distinguished commander in the British navy, addressed his congratulations to commodore Preble. After the junction of the two squadrons, commodore Preblfi obtained leave to return home. This he did with the greater pleas- ure, as it would give the command of a frigate to captain Decatur. On his return to the United States, he was received and treated every where with that distinguished attention, which he had so fully merited. Congress voted him their thanks, and requested the President to present him with an emblematical medal. Our limits will only allow us to glance briefly at a few of the remaining victories of the American navy. A formal declaration of war against Great Britain was passed by Congress on the 18th of June, 1812. On the 19th of August the memorable capture of the British frigate Guerriere by the Constitution under captain Hull, took place. On the 18th of October the British sloop of war Frolic was taken by the Wasp, commanded by captain Jacob Jones; before the latter could escape, however, with her prize, Deing in a very disabled state, she was captured by the British seventy-four, Poictiers. On the 25th of October, the United States under commodore Decatur, fell in with and captured, off S76 NAVAL BATTLES. the Western Isles the British frigate J\Iacedoiiian, mounting forty-nine guns and carrying three hundred and six men. The Macedonian had one hundred and six men killed and wounded: the United States five killed and seven wounded. The victory of the Constitution over the Java followed; and v/as succeeded by that of the Hornet, commanded by Captain Lawrence, over the Peacock. The loss of that brave ofiicer in the subsequent engagement betvv^een the Chesapeake and the Shannon, has been mentioned in a previous notice of his life. On the 1st of Sep- tember, 1813, the British brig Boxer of fourteen guns, was cap tured by the United States brig Enterprize, commanded hy lieutenant William Burrows, who fell in the engagement. We must close our notice of American naval history, by a brief sketch of some of the most interesting cruises and engagements CRUISE OF THE WASP On the 1st of May 1814, the United States sloop of war Wasp, of eighteen guns and one hundred and seventy-three men, cap- tain Blakely commander, sailed from Portsmouth, N. H. on a cruise, and on the 28th of June, in latitude 48. 36, longitude 11. 15, after having made several captures, she fell in with, engag- ed, and after an action of nineteen minutes, captured his Britan- ic majesty's sloop of war Reindeer, William Manners, esquire, commander. The Reindeer mounted sixteen twenty-four pound carronades, two long six or nine pounders, and a shifting twelve pound carronade, with a complement on board of one hundred and eighteen men. She was literally cut to pieces in a line with her ports; her upper works, boats and spare spars were one complete wreck, and a breeze springing up the day after the action, her foremast went by the board; v/hen the prisoners having been taken on board the Wasp, she v/as set on fire and soon blew up. The loss on board the Reindeer v/as twenty-three killed and forty-two wounded, her captain being among the former. On board the Wasp five were killed and twenty-one wounded More than one half of the v/ounded enemy were, inconsequence of the severity and extent of their wounds, put on board a Portu- guese brig and sent to England. — The loss of the Americans, although not as severe as that of the British, v/as owing, in a degree, to the proximity of the two vessels during the action, and the extreme smoothness of the sea, but chiefly in repelling boarders. On the 8th of July, the Wasp put into L'Orient, France, a^lter capturing an additional number of prizes, where she remained until the 27th of August, when she again sailed on a cruise. Or? the 1st of September she fell in with the British sloop of war Avon, of twenty guns, commanded by captain Abuthnot, and after an action of forty-five minutes,^ compelled her to surrender iNAVAL Battles. 377 her crew being nearly all killed and wounded. The guns were then ordered to be secured, and a boat lowered from the ^Vasp in order to take possession of the prize. In the act of lowering the boat, a second enemy's vessel was discovered astern and standing towards the Wasp. Captain Blakely imnaediately ordered his crew to their quarters, prepared every thing for action, and awaited her coming up. In a few minutes after, tvv'o ydditional sail were discovered bearing down upon the Wasp. Captain Blakely stood off with the expectation of drawing the first from its companions; but in this he was disappointed. She continued to approach until she came close to the stern of the Wasp, when ghe hauled by the wind, fired her broadside, (which injured the Wasp but trifling,) and retraced her steps to join her consorts. Captain Blakely was now necessitated to abandon the Avon, which had by this time become a total wreck, and which soon after sunk, the surviving part of her crew having barely time to escape to the other enemy's vessels. On board the Avon forty v/ere killed and sixty wounded. The loss sustained by the Wasp was two killed and one wounded. The Wasp afterwards continued her cruise, making great hav- ock among English merchant vessels and privateers, destroying an immense amount of the enemy's property. From the first of May until the 20tli of September, she had captured fifteen vessels, most of which she destroved. HOIIXET AND PENGUIN. On the 23d of March, 1815, as the Hornet, commanded by captain Biddle, was about to anchor off the north end of the island of Tri-stan d'Acuna, a sail was seen to the southward; which, at forty minutes past one, hoisted English colors, and fired a gun. The Hornet immediately luffed to, hoisted an en- sign, and gave the enemy a broadside. A quick and well directed fire was kept up from the Hornet, the enemy gradually drifting nearer, with an intention, as captain Biddle supposed, to board. The enemy's bowsprit came in between the main and mizen rig- ging on the starl)oard side of the Hornet, giving him an opportu- nity to board, if he had wished, but no attempt was made. There w^as a considerable swell, and as the sea lifted the Hornet ahead, the enemy's bowsprit carried away her mizzen shrouds, stern davits, and spanker booms, and hung upon her larboard quarter At this moment an ofTicer called out that they had surrendered Captain Biddle directed ihe marines to stop firing, and, while asking if they had surrendered, received a wound in the neck. The enemy just then got clear of the Hornet; and his foremast and bowsprit being both gone, and perceiving preparations to give him another broadside, lie no;ain called out that lie had sur- rendered. It was witli great difiiculty that Captain Biddle could 32* ti6 NAVAL BATTLES restain his crew from firing into him again, as it was certain that he had fired into the Hornet after having surrendered. From the firing of the first gun to the last time the enemy cried out that he had surrendered, was exactly twenty-two minutes. The vessel proved to he the British hrig Penguin, of twenty guns, a remarka- bly fine vessel of her class, and one hundred and thirty-two men; twelve of them supernumeraries from the Med way seventy-four,, received on^board in consequence of their being ordered to cruise for the privateer Young Wasp. The Penguin had fourteen killed and twenty-eight wounded. Among the killed was captain Dickenson, who fell at the close of the action. As she was completely riddled, and so crippled as to be incapable of being secured, and being at a great distance from the United States, Captain Biddle ordered her to be scuttled and sunk. The Hornet did not receive a single round shot in her hull; and though much cut in her sails and rigging, was soon m.ade ready for further service. Her loss was one killed and eleven wounded. ALGERINE WAR. Immediately after the ratification of peace with great Britain, in February 1815, Congress, in consequence of the hostile con- duct of the regency of Algiers, declared war against that power. A squadron was immediately fitted out, under the command of commodore Decatur, consisting of the Guerriere, Constellation, and Macedonian frigates, the Ontario and Epervier sloops of war, and the schooners Spark, Spitfire, Torch, and Flambeau. Anoth- er squadron, under commodore Bainbridge, was to follow this armament, on the arrival of which, it was understood, commodore Decatur would return to the United States in a single vessel, leaving the command of the whole combined force to commodore Bainbridge. The force under commodore Decatur rendezvoused at New York, from v/hich port they sailed the 20th day of May, 1815, and arrived in the Bay of Gibraltar in twenty-five days, after having previously communicated with Cadiz and Tangier. In the passage, the Spitfire, Torch, Firefly, and Ontario, separated at different times from the squadron in gales, but all joined again at Gibraltar, with the exception of the Firefly, which sprung her masts, and put back to New York to refit. Having learned at Gibraltar that the Algerine squadron, which had been out into the Atlantic, had undoubtedly passed up the straits, and that informa- tion of the arrival of the American force had been sent to Algiers by persons in Gibraltar, commodore Decatur determined to pro- ceed without delay up the Mediterranean, in the hope of inter-* cepting the enemy before he could return to Algiers, or gain a neutral port. NAVAL BATTLES. 379 The nth of June, off Cape de Gatt, he fell in with and captur- ed the Algerine frigate Mazouda, in a running fight of twenty- five minutes. After two broadsides the Algerines ran below. The Guerriere had four men wounded by musketry — the Algerines about thirty killed, according to the statement of the prisoners, who amounted to four hundred and six. In this affair the famous Algerine admiral, or Rais, Hammida, who had long been the ter- ror of this sea, was cut in two by a cannon shot. On the 19th of June, off cape Palos, the squadron fell in with and captured an Algerine brig of twenty-two guns. The brig was chased close to the shore, where she was followed by the Epervier, Spark, Torch, and Spitfire, to whom she surrendered, after losing twenty- three men. No Americans were either killed or wounded. The captured brig, with most of the prisoners on beard, was sent into Carthagena. From cape Palos, the American squadron proceed- ed to Algiers, where it arrived the 28th of June. The treaty which captain Decatur finally succeeded in negotia- ting with the Dey, was highly favorable. The principal articles were, that no tribute under any pretext or in any form whatever, should ever be required by Algiers from the United States of America — that all American* in slavery should be given up with- out ransom — that compensation should be tnade for American vessels captured, or property seized or detained at Algiers — that the persons and property of American citizens found on board an enemy's vessel should be sacred — that vessels of either party putting into port should be supplied with provisions at market price, and, if necessary to be repaired, should land their cargoes without paying duty — that if a vessel belonging to either party should be cast on shore, she should not be given up to plunder — ■ or if attacked by an enemy within cannon shot of a fort, should be protected, and no enemy be permitted to follow her when she went to sea within twenty-four hours. In general, the rights of jfmericans on the ocean and land, were fully provided for in every in-stance, and it was particularly stipulated that all citizens of the United States taken in war, should be treated as prisoners of war are treated by other nations, and not as slaves, but held subjoct to an exchange without ransom. After concluding this treaty, so highly honorable and advantageous to this country, the commis- sioners gave up the captured frigate and brig, to their former owners. Commodore Decatur despatched captain Lewis in the Eper- vier, bearing the treaty to the United States, and leaving JMr Shaler at Algiers, as consul-general to the Barbary states, pro- ceeded with the rest of the squadron to Tunis, with the exception of two schooners under captain Gamble, sent to convoy the Algerine vessels home from Carthagena. Having obtained from the bashaw of Tunis a full restoration in money, for certain out- rages which had been sustained by American citizens the squad- 380 NAVAL BATTLES ron proceeded to Tripoli, where commodore Decatur made a similar demand for a similar violation of the treaty siibsistincr between the United States and the bashaw, who had permitted two American vessels to be taken from under the guns of his castle by a British sloop of war, and refused protection to an American cruiser lying within his jurisdiction. Restitution of the full value of these vessels was. demanded, and the money amounting to twenty-five thousand dollars, paid by the bashaw into the hands of the American consul. After the conclusion of this aOliir, the American consular fiag, which Mr. Jones, the consul, had struck, in consequence of the violation of neutrality above mentioned, was hoisted in the presence of the foreign agents, and saluted from the castle with thirty-one guns. In ad- dition to the satisfaction thus obtained, for unprovoked aggres- sions, the commodore had the pleasure of obtaining the release of ten captives, two Danes, and eight Neapolitans, the latter of whom he landed at JMessina View of Uosion. After touching at Messina and Naples, the squadron sailed for Carthagcna on the 31st of August, where commodore Decatur was in expectation of meeting the relief squadron, under commo- dore Bainbridge. On joining that officer at Gibraltar, he relin- quished his command, and sailed in the Guerriere for the United States, where he arrived on the I2th of November, 1815. Every thing being done previous to the arrival of the second division of the squadron, under commodore Bainbridge, that gallant officer had no opportunity of distinguishing himself Pu'rsuant to his TilE AMERICAN FLAG 38^ instructions lie exhibited this additional force before Algieis, Tunis, and Tripoli, where they were somewhat surprised at the appearance of the Independence seventy-four. Commodore* Bainbridge sailed from Gibraltar thirty-six hours before the Guerriere, and arrived at Boston the 15th of November THE AMERICAN FLAG. 1 When Freedom from her mountain heigiit, 1 Unfurled her standard to the air, I She tore the azure robe of night, ~| And set the stars of glory there ; ; Slie mingled with the gorgeous dyes | The milky baldric of the skies, ; And striped its pure celestial white, j With streakings of the morning hght; j Then, from his mansion in the sun, •' She called her eagle-bearer down, And gave into his m^ghtj^ hand ^ The s3'mbol of lier chosen Land. ^ -j Majestic monarch of the cloud, - I Who rearest aloft thy regal form >' To hear the tempest trumping loud, i And see the lightning lances driven, When stride the warriors of the stona ^ And rolls the thunder drum of heaven, — ^ Child of the Sun, to thee 't is given, i To guard the banner of the free ;- To hover in the sulphur smoke, •] To ward away the battle stroke, J And bid its blendings shine afar, Like rainbows on the cloud of war, i The harbinger of victory. Flag of the brave, thy folds shall fly, ! The sign of hope and triufnph, hign. ; When^peaks the signal trumpet-tone, And the lonix line comes gleaming on, j (Ere yet the life-blood, warm and wet, ' ]ias dimmed the glistening bayonet.) ! Each soldier's eye shall brightly turn ! To where thy meteor-glories burn, \ And. as his springing steps advance Catch war and vengeance from the glance * And, when the cannon-mouthincrs loud Heave, in wild wreaths, the battle shroud, ' And gory sabres rise and fall, j Like shoots of flaine on midnight's pall ! i There shall thy victor glances glow, ^ j And cowering foes shall sink beneath j Each gallant arm that strikes below j That lovely messenger of deatli. j S82 CAPTAIN PARRY Flag of the seas, on ocean's wave Thy stars shall glitter o'er the brave, When death, careering on the gale, Sweeps darkly round the bellied sail, And frightened waves rush wildly back Before the broad-side's reeling rack, The dying wanderer of the sea Shall look at once to heaven and thee, And smile to see thy splendors fly, In triumph, o'er his closing eye. Flag of the free hearts' only home, By angel-hands to valor given. Thy stars have lit the welkin dome, And all thy hues were born in heaven. Forever float that standard sheet ! Where breathes the foe, but falls before us, With freedom's soil beneath our feet. And Freedom's banner streaming o'er us? CAPTAIN PARRY'S FIRST VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY. On the 16th of January, 1819, Lieutenant Parry was appointed to the command of his Majesty's ship Hecla, a bomb of three hundred and seventy-five tons; and the Griper, gun brig, one hundred and eighty tons, commissioned by Lieutenant Matthew Liddon, was at the same time directed to put herself under his orders. The object of the expedition was to discover a north west passage into the Pacific. Every individual engaged in the expedition was to receive double pay. They took in provisions for two years, and also a supply of fresh meats and soups preserved in tin cases, essence of malt and hops, and other stores adapted to cold climates and a long voyage. The ships were ballasted entirely with coals, and the men were supplied with an abundance of warm clothing. Captain Parry was to pass, if possible, through Lancaster's Sound to Behring's Strait. If he succeeded, he was to proceed to Kamtschatka and return to England round Cape Horn. Other instructions were given, but much was left to his own discretion. He sailed in the beginning of May, and proceeded up the straits of Davis, where he found the ice close packed. As he was making his way towards the western shore, on the 25th of Jjne, the ice closed round the ships and arrested their progress. Here the ice was so close,- that the whales could not descend in the usual way, but were obliged to go down tail first, much to the amusement of he Greenland sailors. Their situation during the 28th vms vcrj CAPTAIN TARRY. 303 jiipleasant, and would have been dangerous to ships built in the ordinary way. Each roll of the sea forced the heavy masses of ice against the rudder and counter \vith great violence; but being so well strengthened, they escaped without damage. While in this state, a large white bear approached the Griper, attracted by the smell of some red herrings, which the men were frying at the time. They killed him, but he sunk between the pieces of ice, and they were unable to obtain him. On the 30th, the ice began to slacken a little about the ships, and after two hour's heaving, they succeeded in moving the Hecla about her own length to the eastward; and the ice continuing open after eight hours' incessant labor, they hauled both ships into open water. Captain Parry having failed in his first attempt to approach the western shore, came to the determination of trying to effect this object, about the latitude of mount Raleigh, which forms one side of the narrowest part of Davis's Strait. They kept on during the 1st and 2d of July, without finding any opening. On the third day, the wind having shifted to the south-west, another large chain of icebergs was seen to the northward. They could find no bot- tom near these icebergs with one hundred and ten fathom of line. At four A. M. on the 4th, they came to a quantity of loose ico floating among the bergs. The breeze blew lightly from the southward, and wishing to avoid going to the eastward, they push- ed the Hecla into the ice, in hopes of being able to make way through it. But it immediately fell calm and the ship becoming perfectly unmanageable, was for some time at the mercy of the swell, which drifted her fast towards the bergs. The Griper's signal was made not to enter the ice, and after two hours' hard pulling, they succeeded in getting the Hecla clear of the icebergs, which it is very dangerous to approach whenever there is a swell. The ice was now so close that they found it impossible to pro- ceed further westward; and they made the best way they coukl, by beating to the northward, until the 10th, when a thick fog came on, which made it necessary to use great caution in sailing to avoid the icebergs. The reflection of light, however, is so strong from these vast bodies of ice, that in the thickest fog they can be seen at a suflicient distance to enable the navigator, if in smooth water, to keep clear of them. The people succeeded in killing a large bear, which was seen near them on a piece of ice and towed it on board. These animals sink immediately on being wounded, and to secure them, it is necessary to throw a rope over the neck, at which the Greenland seamen are very expert. After encounter- ing many difficulties from the tenacity of the ice, on the 21st Captain Parry reached latitude 73^^. As he was unwilling to in- crease his distance from Lancaster's Sound, he determined to enter the ice here. He accordingly ran in among the floes, ar^d on the evening of the 22d, the ships were so beset, that no open water could be seen from the mast-head. The v/eather being CAPTAIN PARRY clear on the next day, and a few narrow lanes of water appearing to the westward, they proceeded to warp the ships through the ice. At eight P. M., they had advanced four miles to westward, and having come to the end of clear water, they secured the ships in a deep bight, or bay in a floe, called by the sailors, natural dock! On the next day, a boat was sent to try to find a lane of clear water leading to the westward. She returned Vifithout success, and the weather was so foggy, that it was with difficulty she found her way back to the ships by means of muskets and other signals. On Tuesday 27th, the clear water had made so much to the westward, that a narrow neck of ice was all that separated the ships from a large open space in that quarter. The men were just ordered out to saw off the neck, when the floes suddenly opened, and allowed the Griper to push through under all sail. Although they lost no time in attempting to get the Hecla through after her, yet before they could effect it, the passage was completely blocked up by a piece of floating ice, which was drawn after the Griper, by the eddy produced in her motion. Before they could haul it out of the channel, the floes pressed together and wedged it immovea- bly, and although the saws were used with great effect, it was not until after seven hours' labor, that they succeeded in getting the Hecla into the lanes of clear water, which opened towards the westward. They now perceived with pleasure, a pitching motion of the vessel, which, from the closeness of the ice, does not often occur in those regions, as a sure indication of an open sea. The wind breezing up by one o'clock P. M., the ice had all disappear- ed, and the sea was free from obstructions of any kind. Here they found the whales so numerous, that no less than eighty-two are mentioned in this day's log. It is commonly thought by the Greenland fishermen, that the presence of ice is necessary to in- sure the finding of whales; but no ice v/as seen this day, when they were most numerous. At half past five P. M., the high land about Possession bay came in sight. Lancaster's Sound was now open to the westward, and the experience of a former voyage had given Captain Parry reason to believe that the two best months for the navigation of those seas were yet to come. This, together with the magnificent view of the lofty Byaur Martin Mountains, which recalled forcibly to his mind the events of the preceding year, animated him with expectation and hope. On the 31st, they anchored in Possession bay, and discovered a flag staff which had been erected on the former expedition. The only animals found here were a fox, a raven, some ring plovers, snow-buntings, and t wild bee. Several tracks of bears and reindeers were also seen upon the moist ground. Three black whales were seen in the bay, and the crown bones of several others were lying near the beach. The tide rises here about eight feet, and the flood seems to come from the northwest. On the first of August, Captain Parry finding that the Griper CAPTAIN PARKt. 383 could not keep up with the Hecla, determined to leave her. He appointed the middle of Lancaster Sound as a place of rendezvous, and crowding all sail on the Hecla, he came towards evening in sight of tlie northern shore of the sound; and the uzit day had a clear view of both sides of it Having run due west nearly out of sight of Uie Griper, the^ Hecla hove to for her to come up in longitude 83"^ 12' west from Greenwich, there being not the slightest appearance of land to the westward. The only ice met consisted of a few large bergs, much worn by the washing of the sea. Whales were seen, and the wind increased so that the ^op-gallant-yards were taken in On the 4th, Lieutenant Beechy discovered, from the crow's nest, breakers to the northward They sounded, and found bottom with forty-five fathoms of line. The Griper coming up, the vessels bore away to the westward. The sea was here so clear of ice, that they began to flatter themselves, that they had indeed entered the Polar Sea. Their vexation was therefore extreme, when, towards evening, land was seen ahead. At eight P. M., they came to a stream of ice extending several miles in a direction parallel to their course; and after sailing for two hours along the edge of the ice, they found it proceeded from a compact body of floes, which completely cut off" their passage. The weather iiere was calm and foggy, and the men amused themselves in pursu- ing white v/hales, which were swmiming about the ships in great numbers. liuL these animals were so wary, that they seldom suf- fered the boats to approach within thirty or forty yards of them, without diving. They also saw for the first time, one or two shoals of nar-whales, called by the sailors sea-unicorns. Finding that the sound or strait was closed, excepting in one place to the southward, to this opening they directed their course. They had sailed but a few hours, however, when it fell calm; n'-d the Griper, having spread both her top-masts, advantage w;v tu.vcxi of the calm weather to shift them. The Hecla's boats were at the same time employed in bringing aboard ice to be used as water. Berge-ice is preferred for this purpose, but that of floes which is in fact the ice of sea water, is also used. One of the boats was upset by the fall of a mass of ice, but fortunately no injury was sustained. A breeze springing up from the north-north-west, they made sail and stood to the southward. After sailing a short time they discovered that they were entering a large inlet about ten leagues wide at its mouth, and n the centre of which, no land could be distinguished. The western shore was so encumbered with ice, that it was impossible to sail near it. They therefore ran along between the ice and the eastern shore, where there was a broad channel, with the intention of seeking a lower latitude or a clearer passage to the westward. Since they had first entered Lancaster's Sound, the sluggishness of the compasses, and the irregularity produced by the attraction of the ship's iron, had been 33 386 CAPTAIN PARRY* found to increase rapidly as they proceeded to the westward The irregularity increased as they advanced to the southward which rendered it not improbable that they were approaching the magnetic pole. The compasses therefore were no longer fit for the purposes of navigation, and the binacles were remv*ved as useless lumber into the carpenter's store-room, where they renmin- ed during the rest of the season. Being desirous of obtaining all the magnetic observations they were able, on a spot which appear- ed so full of interest in this department of science, two boats were dispatched from each ship to the nearest eastern shore, under the command of Lieutenant Beechy and Hoppner, who, togethei with Captain Sabine, ¥/ere directed to make the necessary obser- vations. As soon as the boats returned, the ships hove to li.e southward, along the edge of the ice, and by midnight the channcj) v/as narrowed to about five miles. Th-ey could find no soundings; the weather w^as serene and the sun for the second time that sea- son just dipped below the northern horizon, and reappeared a iev» moments after. They had hoped to find a passage to tha south of the ice, especially as the inlet widened considerably as they advanced in that direction; but on the morning of the 8th, they perceived that the ice ran close in with a point of larid. vv^hich seemed to forrn the southern extremity of the eastern shore. Thf prospect from the crov/'s nest began to assume a very unpromising appearance. The whole western horizon from north round to south by east, being completely covered with ice, beyond which no indication of water was visible. Captain Parry therefore de- termined, as the season v/as fast advancing, to return immediate- ly to the northward, in the hope of finding the channel between Prince Leopold's Isles and Maxwell Bay, more open than when they left it, in which there could be little doubt of effecting a passage to the v/estward. They had sailed to the southvv^ard io this inlet about one hundred and twenty miles, Cape Kater being by the observations in latitude Tl"" 53' 30" longitude 90- 03' 45''. They returned to the northward with a light but favorable breeze. On the 10th, the weather was thick with snow, which was succeeded by rain and fog. The ships moored to a floe, but when the v/eather cleared, they found th^nnselves drifting with the floe upon another body of ice to leewaiu. They therefore cast ofl^and beat to the northward, which was very difficult to do, on account of the drift ice with which the whole inlet was nov/ cover- -fid. Although several days v/cre thus passed in contending with fogs, head winds, and all the difficulties of arctic navigation, y^t neither oflicers nor crews lost health or spirits. They repined not at the dangers and difliculties of their situation, but because the accomplishment of their hopes was dciaycd. A light southern breeze enabled then* to steer towards Prince Leopold's Isles, which they found more encumbered with ice than before. IIple did not differ from the Esquimaux last seen, but their behavio * was far less offensive. On the first of August, the ships k ^pt on westward between Nottingham Island and the north she;.e, which is fringed with small islands. This channel is about tu^^lve miles wide. In the course of the morning, some Esquimaux came to the ships from the main land, bringing gil, skin dresses, r.nd walrus's tusks, which they exchanged for any trifle that was I'Fv^red. They also offer- ed toys for sale, such as models of cano5.