'ill m '''I ii iiliii: i!.i.i.. Jiiiiii i I ijii i i i ii pi ii,! I ^ \ 1 fl -^ A N c ^ -?- ^^.,. ^^ x^^ '^ ^^isy^ ^"^ '.^:Sf' %^- "^0^ <- '0.,. ■» A ^3,' ; "'Ar' ; I A^' '/> oo^ .^^ .%^»= "-.^' ■^■":-.,^^%^.^ .s^ "^. .0' s ^' V . 6 . ^^^ - « * ^ " ^\ o 0' ^ 7i 0°'.' ,0 o. ^ \ 0^ .>-. "-^c. "'^ v>^^ ° ■^^.^'<^' l-ns v^ cP: ^^ -v i ."^ .^i I .-^^ ^3~Tr9Tt^9rf^-+V^^VvW^iA'-^^^ MARINER'S CHRONICLE CONTAIN iXG NARRATIVES OF THE MOST HEMARKABLE DISASTERS AT SEA, SUCH AS SHIPWRECKS, STORMS, FIRES, AND FAMINES ALSO NAVAL ENGAGEMENTS, V PIRATICAL ADVENTURES, INCIDENTS OF DISCOVERY, AND OTHER EXTRAORDINARY AND INTERESTING OCCURRENCES. STEREOTYPED BY A. CHANDLER. NEW HAVEN : PUBLISHED BY GEORGE W. GORTON, 1834. ^^'h^ ^%^ t .^A Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1834, by DURRIE AND PECK, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Connecticut. PREFACE. It may be truly said that no reading, not fic- titious, is so interesting and exciting, as Narra- tives of Maritime Adventure. The imminent peril of life, on the uncertain element, and the surer horrors of thirst and famine, when cast on a desert coast, give to the incidents of storms and shipwrecks, such force and power in awa- kening attention, that narratives of such events are among the first to attract youth, and among the last to interest old age. The seaman's life is, above all others, one of adventure. Truly he may say, he knows not " what to-morrow will bring forth." Now he may be scudding along cheerily, with a light and steady breeze, or rest- ing motionless, on the bosom of a calm. The next moment, the clouds may gather, the winds rise, and the ocean be roused into fury. Now he may be far out in the mid ocean, sailing on- VI PREFACE. ward secure from shoals and rocks, with every sheet of canvass hoisted. Then he may be threading his dangerous way through reefs and islands, heaving his lead, consulting his chart, and calculating his reckoning, at every moment. Then the risks of war and piracy, and in un- known seas, of hidden banks and shelves — every where of fogs, which hide his course, and storms that drive him from it. So like the vicissitudes of a whole life, are all his voyages, that we read the details of his route, even his dry log-book, with a fellow-feeling of interest and anxiety. Then we have the enjoyment of his adventures, without their dangers. It is pleasant to listen to perils we do not share — to feel our hearts beat, not from fear, but from interest and excite- ment. "It is pleasant, when the winds are rousing the waves, to look out, from the shore, on the open sea, and see another's peril : not because we are pleased that another suffers, but because it is pleasant to look on danger, . PREFACE. VU when we are safe," So said the Roman poet, and such is our nature still. But we are now guided, or ought to be, by a better spirit than even an enlightened ancient could feel. We acknowledge the superintend- ence of a kind overruling Providence, and in no situation are we led to a more entire reliance on such a Providence, than amid the dangers of the sea. Never do the mere unassisted efforts of man appear feebler, than amid those great convulsions of nature, and those perilous chan- ces, to which the mariner is so especially expo- sed. We, too, have learned to sympathize truly with all our kind, and when we read of the hazards and sufferings of the poor sailor, with nothing to protect him but the mercy of Provi- dence, we feel our own hearts moved to bene- volence, and impressed with a like sense of dependence. LIST OF ENGRAVINGS. No. 1 Loss OF A Frigate on the Coast op Scilly. " 2 Loss OF THE English Ship Kent. , " 3 Crew, OF the Ship Hercules. " 4 United States Sloop of War Hornet. " 5 Russian Sailors. " 6 Captain Prenties on Cape Breton Island. " 7 Blowing up of the Prince. " 8 Burning of the Hibernia. " 9 Loss OF THE Nottingham Galley. "10 The Crew of the Magpie. "11 Madame Denoyer. "12 Commodore Beerings. "13 The Survivors OF THE Medusa. "14 The Essex struck by a Whale. "15 Discovery OF Skeletons. "16 Greenland Whale Fishery. "17 The Unfortunate Philanthropist. "18 Icebergs. "19 The Maelstrom. " 20 Wreck of the Albion Packet. "21 Explosion of the Helen McGregor. " 22 Wreck of the Fulton. " 23 Capture of the Guerriere. " 24 Battle of Lake Champlain. *« 25 Digging for Kidd's Money. CONTENTS. Page. Loss of the English ship Kent, - - - - 13 u>-^Loss of the Grosvenor Indiaman, on the coast of Caffrana, August 4, 1782, - - - - 24 Loss of the American ship Hercules, on the coast of Cafrraria,Junel6, 1796, - . - . 54 Loss of the Sloop of War Hornet, - - - 81 1/ Shipwreck of Madame De Bourk, - - - 86 Loss of the Steam-Packet Rothsay Castle, - - 98 Sufferings and extraordinary adventures of four Russian sailors, on the Desert Island of East Spitzbergen,in 1743, 109 i^ Loss of an Enghsh Sloop, on the coast of the Island of Cape Breton, in 1780, 117 The sufferings of Ephraim How, of New Haven, who was wrecked near Cape Sable in the year 1676, 144 Voyage of the Packet-Ship President, - - - 146 t/ X CONTENTS. Pa OB.' ^ Loss of His Majesty's ship Centaur, Sept. 23, 1782, 153 / Loss by fire of the French East India Company's vesselthePrince, July 26, 1752, - - - 165 Loss by fire of the Hibernia, - - - - 175 Loss of the Nottingham Galley, on Boon Island, near New England, December 11, 1710, - - - 177 The shipwreck of M. De Brisson, on the coast of Barbary, ,----..