\ weapons, &,c. Here, for the first time, the navigators saw the dresses of the savages lined with the skins of birds, having the i^^thers inside. Having run forty miles in the night n' thout seeing any ice, they came the next morning to a pack so cV>se as to prevent their farther progress. The ships received verj^ hsavy blows, and with* considerable difficulty got clear of it. Th^" ran along the edge several miles to the northward, in searcl? o[ an opening; but fmding none, they stood back to the southw^.hA^ to tr}^ what could be done in that quarter. The expedition being now about to enter n •.'a!? ground hitherto unexplored, it became necessary for Captain 3:'; rry to decide on the route he should pursue with most advantage, and after mature deliberation, he came to the resolution to attemj \ i\ direct passage of the Frozen Strait, though he greatly feared V.y^ loss of time that would be the consequence of a failure. After contending with the ice for several days, Ci the 11th, the ship succeeded in getting to the northern land, anr\ a party of the officers landed upon a small rock, or islet, a mile ait^ :\ half from the shore. Soon after the party returned on board, a fresh giV^ f om the north compelled them to make the ships fast to the i vgest floe near, in order not to lose much ground. The gale moderated about noon, and they cast off from the floe and made saiL They made considerable progress till evening, when the ice closed round them again. After sunset on the I3th, they descri^^ land to the vvestvvard, which they believed to be a part of the coi:t\A^nt. Yet they continued closely beset, and on the 15th the I^ ^-rla drifted back with the ice, out of sight of her consort. This v^a uartly owing to the extraordinary refraction upon the horiz^ ^ i. ATTAIN PARRY. 401 which apparently diminished and distorted objects, at no great dis- tance, in a wonderful manner. On tlie next day, however, tho Hecla hove in sight, and upon which the Fury set sail and beat through the channel. On the morning of the 17th, the weather being too i^oggy to move, parties from both ships went on shore, to examine tho country, and to procure specimens of its natural productions. As soon as t.ie weather cleared up, they returned on board, and sailed to the northeast, where alone they had any chance of find- ing an outlet. Having ascertained the continuity of land round this inlet, they gave it the name of Duke of York's Bay. It was now certain that the object of the expedition could not be effected in that direction; and they therefore sailed back, through tne narrow channel by which they had entered, with the intention of seeking an opening farther north, without delay. It would be tedious to tell of every obstacle, that hindered or delayed the ships. They pursued their intended course along the shore, when the wind and weather permitted; and when unavoid- ably detained, they landed. Among other places, they landed at Repulse Bay, in latitude 66"^ 30 min. and longitude 86^ 30 min. From all indications, the water through which they had been sail- ing, was the imperfectly known Frozen Strait; and Captain Parry resolved to keep along the land to the northward, and examine every bend or inlet, which might appear likely to aflbrd a practi- cable passage to the westvv'ard. Sailing on the 23d along the northern shore of Frozen Stroit, it was observed that the land appeared in one place to consist of islands only, behind which no land was visible. This part of t!ie coast appeared to Captain Parry so favorable to the accomplish- ment of his enterprise, that he resolved to examine it more closely. Having beat up to the mouth of an opening that scenied practicable, he found the greater part of the channel filled wilh a body of ice, rendering examination in ships or boats im-possiblc. The only means, therefore, of exploring it were^ to despatch a party by land. Captain Lyon undertook this service, accompa- nied by five persons, furnished with a tent and four days' provision. The ships were anchored to await his return a mile from the shore. The flood tide came out of this inlet, a circumstance that materially strengthened their hopes of success. Captain Lyon first landed on an island, and then crossed a strait to a steep point. Thence proceeding northward to a high hill, he found the strait continuous, and returned to the ships. On this short journey, he passed the remains of a great many Esquimaux habitations. Tlie result of Captain Lyon's excursion was to convince all concerned, that a communication existed here between Frozen Strait and a sea to the northward and eastward of it, and Captain Parry determined to explore it as far as pos- sible 34* 40^2 CAPTAIN PARRY After drifting about some time in the ue, and more than or.cIr. Fiohnan, the gunner, had been actively employed forming musket-car- tridges; and by melting down some pewter basins and jugs, with a small quantity of lead lately obtained from the wreck, balls were cast in clay moulds, increasing not a little our confidence and se- curity. A quart of water each had been our daily allowance froro 118 THE LOSS OF THE ALCESTE. the well hitherto; and on this day a second was completed near the foot of the hill in another direction, which not only supplied clearer water, but in greater plenty; and we could now, without restriction, indulge in the luxury of a long drink — not caring even to excite thirst, in order to enjoy that luxury in a higher perfec- tion. ''On Tuesday, (25th,) the boats made their usual trip; soms more cases of wine, and a few boarding-pikes, were obtained, both excellent articles in their way, in the hands of men who are inclined to entertain either their friends or their foes. On shore we were employed completing the paths to the wells, and felling trees which intercepted our view of the sea. '' Wednesday (26th,) at daylight, tv/o of the pirate proas, with each a canoe astern, were discovered close in with the cove where our boats v/ere moored. Lieutenant Hay, (a straight-forward sort of a fellow,) who had the guard that night at the boats, and of course slept in them, immediately dashed at the Malays with the barge, cutter, and gig. On perceiving this, they cut adrift their canoes, and made ail sail, chased by our boats. They rather distanced the cutter and gig, but the barge gained upon them. On closing, the Malays evinced every sign of defiance, placing themselves in the most threatening attitudes, and firing their swivels at the barge. This was returned by Mr. Hay with the only mus- ket he had in the boat; and, as they closed nearer, the Malays commenced throwing their javelins and darts, several falling into the barge, but without wounding any of the men. Soon after they were grappled by our fellows, when three of them having been shot, and a fourth knocked down with the but-end of the musket, five more jumped overboard and drowned themselves, (evidently disdaining quarter,) and two were taken prisoners, one of whom was severely wounded. This close style of fighting is termed by seamen ^nan-handling an enemy. '' The Malays had taken some measures to sink their proa, for she went down almost immediately. Nothing could exceed the des perate ferocity of these people. One who had been shot through the body, but who was not quite dead, on being removed into the barge, with a view of saving him, (as his own vessel was sinking,) furiously grasped a cutlass which came within his reach; and it was not without a struggle wrenched from his hand; he died in a few minutes. The consort of this proa, firing a parting shot, bore up round the north end of the island and escaped. Their canoes'* (which we found very useful to us,) were also brought ok * " During the time the borits were al)sent in chase, Mr. Fisher, anxious to secure one of thfj canoes, which was flril'ting past with the current, swatn out towards it. When within. a Bhort distance of his object, an enormous shark was seen hovering near him, crossin^r and recrnssinu, as tliey are sometimes observed to do before making a seizure. To have called out miglit p!()!)3bly have unnerved him, (for he was unconscious of his situation;) and it waa resolved to hit him pn^ceed witliout reaiark to the canoe, which was the nearest point of security. Happily he succeeded in geliinj; safely into itj whilst the shark, by his too long delay, loal a very wholesome breakfast." THE LOSS OF THE ALCESTE 413 Bhore, containing several articles of plunder from the ship. Tiie^^ appeared to be the two identical proas which set fire to lior. The prisone--rs, (the one rather elderly, the other young,) when brought on shore, seemed to have no hope of being permitted to live, and sullenly awaited their fate: but, on the wounds of the younger being dressed, the hands of the other untied, and food oiFered to them, with other marks of kindness, they became more cheerful, and appeared especially gratified a.t seeing one of their dead companions, who had been brought on shore, decently buried. " The Malays are a people of very unprepossessing aspect; their bodies of a deep bronze color; their black teeth and reddened lips, (from chewing the beetle-nut and siri,) their gaping nostrils, and lank clotted hair hanging about their shoulders and over their scowling countenances, give them altogether a liendlike and murderous look. They are likewise an unjoyous race, and seldom smile. *' The state of one of the wounds received by the Malay, (his knee joint being penetrated, and the bones much injured,) would nave justified, more particularly in this kind of field practice, amputation; but, on consideration that it would be impossible to convince him of this being done with the intention of benefitting him, and might have the appearance of torture, vvhich it was not improbable might suggest the idea of a;nputation and other opera- tions to them, in the event of any or all of us falling into their hands, it was determined to try the efiect of a good constitution, and careful attention. A little vvigwani was built, and a blanket and other comforts given to him, his comrade being appointed his cook and attendant. They refused at first the provisions we ofi'er- ed them; but, on giving them some rice to prepare in their own way, they seemed satisfied. Never expecting quarter when over- powered in their piratical attempts, ai^d having been generally tortured when taken alive, may accouut for the others drovv'ning themselves. ^ In the forenoon, immediately after this rencounter, fourteen proas and smaller boats appeared standing across from the Banca Bide; and soon after they anchored behind Pulo Chalacca. Sev- eral of their people landed, and carrying up some bundles on their shoulders, left tliem in the wood, and returned for more. We had some hope from the direction in which they first appeared, as well as their anchoring at that spot, (the rendezvous agreed upon at the departure of Lord Amherst,) that they might have been sent from Batavia to our relief '* The small flag, belonging to the embassy, was brouglit tiov/n and displayed on the look-out rock ; the strangers each immediately hois.ed some flag at their mast-heads. Anxious to know stili more about them, Mr. Sykes was allowed to advance with the union-jack, accompanied by some more of the young gentlemen, along the strand, to a considerable distance; and soon after some ^0 TPIB LOSS OF THE ALCESTE, of their party, with a flag, set off to meet them. As they mutually approached, the Malays dropped a little in the rear of their flag- bearer, and laid down their arms; ours also fell astern, and the two ancients, (or color men.) wading into a creek which separa- ted them, cautiously met each other. The Malay salamed a good deal; many fine Yorkshire bowa were made on the other side; shaking hands was the next ceremony, and then, joining flags, they walked up arm and arm to the place where the Captain and several others were stationed. Satisfied now that they must be friends sent to our assistance, they were welcomed v/ith cheers, and every countenance was gladdened. But our joy was of short duration; for although their flag vvas laid submissively at the Captain's feet, and all v/ere sufhciently civil in their deportment, yet they turned out to be mere wanderers, employed in gathering a sort of seaweed, found on the coast of these (but in still greater abundance among the Pelew) islands, said by some to be an article of commeiTe with the Chinese epicures, who use it like the bird- nests in their soups. All this was made out chiefly by signs, ad- ded to a few Malay words which some understood. '* Mr. Hay, with his division armed, proceeded down to their anchorage, himself and some other officers going on board with their Rajah, as they styled him, who expressed a great desire to see the Captain on board, and sent him a present of a piece of fish and some cocoa-nut milk. During the night many schemes were proposed as to the best mode of negotiating with these peo- ple. Some thought that, by the hope of reward, they might be induced to carry part of us to Java, and our four remaining boats would then be equal to the conveyance of the rest. Others, ad- verting to the treacherous conduct of the Malays, and the great temptation to murder us when in their power, from that sort of property still in our possession, and to them of great value, con- sidered it safest to seize upon and disarm them, carrying ourselves to Batavia^ and then most amply to remunerate them for any in- convenience they might have sustained from being pressed into the service. ** The morning of Thursday, the 27th, however, perfectly re- lieved us from any further discussion on the subject, the Rajah and his suite having proceeded to plunder the wreck, which by this time they had espied. It is probable they were not certain of our real situation on the first evening, but might have supposed, from seeing the uniforms, colors, and other military appearance, that some settlement, as at jMinto, in the island of Banca, had been established there ; and this may also account for their civility in the first instance; for, from the moment their harpy-like spirit was excited by the wreck, and they saw our real condition, there were no more offerings offish or of cocoa-nut milk. *' To have sent the boats openly to attack them was judged im- politic; i would only have driven them off for a moment, and put THE LOSS OF THE ALCESTE. 42l them on their guard against surprise by night, should it be thought necessary in a day or two to do scr. They could deprive us of little; for the copper bolts and iron work, which they were now most interested about, were not to us of material importance. ** We had the day before moved the boats into another cove, more out of sight, from the overspreading branches of the trees, and safer in case of attack, being commanded by two strong little forts, one having a rude draw-bridge, erected on the rocks imme- diately above it, and wattled in, where an officer and piquet were nightly placed; and a new serpentine path was cut down to this inlet, communicating with our main position aloft. *' On Friday, the 28th, the Malays were still em.^loyed on the wreck. A boat approached us in the forenoon; but, on the gig going out to meet it, they refused to correspond, a.id returned to their party. No relief having appeared from Batavia, and the period being elapsed at which, as was now thought, w^^ had reason to expect it, measures were taken, by repairing the launch and constructing a fine raft, to give us additional powers of transport- ing ourselves from our present abode, before our stock of provi- sions was entirely exhausted. *' On Saturday, the first of March, the Malays acquired a great accession of strength, by the arrival of fourteen more proas from th^ northward, probably of the old party, who joined in breaking up the remains of the wreck. ** At daylight, on Sunday the 2d, still greater force having join- ed them during the night, the pirates, leaving a number at work on the wreck, advanced with upwards of twenty of their heaviest vessels towards our landing place; fired one of their patereroes; beat their gongs, and, making a hideous yelling noise, they an- chored in* a line about a cable's length from our cove. We were instantly under arms, the party covering the boats strengthened, and scouts sent out to watch their motions, as some of their boats had gone up the creek, at the back of our position, and to beat about, lest any should be lying in ambush from the land. About this time the old ]\Ialay prisoner, who was under charge of sentries at the w^ell, and who had been incautiously trusted by them to cut some wood for the fire, hearing the howling of his tribe, left his wounded comrade to siiift for himself, ran ofi'into the wood, and escaped, carrying with him his hatchet. Finding, after waiting a short time in this state of preparation, that they made no attempt to land, an officer was sent a little outside the cove in a canoe, waving in a friendly manner, to try how they would act. After some deliberation, one of their boats, with several men armed with creeses, or their crooked daggers, approached; here, as usual, little could be made out, except a display of their maraud- ing spirit, by taking a fancy to the shirt and trousers of one of the voung gentlemen in the canoe; but, on his refusing to give them ip, they used no force. A22 THE LOSS OF THE ALCESTE. •' A letter was now written, and addressed to the chief authority at Minto, a small settlement on the north-west point of Banca, stating the sitaation in which we were placed, and requesting him to forward, if in his power, one or two small vessels to us, with a little bread and salt provisions, and some ammunition. Again the officer went out in the canoe, and was again met by the Malay boat. This letter was given to them, the word Minto repeated Iv pronounced; which they seemed to understand, the directiora pointed out, and signs made that on their return v/ith an answer they should be rewarded with abundance of dollars, showing them one as a specimen. This was done more to try them, than with any hope of their performing the servive; for, although a boat went down to Pulo Chalacca, where they appeared to have some- body in superior authority, yet none took the direction of Banca. Meantime their force rapidJy increased, their proas and boats of different sizes amounting to fifty. The larger had from sixteen to twenty men, the smaller about seven or eight; so that, averaging them at the lowest, ten each, they had fully five hundred men. The wreck seemed now nearly exhausted, and appeared to be a very secondary object, knowing the chief booty must be in our possession; and they blockaded us with increased rigor, drav/ing closer into the cove, more especially at high water, fearful lest our boats, being afloat at that period, should push out and escapj them. In the afternoon some of the Rajah's people, whom we at first considered our friends, made their appearance, as if seeking a parley; and on communicating with them, gave us to under- stand by signs, and as many words as could be made out, that all the Malays, except their party, were extremely hostile to us; that it was their determination to attack us that night, and urging also that some of their people should sleep up the hill, in order to pro- tect us. Their former conduct and present connexions displayed so evidently the treachery of this offer, that it is needless to say that it was rejected; giving them to understand we could trust to ourselves. They immediately returned to their gang, who cer- tainly assumed a most menacing attitude. In the evening, when the officers and men were assembled as usual under arms, in order to inspect them, and settle the watches for the night, the Captain spoke to them with much animation, almost verbatim as follows; " ' My lads, you must all have observed this day, as well as my- self, the great increase of the enemy's force — for enemies we must now consider them — and the threatening posture they have assum- ed. I have, on various grounds, strong reason to believe they will attack us this night. I do not wish to conceal our real state, be- cause I think there is not a man here who is afraid to face any sort of danger. We are now strongly fenced in, and our position is in all respects so good, that, armed as we are, we ought to make a formidable defence against even regular troops; what, then, would be thought of us if v/e allowed ourselves to bo ttirprised THE LOSS OF THE ALCESTE. 4^3 by a set of naked savages, with their spears and creeses? It is true they have swivels in their boats, but they cannot act here; 1 have not observed that they have any matchlocks or muskets; but if they have, so have we. I do not wish to deceive you as to the means of resistance in our power. When we were first thrown to- gether on shore, we were almost defenceless; only seventy-five ball cartridges could be mustered; we have now sixteen hundred. They cannot, I believe, send up more than five hundred men; but with two hundred such as now stand around me, I do not fear a thousand, nay, fifteen hundred of them. I have the fullest conii- dence we shall beat them; the pikemen standing firm, we can give them such a volley of musketry as they will be litlle prepar- ed for; and when we find they are thrown into coniusion, we vrill sally out among them, chase them into the water, and ten to one but we secure their vessels. Let every man, therefore, be on the alert, with his arms in his hands, and should these barbarians this night attempt our hill, I trust we shall convince them that thej are dealing with Britons.' *' Perhaps three jollier hurrahs w^ere never given than at the conclusion of this short but well-timed address. The woods fairly echoed again; whilst the piquet at the cove, and those stationed at the wells, the instant it caught their ear, instinctively joined their sympathetic cheers to the general chorus. '' There was something like unity, and concord in such a sound, (one neither resembling the feeble shout nor savage yell,) which, rung in the ears of these gentlemen, no doubt had its effect; for about this time (8 P. M.) tliey wxre observed making signals with lights to some of their tribe behind the islet. If ever seamen or marines had a strong inducement to fight, it was on the present occasion, for every thing conduced to anim.ate them. The feeling excited by a savage, cruel, and inhospitable aggression on the part of the Malays — an aggression adding calamity to misfortune — roused every mind to a spirit of just revenge; and the appeal now made to them on the score of national character was not likely to let that feeling cool. That tiiey might come, seemed to be the anxious wish of every heart. After a slender but cheerful repast, the men laid down as usual on their arms, whilst the Captain re- mained with those on guard to superintend his arrangements. An alarm during the night shovv-ed the effect of preparation on the people's minds, forali, like lightning, were at their posts, and re- turned growling and disappointed because the alarm was false. " Daylight, on IMonday the 3d, discovered the pirates exactly in the same position in front of us; ten more vessels having joined them during the night, making their number now at least six hun- dred men. The plot began to thicken, and our situation oecame hourly more critical. Their force rapidly accumulating, and oui .ittle stock of provisions daily shortening, rendered some des- perate measure immediately necessary. 424 THE LOSS OF THE ALCESTE. *'That which seemed most feasible was, by a sudden night attack, with our four boats well armed, to carry by boarding some of their vessels; and, by manning them, repeat our attack with increased force, taking more, or dispersing them. The possession of some of i\ eir proas, in addition to our own boats, taking into consideration that our numbers would be thinned on the occasion, might enable us to shove off for Java, in defiance of them. Any attempt to move on a raft, with their vessels playing round it arm- ed with swivels, was evidently impossible. Awful as our situation now was, and every hour becoming more so, starvation staring us in the face on one hand, and without a hope of mercy from the gavages on the other, yet were there no symptoms of depression, or gloomy despair; every mind seemed buoyant; and, if any es- limate of the general feeling could be collected fi'om countenances, from the manner and expressions of all, there appeared to be form- ed in every breast a calm determination to dash at them, and be successful; or to fall, as became men, in the attempt to be free '^ About noon on this day, whilst schemes and proposals were 3ying about, as to the mode of executing the measures in view, Mr. Johnstone, ever on the alert, who had mounted the look-out- .ree, one of the loftiest on the summit of our hill, descried a sail at a gieat distance to the southward, which he thought larger than a Malay vessel. The buzz of conversation was in a moment hush- ed, and every eye fixed anxiously on the tree for the next report; a signal-man and telescope being instantly sent up. She was now lost sight of from a dark squall overspreading that part of the horizon; but, in about twenty minutes, she emerged fi'omthe cloud, and was decidedly announced to be a square-rigged vessel. ' Are you quite sure of that?' was eagerly inquired. ' Quite certain,' was the reply; ' it is either a ship or a brig, standing towards the island under all sail.' The joy this happy sight infused, and the gratitude of every heart at this prospect of deliverance, may be more easily conceived than described. It occasioned a sudden transition of the mind from one train of thinking to another; as if waking from a disagreeable dream. We immediately displayed our colors on the highest branch of the tree, to attract attention, lest she should only be a passing stranger. *'The pirates soon after this discovered the ship, (a signal hav- ing been made with a gun by those anchored behind Pulo Chal- acca,) which occasioned an evident stir among them. As the water was ebbing fast, it was thought possible, by an unexpected rush out to the edge of the reef, to ^et some of them under fire, and secure them. They seemed, however, to have suspected our purpose; for the moment tho seamen and marines appeared from jrtider the mangroves, the neaicsi proa let fly her swivel among a party of the oflicers, who had been previously wading outwarcls; ftnd the whole instantly getting unoer weigh, made sail off, fired at by our people; but unfortunaiciy without effect; for, in addi- OLD IRONSIDES. 4^5 t!on to the dexterous management of their boats, the wind enabled them to weather the rocks. It was fortunate, however, this attack on them took place, and that it had the eifect of driving them away; for, had they stood their ground, we were as much in tlieir power as ever — the ship being obliged to anchor eight miles to leeward of the island, and eleven or twelve from our position, on account of the wind and current; and, as this wind and current continued the same for some time afterwards, they mi^^ht most easily, with their force, have cut off all communication between us. Indeed, it was a pro\idential and most extraordinary circumstance, during this monsoon that the ship was able to fetch up as far as she did. The blockade being now raised, the gig, with Messrs. Sykes and Abbot, was despatched to the ship, which proved to be the Ter- nate, one of the Company's cruisers, sent by Lord Amherst to our assistance, having on board Messrs. Ellis and Hoppner, who em- barked on the day of their arrival at Batavia, and pushed back to the island." " OLD IRONSIDES."* Ay ! pull her >J.tered ensign down, Long has it waved on high, And many a heart has danced to see That banner in the sky ; Beneath it rung the battle shout, And burst the cannon's roar — The meteor of the ocean air Shall sweep the clouds no more. Her deck, once red with heroes' blood. Where knelt the vanquished foe, When winds were hurrying o'er the flood And waves were white below, No more shall feel the conqueror's tread Or know the conquered knee ; The harpies of the shore shall pluck The eagle of the sea ! Oh better that her shattered hulk Should sink beneath the wave ; Her thunders shook the mighty deep And there should be her grave. Nail to the mast her holy flag. Set every threadbare sail. And give her to the god of storms — The liirhtnincr and the pale ' * Vide Frontispiece. 36* 426 KOTZEBUE. KOTZEBUE. Captain Kolzebue sailed from CroiistadI in a frigate of con- siderable size, with a Ctirgo for Kanischativa. His orders wera to proceed from thence to the north-west coast of America, for the protection of the Russian company at Ross — to remain on that station a year, and then to return to Cronstadt. In going and returning he was left wholly to his own discretion, and he turned the liberty allowed him, to the prosecution of geographical dis- covery. Starting from Cronstadt, in the summer of 1823, he first landed at Portsmouth, and next at Rio Janeiro, where he met with Lord Cochrane, ar?d made his acquaintance. Lord Cochrane had recently quitted Chili, and was then in the Brazil service, and longing to enter the Russian, for the purpose of assisting the Greeks and fighting the Turks. " War seems to him," says Captain Kotzebue, " as indispensable, and struggle in defence of a good cause the highest enjoyment." The captain, however, is puzzled how to reconcile this, which he calls enthusiasm, v/ith the noble lord's passion for money. Doubling Cape Horn, with scarcely a gale to ripple the waters, he stopped next on the coast of Chili, where though he was welcomed with apparent cordiality, suspicions w^ere excited — the natives were full of alarms about the Spaniards, and he found it prudent to hasten his departure From the port of Talcuquanha, he struck into the soutli-east trade wind, and three thousand or four thousand miles svv^ept over in three weeks, took him to O Tahaita (for the O, it seems, is only the article), where he spent some time — long enough to ascertain the degenerating condition of the island. The advance so rapidly made by the activity and energy of Pomareh, is fast retrograding. The navy, of which so much was said a few years sgo, has almost wholly vanished. Three or four missionaries, themselves igno- rant men, rule despotically; and praying and preaching. Captain Kotzebue found substituted for more active pursuits. So com- pletely cowed are the natives, by the theocratic discipline of these men, that they allow themselves to be driven to prayers by the cudgel. The religion of the islanders. Captain Kotzebue affirms, is mere formality. The missionaries, it is true, have abolished some superstitions, but only to make way for others scarcely less gross. Thieving and concubinage are under some restraint, but bigotry and hypocrisy flourish vigorously, and the Tahaitians are now any thing but the open and benevolent beings they appeared to their first discoverers. If human sacrifices are abandoned, it nas been at the expense of a large majority of the population They were once estimated at one hundred and fifty thousand; and do not now exceed ei^rht thousand — the efiect of the chief's KOTZEBUE. 4^7 (Taio) conversion, who butchered right and left, and almost cleared the island. There must be some exaggeration here, for the massacre took place in 1797, and Pomareh could never have accomplished what he did with a population of eight thousand. A son of Taio, whom Pomareh destroyed, is still living, — he has, it seems, a party in the island, and Captain ICotzebue anticipated an explosion, and a violent end to the present dynasty and tlie missionary power. At O Tahaita, he met with one of Adams's seraglio, lately re- turned to her native home from Pitcairn's Island. From infor- mation received from her, and an American captain who had recently visited the island, M. Kotzebue learned the now well- known story of the settlement of the mutineers of the Bounty. The Mai du pays had brought the old lady home, but she soon changed her mind again. She found O Tahaita sadly degenerated — it was no longer like the Paradise she had left; nobody could be compared, she said, with her Adams. Missionaries, it seems, are likely to extend their dominion to that peaceful and gentle family. '' May Adams's paternal government," says Kotzebue, ** never be exchanged for despotism, nor his practical lessons of piety be forgotten in empty forms of prayer." From O Tahaita Kotzebue steered westerly to Navigator's Islands, and beyond — ascertaining the geographical positions of several contested spots, and discovering new lands. Proceeding then northv/ard he reached the Radack Islands, a group, in about ten degrees north and one hundred and seventy east from Green- wich, which he himself discovered in 1816. Landing at Otdia, he was joyfully recognised by many of the natives, and the name of Totabu (their articulation of Kotzebue) was echoed with de- light. The natives of these beautiful islands are represented as gentle and well disposed — very much, indeed, as the O Tahaitians were originally They have not yet got the missionaries among them. On the captain's arrival at the Russian company's settlement, at Ross, on the north-west coast of America, he found his services not required for some months, and he filled up the interval by an excursion to California and the Sandwich islands. In a few months after his return to Ross, he prepared to return home by the sea of China, and the Cape of Good Hope. In his way, he a second time called at O Wahi (Owhyee). He found a con- siderable change. Queen Nomahanna — who stands six feet tv/o, without skoes or stockings, (for none from Europe can she get on, and none, of Course, are made at home,) and two ells round, s governed by the missionaries, and the island, like O Tahaita, s rapidly going backwards. The chief charm of religion seemed to the women to be — that they might now eat })ork as much as they liked, and not be confined solely to dogs' (lesh. He met an old man with a book — the captain inquired if iie was learning 428 THE ROTHSAY STEAMER. to read — No, he was only making believe, to please tlie Queen What is the use of B, A, Ba? Will it make yams and potatoes grow? Another old man was imploring the Queen's assistance — *' If you won't learn to read," says she, '' you may go and drown yourself." Captain Kotzebue in his passage to the La- drones and Philippines, made some new discoveries, and visited St. Helena in his wav home. WRECK OF THE ROTHSAY CASTLE STEAMER The Rothsay Castle was a steam packet which formerly traded on the Clyde. She belonged to the line of steamers which sailed from Liverpool to Beaumaris and Bangor, and was furnished with one engine only. She was commanded by Lieutenant Atkinson At ten o'clock on the — of August, 1831, — the vessel was appoint- ed to sail from the usual place, George's Pierhead, but a casual delay took place in starting, and it was eleven o'clock before she had got every thing in readiness. Whilst taking passengers on board, a carriage arrived at the Pierhead for embarkation. It be longed to M. W. Foster, Esq. of Regent's park, London, who, with his wife and servant, were conveyed in it to the packet, and took their passage at the same time. They were all subsequently drowned, a little dog v/hich accompanied them being the only sur vivorof this unfortunate group. When the steamer left the Pier head her deck was thronged with passengers. The captain, crew, musicians, &.c. amounted to fifteen, in addition to whom, it was supposed by persons who saw the vessel sail that one hundred and ten or one hundred and twenty souls were on board. The majority of the passengers consisted of holyday and family part'es, chiefly from country places; and in one of these companies, who came on a journey of pleasure from Bury, the hand of death com- mitted a merciless devastation. It consisted of twenty-six per- sons; in the morning, joyous with health and hilarity, they sat out upon the waves, and when the shades of that evening approach ed, every soul but two saw his last of suns go dov/n. The weather was not particularly boisterous at the time she sailed. A severe storm however, had raged in the morning and must have agitated the water on the Banks more than usual. The wind too, i)Iew strongly from the north-west, and the vessel had to contend with the tiide, which began to flow soon after she passed the rock. When the steamer arrived off the Floating-light, which is stationed about fifteen miles from Liverpool, the rough ness of the sea alarmed many of the passengers. — One of the sur- vivors stated, that Mr. Tarry, of Bury, who, with his family, cou- THE ROTHSAY STEAMER. 429 Bisting of himself, his wife, their five children, arid s(;rvant, was on board, being, in common with others, greatly alarmed for his own safety and the safety of those dear to him, went down to the cabin, where the captain was at dinner, and requested him to put back. His reply was, *' 1 think there is a great deal of fear on board, and very little danger. If we were to turn back with passengers, it would never do — we should have no profit." To another gentleman who urged him to put back, he is reported to have said very angrily, " I'm not one of those that turn back." He remained in the cabin two whole hours, and peremptorily re- fused to comply with the repeated requests made to hi.m by the more timid of his passengers to return to Liverpool; observing that if they knew him, they would not make the request. Before dinner, his behavior had been perfectly unexceptionable; but, alter he had dined, a very striking difference was observed in his conduct. He became violent in his manner, and abusive in his language to the men. When anxiously questioned by the passen- gers, as to the progress the vessel was making, and the time at which she was likely to reach her destination, he returned trifling, and frequently very contradictory answers. During the early part of the voyage, he had spoken confidently of be?ng able to reach Beaumaris by seven o'clock; but the evening wore away, night came on, and the vessel was still a considerable distance from the termination of her voyage. It was near twelve o'clock when they arrived at the mouth ot the IMenai Strait, which is about five miles from Beaumaris. The tide, which had been running out of the strait, and which had, consequently, for some time previous retarded the steamer's progress towards her destination, was just on the *,urn. The vessel, according to the statement of two of the seame ^ and one of the firemen saved, had got round the buoy on the north end of the Dutchman's Bank, and had proceeded up the river as far as the tower on Puffin Island; when suddenly the steam got so low that the engine would not keep her on her proper course. When asked, why there was not steam on, the fireman said, that a deal of water had been finding its way into the vessel all day, and that sometime before she got into the strait, the bilge- pumps were choked. The water in the hold then overflowed the coals; so that, in renewing the fires, a deal of water went in with the coals, slackened the fires, and made it impossible to keep the steam up. It was clearly the duty of the fireman to give notice of this occurrence; but he seems not to have mentioned it to the captain. The vessel, which had evidently come fair into the channel, though there was no light on the coast to guide her, now drifted, with the ebb tide and north-west wind, towards the Dutch- man's Bank, on tlie north point of which she struck, her bows stick- ing fast in the sand. Lieutenant Atkinson immediately ordered the man at the helm to put the helm a starboard. The man refused to do so; but put it to port. The mate, perceiving this, ran aft, 430 THE ROTHSAY STEAMER. took the helm from the man, and put it to starboard again. — In the meantime, the captain and some of the passengers got the jib up No doubt he did this intending to wear her round and bring her head to the northward; but in the opinion of nautical men, it could not make the least difference which way her head was turn- ed, as she was on a lee shore, and there was no steam to work her off. The captain also ordered the passengers first to run aft, in the hope, by removing the pressure from the vessel's stem, to make be»: float: this failing to produce the desired etfect, he then ordered them to run forward. All the exertions of the captain, the crew and the passengers united were unavailing. The ill- fated vessel stuck still faster in the sands, and all gave them- selves up for lost. The terror of the passengers became excessive. Several of them urged the captain to hoist lights, and make other signals of distress; but he positively refused to do so, assuring the passengers that there v/as no danger, and telling them several times, that the packet was afloat, and doing well, and on her way; when the passengers knevv^ perfectly well that she was sticking fast in the sand, and her cabins rapidly filling with water. Doubt- less the unfortunate man was perfectly aware of the imminence of the danger; but we may charitably suppose, that he held such language for the purpose of preventing alarm which might be fatal. The alarm bell was now rung with so much violence that the clap- per broke, and some of the passengers continued to strike it for some time with a stone. The bell was heard, it is said, at Beau- maris, but, as there was no light hoisted on the mast of the steamerj (a fatal neglect!) those who heard the signal were, of course, igno- rant whence it proceeded. The weather, at this awful moment, was boisterous, but perfectly clear. The moon, though slightly overcast, threw considerable light on the surrounding objects. — But a strong breeze blew from the north-west, the tide began to set in with great strength, and a heavy sea beat over the bank on which the steam packet was now firmly and immovably fixed. We cannot describe the scene which followed! Certain death seemed now to present itself to all on board, and the most affecting scenes were exhibited. The females, in particular, uttered the most piercing shri&ks; some locked themselves in each others arms, while others, losing ail self-command, tore off their caps and bonnets, in the wildness of despair. A Liverpool pilot, who hu[)pened to be in the packet, now raised his voice and exclaimed, '' it is all over — we are all lost !" At these words there was a universal despairing shriek. The women and children collected in a knot together, and kept embracing each other, keeping up, all the time, the most dismal lamentations. When tired with crying they lay against each other, with their heads reclined, like inanimate bodies. I'he steward of the vessel and his wife, who was on board, lashed themselves to the mast, determined to spend their last moments in each other's arms. Several husbands and THE ROTHSAY STEAMER. 431 wives also met their fate locked in each other's arms; whilst parents clung to their beloved children, — several mothers it is said, having perished witli their dear little ones firmly clasj)ed in tlieir arms. A party of the passengers, about fifteen or twenty, lowered the boat and crowded into it. It was impossible for any open boat to live in such a sea, even though not overloaded, and s!ic Humediately sv/amped and v/ent to the bottom, with all who had made this last hopeless effort for self-preservation. For some time the vessel, though now irrecoverably lost, con- tinued to resist the action of the v»^aves, and the despairing souls on board still struggled with their doom. But hope had forever fled; the packet was beaten and tossed about by the tumultuous waters with a violence which threatened to dash her into fragments at every shock, and the sea now made a continual breach over her. The decks were repeatedly s^vept by the boiling ocean, and each billow snatched its victims to a watery grave. The unfor- tunate captain and his mate were among the first that perished About thirty or forty passengers were standing upon the poop clinging to each other in hopeless agony, and occasionally uttering the most piteous ejaculations. Whilst trembling thus upon the brink of destruction, and expecting every moment to share the fate which had already overtaken so many of their companions in misery, the poop was discovered to give way; another wave roll- ed on with impetuous fury, and the hinder part of the luckless vessel, with ail who sought safety in its frail support, was burst away from its shattered counterpart, and about forty wretched beings hurried through the foaming flood into an eternal world *^ Then rose from sea to sky the wild farewell, Then shrieked the timid, and stood still the brave." Those who retained any degree of sensibility endeavored to catch at w^hatever was floating within their reach, with the vain hope of prolonging their lives, though it w^as certain that life could only lengthen their sufferings. jMany grasped with frantic despair, at the slightest object they could find, but were either too weak to retain their hold, or were forced to relinquish their grasp by the raging of the surge. The rudder was seized by eight of the sinking creatures at the same time, and some of them, were ultimately preserved. The number of those who clung to the portion of the wTCck which remained upon the bank gradually grew thinner and thinner, as they sunk under their fatigues, or were hurled into the deep by the remorseless waves. At length, about an liour and a half from the time when slie struck, the rem- nant of the Rothsay Castle disappeared from the bosom of the ocean, and the remainder of her passengers and crew were pre- cipitated into the foaming abyss. 432 NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN W. L. CAZNEAU. NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN W. L. CAZNEAU. The Brig Pollj, of one hundred and thirty tons burden, sailed . from Boston, with a cargo of lumber and provisions, on a voyage to Santa Croix, on the 12th of December 1811, under the com- mand of captain W. L. Cazneau — with a mate, four seamen and a cook; Mr. I. S. Hunt and a negro girl of nine years of age, passengers. Nothing material happened until the 15th, when they had cleared cape Cod, the shoal of Georges, and nearly, as they supposed, crossed the gulf stream, when there came on a violent gale from the south-east, in which the brig labored very hard, which produced a leak that so gained on the pumps as to sound nearly six feet, — when about midnight she was upset, and Mr. Hunt washed overboard! Not having any reason to hope for her righting, by much exertion the weather lanyards were cut away, the deck load having been before thrown over and the lashings all gone; in about half an hour the mainmast went by the board, and soon after the foremast, when she righted, though full of water, a dreadful sea making a fair breach over her from stem to stern. In this situation the night wore away, and day- light found all alive except the passenger, and upon close search the little girl was found clinging to the skylight, and so saved from drowning in the cabin. The glass and grating of the sky- light having gone away, while on her beam ends, the little girl was drawn through the openings, but so much chilled that she survived but a few hours. In this situation they remained, without fire, as near as the captain can recollect, twelve days, when the cook, an Indian from Canton, near Boston, suggested the opera- tion of rubbing two sticks together, which succeeded. Very (brtunately the cambose did not go overboard with the deck load : this was got to windward, a fire kindled and some provisions cooked, which was the first they had tasted, except raw pork, for the whole time. — They now got up a barrel of pork, part of a barrel of beef, and one half barrel of beef. A small pig had been saved alive, which they now dressed, not having any thing to feed it with. But at this time no apprehension was entertained of sufl?ering for meat, there being several barrels stowed in the run, and upwards of one hundred under deck. With this im- pression, the people used the provisions very imprudently, till they discovered that the stern post was gone, and the gale continuing for a long time, the barrels had stove, and their contents were all lost forever. There happened to be a cask of water lashed on the quarter deck, which was saved, containing about thirty gallons, all the est was lost This lasted about eighteen days, when the crew NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN VV. L. CAZNLkU, 433 were reduced to tlie necessity of c.itching v/hat rain they could, and having no more. At the end of forty days the meat was all gone, and absolute famine stared them in tr)e face. The first victim to this destroyer was Mr. Paddock, the mate, whose exquisite dis- tress seemed to redouble the suflerings of his companions. lie was a man of a robust constitution, who had spent his life in the Bank fishing, had suffered many hardships and appeared the most capable of standing the shocks of misfortune of any of the crew. In the meridian of life, being about thirty-five years old, it was rea- sonable to suppose that, instead of the first, he would have been ihe last to nave fallen a sacrifice to cold and hunger: but Heaven ordered it otherwise — he became delirious, and death relieved nim from his sufferings the fiftieth day of his shipwreck. D'lring all this time, the storms continued, and would oflen overwhehn (.nem so as to keep them always drenched with seawater, having nothing to screen them, except a temporary kind of cabin v/hich tney had built up of boards between the w^indlass and nighthead on the larboard side of the forecastle. The next who sunk under this horrid press of disasters was Howes, a young man of about thirty, who likewise was a fisherman, by profession, and tall. «pare, and as smart and active a seaman as any aboard. He like- wise died delirious and in dreadful distress, six days after Paddock, being the fifty-sixth day of the wreck. It was soon perceived thai ^his must evidently be the fate of all the survivors in a short time, if something was not done to procure water. About this time goodiucK, or, more probably, kind Providence, enabled them to fish up ihe lea-Rcttle and one of the cap-tain's pistols; and ne- cessity, the mo^hei of invention, suggested the plan of distillation. Accordingly, a piece of board w^as very nicely fitted to the mouth of the hosier, a small hole made in it, and the tea-kettle, bottom upwards, fixed to the upper side of the board, the pistol barrel was fixed to the nose of the kettle and kept cool by the constant application of cold water. This com^pletely succeeded, and the survivors, without a doubt, owe their preservation to this simple experiment. But all that could be obtained by this very imperfect distillation, was a scanty allowance of v/ater for five men; yet it would sustain life and that was all. The impression that there was meat enough under the deck, induced them to use everv exertion to- obtain it; but by getting up pieces of bone, entirely baro of meat and in a putrid state, they found that nothing was left for them but to roly on Heaven for food, and be contented with whatever came to hand, till relief should come. Their only sustenance now was barnacles gathered from the sides of the vessel which were ate raw tiiat the distilling might not be inter- rupted, which would give them no more than lour wine glasses of water each, per day. The next food which they obtained was a large shark, caught by means of a running bowline. This was a very grf*at relief and lasted some time. Two advantages arose 37 434 iN'ARRATIVJ^ kjF CAPTAIIS \V . L. CAZNFAU. from this signal interposition of kind Providence; for while ili'iy lived upon their shark, the barnacles were growing larger and more nutritive. They likevv'ise found many small crabs among the sea- weed which often floated around tlie wreck, w^hich were very pleasant food. But from the necessity of chewing them raw and sucking out the nourishment, they brought on an obstinate costiveness, which became extremely painful and probably much exasperated by the v/ant of w^ater. On the 15th of March, according to their computation, poor Moho, the cook, expired, evidently from want of water, though vviHi much less distress than the others and in the full exercise of his..reason: he very devoutly prayed and appeared perfectly resigned to the will of the God who afflicted him. Their constant study was directed to the improvement of their still, which was made much better by the addition of the other pistol barrel, which was fo'Und by fishing v/ith the gi ain they made by fixing nails into a piece of a stave. With this barrel they so far perfected the still as to obtain eight junk bottles full of water in twenty fo'*r kours. But from the death of Moho to the death of Johnson, which happened about the mxiddle of April, they seemed to ho denied every kind of food. The barnacles were all gone, and no friendly gale wafted to.their side the sea-weed from which they could obtain crabs or insects — It seemed as if all hope was gone forever, and they had nothing before them but death, or the horrid alternative of eating the flesh of their dead companion One expedient was left, that was to try to decoy a shark, if happily there might be one about the wreck, by part of the corpse of their shipmate I This succeeded, and they caught a large shark, and from that time had many fish till their happy delivei- ance. Very fortunately, a cask of nails which was ou deck, lodged in the lea scuppers while on their beam ends: with these they were enabled to fasten the shingles on their cabin, which by constant improvement, had become much more commodious, and when reduced to two only, they had a better supply of water. They liad now drifted above two tho'^«and miles and were in latitude 23 North and longitude 13 West, when to their unspeak- able jo ' they sav/ three ships bearing down upon them. The ships came as near as was convenient, and then hailed, which Captain Cazneau answered with all the force of his lungs. The ship which hailed proved to be the Fame of Hull, Captain Feath- erstone bound from Rio Janeiro home It so happened that the throe Captains had dined together that day and were all on board the Fame. Humanity immediately sent a boat, which put an end ro the dreadful thraUlom of Captain Cazneau and Samuel Badger, the only survivmg persons, who were received by these humane L iglishmen with exalted sensibility. Thus was ended the most sh )cking catastroj)he which our naval history has recorded for ma uy years, after a series of distresses {r m Decemuer 15th to NEW YORK AND ITS FNVIRONS. 435 the 20th of June, a period of one hundred and ninety one days* Every attention was paid to the sufferers that generosity warir^cd with pity and fellow feeling could dictate, on board the Fame. They were cherished, comforted, fed, clothed and nursed until the 9th of July, when they fell in with Captain Perkins, of the brig Dromo, in the chops of the channel of England, who gene rously took them on board and carefully perfected the work of goodness begun by the generous Englishmen, and safely landed them in Kennebunk. It is natural to inquire how they could float such a vast dis- tance upon the most frequented part of the Atlantic and not be discovered all this time? They were passed by more than a dozen sail, one of which came so nigh them that they could distinctly see the people on deck and on the rigging looking at them: but to the inexpressible disappointment of the starving and freezing men, they stifled the dictates of compassion, hoisted sail and cruelly abandoned them to their fate. NEW YORK AND ITS ENVIRONS. There are few spectacles at once more grateful and more magnificent to the weary wanderer over the ocean, than that which rises up before him, like a^ lovely dream, as he passes the Narrows, and is wafted by fair breezes towards the city of New York. The green shores of Long and Staten Islands, within less than a quarter of a mile of each other, slope down to the water's edge, and form the gates of the harbor. When " radiant summer opens all her pride," they are clothed with the luxuriant harvest, and dotted with dwellings of peace and plenty. A vast city with its bristling forest of masts and spires, rises suddenly in the dis- tance, sending forth the hum of more than two hundred thousand inhabitants. He inhales the mingled perfumes which the wind bears from wood and held, from valleys of clover, and gardens of flowers. Immense steamboats, superior to any other in the world, plough the waters around him, and shape their steady course in diflerent directions; ui/J ships, with white sails spread, are return- ing, storm-beaten, from their perilous voyages, or hurrying forth, through the narrow outlet, to distant quarters of tne globe. Foits command the prominent stations, and vessels of war, like castles, ure resting on the wave. Perhaps no situation could be chosen for a more advantageous survey of the city, witli its surrounding scenery, than that part of the Bay adjoining Governor's Island, and near the fort, a por- 436 NEW YORK AND ITS ENVIRONS tion of which appears on the extreme left of tlie picture, and whence the present view was takeji. The opening discernible on the right, is the passage termed the East River, leading from the Bay into the Sound, between Long and York Islands, and thence along the shores of Connec- ticut and Rhode Island, into the Atlantic. The eye can almost pierce to that point of the strait entitled Hurl Gate, but, by the lovers of the marvellous, dignified with an appellation which would seem to conduct the traveller into a region of a very different description from the pleasant hills and orchards, the costly dwellings, and the humble but bright looking cottages, that make the banks of this stream a succession of charming pictures View of New- York. The small promontory jutting out on the eastern side, repre- dents that part of Long Island occupied by the village of Brooklyn and the Navy Yard. On tht left, the eye seeks to explore the windings of the Hud- son or North River. In many respects this stream may be considered one of the most important in the world. It is aflected b} the tide more than a hundred and sixty miles towards its source. Its steamboat navigation is unobstructed, and it presents facilities for commerce of an extraordinary and tempting nature. The magnificent canal, which strikes it at Albany, connects the city of New York with Lake Erie, and thence with the interior and most western portion of the Union. This stupendous work, which directly augments the prosperity of more than two milliong of peopk;, is but a single branch in the vast plan of interna! im NARRATIVE OP CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 43*^ provemont, of which Dewitt Clinton was the most inflisential prom-oter, and which equally associates his name with the glor\ of the state, and the increasing importance of the city. At ail times tiie view of the metropolis of the State is imposing; but should the stranger approach it at the close of a pleasan* summer day, he would find the scene yet more enchanting. Al this period the bustle of business is superseded by the voice of pleasure. As he draws near the Battery, he perceives that tb.e ibrt has changed its martial character, and been metamorphosed into a garden and pleasant promenade. The stillness of the evening is sometimes broken by the sound of the rushing rocket, as it darts into the spangled heaven, illuminating the scene with a glare of temporary radiance, and sometimes by bursts of music, softened by the distance, as it floats over the placid water. Now you may hear the drum from Governor's Island, and now the song of the sailor from the distant ship, \vhich is preparing again to encounter the perils of the deep; while the regular dash of the oar, as some occasional boat glides hy, adds to the charm of the music, and increases the interest of tlie scene NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. I have reluctantly yielded to the urgent solicitation of fiiends, to give a short narrative of the capture, sufferings and escape of myself and crew, after having been taken by a piratical schooner called the Mexican, December, 1821. The peculiar circum- stances attending our situation, gave us ample opportunity for learning the character of those cruisers which have lately infested our southern coasts, destroying the lives and plundering the property of so many peaceable traders. If this narrative s* ould effect any good, or urge our government to still n^ore vigorous measures for tlie protection of our commerce, my object will be attained. I sailed from Boston bound for Trinidad, in the island of Cuba, on the 13th November, 18^21, in the schooner Exertion, bur- den one hundred and seven tons, owned by Messrs. Joseph Ballister and Henry Farnam, with a crew consisting of the following persons: — Joshua Bracket, mate, Bristol, David Warren, cook, Saco, ♦ The render will pro!