- i88 Extraordinary famine in the American ship Peggy, in 1765, 205 Loss of the Magpie, and escape of two of her crew, 209 Adventures of Madame Denoyer, between the Ba- hama Islands and Cuba, in 1766, - - - 221 Shipwreck of a Spanish Frigate, on the coast of Mexico, in 1678, 226 Loss of a Jamaica sloop, in 1711, - - 242 Loss of the Russian ship St. Peter, on the coast of Beering's Island, in 1741, .... 276 Shipwreck of the Medusa, on her voyage to Senegal, 296 Destruction of the Essex by a whale, - - - 398 Wreck of the ship President, Charleston Line Packet, 402 A tragical tale of the sea, 405 The whale, ---,•., 410 Page. The Greenland whale fishery, - ■ -^ - 412 The polar Bear, 414 ^- l^ms of His Majesty's- ship Phoenix, off the Island of Cuba, in the year nsa, ^ - - -418 Shipwreck of the Jonge Thomas, at the Cape of Good Hope, June 2, 1773, - - - - 431 Polar Ice, 434 The Maelstrom, 439 Captain Ross' narrative of his late Arctic expedition, 442 Shipwreck of the Albion Packet, - - - 447 Explosion of the steam boat Helen M'Gregor, at Memphis, Tennessee, Feb. 24, 1830, - - 453 Explosion of the steam boat iEtna, in New York Harbor, May 15, 1824, 457* Conflagration of the steam boat Phoenix, on Lake Champlain, September 5, 1819, - - - 461 Blowing up of the steam frigate Fulton, at the Navy Yard, Brooklyn, June 4, 1829, - - - 464 Explosion of the steam boat New England, at Es- sex, Connecticut River, October 9, 1833, - 470 Capture of the Guerriere, ----- 478 Capture of the Macedonian, . . • - 480 Capture of the Java, ------ 482 Battle of Lake Erie, 484 XII CONTENTS. Page. Battle of Lake Champlain, 490 Piracy, 492 Kidd's Money, 496 Outrage of the Malays, 501 Poetry, - 604 THE MARII^ER'S CHKOSriCLiE. LOSS OF THE ENGLISH SHIP KENT. T7ie account of which the foUoiving is an abridgment, was written and published in England, by a pious Major in the East India Com'pany^ s service. The Kent, Captain Henry Cobb, a fine new ship of one thousand three 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 wo- men, and sixty-six children, belonging to the 31st regiment; with twenty private passiingers, and a crew (including offi- cers) of one hundred and forty-eight men on board. The bustle attendant on a departure for India, is undoubt- edly calculated to subdue the force of those deeply painful sensations to which few men can refuse to yield, in the im- mediate prospect of a long and distant separation from the land of their fondest and earliest recollections. With my gallant shipmates, indeed, whose elasticity of spirits is re- markably characteristic of the profession to which they be- longed, hope appeared greatly to predominate over sadness. Surrounded as they were b)'' every circumstance that could render their voyai3;-e propitious, and in the ample enjoyment of every necessary that could contribute either to their health or comfort — ^their hearts seemed to beat high with content- ment and gratitude toward that country which they zealous- ly served, and whose interests they were cheerfully going forth to defend. With a fine fresh breeze from the north-east, the stately Kent, in bearing down the channel, speedily passed m.any a well-known spot on the coast dear to our remembrance ; and on the evening of the 23d we took our last view of happy o 14 LOSS OF THE KENT. England, and entered the wide Atlantic, without the expecta- tion of again seeing land until we reached the shores of India. On the night of Monday the 28th of February, when the Kent was in lat. 47 deg. 30 min. long. 10 deg. a violent gale blew from the west, and gradually increased during the fol- lowing morning. The rolling of the vessel became tremen- dous about midnight, so that the best fastened articles of fur- niture in the principal cabins were dashed about with violence, and the main chains were thrown at every lurch under water. It was a little before this period, that one of the officers of the ship, Avith the well-meant intention of ascertaining that all was fast below, descended with two of the sailors into the hold, where they carried with them, for safety, a light in the patent lantern ; and seeing that the lamp burned dimly, the officer took the precaution to hand it up to the orlop-deck to be trimmed. Having afterward 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 made a heavy lurch, the officer unfortunately dropped the light ; and letting go his hold of the cask in his eagerness to recover the lantern, it suddenly stove, and the spirits communicating with the lamp, the whole place was instantly in a blaze. As long as the devouring element appeared to be confined to the spot where the fire originated, and which we were as- sured was surrounded on all sides by Avater casks, we ventur- ed to cherish hopes that it might be subdued ; but no sooner was the light blue vapor that at first arose succeeded by vo- lumes of thick dingy smoke, which speedily ascended through all the four hatchways, rolled over every part of the ship, than all farther concealment became impossible, and almost all hope of