^^l)1v rec(Uloct tne;«!arming nuniber of piracies, which took place in Ihe West Indian seas durinji the vears 1824-ld'25. Captain Lincoln's narrative wwl l)e found to convey a full and correct idea'of the nature and extent of these depredations ; ajid the strilcing inteie^t of his accjunt v/ill l)e considered a sulUcient apology for the space we hav« afforded i\ ^:7* 438 NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN Thomas Goodall, seaman, Baltimore, Thomas Young, •' Orangetown, Francis de Suze, '' St. John's, George Reed, '' Greenock, Scotland. The cargo consisted of flour, beef, pork, lard, butter, fish Deans, onions, potatoes, apples, hams, furniture, sugar bos shooks, &c. invoiced at about eight thousand dollars. Nothing remarkable occurred during the passage, except much bad weath- er, until my capture, which was as follows: — Monday, December 17th, 1821, commenced with fine breezes from the eastward. At daybreak saw some of the islands north- ward of Cape Cruz, called Keys — stood along northwest; every thing now seemed favorable for a happy termination of our voyage At three o'clock, P. M. saw a sail coming round one of the Keys, into a channel called Boca de Cavolone by the chart, nearly in latitude 20° 55' north, longitude 79"^ 55"^ west, she made directly for us with all sail set, sweeps on both sides (the wind being light) and was soon near enough for us to discover about forty men on her deck, armed with muskets, blunderbusses, cutlasses, long knives, dirks, &c. two carronades, one a twelve, the other a six pounder; she was a schooner, wearing the Patriot flag, (blue, white and blue) of the Republic of Mexico. I thought it not prudent to resist them, should they be pirates, with a crew of seven men, and only five muskets; accordingly ordered the arms and ammunition to be immediately stowed away in as secret a place as possible, and suffer her to speak us, hoping and be- lieving that a republican flag indicated both honor and friendship from those who wore it, and which we might expect even from Spaniards. But how great was my astonishment, when the schooner having approached very near us, hailed in English, and ordered me to heave my boat out immediately and come on board of her with my papers. — Accordingly my boat was hove out, but filled before I could get into her. — I was then ordered to tack ship and lay by for the pirates' boat to board me; which was done by Boiidar, their first lieutenant, with six or eight Spaniards armed with as many of the before mentioned weapons as they could well sling about their bodies. They drove me into the boat and two of them rowed me to their privateer, (as they called their vessel,) where I shcok hands with her commander, Captain Jonnia, a Spaniard, who before looking at my papers, ordered Boiidar, his lieutenant, to follow the Mexican in, back of the Key they had left, which was done. At six o'clock, P. M. the Exertion was anchored in eleven {'cct water, near their vessel, and an island, which they called Twelve League Key, (called by the chart Key Largo,) about thirty or thirty -live leagues from Trinidad. After this strange conduct they began examining my papers by a Scclch- man who went by the name of Nickola, their sailing master. — He spoke good English, had a countenance rather pleasingr NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LlNCt)LN. 43^ altliough his beard and mustachios had a frightful appearance — his face, apparently full of anxiety, indicated something in my favor; he gave me my papers saying " take good care of them, for I am afraid that you have fallen into bad hands." The pirate's boat was then sent to the Exertion with more men and arms; apart of them left on board her; the rest returning with three of my crew to their vessel; viz. Thomas Young, Thomas Goodall^ and George Reed — they treated them with sometiiing to drink^ and offered them equal shares with themselves, and some money, if they would enlist, but they could not prevail on them. 1 then requested permission to go on board my vessel which was granted, and further requested Nickola should go with me, but was re- fused by the captain, who vociferated in a harsh manner, '' Ao, JVo, JVo," accompanied with a heavy stamp upon the deck. When I got on board, I was invited below by Bolidar, where I found they had emptied the case of liquors, and broken a cheese to pieces and crumbled it on the table and cabin floor; ihc pirates elated with ihe'iv prize, (as they called it,) had drank so much as to make them desperately abusive. I was permitted to lie down In my birth; but reader, if you have ever been awakened by a gang of armed desperadoes, who have taken possession of your habitation in the midnight hour, you can imagine my feelings. — Sleep was a stranger to me, and anxiety was my guest. J3olidar, nowever, pretended friendship, and flattered me with the prospect of being soon set at liberty. But I found him, as I suspected, a consummate hypocrite; indeed, his very looks indicated it. He was a stout and well built man, of a dark, swarthy complexion, witii keen, ferocious eyes, huge whiskers, and beard under his chin and on his lips four or Ave inches long; he was a Portuguese by birth, but had become a naturalized Frenchman — had a wife, if not children, (as I was told) in France, and was well known there as commander of a first rate privateer. His appearance was truly terrific; he could talk some in English, and had a most lion-like voice. Tuesday, 18th. — Early this morning the captain of tlie pirates came on board the Exertion; took a look at the cabin-stores, and cargo in the state rooms, and then ordered me back with him to his vessel, where he, with his crew, held a consultation for some time, respecting the cargo. After which, the interpreter, jNickola, told me that "the captain had or pvLttndcd lo li.rcc a commission under General Traspelascus, commander in chief of the republic of Pdexico, authorizing him to take all cargoes what- ever of provisions, bound to any Spanish royalist port — that my cargo being bound to an enemy's port, must be condemned: but Hiat the vessel should be given up and be put into a fair channel for Trinidad where I was bound." I requested him to examine the papers thoroughly, and perhaps he would be convinced to tne contrary and told him my cargo wa« all American })ropertv 440 NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN taken in at Boston and consigned to an American gentleman agent at Trinidad. But the captain would not take this trouble, but ordered both vessels under way immediately, and commenced beating up amongst the Keys through most of the day, the wind being very light. Tiiey now sent their boats on board the Exertion for stores, and commenced plundering her of bread, butter, lard, onions, potatoes, fish, beans, &c. took up some sugar box shocks that were on deck, and found the barrels of apples; selected the best of them, and threw the rest over- board. They inquired for spirits, wine, cider, &lc. and were told ^'they had already taken all that was on board." But not satis- fied they proceeded to search the state rooms and forecastle, ripped up the floor of the latter and found some boxes of bottled cider, which they carried to their vessel, gave three cheers, in an exulting manner to me, and then began drinking it v/ith such freedom, that a violent quarrel arose between officers and men, which came very near ending in bloodshed. I was accused of falsehood, for saying they had already got all the liquors that were on board, and I thought they had; the truth was, I never had any bill of lading of the cider, and consequently had no re- collection of its being on board; yet it served them as an excuse for being insolent. In the evening peace was restored and they sung songs. I was suffered to go below for the night, and they placed a guard over me, stationed at the companion way. Wednesday, 19th, commenced with moderate easterly winds, beating towards the northeast, the pirate's boats frequently going on board the Exertion for potatoes, fish, beans, buiter, &,c. which were used with great waste, and extravagance. They gave me food and drink, but of bad quality, more particularly the victuals, which was wretchedly cooked. The place assigned me to eat was covered with dirt and vermin. It appeared that their great object was to hurt my feelings with threats and obser- vations, and to make my situation as unpleasant as circumstances would admit. We came to anchor near a Is^ey, called by them Brigantine, where myself and mate were permitted to go on shore, but v/erc guarded by several armed pirates. I soon re- turned to the Mexican and my mate to the Exertion, with George Reed one of my crew; the other two being kept on board the Mexican. In the course of this day I had considerable conver- sation with Nickola, who appeared well disposed towards me. He lamented most deeply his own situation, for he was one of those men, whose early good impressions were not entirely ellaced, al- though confederated with guilt. He told me ''those who had taken me, were no better than pirates, and their end would be the halter; but," he added, wAh peculiar emotion, '' I will never be hung as a pirate," showing me a bottle of laudanum which he had found in my medicine chest, saying, " If we are taken, thai shall cheat the hanirman, before we are condemned," I endeav^ NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 44 1 Ored to get it from him, but did not succeed. I then asked him how he came to be in such company, as he appeared to be dissat- isfied. He stated, " that he was at New Orleans last summer out of employment, and became acquainted with one Captain August Orgamar, a Frenchman, who had bought a small schoon- er of about fifteen tons, and was going down to the bay of Mexico to get a commission, under General Traspelascus, in order to go a privateering under the patriot flag. Captain Orgamar made bim liberal otfers respecting shares, and promised him a sailing master's birth, which he accepted and embarked on board the Bchooner, without sufficiently reflecting on the danger of such in undertaking. Soon after she sailed from Mexico; where they got a commission, and the vessel was called Mexican. They made up a complement of twenty men, and after rendering the general some little service, in transporting his troops to a place called proceeded on a cruise; took some small prizes off Campeachy; afterwards came on the south coast of Cuba, where they took other small prizes and the one which we were now on board of By this time the crew were increased to about forty, nearly one half Spaniards, the others Frenchmen and Portuguese. Several of them had sailed out of ports in the United States, with American protections; but, I conlidently believe, none are natives, especially of the northern states. I was careful in examining the men, being desirous of knowing if any of my countrymen were among this wretched crew; but am satisfied there were none, and my Scotch friend concurred in the opinion.* And now with a new vessel, w^hich v/as the prize of these plunderers, they sailed up Manganeil Bay; previously, however, they fell in with an American schooner from which they bought four barrels of beef, and paid in tobacco. At the Bay was an English brig belonging to Jamaica, owned by Mr. John Louden of that place. On hoard of this vessel the Spanish part of the crew commenced their depredations as pirates, althougii Captain Orgamar and Nickola protested against it, and refused any participation; but they per- sisted, and like so many ferocious blood-hounds, boarded the brig, plundered the cabin stores, furniture, captain's trunk. Sec. took a hogshead of rum, one twelve pound carronade, some rigging and sails. One of them plundered the chest of a sailor, who made some resistance, so that tlie Spaniard took his cutlass and beat and wounded liim without mercy. Nickola asked him " why he did it?" the fellow answered " I will let you know," and took up the cook's axe and gave him a cut on the head, whicli nearly de- prived him of life.t Then they ordered Captain Orgamar to leave his vessel, allowing him his trunk and turned him ashore, to seek for himself Nickola begged them to dismiss him with *Tlie Sp.'iMiiiKls at Uavanni havc^ been in llie liabil of saying to t!u)se who arrive lliere, after siitferinir the horrid abuse of ctUtinir, bcatlnj, han-rin^, robbing, &;c. " it is your country- aen that do this." t He showed me iJ. wound vvhu:!i was qui'*: la:;:?, and n 3*. 'hen heab'd 442 NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN his captain, but no, no, was the answer; for they had no complete navigator but him. After Captain Orgamar was gone, they put in his stead the present brave (or as 1 should call him cowardly) Captain Jonnia, who headed them in plundering the before men- tioned brig, and made Bolidar their first lieutenant, and then proceeded down among those Keys or Islands, v/here I was cap- tured. This is the amount of what my friend JNickola told me of their history. Thursday, 20th, continued beating up, wind being light, the pirate's boats were sent to the Exertion for more stores, such as bread, lard, &lc. I this day discovered on board the Mexican three black girls, of whom it is well to say no more. It is im- possible to give an account of the filthiness of this crew, and were it possible it would not be expedient. In their appearance they were terrific, wearing black whiskers and long beards, the recep- tacles of dirt and vermin. They used continually the most profane language; had frequent quarrels; and so great was their love of gambling that the captain would play cards with the meanest man on board. All these things rendered them to me objects of total disgust (with a few exceptions, as will hereafter appear.) — I was told they had a stabbing match, but a few days before I was taken, and one man came near being killed; they put him ashore at a fisherman's hut and there left him to perish. Isawthe wound of another who had his nose split open. Friday, 21st. — After laying at anchor through the night in ten fathoms water, made sail and stood to the eastward — by this time i was out of my reckoning, having no quadrant, charts or books. The pirate's boats were again sent for stores. The captain for the second time demanded of me where my wine, brandy, &lc. were, I again told him, they had already got the whtjle. They took the deep sea line and some cordage from the Exertion and at night came to anchor. Saturday, 22d. — Beth vessels under way standing to the east- ward, they ran the Exertion aground on a bar, but after throwing overboard most of her deck load of shooks, she floated ofi"; a pilot was sent to her, and she was run into a narrow creek between two keys, where they moored her head and stern along side the mangrove trees, sent down her yards and topmasts, and covered her mast heads and shrouds with bushes to prevent her being seen by vessels which miglit pass that way. I was then suffered to go on board my own vessel, and found her in a very filthy condition; sails torn, rigging cut to pieces, and every thing in the cabin in waste and confusion. The swarms of moschetoes and sand-flies made it impossible lo get any sleep or rest. The pirate's large boat was armed and manned under Bolidar, and sent ofl'with let- ters to a merchant (as they called him) by the name of Dominico, residing in a to'wn < ailed Principe, on the main island of Cuba* I was told by one of them who could speak English, that Principe NARRATIVE or CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 443 ivas a very large and populous town, situated at tlie head of* St. Maria, which was about twenty miles north east from where we ay, and the Keys lying around us were called Cotton Key.j. — The captain pressed into his service Francis de Suze, one of my crew, saying that he was one of his countrymen. Francis was very reluctant in going, and said to me, with tears in his eyes, ^' I shall do nothing but what I am obliged to do, and will not aid m the least to hurt you or the vessel; 1 am very sorry to leave you." He was immediately put on duty and Thomas Goodall sent back to the Exertion. Sunday, 23d. — Early this morning a large number of the pirates came on board of the Exertion, threw out the long boat, broke open the hatches and took out considerable of the cargo, in search of rum, gin, &c. still telling me '' I had som,e and that they would find it," uttering the most awful profaneness. In the afternoon their boat returned with a perough,^ having on board the captain, his first lieutenant and seven men of a patriot or piratical vessel that was chased ashore at Cape Cruz by a Spanish armed brig These seven men made their escape in said boat and, after four days, found our pirates and joined them; .tlie remainder of the crew being killed or taken prisoners. Monday, 24tli — Their boat was maimed and sent to the before mentioned town. — I was informed by a line from Nickola, that the pirates had a man on board, a native of Principe, who in the garb of a sailor was a partner with Dominico, but I could not got sigiic of him. This lets us a little into the plans by which this atrocious svstem of piracy has been carried on. Merchants having partners on board of these pirates ! thus pirates at sea and robbers on land are associated to destroy the peaceable trader. The willingness exhibited by the seven above-mentioned men, to join our gang of pirates, seems to look like a genc^ral understanding among them; and from there being merchants on shore so base as to en- courage the plunder and vend the goods, I am persuaded there has been a systematic confederacy on the part of these unprinci- pjed desperadoes, under cover of tlio patriot flag; and tiiose on land are no better than those on the sea. If the governments to whom they belong know of the atrocities committed (and I have but little doubt they do) they deserve the execration of all man- kind. Tuesday, 2oth. — ^Still on board tlie Exertion — weather verv calm and warm. The pirate's boat returned from St. Maria, and came for candles, cheese, potatoes, See. they sayin^r they must have them, and forbid my keeping any light on boaid at night- took a case of trunks for the captain's use and departed. Tiieir irritating conduct at this time can hardly be imagined Wednesday, 26th. — I was told by Bolidar that three Spanish * A boat luilt of two halves ol a large I -ee luilloned o'lt and so p:it louollicc ;isj to carry auout thirty barrels. 444 NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN, cruisers were in search of them, that they could fight two of them at once, (which by the way I believe was not true) and were dis- appointed at not finding them. Same evening they took both of my boats, and their own men, towed their vessel out of the creek, and anchored at its mouth, to get rid of sand-fiies ; while they obliged us to stay on deck under an awning, exposed to all the violence of these flies; we relieved ourselves in some measure by the burning of tobacco, which lasted but for a short time. Thursday, 27th. — A gang of the pirates came and stripped our masts of the gjeen bushes, saying, '' she appeared more like a sail tJian trees " — took one barrel of bread and one of potatoeSj using about one of each every day. I understood they were wait- ing for boats to take the cargo; for the principal merchant had gone to Trinidad. Friday, 28th. — Nothing remarkable occurred this day — were frequently called upon for tar and butter, and junk to make oakunu Captain Jonnia brought on board with him his new captain and oflicer before mentioned. Again they asked for wine, and were told as before, they had gotten the whole. Saturday, 29th. — Same insulting conduct continued.— Took off a barrel of crackers. Sunday, 30th. — The begining of trouble! This day which peculiarly reminds Christians of the high duties of compassion and benevolence, was never observed by these pirates. This, of course, we might expect, as they did not often know when the day came, and if they knew it, it was spent in gambling. The old saying among seamen, '' no Sunday oif soundings," was not thought of; and even this poor plea was not theirs, for they were on soundings and often at anchor. — Early this morning the mer- chant, as they called him, came with a large boat for the cargo. I was imm*ediately ordered into the boat with my crew, not allow- ed any breakfast, and carried about three miles to a small island out of sight of the Exertion and left there by the side of a little pond of thick, muddy water, which proved to be very brackish, with nothing to eat but a few biscuit. One of the boat's men tvold us the merchant was afraid of being recognised, and when he had gone the boat v/ould return for us; but we had great reason to apprehend they would deceive us, and therefore passed the day in the utmost anxiety. At night, however, the boats came and took us again on board the Exertion; wlien, to our surprise and astonishment we found they had broken open the trunks and chests and taken all our wearing apparel, not even leaving a shirt or pair of pantaloons, nor sparing a small miniature of my wife which was in my trunk. The little money I and my mate had, with some belonging to the owners, my mate had previously distributed about the cabin in three or four parcels, while I was on board the pirate, for we dare not keep it about us; one parcel in a butter pot they did not discover — Amidst the hurry Vv'ith which T v/as obliged ti> NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. I4ci leave my vessel to go to the before mentioned island, I fortunately snatched my vessel's papers, and hid them in my bosom, wliich the reader will find was 9 happy circumstance for me. My writing desk, with papers, accoiints, &c. all Mr. Lord's letters (the gen- tleman to v/hom my cargo was consigned) and several others were taken and maliciously destroyed. My medicine chest, which I so much wanted, was kept for their own use. What their motive could be to take my papers I could not imagine, except they had hopes of finding bills of lading for some Spaniards, to clear them from piracy. Mr. Bracket had some notes and papers of conse- quence to him, which shared the same fate. My qiiadrant, charts, books and some bedding were not yet taken, but I found it impos- sible to hide them, and they were soon gone from my sight. Monday, 31st. — We complained to them, expressing vhe neces- sity of having clothes to cover us — but, as well might we have ap pealed to the winds, and rather better, for they would not have up braided us in return. The captain, however, sent word he would 5ee to it, and ordered their clothes bags to he searched, where he found some of our things, but took good care to put them in his own cabin. I urgently requested him to give me the miniature, but, no was all I could ^et. Tuesday, January 1st, 1822. — A sad new year's day to m.e Before breakfast orders came for me to cut down the Exertion's railing and bulwarks on one side, for their vessel to heave out by, and clean her bottom. On my hesitating a little they observed with anger, '' very well captain, suppose you no do it quick, we do it for you." — Directly afterwards another boat full of armed men came along side; they jumped on deck with swords drawn and ordered all of us into her immediately; I stepped below, in hopes of getting something which would be of service to us; but the captain hallooed, ''Go in the boat directly or I will fire upon you." — Thus compelled to obey, we were carried, together with four Spanish prisoners, to a small, low island or key of sand in the shape of a half moon and partly covered with mangrove trees: which was about one mile from and in sight of my vessel. There they left nine of us, with a little bread, flour, fish, lard, a little coffee and molasses; two or three kegs of water, which was brack ish; an old sail for a covering, and a pot and some other small articles no way fit to co^k in. Leaving us* these, whicli were mucn less than they appe^ir in the enumeration, they pushed off, saying, "we will come to see you in a day or two." — Selecting the best place, we spread the old sail f)r an awning; but no place was free from flies, moschetoes, snakes, the venomous stingcd scorpion and the more venomous santipee Sometimes they were found crawling inside of our pantaloon.^, but fortunately no injury was received. This afternoon the pirates hove their vessel out by the Exertion and cleaned one side, using her paints, oil, &c for th'*'' -^urpose. — To see mv vessel in that situation and to think 446 NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. of our prospects was a source of the .eepest distress. At night we retired to our tent; but having notiiing but the cold damp ground for a bed, and the heavy daw of niglit penetrating the old canvass — the situation of the island being iiity miles from the usual track of friendly vessels, and one hundred and thirty-five from Trinidad — seeing my owner's property so unjustly and w^antonly destroyed — considering my condition, the hands at whose mercy I was, and deprived of all hopes, rendered sleep or rest a stranger to me. Wednesday, 2d. The pirates hove out and cleaned the other side. She then commenced loading with the Exertion's cargo, which appeared to be flour and lard. In the afternoon their boat came and took two of the Spaniards with, them to another island for water, and soon after returned with four kegs of poor, un- wholesome water, and left us, saying they should not bring us provisions again for some time; as they were going away with goods from the prize, to be gone two or three days." According- ly they brought a present supply of beef, pork, and a few potatoes, w^ith some bedding for myself and mate. The mangrove wood afforded us a good fire, as one of the Spanish prisoners happened to have fire-works; and others had tobacco and paper with which we made cigars. About this time one of my men began to be unwell; his legs and body swelled considerably, but having no medicine I could not do much to relieve him. Thursday, 3d. The pirates had dropped off from the Exertion, but kept their boats employed in bringing the cargo from her; I supposed it to be kegs of lard to make stowage. They then got under way with a perough in tow, both deeply laden, ran out of the harbor, hauled on the wind to the eastward till out of sight behind the Keys; leaving a guard on board the Exertion. Friday, 4th. — Commenced with light winds and hot sun, saw a boat coming from the Exertion, apparently loaded; she passed between two small Keys to northward, supposed to be bound for Cuba. At sunset a boat came and inquired if we wanted any thing, but instead of adding to our provisions, took away our molasses, and pushed off. We found one of the Exertion's water casks, and several pieces of plank, which we carefully laid up, in hopes of getting enough to naake a raft. Saturday, 5th. — Pirates again in sight coming from the east- ward; they beat up along side their prize, and commenced I )ad- ing. In the afternoon Nickola came to us, bringing with him two moie piisoners, which they had taken in a small sail boat comino^ iVom Trinidad to Manofaneil, one a Frenchman, the other a Scotchman, with two Spaniards, who remained on board the pirate, and who afterwards joined them. The back of one of these poor fellows was extremely sore, having just suffered a cruel beating from Bolidar, with the broad side of a cu-tlass. It appeared, that when the officer asked him '' where their money NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN 447 was, and how much," he answered, '^ he was not certain bit be- lieved they had only two ounces of gold" — Bolidar furiously Bwore he said ''ten," and not finding any more, gave him the beating. Nickola now related to me a singular fact; which was, that the Spanish part of their crew were determined to shoot him; that they tied him to the mast, and a man was appointed for the purpose; but Lyon, a Frenchman, his particular friend, stepped up and told them, if they shot him, they must shoot several more; some of the Spaniards sided with him, and he was released. IVickola told me, the reason for such treatment was, th«.t he con- tinually objected to their conduct towards me, and their opinion was if he should escape they would be discovered, as he declared he would take no prize money. While with us, he gave me a letter written in great haste, which contains some particulars re- specting the cargo; — as follows: — January 4, 1822. Sir — We arrived here this morning, and before we came to anchor, had five canoes alongside ready to take your cargo, part of which we had in; and as I heard you express a wish, to know what they took out of her, to this moment, you may depend on this account of Jamieson,^ for quality and quantity; if I iiave the same opportunity you will have an account of the whole. The villain who bought your cargo is from the town of Principe, his name is Dominico, as to that it is all that I can learn; they have taken your charts on board the schooner Mexican and I suppose mean to keep them, as the other captain has agreed to act the same infamous part in the tragedy of his life. Your clothes are here on board, but do not let me flatter you, that you will get them back; it may be so, and it may not. Perhaps in your old age, when you recline with ease in a corner of your cottage, you will have the goodness to drop a tear of pleasure to the memory of him, whose highest ambition should have been to subscribe himself, though devoted to the gallows, your friend, Excuse haste. Nickola Monacre. P. S. Your answer in writin^x when I come airain. Sunday, 6th. — The pirates were under way at sunrise, with a full load of the Exertion's cargo, going to Principe again, to sell a second freight, which was done readily for cash. I afterwards heard that the flour brought only five dollars per barrel, when it was worth at Trinidad thirteen; so that the villain who bough: my cargo at Principe, made very large profits by it. Tilonday, 7th. — The pirates brought more water, but being very brackish, it was unfit for use. We were now greatly alarmed at Thomas' ill health, being suddenly attacked with a pain in the head, and swelling of the right eye, attended with derangement * This is tlic roal niino of Nickola. 148 NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. He however soon became better; but his eye remained swcllen several days without much pain. In the evening we had some heavy showers of rain, and having no secure cabin, no sheltered retreat, our exposure made us pass a very uncomfortable night. Tuesday, 8th. — Early this morning the pirates in sight again, with fore top sail and top gallant sail set; beat up along side of the Exertion and commenced loading; having, as I supposed, sold and discharged her last freight among some of the inhabitants of Cuba. They appeared to load in great haste; and the song ''O he oh," v/hich echoed from one vessel to the other, was distinctly heard by us. How wounding was this to me! How different was this sound from what it would have been, had I been permit* ted to pass unmolested by these lawless plunderers, and been favored with a safe arrival at the port of my destination, where my cargo would have found an excellent sale. Then would the *' O he ho," on its discharging, have been a delightful sound to me. In the afternoon she sailed with the perough in tow, both with a full load; having chairs, which was part of the cargo, slung at her quarters. Wednesday, 9th — Very calm and warm. The swarms of moschetoes and flies made us pass a very uncomfortable day. We dug in the sand for water, but were disappointed at finding none so good as they left us. In walking rounti among the bushes, I accidentally discovcTed a hole in the sand, and saw- something run into it; curiosity led me to dig about it. With the help, of Mr. Bracket I found at the distance of seven feet from its mouth, and one from the surface, a large solitary rat, apparent- ly several years old; he had collected a large nest of grass and leaves; but there v/as not the least appearance of any other being on the island. Thursday, 10th. — No pirates in sight. The day was passed in anxious suspense; David Warren being quite sick. Friday, 11th. — They came and hauled along-side of the Exer- tion, but I think took out none of her cargo: but had, as I sup- posed, a vendue on board, wherein was sold among themselves, ail our clothing, books, quadrants, charts, spy-glasses, and every thing belonging to us and our fellow prisoners. I was afterwards told they brought a good price; but what they could want of the Bible, Prayer-Book and many other books in English, was matter of astonishment to me. Saturday, 12th. — Thry remained along side the Exertion; took hpr paints, oil, brushes, &c. and gave their vessel a new coat of paint all round, and a white boot top — took the perouc^h to another key and caulked her — there was no appearance of their taking any cargo out; the Exertion however appeared considerablv high out of water. About sunset the pirates went cut of the harbor on a cruise. — Here we had been staying day after day, and exposed night after night — apprehensions for our safety were NARRATJV'E OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 449 much increased; what was to become of us, seemed now to rush into every one's mind. Sunday, 13th. — Deprived of our good books, deprived in fact of every thing, save life, and our ideas respecting our fate so gloomy, all tended to render time, especially the Lord's day, burdensome to us. In the afternoon a boat came for cargo, from, as 1 supposed, that villain Dominico. jVionday, Mth. — They again hove in sight, and beat up, aa \:saal, along-side their prize. While passing our solitary island, they laughed at our misery which was almost insupportal)Ie — looking upon us as though we had committed some heinous crime, and they had not sufficiently punished us; they hallooed to us, crying out, *' Captain, Captain," accompanied with obscene motions and words, with which I shall not blacken these pages — yet I heard no check upon such conduct, nor could I expect il among such a gang, who have no idea of subordination on board, except when in chase of vessels, and even then but very littk My resentment was excited at such a malicious outrage, and ] felt a disposition to revenge myself, sliould fortune ever favor me with an opportunity. It was beyond human nature not to feei End express some indignation at such treatment. — Soon after, Bolidar, with five men, well armed, came to us; he having a blunderbuss, cutlass, a long knife and pair of pistols — but for what purpose did he come.'' He took me by the hand saying, ** Captain, me speak with you, walk this way." I obeyed, and when we were at some distance from my fellow prisoners, (his men following) he said, '' the captain send me for youi icasli/^ I pretended not to understand what he meant and replied " I have no clothes, nor any soap to wash with — you have taken them all" — for I had kept my watch about me, hoping they would not discover it. He demanded it again as before; and was answered, " I have nothing to wash;" this raised his anger, and lifting his blunderbuss he roared out, ^' what the d — 1 you call him that make clock .^ give it me" — I considered it im- prudent to contend any longer and submitted to his unlawful demand. — As he was going off, he gave me a small bundle in which was a pair of linen drawers, sent to me by ISickoJa, and also the Uev. Mr. Brooks' " Family Prayer Book." This gave me great satisfaction. — Soon after, he returned with his captain who liad one arm slung up, yet with as many implements of war, as bin diminutive wicked self could conveniently cftrry; he told me (through an inter [)reter who was a j)risoner) *' that on his cruise, lie had fallen in witii two Spanish privateers, and beat them off; but had three of his men killed and himself wounded in the arm" — l^olidar turned to me and said, " it is a d — n lie" — which words proved to be correct, for his arm was not wounded, and when I saw him again, which was soon afterwards, he forgot to sling it up. He further told me, " afler to-morrow you shall go with youi 33* 450 NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. . vessel and we will accompany you towards Trinidad.' This gave ] me some new hopes, and why 1 could not tell. They then left us without rendering any assistance. — This night we got some rest, j Tuesday, loth. — The words "go after to-morrow," were used ' among our Spanish fellow prisoners, as though that happy to- \ morrow would never come — in what manner it came will soon be noticed. Wednesday, 16th. — One of their boats came to inquire if we j had seen a boat pass by last night, for their small sloop sail boat was gone and two me?, deserted: 1 told them " no" — at heart 1 , could not but rejoice at the escape, and approve the deserters — I i said nothing, however, of this kind to the pirates. On their - return, they manned three of their boats and sent them in different j directions to search, but at night came back without finding boat ' or men. They now took our old sail, which hitherto had some- what sheltered us, to make, as I supposed, some small sail for their vessel. This rendered our night more uncomfortable than before, for in those islands the night dews are very heavy. . Thursday, 17th, was passed with great impatience. — The \ Exertion having been unmoored and swung to her anchor, gave : some hopes of being restored to her; but was disappointed. Friday, 18th, commenced with brighter prospects of liberty than ; ever — the pirates were employed in, setting up our devoted schoon- er's shrouds, stays, &c. My condition now reminded me of the hungry man, chained in one corner of a room, while at another : part was a table loaded with delicious food and fruits, the smell ^ and sight of which he was continually to experience, but, alas! his , chains were never to be loosed that he might go and partake — at ! almost the same moment they v/ere thus employed, the axe was ' applied with the greatest dexterity to both her masts, and I saw | them fall over the side! Here fell my hopes — 1 looked at my ; condition, and then thought of home. — Our Spanish fellow prison- ers were so disappointed and alarmed, that they recommended | hiding ourselves, if possible, among the mangrove trees, believ- I ing, as they said, we should now certainly be put to death; or, : what was worse, compelled to serve on board the Mexican as pirates. Little else it is true seemed left for us; however, we \ kept a bri2;ht look out for them during the day, and at night "an anchor watch" as we called it, determined if we discovered their - boats coming towards us, to adopt the plan of hiding, although starvation stared us in the face; yet preferred that to instant death. This night was passed in sufficient anxiety — I took the first watch. Saturday, 19th. — The pirate's large boat came for us — it being daylight, and supposing they could see us, determined to stand our ground and wait the result. They ordered us all into the boat, but left every thing else; they rowed towards the Exertion — 1 noticed a dejection of spirits in one of the pirates, and im- NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LIXcOLN. 45l quired of him where they were going to carry us? He shook his head and replied " I do not knov/." I now had some hopes of visiting my vessel again — hut the pirates made sail, run down, took us in tow and stood out of the harhor. Bolidar afterwards took me, my mate and two of my men on hoard and gave us some coffee. On examination I found they had several additional light sails, made of the Exertion's. Almost every man, a pair of can- vass trousers; and my colors cut up and made into belts to carry their money about them. — My jolly boat was on deck, and I was informed, all my rigging was disposed of. Several of the pirates had on some of my clothes, and the captain one of my best shirts, a cleaner one, than I had ever seen him have on before. — He kept at a good distance from me, and forbid my friend iVickola's speaking to me. — I saw from the companion way in the captain's cabin my quadrant, spy glass and other things which belonged to us, and observed by the compass, that the course steered was about west by south, — distance nearly twenty miles, which brought them up with a cluster of islands called by some " Cayman Keys." Here they anchored and caught some fish, (one of which was named guard fish) of which we had a taste. I observ- ed that my friend Mr. Bracket was somewhat dejected, and asked him in a low voice, what his opinion was with respect to our fate.'* He answered, '' I cannot tell you, but it appears to me the worst is to come," I told him that I hoped not, but thought they would give us our small boat and liberate the prisoners. But mercy even in this shape was not left for us. Soon after, saw the cap- tain and officers whispering for some time in private conference. When over, their boat was manned under the command of Bolidar, and went to one of those Islands or Keys before mentioned."* On their return, another conference took place — whether it was a jury upon our lives we could not tell — I did not think conscience could be entirely extinguished in the human breast, or that men could become fiends. In the afternoon while we knew not the doom which had been fixed for us, the captain was engaged with several of his men in gambling, in hopes to get back some of the five hundred dollars, they said, he lost but a few nights before; which had made him unusually fractious. A little before sunset he ordered all the prisoners into the large boat with a supply of provisions and water, and to be put on shore. While v.o were getting into her, one of my fellow prisoners, a Spaniard, attempt- ed with tears in his eyes to speak to the captain, but was refiised, with the answer — " I'll have nothing to say to any prisoner, go into the boat." In the mean time Nickola said to me, " My friend, I will give you your book," (being ]Mr. Colman's Ser- mons,) ''it is the only thing of yours that is in my possession, I *Thi3 Key uas full of mangrove trees, whose tops turn down and take root, forminj; ft kind of iiinhrella. The tide at hijih water tlows two feet deep under Iheni : it is liiereforf Impossible for human beings to live long among them, even withfood and water. 152 NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIx\ LINCOLN dare not attempt any thing more." But the captain forbid hia giving it to me, and I stepped into the boat — at that moment Nickoia said in a low voice, " never mind, I may see you again before I die." The small boat was well armed and manned, and both set off together for the island, where they had agreed to leave us to perish! The scene to us was a funeral scene. There were no arms in the prisoners' boat, and, of course, all attempts lO relieve ourselves would have been throwing our lives away, as Bolidar was near us, well armed. We were rowed about tv/o miles northeasterly from the pirates, to a small low island, lonely and desolate. We arrived about sunset; and for the support of us eleven prisoners, they only left a ten gallon keg of water, and perhaps a few quarts, in another small vessel, which was yery poor; part of a barrel of flour, a small keg of lard, one ham and some salt fish; a small kettle and an old broken pot; an old sail for a covering, and a small mattrass and blanket, which was thrown out as the boats hastened away. One of the prisoners happened to have a little coffee in his pocket, and these comprehended all our means of sustaining life, and for what length of time we knew not. We now felt the need of water, and our supply was comparatively nothing. — A man may live nearly twice as long without food, as without water. — Look at us now, my friends, left benighted on a little spot of sand in the midst of the ocean, far from the usual track of vessels, and every appearance of a violent thunder tempest, and a boisterous night. Judge of my fochngs, and the circumstances which our band of sufferers now witnessed. — Perhaps you can and have pitied us — I assure you, we were very wretched; and to paint the scene, is not within my pov/er. V/hen the boats were moving from the shore, on recov- ering myself a little, I asked Bolidar, " If he was going to leave us so.^" — he answered, *' no, only two days — we go for water and wood, then come back, take you." I requested him to give us bread and other stores, for they had plenty in the boat, and at least one hundred barrels of flour in the Mexican '' no, no, suppose to-morrow morning me come, me give you bread," and hurried off to their vessel. This was the last time I sav/ him. We then turned our attention upon finding a spot most convenient for our comfort, and soon discovered a little roof supported by stakes driven into the sand;* it was thatched with leaves of the cocoa-nut tree, considerable part of which was torn or blown off. After spreading the old sail over this roof, w^e placed our little stock of provisions under it. Soon after came on a heavy shower of rain which penetrated the canvass, and made it nearly as uncomforta- ble inside, as it would have been out. We were not prepared to catch water, having nothing to put it In. Our next object was to get fire, and after gathering some of the driest fuel to be found, * This was probal)ly erected by the turtle men or fishers, \vho visit these islands in Jun'* for the purposes of their trade. J?AURATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 453 and having a small piece of cotton wick-yarn, with flint and steel, we kindled a fire, which was never afterwards suffered to he ex- tinguished. The night was very dark, but we found a piece of old rope, which when well lighted served for a candle. On ex- amining the ground under the roof, we found perhaps thousands of creeping insects, scorpions, lizards, crickets, &.c. After scraping them out as well as we could, the most of us having nothing but the damp earth for a bed, laid ourselves down in hopes of some rest; but it being so wet, gave many of us severe colds, and one of the Spaniards was quite sick for several days. Sunday, 20th. — As soon as daylight came on, we proceeded to take a view of our little island, and found it to measure only one acre, of coarse^ white sand; about two feet, and in some spots perhaps three feet above the surface of the ocean. On tlie high- est part were growing some bushes and small mangroves, (the dry part of which was our fuel) and the wild caster oil beans. We were greatly disappointed in not finding the latter suitable food; likewise some of the prickly pear bushes, which gave us only a few pears about the size of our small button pear; the outside has thorns, which if applied to the fingers or lips, will remain there, and cause a severe smarting similar to the nettle; the inside a spungy substance full of juice and seeds, which are red and a little tartish — had they been there in abundance, we should not have suiTered so much for water — but alas! even this substitute was not for us. On the northerly side of the island was a hollow, where the tide penetrated the sand, leaving stag- nant water. We presumed, in hurricanes the island was nearly overflowed. According to the best calculations I could make, we were about thirty five miles from any part of Cuba, one hun- dred trom Trinidad and forty from the usual track of American vessels, or others which might pass that way. No vessel of any considerable size, can safely pass among these Keys or '' Queen's Gardens," (as the Spaniards call them) being a large number extending from Cape Cruz to Trinidad, one hundred and filly miles distance; and many more than the charts have laid down, most of them very low and some covered at high water, which makes it very dangerous for navigators without a skilful pilot. After taking this view of our condition, which was very gloomy, we began to suspect we were left on this desolate island by those merciless plunderers to perish. Of this I am now fully convinced; still we looked anxiously for the pirate's boat to come according to promise with more water and provisions, but looked in vain. W^e saw them soon after get under way with all sail set and run directly from us until out of our sight, and ive never saiu them aut no to-morrow came to him. — In the course of t^-- night he had another spell of strangling, and soon after expire^ without much pain and without a groan. He was about tv/ent} -six years old. — How solemn was this scene to us! Plere we beheld the ravages of death commenced upon us. More than one of us considered death a happy release. For myself I thought of my wife and children; and wished to live if God should so order it, though ex- treme, thirst, hunger and exhaustion had well nigh prostrated my fondest hopes. Tuesday, 29th. — Part of us recommenced labor on the boat, while myself and Mr. Bracket went and selected the highest clear spot of sand on the northern side of the island, where we dug Warren's grave and boxed it up with shooks, thinking it would be the most suitable spot for the rest of us — whose turn would como next, we knew not. At about ten o'clock, A. IM. conveyed the corpse to the grave, followed by us survivors — a scene, whose awful solemnity can never be painted. We stood around the fjrave, and there I read tlie funeral prayer from the Rev. jMr. Brooks's Family Prayer Book; and committed the body to the earth; covered it with some pieces of board and sand, and return- ed to our labor. — One of the Spaniards an old man, named ?flan- uel, who was partial tome, and I to him, made a cross and placed at the head of the grave saying, *' Jesus Christ hath him now." Although I did not believe in any mysterious influence of this cross, yet I was perfectly willing it should stand there. The mid- dle part of the day being very warm, our mouths parciicd with thirst, and our spirits so depressed, that we made but little progress during the remainder of this day, but in the evening were employ- ed in picking oakum out of the bolt rope taken from the old sail Wednesday, 30th. — Returned to labor on the boat with as 458 NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN I INCOLN iniich vigor as our week and debilitated state would admit, bm it was a day of trial to us all; for the Spanifirds and Vve Ameri- cans could not well understand each other's plans, and they be- ing naturally petulant would not work, nor listen with any patience for Joseph our English fellow prisoner to explain our viev/s — they would sometimes undo what they had done and in a few minut-es replace it again; however before night we began to calk her seams, by means of pieces of hard mangrove, made in form of a calking-iron, and had the satisfaction of seeing her in a form some- thing like a boat. Thursday, 31st. — Went on with the work, some at calking^ others at battening the seams with strips of canvass, and pieces of pine nailed over, to keep the oakum in. Having found a suita- ble pole for a mast, the rest went about making a sail from the one VvQ had used for a covering, also fitting oars of short pieces of boards, in form of a paddle, tied on a pole, we having a piece of fishing line brought by one of the prisoners. Thus, at three P. M the boat was completed and put afloat. — We had all this time con- fidently hoped, that she would be sufficiently large and strong to carry us all— v/e made atrial and were disappointed! This was indeed a severe trial, and the emotions it called up were not easy to be suppressed. She proved leaky, for we had no carpenter'^s yard, or smith's shop to go to. — -And now the question was, " who should go, and how many?" I found it necessary for six; four to row, one to steer and one to bale. Three of the Spaniards and the Frenchman claimed the right, as being bes^t acquainted with the nearest inhabitants; iikevvise, they had when taken, two boats left at St. Maria (about forty miles distant) which they were confident of finding. They promised to return wdthin two or three days for the rest of us — -I thought it best to consent — Mr. Bracket it was agreed should go in my stead, because my papers must ac- conjpany me as a necessary protection, and my men apprehended danger if they were lo&t. Joseph Baxter (I think was his name) they wished should go, because he could speak both languages — leav- ing Manuel, George, Thomas and my?^' f, to wait their return. Having thus made all arrangements, and putting up a keg of the least salt water, with a few pancakes and salt fish, they set off a little before sunset with our best wishes ana prayers for their safety and return to our relief. — To launch off into the wide ocean, with strength almost exhausted, and in such a frail boat as this, you will say was very hazardous, and in truth it was; but what else was left to us? — Their intention v/as to touch at the Key where the Exertion was, and if no boat was to be found there, to pro- ceed on to St. Maria and if none there, to go to Trinidad and send U3 relief — lint alas! it was the last time I ever saw them! — Our sulToring this day was most acute. Tuesday, February 1st. — This day we rose early and traversed the bearh in search of cccklcs, &c. but found very fcv/ — I struck NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 45i my foot against something in the sand, which proved to be a curi- ous shell, and soon found two others of a different kind; but tnev were to me like Crusoe's lump of gold, of no value. I could not driidc them; so laid them by. — I returned to our tent and we made some skillygolee, or flour and salt water boiled together, whicn we found better than clear salt water. We passed the day very uncomfortably, and my people were dissatisfied at not having an equal chance, as they called it, with the others in the boat — • but it is not always, that we know what is for our good. Saturday, 2d. — Thomas and George made another visit to the windward Keys, where they found some more shooks and two pieces of spars; towed them round as before. We now had some hopes of finding enough to malie us a raft, which would carry us to some place of lelief, in case the boat should not return. Sunday, 3d. — A calm warm day, but a very gloomy one to us, it being more difficult to support life — our provisions nearly ex- pended, no appearance of rain since the night v/e first landed, our thirst increasiniT, our strenoth wastin^j, our few clothes hani^infr in ra^s, our beards of ixi'eat lenj^-th and almjst turned white, nothing like relief before us, no boat in sight. — Think, compassionate reader, our situation. We had marked out for each one the place for his grave. I looked at mine, and thought of my wife and fami- ly. — Again we reduced the allowance of bread; but even the little which now fell to my share, I could scarcely swallow — I never seemed to feel the sensation of hunger, the extreme of thirst was so overpowering. — Perhaps never shall I be more reconciled to death, but my home made me want to live, although every breath seemed to increase thirst. Monday, 4th. — Having seriously reflected on our situation, concluded to put all the shooks, Stc. together and forma raft, and ascertain what w^eight it would carry; hut here again we were disappointed, for we had not enough to carry two of us. Tuesday, 5th. — About ten o'clock, A. ]M. discovered a boat drifting by on the southeast side of the island about a mile distant. I deemed it a providential thing to us, and urged Thomas and Geoi'ge trying the rait for her. They reluctantly consented and set off, but it was nearly three P. IvI. when they came up with her. — It was the same boat we had built! AV^here then was my friend Bracket and those who went with iiim.^ Every appearance was unfiivorable. — I hoped that a good Providence had yet pre- served him. — The two men who went for the boat, found it full of water, without oars, paddle, or sail; being in this condition, and about three miles to the leeward, the men found it impossible to ow her up, so left her, and were till eleven o'clock at night get- ting back with the raft. They were so exl^austed, that had it not been nearly calm, they could never have returned. Wednesday, Ctli. — This morning was indeed the most gloomy I had ever experienced, — There appeared Iiardly a ray of hope 460 NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIxX LINCOLN that my friend Bracket could return, seeing the boat was lost.- •"- Our provisions nearly gone; our mouths parched extremely with thirst; our strength wasted; our spirits broken, and our hopes imprisoned within the circumference of this desolate island in the midst of an unfrequented ocean; all these things gave to the scene around us the hue of death. In the midst of this dreadful despon- dence, a sail hove in sight, bearing the white flag. Our hopes were raised, of course — but no sooner raised than darkened, by hearing a gun fired. Here then was another gang of pirates.-— She soon, hov/ever, came near enough to anchor, and her boat pushed off tov/ards us with three men in her. — Thinking it no worse now to die by sword than famine I walked down imme- diately to meet them. I knew them not. — A moment before the boat touched the ground, a man leaped from her bows and caught me in his arms! ItwasJVickola! ! — saying, '' Do you now believe Nickola is your friend? yes, said he, Jamieson y/iW yet prove him- self so." — No words can express my emotions at this moment. — This w^as a friend indeed. The reason of my not recognising them before, v/as that they had cut off their beards and whiskers. Turning to my fellovv^-sufferers, Nickola asked — " Are these all that are left of you? where are the others?" — At this moment seeing David's grave — " Are they dead then? ah I suspected it, I knov/ what you w^ere put here for." As soon as I could recover myself, gave him an account of Pvlr. Bracket and the others. — ** How unfortimate, he said, they must be lost or some pirates have taken them " — " but, he continued, we have no time to lose; you had better embark immediately with us, and go Vv^here you plea^'e, we are at your service." The other two in the boat with him were Frenchmen, one named i^yon, the other Parrikete. They affectionately embraced each of us; then holding to my mouth the nose of a teakettle, filled with v/ine, said " Drink plenty, no hurt you." I drank as much as 1 judged prudent. They then gave it to my fellow sufferers. — I experienced almost immediate relief, not feeling it in my head; they had also brought in the boat for us, a dish of salt beef and potatoes, of which we took a little. Then sent the boat on board for the other two men, being five in all; who came ashore, and rejoiced enough was I to see among them Thomas Young, one of my crew, who was detained on board the Mexican, but had escaped through Nickola's means; the other a Frenchman, named John Cadedt. I now thought, again and again, with troubled emotion of my friend Bracket's fate.- I took the last piece of paper I had, and wrote with pencil a few lines, informing him (should he come there,) that " I and the rest were safe; that I was not mistaken in the friend in whom I had placed so much confidence, that he had accomplished my hin^hest expectations; and that I should go immediately to Trini- dad, and requested him to go there also, and apply to Mr. Isaac W. Lord, my consignee, for assistance." I put the paper into a junk NACIRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LIXCOLN. 161 bottle, previously found on the beacli, put in a stopper, and left it, together v/itli what litiic tiour remained, a keg of water brought from Nickohi's vessel, and a few other thing? v/hich 1 thouoht might be of service to him. We then repaired with our friends on board, where we were kindly treated. She was a sloop iVoni Jamaica, of about twelve tons, with a cargo of rum and wir.e, bouad to Trinidad. I asked " which way they intended to go?" they said *' to Jamaica if agreeable to me." As I preferred Trinidad, 1 told them, " if they would give me the Kxertion'a boat which was along-side (beside their own) some water and pro- visions, we would take chance in her," " tbr perha})s, said I, you will fare better at Jamaica, than at Trinidad." After a few min- utes consultation, they said "you are too much exhausted to row the distance of one hundred miles, therefore we will go and carry you — we consider ourselves at your service." I expressed a wish to take a look at the Exertion, possibly we might hear some- thing of jMr. Bracket. I%ickola said " very well," so got under way, and run for her, having a light westerly wind. He then re- lated to me the manner of their desertion from the pirates; as nearly as I can recollect his own words, he said, '' A Tew" days since, the pirates took four small vessels, I believe Spaniards; they having but two officers for the two first, the third fell to me as prize master, and having an understanding with the three Frenchmen and Thomas, selected them for my crew, and went on board with orders to follow the INlexican; which I obeyed. The fourth, the pirates took out all but one man and bade him also foilov/ their vessel. Now our schooner leaked so bad, that we left her and in her stead agreed to take this little sloop, (which we are now in) together with the one man. The night being very ark we all agreed to desert the pirates — altered our course and touched at St. jMaria, wliere we landed the one man — saw no boats there, could hear nothing from you, and agreed one and ail at the risk of our lives to come and liberate you if you were alive; knowing, as we did, that you were put on this Key to perish. On our way we boa'ded the Exertion, thinking possibly you might have been there. On board her we found a sail and paddle.* We took one of the pirate's boats which they had left along-side of her, which proves how we come by two boats. IVIy friend, the circumstance 1 am now about to rehite, will somewliat astonish you. When the pirate's boat with Bolidar was sent to tlie befuro mentioned Key, on the 19th of January, it was their intention to leave you prisoners there, v/here was nothing but salt water and mangroves, and no possibility of escape This Avas tlie plan of Baltizar, their abandoned pilot; but Bolidar's heart failed him, and he objected to it; then, after a conference. Captain Jonnta ordered you to be put on the little island from whence we ha\e *Tlii.>5 prove 1 to inc thiLt Mr Jrarkni in ! horn tlii-rc, tliese being llio ones which he look from the islind. 3 J* 462 NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. nov/ taken you. But after this was done, that night the Fiench and Portuguese part of the Mexican's crew protested against it; so that Captain Jonnia to satisfy them, sent his large boat to take you and your fellow prisoners back again, taking care to select his confidential Spaniards for this errand. And will you believe me, ,they set off from the Mexican and after spending about as much time as would really have taken them to come to you, they returned, and reported they had been to your island, and landed, and that none of you were there; somebody having taken you off! This, all my companions here know to be true. — I knew it was impossible you could have been liberated, and therefore we determined among ourselves, that s lould an opportunity occur we would come and save your lives, as we now have." He then expressed, as he hitherto had done, (and I believe with sincerity) his disgust with the bad company which he had been in, and looked fo-rward with anxiety to the day when he might return to his native country. I advised him to get on board an American vessel, whenever an opportunity offered, and come to the United States; and on his arrival direct a letter to me: repeating my earnest desire to make some return for the disinterested friendship wdiich he had shown toward me. With the Frenchman I had but little conversation, Doing unacquainted with the language. Here ended Nickola's account. " And now'^ said the French- men, '' our hearts be easy." Nickola observed he had left all and found us. I gave them my warmest tribute of gratitude. Baying, I looked upon them under God as the preservers of our Uves, and promised them all the assistance which my situation might ever enable me to afford. — This brings me to Thursday evening, 7th, when, at eleven o'clock, we anchored at the creek's mouth, near the Exertion. I was anxious to board her; accordingly took with me Nickola, Thomas, George and two others, well armed, each with a musket and cutlass. I jumped on her deck, saw a fire in the camboose, but no person there: I called aloud Mr. Bracket's name several times, saying "it is Captain Lincoln, don't be afraid, but show yourself;" but no an- swer was given. She had no masts, spars, rigging, furniture, provisions or any thing left, except her bowsprit, and a few bar- rels of salt provisions of her cargo. Her sealing had holes cut in it, no doubt in their foolish search for money. I left her with peculiar emotions, such as I hope never again to experience; and returned to the little sloop where we remained till — Friday, 8th — When I had a disposition to visit the island on which we were first imprisoned. — Found nothing there — saw a boat among the mangroves, near the Exertion. Returned, and got under way imtnediately for Trinidad. In the night, while under full sail, run aground on a sunken Key, having rocks above the water, resembling old stumps of trees; v/e, however, soon goi off and anchored. Most of those Keys have similar rocks 9^' >ut the/n. which navigators must carefully guard against. NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 463 Saturday, 9th. — Got under way again, and stood along close in for the main island of Cuba, in order, that h' v.e should see th? pirates, to take our boats and go on shore. Sunday, 10th.— -Saw the highlands of Trinidad. At ni<^rht came to anchor in sight of the tov/n, near a small Key; next morning — Monday, 11th — Got under way — saw a brig at anchor abovit five miles below the mouth of the harbor; we hoped to avoid her speaking us; but when we opened in sight of her, discovered a boat making towards us, with a number of armed men in her. This alarmed my friends, and as we did not see the brig's ensign hoisted, they declared the boat was a pirate, and looking through the spy-glass, thought they knew some of them to be the JMexi- can's men! This state of things was quite alarming. Tiiey said, " we will not be taken alive by them." Immediately the boat fired a musket; the ball passed through our mainsail. My friends insisted on beating them ofi": I endeavored to dissuade them, believing, as I did, that the brig was a Spanish man of war, who had sent her boat to ascertain who we were. I thought we had better heave too. Immediately another shot came. Then they insisted on fighting and said, "if I would not help them, I was no friend." 1 reluctantly acquiesced, and handed up the guns — commenced firing upon them and they upon us. ^Ve received several shot through the sails, but no one was hurt on either side. Our two boats had been cast adrift to make us go the faster, and we gained upon them — continued firing until they turned from us, and went for our boats, which they took in tow for the brig. Soon after this, it became cal".?i: then 1 saw that the brig had us in her power. — She manned and armed two more boats for us. We now concluded, since we had scarcely any ammunition, to surrender; and were towed down along-side the brig, taken on board, and was asked by the captain, who could speak English, "what for you fire on the boat?" I told him *' we thought her a pirate, and did not like to be taken by tliem again, having already sufTcred too much;" shoeing my pa{)crs. He said, " Captain Americana, never mind, go and take some dinner — which are your men?" I pointed them out to him, and he ordered them the liberty of the decks; but my friend iVickohi and his three associates were immediately put in irons. They were, however, afterwards taken out of irons and examined; and I understood the Frenchmen agreed to enlist, as they judged it he surest way to better their condition. Whether Nickola en- listed, I do not know, but think that he did, as I unxlcrstood that offer was made to him: I however endeavored to explain more distinctly to the captain, the benevolent efibrts of these four men by wh nn my life had been saved, and used every argument in my power to procure their discharge. I also ap[)lied to the governor, and exerted mvself with peculiar interest, dictated as I trust with 464 NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. heartfelt gratitude — and I ardently hope ere this, that Nickola is on his way to this country, where I may have an opportunity of convincing him that such an act of benevolence will not go un- rewarded. Previous to my leaving Trinidad, I made all the arrangements in my power Vvdth my influential friends, and doubt not, that their laudable efforts will be accomplished. — The sloop's cargo v/as taken onboard the brig; after which the captain re- quested a certificate that I was politely treated by hijri, saying his uame was Captain Candama, of the privateer brig Prudentee of eighteen guns. This request I complied with, ilis first lieuten- ant told me he had sailed out of Boston, as commander for T. C Araory, Esq. during the last war. In the course of the evening my friends were taken out of irons and examined separately, then put back again. The captain invited me to supper in his cabin^ and a birth for the night, which was truly acceptable. The next morning after breakfast, I with my people were set on shore with the few things we had, with the promise of the Exertion's small boat in a day or two. But it was never sent me — the reason, let the reader imagine. On landing at the v/harf Casildar, we were immediately taken by soldiers to the guard house, which was a very filthy place; thinking I suppose, and even calling us pirates. Soon some friends came to see me. Mr. Cotton, who resides there brought us in some soup. Mr. Isaac W. Lord, of Boston, my merohant, came w4th Captain Tate, who sent immediately to the governor; for I would not show my papers to any one else. He came about sunset, and after examining Manuel my Spanish fellow prisoner, and my papers, said to me, giving me the papers, *' Captain, you are at liberty." I was kindly invited by Captain Matthew Rice, of schooner Galaxy, of Boston, to go on board his vessel, and live with him during my stay there. This gener- ous offer I accepted, and was treated by him with the greatest hospitality; for I was an hungered and he gave me meat, I was athirst and he gave me drink, I was naked and he clothed me, a stranger unf he took me in. Re likewise took Manuel and my three men for that night, i^ext day Mr. Lord rendered me all necessary assistance in making my protest. He had lieard noth- ing from me until my arrival. I was greatly disappointed in not finding Mr. Bracket, and requested Mr. Lord to give him all needful aid if he should come there. To Captain Carnes, of the schooner Hannah, of Boston, I would tender my sincere ^hanks, for his kindness in giving me a passage to Boston, which I gladly accepted. To those gentlemen of Trinidad, and many captains of American vessels, who gave mo sea clothing, Sic. I offer n^y cordial gratitude. Captain Carnes sailed from Trinidad on the 20th i^'ebruary. Fearing the pirates, we kept a long distance from t! o land and two degrees to westward of Cape Antonia. On our j)assage ex- perienced several gales of wind, in one of which, while lying NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 465 to, shipped a sea, which did considerable injury, and swept a young man overboard from the pump, named Nelson. We never saw him again. We arrived at Boston, March 25th, and when I stepped upon the wharf, though much emaciated, I felt truly happy. I am fully of the opinion that these ferocious pirates are linked in with many inhabitants of Cuba; and the government in many respects appears covertly to encourage them.. It is with heartfelt delight, that, since the above narrative wag written, I have learned that Mr. Bracket and his companions arc safe; he arrived at Port d'Esprit, about forty leagues east of Trinidad. A letter has been received from him, stating that he should proceed to Trinidad the first opportunity. — It appears that after reaching the wreck, they found a boat from the shore, taking on board some of the Exertion's cargo, in which they pro- ceeded to the above place. Why it was not in his power to come to our relief will no doubt be satisfactorily disclosed when he may be so fortunate as once more to return to his native country w; d friends. For many months, I remained without any certain information respecting the fate of Mr. Bracket and his companions. But in the course of the ensuing Autumn, if I recollect ri^xht, Mr. Bracket very unexpectedly paid me a visit, at Hingham, the place of my residence. We were mutually rejoiced to see each other once more among the living, as for a time at least, each had regarded the other as dead. He g.ave me an account of his adventures, and of the reasons, why he did not return to us. He told me that when they left us, and put to sea, in the miserable boat, w^hich we had constructed, they went to the Exertion, and fortunately found a better boat, of which they took possession, and suffered the old one to float away, and it accordingly passed our solitary i>^land, in its random course, causing us a great deal of alarm. From the wreck, they steered among tlie keys to the main-land of Cuba, and reached Principe, the town where my cargo vvas sold. Here Mr. Bracket related his tale of suffering, and requested assis- tance, to rescue the remaining prisoners, on the key. i he authorities furnished him with several soldiers, with whom he again put to sea, with the humane intention of coming to relieve us. They had gone but a short distance, however, when the sol- diers positively refused to go any farther, and forced him to re- turn with them to Principe; thus all his hopes of being able Jo rescue us, were entirely extinguished. A stranger, and helpless as he was, it was out of his power to do any thing more, an«l he could only hope that we might have been saved in som(^ other wny. Friendless, without money, and debilitated by recent suf- fering, he hardly knew which way to turn. He v/as desirous of reaching home, and fmally resolved to travel .o the n;>!th sido of ('dba. After a l^ng and tcdiju- jou-iiey, dnrii^g which 4fl 466 NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. suffered dreadfully, from the hard travelling, and want of n6,ces- saries and comforts, he at length arrived at Havannah, fronrj which port he took passage home to Boston. Thus the reasons of his conduct were satisfactorily explained, and mv uncertainty respecting his fate, happily terminated. I felt great anxiety to learn what became of Jamieson, who, my readers will recollect, was detained on board the Spanish Brig Prudentee near Trinidad. I heard nothing from him, until I believe about eighteen months after I reached home, when I re- ceived a letter from him, from Montego Bay Jamaica, informing me that he was then residing in that island. I immedia.tely wrote to him, and invited him to come on to the United States. He accordingly came on passenger with Captain V>^ilson of Cohas- set, and arrived in Boston, in August 1824. Our meeting was very affecting. Trying scenes were brought up before r.s; scenes gone forever, through which we had passed together, where our acquaintance was formed, and since which time, we had never met. I beheld once more the Preserver of my life; the instra ment, under Providence, of restoring me to my home, my family and my friends, and I regarded him v/ith no ordinary emotion. My family were delighted to see him, and cordially united in giving him a warm reception. He told me that after we separated in Trinidad, he remained on board the Spanish Brig. The Com- mander asked him and his companions if they would enlist; the Frenchmen replied that they would, but he said nothing, being determined to make his escape, the very fi.rst opportunity which should present. The Spanish Brig afterwards fell in with a Columbian Patriot, an armed Brig of eighteen guns. Being of about equal force, they gave battle, and fought betv/een three and four hours. Both parties were very much injured; and, with- out any considerable advantage on either side, both drew off to make repairs. The Spanish Brig Prudentee, put into St. Jago de Cuba. Jamieson was wounded in the action, by a muske^ ball, through his arm, and was taken on shore, with the othei wounded, and placed in the hospital at St. Jago. Here he re- mained for a considerable time, until he had nearly recovered, when he found an opportunity of escaping, and embarked for Jamaica. He arrived in safety at Kingston, and from there, travelled barefoot over the mountains, until very much exhausted, he reached Montego Bay, where he had friends, and where one of his brothers possessed some property. From this place, ho afterwards wrote to me. He told me that before he came to Massachusetts, he saw the villainous pilot of the ^Mexican, the infamous Baltizar, with several other pirates, brought into Mon- tego l^ay, from whence they were to be conveyed to Kingston, to be exc-^uted. Whether the others were part of the Mexicari's crew, or not, I do not know. Baltizar was an old man, and as JaiTiicson saui, it v/as a mr-'uncholy and heart-rending sight, to see NARRATIVE OF CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 4ol tAm borne to execution with those gray hairs, which might have been venerable in virtuous old age, now a shame and reproach to this lioary villain, for he was full of years, and old in iniquity. When Jamieson received the letter which I wrote him, he imme- diately embarked ^yith Captain Wilson, and came to Boston, as I have before observed. According to his own account he was of a very respectiible family in Grcenoch, Scotland. His father when living was a "ich cloth merchant, but both his father, and mother, had been dead many years. He was the youngest of tliirteen chil- dren, and being as he paid of a roving disposition, had al- ivays followed tke seas. He had received a polite education, cind was of a very gentlemanly deportment. He spoke sev- eral living languages, and was skilled in drawing and paint ing. He had travelled extensively in different countries, and acquired in consequence, an excellent knowledge of their Lnan- ners and customs. His varied information (for hardly any subject escaped him.) rendered him a very entertaining companion. His observations on the character of different nations v/ere very liberal; marking their various traits, their virtues and vices, with playful humorousness, quite free from bigotry, or narrow preju- dice. He was in France, during the disturbance betv/een France and England, when ail British subjects whatever in France were detained prisoners of war. He was one who was thuR compelled to remain a prisoner (o Napoleon. He was there, at the time of Napoleon's memorable expedition to Russia; and saw the splendid troops of the Emperor v hen they left delightful France to commence their toilsome, anrl fatal journey; and also the remnant when they returned, broken down, dispirited, hag- gard, and wan, their garments hanging about them in tatters, and hardly life enough in them to keep soul and body together. The particulars respecting this period, he could communicate with the minuteness of an eye-witness, which consequently rendered them very interesting. During the first part of his residence in France, he was bupponed by remittances from his father, and allowed the liberty of the city of Valenciennes; a gentleman there, being bound for his good behavior. He thus had an opportunity of visiting and becoming acquainted with the inhabitants. Hb lived in this manner several years. At length aroused, as ho said, by the consciousness that he was spending the best days ot' liis liie in idleness, he formed the determination to try and make his escape from the country. He honorably released the gentle- man who was bound for him, from, las obiig?vtioa, frankly telling him that he should run away the tirst op[)ortunity. From this time he was alternately arror^tcd and imprisoned, aijd by viirious stratagems effected liis escape, until he had boon placed in ninety- three different prisons, i3uring his. wanderings^ l\e climbed tha 8 NARRATIVE OF CAPTAITJ LINCOLN. Alps, and visited the famous passage, cut through the solid rock^ by Hannibal, which as he said, was of sulBcient magnitude to admit a large loaded wagon to pass through. From his long residence in France, he had learned to speak the French languagt^ with a facility, almost equal to a native. The charm of his conversation and manners drew people around him, they hardly knew how, or why. I was in trade, between Boston and Fhilad.elphia, at the time he came to Massachusetts, and he sailed with nle several trij.ri as my mate. He afterv/ards vrent to Cuba, and was subsequently engaged in the mackerel lishery, out of the port of Hingharn, during the warm season, and in the winter frequently employed himself m teaching navigation to youiig men, for which he v/as eminently qualiiied. He remained with us, until his death, which took place in 1829, At this time he had been out at sea two or three days, when he was taken sick, and was carried into Cap43 Cod, where he died, on the first day of May 1B29, and there his re- mains lie buried. Peace be to his ashes! They rest in a strange land, far from his kindred, and his native country. Since his death I have met with Mr. Stewart in Philadelphia, who was Commercial Agent in Trinidad at the time of my capture. He informed me, that the piratical schooner Alexi- can, was afterwards chased by an English government vessel, from Jamaica, .w-hich was cruising in search of it. Being hotly pursued the pirates deserted their vessel, and lied to the IMan- grove bushes, on an island similar to that on which tiiey l]ad placed me and my crew to die. The English surrounded them,, and thus they were cut off from all hope of escape. They remained there, I think fourteen days, when being almost entirely subdued by famine, eleven surrendered themselves, and w^ere taken. The others probably perished among the mangroves. The few who were taken were carried by the government vessel into Trinickd Mr. Stewart said that he saw them himself, and such miserable objects tha4; had life he never before beheld. They v/ere in a state of starvatjoc^ their beards had grown to a frightful lengtk, their bodies were covered with fdth and vermin, and their coun- tenances w'ere hideous. From Trinidad they were taken to Kingston, Jamaica, and theje hung. Thus there is every reason to believe tliat this h^rde of !)?o»>sters was at last broken up, and iiwpersed OllEENWICII HOSPITAL. 469 GREENWICH HOSPITAL. Greenwich, wliicii was formerly a distinct town, but is now ar. appendage to tiie British metropolis, is seated on the south bank ot'the Thames, five miles below London bridge. It is celebrated for its hospital for wounded and decayed seamen of the nationa CircenwicJi Hospital. marine, which is one of the finest arcliitectural edifices in the world. The buildings consist ol* four distinct piles, two along the bank of tiie river, with a noble terrace in front, eight hundred and ^ixty feet in length; between these two piles is a lawn two hundred and seventy I'eet wide; the two other piles are built be- hi^nd, projec-.ing into the square or lawn, so as to form a quadran- gle with an opening in the centre, which is terminated by an elegant building more^recently erected for a naval school; behind this, on fne summit of a hill, is the royal observatory, from wlience the English and American mariners reckon their longitude. The hill at this point, if the atmosphere happens by rare good fc -rtune to be clear, commands a grand view of London and the space intervening. Xr projects so boldly, that the tops of the trees aj)- pear at the feet of l».ie spectator — the hospital, with its domes, appears embosomed in a wooded amphitheatre — and the river in its serpentine course, thicker and thicker covered with boatn, biirjies, and laro;e vessels. 40 410 LOSS OF THE SHIP BOSTa::r, Greenwich hospital is decorated bj severa. colossal statues and beautiful pieces of sculpture. One is an emblematical represent- ation of the death of iNelson. The pensioners to be received into the hospital must be aged and maimed seamen of the navy, or of the merchant ser ice, if wounded in battle, and marines and foreigners who have served- two years in the navy. The total expense of the establishment is sixty-nine thousand pounds per annum, which is appropriated to tiie support of about three thousand seamen on the premises, and fifty-four hundred out-pensioners. LOSS OF THE SHIP BOSTON. An unusual degree of sensation was excited in Boston, on the first of June, by the melancholy tidings of the loss of the packet ship .8oston. This strong and elegant ship — one of the finest packets that belong to this country — was struck by lightning in the Gulf Stream, six days out from Charleston, and b-urnt to the water's edge. We present the details below, as furnished by Captain Mackay. ^'On Tuesday, the 25th May, lat 39, SI, long. 63, 46, commenced with fresh breeze and squally weather — at 2 P, M. heavy rain which continued until sunset — at 8 P. M. forked lightning in the southwest, and dark and heavy clouds ris- ing from the westward — at 9, the wind hauled to the westward — at 10, P. M. a heavy cloud began to rise in the southwest — at lOh, sharp lightning, clued up the topgaTlant-sails, and hauled the mainsail up — at 11, heavy thunder and sharp lightning; the sec- ond flash struck the ship, burst the main-royal from the gaskets and burnt it; knocked down the steward and Isaac Hopkins a sailor, and filled the ship full of electric fluid. We examined the ship immediately to ascertain if the masts were injured, or the lightning had passed through the deck; but the mast appeared uninjured, a bright complaisance resting on each roj^al-mast head. We single reefed the maintop-sa-^il, and were about to haul the mainsail, when we ascertained that the ship was on fire. We immediately cleared the main and aftqr hatchways, to get at the fire, heaving the cotton overboard and cutting holes in the deck, plying water in every direction — but all in vain; the cotton in the main hold was on fire, fore and aft, on both sides, burning like tinder. Our only alternative was to clear away the boats and ^et them out, oart of the crew and passengers at Vv'ork keeping the the down as much as possible by drawing and heaving v/ater, ihe scuppers being stopped up; we stove water casks ov«r holea cut in the deck and in the. main iitchwav; starting the v/atex. ' toss OF THE SHIP BOSTON. 47J but all to no good purpose, Tor before we could get the long bout over the ship's side, the lire had burst through the deck and out the larboard side of the ship. The flames raged with such vio- lence and consumed th^ vessel so quick, that nothing could be saved from the wreck. We got about forty gallons of water and provisions sutiicient, on a short allowance, to keep the passengcrd and crew alive for three weeks — almost every thing else was burnt up in the ship, even the money, watches, and clothes — all destroyed. At 3, A. M. the main and mizen masts were burnt i)(rbelov/ deck, and the masts fell in the water at half-past 3, the passengers and crew were all in the boats; the flanhe"^ had then reached the forecastle, and the ship was one complete []ame of fire, fore and aft. The passengers had exerted themselves to tiie utmost to assist us. The officers had with unwearied exertion, coolnes-s', and persevering activity done all that men could do. The ship's crew worked like horses and behaved like men; but all would not do. — About three hours time had changed one of the best ships that ever swam to a complete volcano, and twenty- three persons cast adrift on the open ocean. The cabin passen- gers were Admiral Sir Isaac Coihn and servant, Dr. William Boag, and his sister Miss Ansella Boag, Mr. Isiel JMcNeil, and Mr. Samuel S. Oso;ood. It was then rainino; and the sea was running high, and every person drenched through with water; in this situation the constitution of Miss Boag, the only lady pas- senger, soon gave way. This amiable young lady's firmness of conduct at the first alarm of fire, and dniring the whole scene, is worthy of the highest praise. To the divine will of her God she i^ubmitted without a murmur, and at 1 1 o'clock on Wednesday, in the boat, she died in the arms of her brother, thanking him in ihe most afliectionate manner for his kindness, giving her bles- feing to us all. On the following day, she was buried with the cnurch service, our situation not admitting of the corpse being kept longer in the boat. We remained in the boats near the fi.re 01 the wreck, two days, and at three o'clock P. M. on Thursday, were taken on board the brig Idas, of Liverpool, N. S. from Domarara, bound to Halifax, Captain Joseph Barnaby, who with his officers and cuew treated us with every kindness and attention. We remained on board the brig two days, when Sunday morning. May 30th, falling in with the brig Camilla, Captain Robert B. Edes, he was good enough to ofier us a passage to Boston, and received us on board his vessel.'' Admiral sir Isaac Coffin, after landing from the brig Camilla, authorized his agent to present Captain IMackay with a check for five hundred dollars; and subsequently sent him an elegant gold watch, to replace one which he had lost by the destruction of the BhFp. 4"^^ THE LOSS OF THE KENT. THE LOSS OF THE KENT COM^.IUNICATED EY AN EYE WITNESS. The Ktmt, Captain Henry Cobb, a fine nev/ ship of one thou^ sand tiiree hundred and fifty tons, bound to Bengal and China, left the Downs on the 19th of February, with twenty officers, three hundred and forty-four soldiers, forty-three women, and sixty-six children^ belonging to the thirty-first regiment; with U\ei\iy pri- vate passengers, and a crew (including officers) of one hundred and forty-eight men on board. On the night of Monday, the 28th of February 1827, when the Kent was in lat. 47 degrees 30 minutes. Ion. 10 degrees, a violent gale blew from the west, and gradually increased during the follow ing morning. The roiling of the vessel became tremendous about midnight, so that the best fastened articles of furniture in the principal cabins were dashed about with violence, and the main chains were thrown at every lurch under wale-r. It was a little before this period, that one of the officers of the ship, with the Vv^eli-meant intention of ascertaining that all was fa-si below, descended with two of the sailors into the hold, v/here they carried with them, for safety, a light in the patent lantern; and seeing that the lamp bunied dimly, the officer took the precaution to hand it up to the orlop-deck to be trimmed. Having after- wards discovered one of the spirit casks to be adrift, he sent the sailors for some billets of wood to secure it; but the ship in their absence having ma-de a heavy lurch, the officer unfortunately dropped the light; and letting go his hold of the cask in his eager- ness to recover the lantern, it suddenly stove, and the spirits com- municating with the lamp, the whole place was instantly in a blaze. It so happened that the author, went into the cuddy to observe the state of the barometer, when he received from Captain Spence, the captain of the day, the al-armmg information that the ship was on fire in the after hold. As long as the devouring element appeared to be confined to the spot where the fire originated, and which we were assured was surrounded on all sides by water casks, we ventured to cherish hopes that it might be subdued; but no sooner was the light blue vapor that at first arose succeeded by volumes of thick di-ngy smoke, which speedily ascendea through all the four hatchways, rolling over every part of the ship, than all farther concealment became impossible, ai^d almost all hope of preserving the vessel was abandoned. '' The fiamcs have reached the cable tier," was exclaimed by some individuals, and the strong pitchy smell that Dcrvaded the deck confirmed the truth of the exclamation. In these avvfu-l circumstances Captain Cobb, v.ith du ability THE LOSS OF THE KENT. 47J and deci'sion of character that seemed to increase with the inimi- nence of the danger, resorted to the only alternative now left hiin, of orderino; the lower deck to be scuttled, the comb"ng of the hatches to be cut, and the lower ports to be opened, for the free admission of the waves. These instructions were speedily executed by the united efforts of the troops and seamen: but not before some of the sick soldiers, one woman, and several children, unable to gain the upper deck, had perished. On descending to the gun-deck with colonel Fear- on, Captain Bray, and one or two other officers of the 31st regi- ment to assist in opening the ports, I met, staggering towards the hatchway, in an exhausted and nearly senseless state, one of tlie mates, v»^ho informed us that he had just stumbled over the dead bodies of some individuals who must have died from suffocation to wliich it w^as evident that he himself had almost fallen a victim So dense and oppressive was the smoke, that it was with the ui most dilficulty we could remain long enough below to fulhl Cap- tain Cobb's wishes; which were no sooner accomplished than the sea rushed in with extraordinary force, carrying away in its resist- less progress to tiie hold, the largest chests, bulk-heads, &lc. On the one hand stood death by fire, on the other death by wa- ter; the dilemma was dreadful. Preferring always the more re- mote alternative, the unfortunate crew v/ere at one moment at- tempting to check the fire by means of water; and when the water became the most threatening enemy, their efforts were turned to the exclusion of the waves, and the fire was permitted to rage with all its fury. The scene of horror that now presented itself, baflles all de- scription — The upper deck was covered with between six and seven hundred human beings, many of whom, from previous sea sickness, were forced on the first alarm to fl.ee from below in a state of abrolute nakedness, and were nov/ running about in quest of husbands, children or^arents. While some were standing in silent resignation, or in stupid insensibility to their impending fate, others were yielding tliem- selves up to the most frantic dcspai'r. Some on their knees were earnestly imploring, with significant gesticulations and in noisy supplications, the mercy of Him, whose arm they exclaimed, was at length outstretched to smite them; others were to be seen hastily crossing themselves, and performing the various external acts required by their peculiar persuasion, while a number of the older and more stout-hearted sailors suddenly took their seats directly over the magazine, hoping as they stated, that by means of the explosion, wliich they every instant expected, a speedier termination might thereby be put to their sufferings.* *Ca!<;ain Cobb, with ?ieat foretbonc;ht, orciered the deck to be scuttled iVrwarl, witk i view to draw the fire in that direction, kiiowins UuM between it and the nia^azine wq « several tiers of water ca^k-; ; while he hoped that the wet sails, Sec thrown into the ail - Void, would prev'Mit i tVoia cop.iiniinicatin^ v.ith the spirit-rooni abaft. 40* 474 THE LOSS OF THE KENT. Several of the soldiers' wives and children, who had fled for temporary shelter into the after cabins on the upper deck, were eni^aged i l praying and in reading the scriptures with the ladies^ some of whom were enabled with wonderful self-possession, to offer to others those spii 'tua\ consolations, which a firm and in" teliigent trust in the Redeemer of the world appeared at this aw- ful hour to impart to their own breasts. All hope had departed! the employment of the different indi- viduals indicated utter despair of rescue — one v/as removing a lock of hair from his writing desk to his bosom — others were awaiting their fate in stupor — s^ome with manly fortitude — others bewailing it with loud and bitter lamentation — and part were oc- cupiec^ in prayer and mutual encouragement. It was at this appalling instant, when '' all hope that we should be saved was taken away," that it occurred to Mr. Thompson, the fourth mate, to send a man to the foretop, rather with the ardent wish than the expectation, that some friendly sail might be discovered on the face of the waters. The sailor, on mount- ing, threw his eyes round the horizon for a moment — a moment of unutterable suspense — and waving his hat, exclaimed, '' A sail on the lee-bow!" The joyful announcement was received with aeep-felt thanksgiving,, and with three cheers upon deck. Our flags of distress were instantly hoisted, and our minute guns fired; and we endeavored to bear down under our three-topsails and fore- sail upon the stranger, which afterwards proved to be the Cam- pria, a small brig of two hundred tons burden, — Cook, bound to Vera Cruz, having on board twenty or thirty Cornish miners, and other agents of the Anglo-Mexican company. While Captain Cobb, colonel Fearon, and major Macgregor of the 31st regiment, were consulting together, as the brig was approachin*g us, on the necessary preparations for getting out the boats, &c. one of the officers asked major M. in what order it was intended the officers should move-off.^ to which the other replied, *' of course the funeral order;" which injunction was instantly confirmed by Colonel Fearon, who said, '' Most undoubt- edly the juniors first — but see that any man is cut down who pre- sumes to enter the boats before the means of escape are presented to the women and children." Arrangements having been considerately made by Captain Cobb for placing in the first boat, previous to letting it down, all d'^ ladies, and as many of the soldiers' wives as it could safely contain, they hurriedly wrapt themselves up in whatever article of clothing could be most conveniently found; and I think about two, or half past two o'clock, a most mournful procession advanc- ed from the after cabins to the star-board cuddy port, outside of which the cutter was suspended. Scarcely a word was heard — not a scream was uttered — even the infants ceased to cry/ as if co»»<^ious of the unspoken and unspeakable anguish that was at THE LOSS OF THE KENT 475 this instant rending the hearts of the parting parents — nor was the silence of voices in any way broken, except in one or two cases, whore the ladies plaintively entreated to be left behind with their husbands. But on being assured that every moment 'jj delay might occasion the sacrifice of a human life, they succes sively sulfered themselves to be torn from the tender embrace, and with a fortitude which never fails to characterize and adorn their sex on occasions of overwhelming trial, were placed, with- out a murmur, in the boat, which was im.mediately lowered into a sea so tempestuous, as to leave us only " to hope against hope " that it should live in it for a single moment. Twice the cry was heard from those on the chains that the boat was swamping. But he who enabled the Apostle Peter to walk on the face of the deep, and was graciously attending to the silent but earnest aspirations of those on board, had decreed its safety. After one or two unsuccess«ful attempts to place the little frail bark fairly upon the surface of the water, the command was at length given to unhook; the tackle at the stern was in conse qjjence, immediately cleared; but the ropes at the bow having got foul, the sailor there found it impossible to obey the order. In vain was the axe applied to the entangled tackle. The moment was inconceivably critical; as the boat, which necessarily follow- ed the motion of the sliip, was gradually rising out of the water, and must, in another instant have been hanging perpendicularly by the bow, and its helpless passengers launched into tlie deep, had not a most providential wave suddenly struck and lifted up th-e stern, so as to enable the seaman to disenixage the tackle; and the boat being dexterously cleared from the ship, was seen after a little while, battling with the billows: now raised, in its progress to the brig, like a speck on their summit, and then disappearing for several seconds, as if engulphed '^ in the horrid vale " between them. Two or three soldiers, to relieve their wives of a part of their families, sprang into the water with their children, ai.d perished in their endeavors to save them. One young lady, who had re- solutely refused to quit her father, whose sense of duty kept him at his post, was near falling a sacrifice to her filial devotion, m.t having been picked up by those in the boats, until she had sunk five or six times. Anotiier individual, who was reduced to the friglitful alternative of losing his wife, or his childten, hastily decided in favor of his duty to the former. His wife was accor- dingly saved, but his four children, alas I were left to perijir. A fine lellov/, a soldier, who had neither wife nor child of iiis own, but who evinced the greatest solicitude for the safety of those of others, insisted on having three children lashed to him, witii whom he plunged into the water; not being able to reach t!ie boat, he was drawn again into the ship with his charge, but not before two a^ the c'lildren had expired. One man fell down the hatchwav •±76 THE LOSS OV THE KENT. into the flumes, and another had his back so completely broken as to have been observed quite doubled falling overboard. The numerous spectacles of individual loss and suffering were not con- fined to the entrance upon the perilous voyage between the two ships. One man v/ho fell beneath the boat and brig, iiad his head literally crushed fine — and some others were lost in their at- tempts to ascend the sides ef the Cambria. When the greater part of the men had been disnosed ot", the gradual removal of the officers commenced, and was marked by a discipline the most rigid, and an intrepidity the most exemplary: none appearing to be influenced by a vain and ostentatious bravery, which in cases of extreme peril, affords rather a presumptive proof of secret timidity than of fortitude; nor any betraying an unmanly or unsoldier-like impatience to quit the ship; but with the becom- ing deportment of men neither paralysed by. nor profanely insen- sible to, the accumulating dangers that encompassed them, they progressively departed in the different boats with their soldiers; — they who happened to proceed first leaving behind them an example of coolness that could not be unprofitable to those who followed. Every individual was desired to tie a rope round hiS waist. While the people were busily occupied in adopting this recom- mendation, I was surprised, I had almost said amused, by the singular delicacy of one of the Irish recruits, v/ho in searching for a rope in one of the cabins, called out to me that he could find none except the cordage belonging to an officer's cot, and wished to know whether there would be any harm in his appropri- ating it to his own use. Again: As an agreeable proof too, of the subordination andgooa feeling that governed the poor soldiers in the midst of their suffer- ings, 1 ought to state that toward evening, when the melancholy groupe vv^ho were passively seated on the poop, exhausted by pre- vious fatigue, anxiety and fasting, were beginning to experience the pain of intolerable thirst, a box of oranges was accidentally dis- covered by some of the men, who with a degree of mingled con- sideration, respect, and affection, that couid hardly have been expected at such a moment, refused to partake of the grateful beverage, until they had afforded a share of it to their ofHcers. * The spanker-boom of so large a ship as the Kent, which pro*- jects, I should think, sixteen or eighteen feet over the stern, resta on ordinary occasions about nineteen or twenty feet above the I water; but in the position in which we were placed, from the groat height of the sea, and consequent pitching of the ship, it was frequently lifted to a height of not less than thirty or forty feet fiom the surface. To reach the rope, therefore, that hung from its extremity, waa an operation that seemed to require the aid of as much dexterity of hand as steadiness of head. For it was not only the nervous- THE LOSS OF THE KENT 477 ness of creeping along the boom itself, or the extreme difficulty of afterwards seizing on and sliding down by the rope, that we had to dread, and that occasioned the loss of some valuable lives, by deterring the men from adopting this mode of escape: but as the boat, which one moment was probably under the boom, nf ght be carried the next, by the force of the waves, iifteen or twenty yards away from it, the unhappy individual, whose best calculations were thus defeated, was generally left swinging for some time in mid-air, if he was not repeatedly plunged several feet under water, or dashed with dangerous violence against the sides of the returning boat — or, what not unfrequently happened, was forced to let go his hold of the rope altogether. As there seemed, however no alternative, I did not hesitate, notwitlistand- ing my coniparative inexperience and awkwardness in such a situation, to throw my leg across the perilous stick; and with a heart extremely grateful that such means of deliverance, dan- gerous as they appeared, were still extended to me; and njore grateful still that I had been enabled, in common with others, to discharge my honest duty to my sovereign and to my lellow- soldiers; I proceeded after confidently committing my spirit, the great object of my solicitude, into the keeping of Him who had Ibrmed and redeemed it, to creep slowly forward, feeling at every step the increased difficulty of my situation. On getting nearly to the end of the boom, the young officer whom 1 followed and myself were met with a squall of wind and rain, so violent as to make us fain to embrace closely the slippery stick, witliout at- tempting for some minutes to make any progress, and to excite our apprehension that we must relinquish ail hope of reaching the rope. But our fears were disappointed, and after resting- for awhile at the boom end, while my companion was descending to the boat, which he did not find until he had been plunged once or twice over head in the water. I prepared to follow; and instead of lowering myself, as many had imprudently done at the moment when the boat was inclining tov/ards us — and consequently being unable to descend the whole distance before it again receded — 1 calculated that while the boat was retiring, I ought to commence my descent, which would probably be completed by the time the returning wave brought it underneath; by which means I was, I believe, almost the only officer or soldier who reached the boat without being either severely bruised or immersed in the water. But my friend Colonel Fearon had not been so fortunate; fo' after swimmang for sometime, and being repeatedly struck againsi the side of the boat, and at one time drawn completely under it, he was at last so utterly exhausted, that he must instantly have let go his hold of the rope and perished, had not one in the boat seized him by the hair of the head and dragged him into it, almost genseless and alarmingly bruised. Captain Cobb, in his inunovable resolutions to be the last, if 478 PROPERTIES OF THE SEA. possible, to quit his ship, and in his generous anxiety for the preservation of every life entrusted to his charge, refused to seek the boat, until he again endeavored to urge onward the few still around him, who se-emed struck dumb and powerless -with dismay But finding ail his entreaties fruitless and hearing the guns, whose tackle w^as burst asunder by the advancing flames, successively exploding in the hold into which they had fallen — this gallant ofhcer, after having nobly pursued, for the preservation of others, a course of exertion that has been rarely equalled either in its du- ration or difficulty, at last felt it right to provide for his own safety, by laying hold on the topping lift, or rope that connects the driver- boom with the mizen-top, and thereby getting over the heads of the infatuated men who occupied the boom, unable to go either backward or forward, and ultimately dropping himself into the water. PROPERTIES OF THE SEA, &c. The sea seems not less necessary to the existence of man him- self, than the solid earth upon which he treads. It absorbs and decomposes the noxious particles of the atmosphere; and if it were dried up, the earth would become as arid and unfruitful as a desert. Its various basins — which, with the exception of the Caspian, all stand in connexion with each other — facilitate the transactions of commerce, and the intercourse of nations; and itd productions form a valuable branch of industry in every maritime country. The bed or basin of the ocean, being only a continuation of the land, exhibits the same inequalities of surface which conti- nents present. Were the sea dried up, it would present a scene of mountains, valleys, rocks, and plains, covered in some instances with their own peculiar vegetation, and the abode of various spe- cies of animals. The depth of the sea varies greatly in different placis. The greatest depth ever measured was that ascertained by Mr. Scoresby, the captain of a Greenland whaler, who sunk a very heavy lead in the Greenland Sea, to the depth of nearly 4,700 feet, without finding ground. According to the laws of gravitation, by which in all connected bodies of water, the higher parts must flow towards the lower, till they attain the same level, the level of the ocean is, generally speaking, the same every- where. The only exception to this position may perhaps be found in gulfs and inland seas, which have only a slight commu- nication with the ocean. The color of the ocean is generally of a deep bluish green, particularly in the deeper seas; as the depth dinrinishes towards PROPERTIES OF THE SEA. 419 the coasts, the water assumes a lighter shadn This aj^parent color of the sea may be explained upon the ^^me principle as that of the azure blue of the atmosphere. Both fluids are color- less when in a glass; the air reflects chiefly the most refrangible rays of light, viz. the violet, indigo, and blue, and therefore usually appears of an azure color, the result of a mixture of these: but the sea, from its density and depth, is able to re- flect not only many blue and violet, but also some of the less refrangible rays in sufficient proportion to compose a gi*eenish blue. The other shades in the color of seawater depend on illusory or local causes. The green and yellow shades of the sea arise from marine plants; a distinct shade is often communicpled to its surface by the presence of myriads of minute insects: and in shallow water, the light reflected from the sand at the bottom often gives a reddish hue to the surface. In the West Indies, where " Tlie floor is of sand like the inoimtain-drirt; And the pearl-shells spangle the llinty snou," the waters of the ocean are often so beautifully transparent, as to exhibit the minutest object they contain or cover at the depth of several fathoms. In the Gulf of Guinea the sea is white; and around the Maldive islands it is black. A very curious and magnificent spectacle is often presented at night by the luminous appearance of the sea, — a phenomenon which seamen generally regard as the precursor of blowing weather. It is of most frequent occurrence in summer an-ct autumn. Three species are generally distinguished. The hrst i?« generally seen close to a ship when sailing before a fresh wmd and forms a tail of light in the wake of the ship; at other times during stormy weather, it spreads over the whole surface of tlir sea, clothing it apparently in a sheet of fire. This species if ascribed to electricity. The second kind of marine phosphores- cence, penetrates beneath the surface; and when a quantity of the illuminated water is put into a vessel, it retains the brilliance as long as it is kept agitated, but loses it as soon as the agitation subsides. This species occurs during dead calms or in very hot weather, and seems to be a true phosphoric light, emanating from particles of putrid animal matter suspended in the water. The third species exceeds the two former in intensity of brilliance; and it is supposed tliat tlie appearance is occasioned by innume- rable minute animals of a round shape, moving rapidly through the water in all directions, like so many luminous sparks. The sea is subject to various motions, arising from difl"cre'. t causes. Even when unruflled by the winds, it is agitated by the rotation of the earth, and the attraction of the moon and tlie sun. These three causes produce a threefold motion, viz. the motion of the leaves, that of the curnnls, and that of the tides. The most wonderful and important motion of the sea is t'hrit of 480 CLASSIFICATION OF CLOUDS. high and loio tide, or tha,t regular ebb and flow of he sea whicrl occur cve^ry day at a certain interval. The sea rises to its great- est height in about 6 hours, and remains stationary for about 6 minutes; after which it recedes for other 6 hours, and having re- mained stationary at its lowest tide for a few min'ites, begins to rise again. In the Baltic and the Black Sea there is no tide; and almost none in the Mediterranean. Besides these motions of the ocean, there is another not so sasily accounted for. There is felt in the open sea between the Tropics, and as far as the 30th degree of latitude, a constant motion from east to west, which manifests itself in the quick sail- ing of vessels moving in that direction. The most celebrated of ^ these currents is the Gulf-stream, which rises in the Gulf of Mexico, between Florida and the Bahama islands, and sets in a bended and expanded flow north-easterly, along the coasts of North America, till it reaches Norway, whence repulsed by the Scandinavian coasts, it turns N. W. towards Greenland. The current is known by the beautiful blue color of its waters. When tv/o or several currents meet each other, or cross at angles, violent circular motions of the sea are produced, v/hich attract every thmg coming within their vortex, and whirling it round in decreasing gyrations, finally ingulf it in their bosoms. These motions of the sea are called ivhirlpools. Some naturalists believe that they mark the situation of profound abysses in the bottom of the sea, into which the water precipitating itself pro- duces this dangerous suction. Among the most remarkable whirlpools is that of Chalcis in the Euripus, near the coast of Smreee, which alternately absorbs and rejects the water seven times every twenty-four hours. Charybdis, near the Strait of Sicily, rejects and absorbs the water thrice in twenty-four hours. The largest known whirlpool is the Maelstrom in the Norwegian sea, the circumference of which exceeds 20 leagues. CLASSIFICATION OF CLOUDS. The clouds are aqueous vapors, which hover at a considerable height above the surface of the earth. They differ from fogs only Ly their height and less degree of transparency. The distance of the clouds from the surface of the earth is very different. Thin and light clouds are higher than the highest mountains; thick and heavy clouds on the contrary, touch low mountains, steeples, and even trees. The average height of the clouds is calculated to be two miles and a half Innumerable as the forms of clouds CLASSIFICATION OF CLOUDS. 481 may appear to be, correct observers have stated that they may be all comprised in seven modifications. 9. 10. :,m!!: Zir.T '' ^^ - '''^^^^=^^"f^fii-^:.iiinijihh(HU(', These following modifications are arranged in the order cf their ordinary elevation, but which is very iVequcntly deranged We give the names both in Latin and English; the former are perhaps most generally used. The figures refer to the above engraving. Fig. 1, Cirrus ... . . Curl-Cloud. 2, CiRRocuMULus . . SGndcr-Cloud. 41 4B2 CLASSIFICATION OF CLOUDS. Fig. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, CiRROSTRATUs . . . Wane-Cloud 9, CuMULOSTRATUS . . . Twain- Cloud 9, Cumulus ... . Slacken- Cloud 11, Nimbus Rain- Cloud 11, Stratus ... . Fall- Cloud Fig. 1 The curling and flexuous forms of this cloud constitute its most obvious external character, and from these it derives its name. It may be distinguished from all others by the 'ightnesa of its appearance, its fibrous texture, and the great and perpetually changing variety of figures which it presents to the eye. It is generally the most elevated, occupying the highest regions of the atmosphere. The comoid cirrus cloud, vulgarly called the mare's tail, is the proper cirrus. It has, as represented in the engraving, somewhat the appearance of a distended lock of white hair, or of a bunch of wool pulled out into fine pointed ends. This variety is an accompaniment of a variable state of weather, and forebodes wind and rain. Fig. 2. This consists of extensive beds of a number of little, v/eli defined, orbicular masses of clouds, or small cumuli, in close horizontal opposition; but at the same time lying quite asunder {sonder-cloud) , or separate from one another. Their picturesque appearance in summer often presents, as Bloomfield expresses it,* The beauteous semblance of a flock at rest. This variety is commonly a forerunner of storms, and has been remarked as such by the poets. Fig. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. This cloud is distinguishable by its flatness, and great horizontal extension in proportion to its perpendicular height. Under all its various forms, it preserves this character istic. As it is generally changing its figure, and slowly subsiding, it has received the name of wane-cloud. Sometimes this cloud is disposed in wavy bars or streaks, in close horizontal opposition, and these bars vary infinitely in size and color, generally blended in the middle, but distinct towards its edges, ^g*. 4. A variety not unlike this, is the macherel-bach shy of summer evenings. It is often very high in the atmosphere. Another common variety appears like a long streak, thickest in the middle, and wasting away at its edges. This, when viewed in the horizon, has the appearance o^jlg. 7. Another principal variety of the cirrostratus is one which consists of small rows of little clouds, curved in a peculiar manner; it is from this curvature called cymoid.fig. 5 riiis cloud is a sure indication of stormy weather. Fig. 6 is the representation of a similar one, less perfectly formed, having more of the character of the cirrocumulus, and is often produced when a large cumulus passes under the variety marked^g*. 7. Another remarkable developement of this varying genus is, that extensive tfnd shallow sort of cloud, which occurs particularly in the evening and during night, through which the sun and moon but faintly CLASSIFICATION OF CLOUDS. *183 appear. It is in this cloud that those peculiar refractions of the light of those bodies, called halos, mock suns, Stc. usually appear This variety is the surest prognostic we are acquainted with, of an impending fall of rain or snow. Fig. 9, The base of this modification is generally flat, and lies on the surface of an atmospheric stratum, the superstructure resembling a bulky cumulus overhanging its base in large fleecy protuberances, or rising into the forms of rocky mountains. Con- siderable masses of these frequently are grouped upon a common stratum or base, from which it has been named cumuloslraius. It derives the other appellation, twain-cloiid, from the frequently visible coalescence of two other modifications, as, for example, the cirrus and the cumulus. Cumulostratus often evaporates, sometimes changes to cumulus, but, in general, it ends in nimbus, and falls in rain. In long ranges of these clouds it has been ob- served that part has changed into nimbus, and the rest remained unchanged. Fig. 9. This cloud is easily known by its irregular hemis- pherical or heaped superstructure, hence its name cumulus^ a heap or pile. It has usually a flattened base. The mode of its for- mation is by the gathering together of detached clouds, which then appear slacked into one large and elevated mass, or stackcn- cloud. The best time for viewing its progressive formation is in fine settled weather. It may be called the cloud of day, as it usually exists only during that period. Fig. 11. This is not a modification depending upon a distinct change of form, but rather from increase of density and deepening of shade in the cumulostratus, indicating a change of structure, which is always followed by the fall of rain. This has been, therefore, called nimbus, {a rainy black cloud.) Any one of the preceding six modifications may increase so much as to obscure the sky, and, without falling in rain, " dissolve," and " leave not a rack behind." But when cumulostratus has been formed, it sometimes goes on to increase in density, and assume a black and portentous darkness. Shortly afterwards the intensity of this blackness yields to a more gray obscurity, which is an evidence that a new arrangement has taken place in the aqueous particles of the cloud; the nimbus is formed, and rain begins to fall. Fig. 11. This kind of cloud rests upon the surface of the globe. It is of variable extent and thickness, and is called slratus, a bed or covering. It is generally formed by the subsidence of vapor in the atmosphere, and has, therefore, been denominated fall-cloud. This genus includes all fogs, and those creeping mists, which in summer evenings fill the valleys, remain during the night, and disappear in the morning. This cloud arrives at its density about midnight, or between that time and morning, and it generally disappears about sunrise. It is, for this reason, called by some, the cloud of night. 484 LITERARY PURSUITS OF SAILORS LITERARY PURSUITS OF SAILORS. There are many cases on record of individuals who, even with scarcely any other education than what they contrived to give themselves while serving in subordinate and laborious situations in the camp or on shipboard, have attained to great familiarity with books, and sometimes risen to considerable literary or scien- tific distinction. The celebrated English navigator, Dampier, although he had been some time at school before he left his native country, yet went to sea at so early an age that, considering he for a long time led a vagabond and lawless life, he must have very soon forgotten every thing he had been taught, if he had not, in the midst of all his wild adventures, taken great pains both to retain and extend his knowledge. That he must have done so is evident from the accounts of his different voyages, which he afterwards published. We have few works of the kind more vig- orously or graphically written than these volumes; and they con- tain abundant evidences of a scientific and philosophical knowl- edge of no ordinary extent and exactness. Along with Dampier's, we may mention an older name, that of John Davis, the discover- er of the well-known strait leading into Baffin's Bay. Davis also went to sea when quite a boy, and must have acquired all his knowledge both of science and of the art of composition, while engaged among the duties of his profession. Yet we not only have from his pen accounts of several of his voyages, but also a treatise on the general hydrography of the earth. He was the inventor, besides, of a quadrant for taking the sun's altitude at sea. Robert Drury, too, who wrote an account of the Island of Madagascar, and of his strange adventures there, deserves to be remembered Vv hen we are making mention of authors bred at sea Drury was only fourteen when he set out on his voyage in a ves- sel proceeding to India, and he was shipwrecked in returning home on the island we have mentioned, where he remained in a species of captivity for fifteen years; so that when he at last contrived to make his escape, he had almost forgotten his native language. He afterwards, however, set about writing an account of his life — a task which he accomplished whilst acting in the humble capacity of a porter at the India House. The work i.*? composed in a plain but sensible style, and contains many interest- ing details respecting the manners of the natives of Madagascar. . It is perhaps somewhat better for having been compressed by one of the friends of the author, whose original manuscript is said to have extended to eight hundred large tolio pages. Falconer, the author of '* The Shipwreck," as is generally known, spent his life, from childhood, at sea. He was probably LITERARY PURSUITS OF SAILORS. 185 born in oneorthe small towns in the county of Fife, which border the Frith of Forth ; but nothing is very certainly ascertained either as to his native place or his parentage. Nor has any ac- count been given of how^ he acquired the elements of education, with the exception of a report that he found an instructor in a person of the name of Campbell, a man of some literary taste and acquirements, who happened to be purser in one of the vessels in which young Falconer sailed. However this may be, Falconer appeared as an author at a very early age, having been only, it is said, in his twenty-first year when he gave to the world his lu^st production, a poem on the death of Frederick, Prince of Wales, the father of his late Majesty, George III. He was ten or twelve years older when he published his '' Shipwreck," v/hich is said to be founded in a great measure on the personal adventures of the author. Falconer did not permit the success of his poetical ef- forts to withdraw him from his profession, in which, having now transferred himself from the merchant service to the navy, he con- tinued to rise steadily till he was appointed purser of a man-of-war. Sometime after attaining this promotion, he published the otiier work by which he is chiefly known, his '' Universal JMarine Dictionary,'' which was very favorably received, and is still a standard work. He had previously to this written several other poetical pieces on temporary subjects, which have long been for- gotten. Shortly after the publication of his dictionary, he sail- ed for Bengal as purser of the frigate Aurora. This vessel, however, was never heard of, after she passed the Cape of Good Hope, having in all probability foundered at sea. Giordani, an Italian engineer and mathematician of the seven- teenth century, was originally a common soldier on board one of ^he Pope's gallies. In this situation his capacity and good con- duct attracted the attention of his admiral; and as a reward he was promoted to the post of purser of one of the vessels. It was ♦lis appointment to this situation which first formed his mind to study. Having accounts to keep, he soon found how necessary U was that he should know something of arithmetic, of which he was till then quite ignorant; and he determined therefore to teach riimself the science, which it is said he did without assistance. By pursuing his studies from this commencement, he eventually acquired considerable reputation as a mathematician; and, hav- ing published several able works, was appointed at last to a pro- fessorship in the Sapicnza College at Rome. Giordani died in ^he year 1711. The late Mr. John Fransham, who died at Norwich in 1810 was altogether one of the most eccentric characters to be found in the list of self-educated persons. His name suggests itself to us here from the circumstance of his having j)asscd part of his early life as a common s.oldier. He had been originally appren- ticed to a cooper, with wl;om he remained for about two year** 41* 486 LITERARY PURSUITS OF SAILORS. and it was in this situation that he taught himself mathematios But although he obtained the situation of clerk to an attorney, his restless disposition would not allow him to remain at his desk; and after wandering for some time about the country, he enlisted in the army, where, however they did not keep him long, finding him quite unfit for service. Indeed, it was by this time become pretty evident that his mind was not a little deranged, — a mattel which he shortly after put beyond doubt by renouncing Christiani- ty, and making a formal profession of paganism. Although he published several works, however, in support of his peculiar the- ology, and in other respects conducted himself with great eccen- tricity, he contrived to maintain himself by teaching mathematics, in which occupation he is said to have displayed very considera- ble ability. He resided and took pupils for some years in London. Somewhat similar to Fransham's history is that of Mr, John Osivald, who is said to have taught himself Greek, Latin, and Arabic, while holding a lieutenant's commission in a regiment of infantry in India. He afterwards returned to England, where he published a succession of poetical and political pamphlets, making himself remarkable at the same time by various singular- ities of behavior and opinions, and especially by a rigid absti- nence from animal food, and a professional predilection for the re- ligious doctrines of the Brahmins. When the revolution broke out in France, Oswald went over to that country, and entered the service of the republic, in which he obtained the rank of colonel. He was at length killed in battle. Columbus himself, one of the greatest men that ever lived, if k be grand ideas grandly realized that constitute greatness, while leading the life of a seaman, not only pursued assiduously the studies more particularly relating to his profession, rendering himself the most accomplished geographer and astronomer of his time, but kept up that acquaintance which he had begun at school with the different branches of elegant literature. We are told that he was even wont to amuse himself by the composition of Latin verses. It was at sea, too, that Cook acquired for him- self those high, scientific, and we may even add literary accom- plishments, of which he showed hiitiself to be possessed. The parents of the celebrated navigator were poor peasants, and all the school education he ever had was a little reading, writing, and arithmetic, for which he was indebted to the liberality of a gentle- man in the neighborhood. He was apprenticed, at the age of thirteen, to a shopkeeper in the small town of^Snaith, near New- castle; and it was while in this situation that he was first seized with a passion for the sea. After some time, he prevailed upon his master to give up his indentures, and entered as one of the crew of a coasting vessel engaged in the coal trade. He contin- ued in this service till he had reached his twenty-seventh year, when he exchanged it for that of the navy, in which he soon dis* LITERARY PURSUITS OF SAILORS. 487 txnguisKed himself so greatly, that he was three or four years after appointed master of the Mercury, which belonged to a squadron then proceeding to attack Quebec. Here he first showed the proficiency he had already made in the scientific part of his profession, by an admirable chart which he constructed and published of the river St. Lawrence. He felt, however, the disadvantages of his ignorance of mathematics; and, while still assisting in the hostile operations carrying on against the French on the coast of North America, he applied himself to the study of Euclid's Elements, which he soon mastered, and then began that of astronomy. A year or two after this, while again station- ed in the same quarter, he communicated to the Royal Society an account of a solar eclipse which took place on the 5th of Au- gust, 1766: deducing from it, with great exactness and skill, the longitude of the place of observation; and his paper was printed in the Philosophical Transactions. He had now completely es- tablished his reputation as an able and scientific seaman ; and it having been determined by government, at the request of the Royal Society, to send out qualified persons to the South Sea to observe the approaching transit of the planet Venus over the sun's disc — a phenomenon which promised several interesting re- sults to astronomy, — Cook was appointed to the command of the Endeavour, the vessel fitted out for that purpose. He conducted this expedition, which, in addition to the accomplishment of its principal purpose, was productive of a large accession of impor- tant geographical discoveries, with the most consummate skill and ability; and was, the year after he returned home, appointed to the command of a second vessel destined for the same regions, but having in view more particularly the determination ol* the question as to the existence of a southern polar continent. He was nearly three years absent upon this voyage; but so admirable were the methods he adopted for preserving the health of his sea- men, that he reached home with the loss of only one man from his whole crew. Having addressed a paper to the Royal Society upon this subject, he was not only chosen a member of that learned body, but was farther rewarded by having the Copley gold medal voted to him for his experiments. Of this second voy- age he drew up the account himself, and it has been universally esteemed a model in that species of writing. All our readers know the termination of Cook's distinguished career. His third voyage, undertaken for the discovery of a passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific along the north coast of America, although unsuccessful in reference to tliis object, was fertile in geographical discoveries, and equally honorable with those by which it had been preceded, to the sagacity, good man- agement, and scientific skill of its unfortunate commander. The death of Captain Cook took place it Owyhee, in a sudden tumuU of the natives of that island, ou the 1 Uh of February, 1779 >a88 LITERARY PURSUITS OF SAILORS; The news of the event was received with general lamentation.^ not only in his own country but throughout Europe. Pensions were bestowed on his widow and three sons by the government, the Royal Society ordered a medal to be struck in commemoration of him; his eulogy v/as pronounced in the Florentine Academy; and various other honors were paid to his memory, both by pub- lic bodies and individuals. Thus, by his own persevering efforts, did this great man raise himself from the lowest obscurity to a reputation* wide as the world itself, and certain to last as long as the age in which he flQurished shall be remembered by history But better still than even all this fame — than either the honors he received while living, or those which, when he was no more, his country and mankind bestowed upon his memory, — he had exalted himself in the scale of moral and intellectual being; had won for himself, by his unvv^earied striving, a new and nobler nature, and taken a high place among the in- structors and benefactors of mankind. This alone is true happi- ness—the one worthy end of human exertion or ambition — the only satisfying reward of all labor, and study, and virtuous activ- ity or endurance. Among the shipmates with whom Cook mixed when he first went to sea, there was, perhaps, no one who ever either raised himself above the condition to which he then be- longed in point of outward circumstances, or enlarged in any considerable degree the knowledge or mental resources he then possessed. And some will perhaps say that this was little to be regretted, at least, on their own accjount; that the many who spent their lives in their original sphere were probably as happy as the one who succeeded in rising above it; but this is, indeed, Co cast a hasty glance on human life and human nature. That man was never truly happy — happy upon reflection, and while looking to the past or the future — who could not say to himself that he had made something of the faculties God gave him, and had not lived altogether without progression, like one of the inferior animals. We do not speak of mere wealth or station; these are comparatively nothing; are as often missed as attained, even by those who best merit them; and do not of themselves constitute happiness when they are possessed. But there must be some consciousness of an intell^tual or moral progress, or there can be no satisfaction — no self-congratulation on reviewing what of life may be already gone — no hope in the prospect of what is yet to come. All men feel this, and feel it strongly; and if they could secure for themselves the source of happiness in question by a wish, would avail themselves of the privilege with sufficient alac- rity. Nobody would pass his life in ignorance, if knowledge might be had by merely looking up to the clouds for it; it is the labor necessary for its acquirement that scares them; and this labor they have not resolution to encounter. Yet it is, in truth, fifom the exertion by which it must be obtained, that knowledge ABSTRACT OF AMERICAN NAUTICAL LAWS. 4H9 derives at least half its value; for to this entirely we owe the sense of merit in ourselves which the acquisition brings alone with it: and hence no little of the happiness of which we have just described its possession to be the source, besides that, the labor itself soon becomes an enjoyment. To the example of Cook, if it were necessary, we mioht add those of others of his countrymen, who, since his time, have shown, in like manner, the possibility of uniting the cultivation of literature and science to the most zealous performance of the duties of the same laborious profession. For instance, Vancouver was a sailor formed under Cook; and to him we owe an interest- ing and ably written account of the voyage which he made i:ound the world, in 1790, and the four following years. Lieutenant Flinders commanded the expedition sent out in 1801, to survey the coast of New Holland, and afterwards published an account of his voyage, accompanied by a volume of charts, which are considered as placing the author in the highest rank of modern hydrographers. Nor ought we here to forget the late Lord Col- lingwood, second in command to Nelson at Trafalgar, and, in all respects, a man of first-rate merit, who, although he never sent any production to the press, has been proved by his correspon- deace, published since his death, to have been in reality one of the best of writers. Yet he was only thirteen when he first en- tered the navy, and during the remainder of his life he was scarcely ever ashore — circumstances which used to make his ac- quaintances wonder not a little where he got his style. He had always, however, been fond of reading and the study of elegant literature; and he found that even a lii'e at sea afforded him many opportunities of indulging his taste for these enjoyments. It does not belong to the plan of this work to notice any living examples: but the names of a crowd of naval officers of our own times, who have distinguished themselves as men of science and learning, as well as skilful commanders, will present themselvei at once to the memory. ABSTRACT OF AMERICAN NAUTICAL LAWS. Shipping articles are required to be signed by every mariner, declarinix the vovao-e and the term of time for which the roamen are shipped, and when they are to render themselves on board, Seo.men are liable to imprisonment for desertion. But if the master sails and leaves a seaman in imprisonment abroad, he will be entitled to his wages till his return to the United States, de- ducting the time of imprisonment. Provision is made for the 490 ABSTRACT OF AMERICAN NAUTICAL LAWS. prompt recovery of seamen's wages, by admiralty process against the ship, if the wages be not paid within ten days. It is the duty of the American consuls and commercial agents^ to relieve American seamen who may be found destitute in foreign ports, and to provide for their passage to some port in the United States, at the expense of the United States. American vessels are bound to take them, not exceeding two for every hundred tons, at a rate not exceeding ten dollars oer man. If an American vessel be sold in a foreign port, or a seaman discharged with the master's consent, the master is obliged to pay the consul three months' wages besides the amount then due, two months to be paid to the seamen when they engage again, and one month's pay to the fund for the return of American Sea- men. The master has the right to discharge a seaman for jast cause in a foreign port, but is responsible in damages if he docs it with- out just cause. The master must be supreme in the ship The French law affords peculiar protection to seamen, and prohibits the master from discharging a seaman for any cause, in a foreign country. The expense of curing a sick seaman in the course of the voy- age is a charge upon the ship; and this rule recommends itself as much by its intrinsic equity and sound policy, as by the sanction of general authority. Such an expense is in the nature of addi- tional wages during sickness, and it constitutes a material in- gredient in the just remuneration of seamen for their labor and services. This claim, equally with a claim for wages, may be enforced in a court of admiralty. Every seaman engaged to serve on board a ship, is bound, from the nature and terms of the contract, to do his duty to the utmost of his ability, and therefore, a promise made by the master when the ship is in distress, or when some of the crew are sick or the like, to pay extra wages, as an inducement to extraordinary ex- ertion, is illegal and void. It requires some service not within the scope of the original contract, as by becoming a hostage or the like, to create a valid claim for extra wages. No wages can be recovered for an illegal voyage, for the law will not counte- nance such a contract, nor permit any one to claim the wages of iniquity. A seaman is entitled to his wages for the whole voyage, even though he is unable to render his service by sickness, or bodily injury, happening in the course of the voyage, and while in the performance of his duty; or if wrongfully discharged by the master in the course of the voyage, or forced to quit the ship by the cruelty of the master. In this case the voyage is ended as to him, and he is immediately entitled to his wages for the whole voyage. The general principle of the marine law is, that freight is the ABSTRACt OF AMERICAN NAUTICAL LAWS. 491 mother of wages, and if no freight be earned, no wages are due If the ship perish by the perils of the sea, as tenjpest, fire, ene- mies, &c. the mariners lose their wages. Otherwise they might not use their endeavors to save the ship. But the seamen do not lose their wages, if the freight is lost by the misconduct of the master. When a seaman dies on the voyage, his wages are due to his representatives, up to the time of his death. The seaman's wagf^s on the outward voyage are due when the ship delivers her outward cargo. And if the owners and the charterer agree to consider the voyages out and home as one entire voyage, they cannot, by this, deprive the seamen, without their consent, of the rights be- longing to them by the general principles of the marine law Capture by an enemy extinguishes the seamen's contract for wages, but if by recapture, the owner recovers his freight, the seamen recover their wages, for freight is the parent of wages And this holds for those seamen who remain prisoners, and render no assistance in the recapture or afterwards, because they are suffering in the sr^vice. And in case of shipwreck, if any portion of freight is paid for the cargo saved, the wages of the seamen are due in the same proportion. Every agreement that goes to sepp.rate the demand for wages, from the fact of freight being earned, is viewed with distrust by the court, as an encroachment on the rights of seamen. " The courts of maritime law extend to them a peculiar protecting favor, and treat them as wards of tae admiralty; and though they are not incapable of making valid contracts, they are treated by the courts in the same manner that courts of equity are accustomed to treat young heirs dealing with their expectancies, wards with their guardians, ^^c. They are considered as placed under the influence of men who have naturally acquired a mastery over them. Every deviation from the terms of the common shipping paper is rigidly inspected, and if additional burdens are imposed upon the seamen without adequate remuneration, the courts will interfere, and moderate or annul the stipulation." Mariners are bound to contribute out of their wages for em- bezzlements of the cargo, or injuries produced by the misconduct of any of the crew. But the individual criminal must be unknown, and circumstances must be such as clearly to fix and prove the wrong upon some of the crew; and then those of the crew upon wdiom the presumption of guilt rests, must stand sureties for each other, and contribute rateably to the loss. If an individual can free himself from suspicion, he does not contribute. And if no reasonable presumption lies against any of the crew, the loss falls upon the owner or master. In case of shipwreck, and there are materials of the ship saved, tne seamen by whose exertions they are saved, are entitled to their wages out of the proceeds of the fragments, even although 492 ABSTRACT OF AMERICAN NAUTICAL LAWS. no freight was earned to the owners. Chancellor Kent, however, tninks that in such a case, the allowance to seamen out of the wreck ought to be called salvage. '' Wages, in such cases, would be contrary to the great principle in marine law, that freight is ths mother of wages, and the safety of the ship the mother of freight." The wages of seamen constitute a lien upon the ship, which does not, like other liens, depend on possession. Seamen's wages are hardly earned, and liable to many contingencies, by which they may be entirely lost, without any fault on their part. Few claims are so highly favored by law, and when due, the vessel, owners, and master, are all liable for them. Their demand takes precedence of all bottomry bonds, and is good against even a subsequent bona fide purchaser. It is a sacred claim, and aa long as a single plank of the ship remains, the sailor is entitled, as against all other persons, to the proceeds, as security for his wages. The wages of seamen do not contribute to the general average, when a loss of goods, masts, or the like, is voluntarily incurred at sea for the common safety, except in the single in- stance of the ransom of the ship. They are exempted here, lest the fear of personal loss should restrain them from making the requisite sacrifice. And the hardships and perils they endure, well entitle them to an exemption from farther distress. Desertion from a ship without just cause, or the justifiable dis- charge of a seaman by the master for bad conduct, will work a forfeiture of the wages previously earned. This is the rule of 'ustice and of policy But if the seaman quits the vessel invol- untarily, or is driven ashore by reason of cruel usage, and for personal safety, the wages are not forfeited. On the other hand, it is the duty of the seamen to abide by the vessel as long as reasonable hope remains; and if they desert the ship in the perils of the sea, when they might have prevented damage, or saved the vessel, they forfeit their wages and are answerable in dama- ges. So liberal and kind is the care which our laws have taken for the interests of seamen in the merchant service. It would seem that nothino* more is wanting for their benefit, excepting a more eficctual security for the hind of provision which is to be made for them when they fall into sickn^^ss or distress in a foreign port, and some arrangement for their comfortable support, when worn out and decrepit at home 684 f