preserving the vessel was abandoned. " The flames have reached the cable tier," was exclaimed by some individuals, and the strong pitchy smell that pervaded the deck confirmed the truth of the exclamation. In these awful circumstances Captain Cobb, with an ability and decision of character that seemed to increase with the i-mminence of the danger, resorted to the only alternative now left him, of ordering the lower deck to be scuttled, the comb- ing 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 ef- forts 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 g-uu- LOSS OF THE KENT. 15 deck with Col. Fearon, Capt. Bray, and one or two other offi- cers of thti 31st regiment, to assist in opening the ports, I met, staggering toward the hatchway, in an exhausted and nearly senseless state, one of the mates, who informed us that he had just stumbled over the dead bodies of some individuals who must have died from suffocation, to which it was evident that he himself had almost fallen a victim. So dense and oppressive was the smoke, that it was with the utmost diffi- culty Ave could remain long enough below to fulfill Captain C-obb's Avishes ; Avhich were no sooner accomplished than the sea rushed in with extraordinary force, carrying away in its resistless progress to the hold, the largest chests, bulk- heads, &c. On the one hand stood death by fire, on the other death by water; the dilemma Avas dreadful. Preferring always the more remote alternative, the unfortunate creAV were at one moment attempting to check the fire by means of water ; and when the Avater became the most threatening enemy, their efforts AA^ere turned to the exclusion of the waves, and the fire was permitted to rage Avith all its fury. The scene of horror that noAv presents itself,- baffles all description — ^ " Then rose from sea to sky the wild fareA^ell ; " Then shrieked the timid, and stood still the brave." The upper deck was coA'ered Avith betAveen six and seven hun- dred human beings, many of whom, from previous sea-sick- ness, AA'ere forced on the first alarm to flee from below in a state of absolute nakedness, and Avere noAV running about in quest of husbands, children, or parents. While some were standing in silent resignation, or in stu- pid insensibility to their impending fate, others Avere yielding themselves up to the most frantic despair. Some on their knees Av^ere earnestly imploring, Avith significant gesticulations and in noisy supplications, the mercy of Him, whose arm, they exclaimed, AA^as at length outstretched to smite them ; others Avere to be seen hastily crossing themselves, and performing the various external acts required by their peculiar persuasion, Avhile a number of the older and more stout-hearted sailors suddenly took their seats directly oA'er the magazine, hoping, as they stated, that by means of the explosion, Avhich they every instant expected, a speedier termination might thereby be put to their sufferings.* * Captain Cobb, with great forethought, ordered the deck to be scut- i: 16 LOSS OF THE KENT. Several of the soldier's wives and children, who had fled for temporary shelter into the after cabins on the upper deck, were engaged in praying and in reading the scriptures with the ladies, some of whom were enabled, with wonderful self- possession, to offer to others those spiritual consolations which a firm and intelligent trust in the Redeemer of the world ap- peared at this awful hour to impart to their own breasts. The dignified deportment of two young ladies in particular, formed a specimen of natural strength of mind, finely modified by christian feeling, that failed not to attract the notice and admi- ration of every one who had an opportunity of witnessing it. On the melancholy announcement being made to them that all hope must be relinquished, and that death was rapidly and in- evitably approaching, one of the ladies above referred to, calmly sinking down on her knees, and clasping her hands together, said, "Even so come. Lord Jesus," and immediately proposing to read a portion of the scriptures to those around her, her sister, with nearly equal composure and collectedness of mind, selected the 46th and other appropriate Psalm.s, which were accordingly read, with intervals of prayer, by those ladies alternately to the assembled females. One young gentleman, of whose promising talents and piety I dare not now make farther mention, having calmly asked me my opinion respecting the ship, I told him I thought w^e should all be prepared that night to sleep in eternity : and I never shall forget the peculiar fervor wdth which he replied, as he pressed my hand in his, " My heart is filled Avith the peace of God ; yet though I know it is foolish, I dread exceedingly the last struggle." All hope had departed ! the employment of the different in- dividuals indicated utter despair of rescue — one was removing a lock of hair from his writing-desk to his bosom — others were awaiting their fate in stupor — some with manly fortitude — others bewailing it with loud and bitter lamentation — and part were occupied 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, ra- ther with the ardent wish than the expectation, that some friendly sail might be discovered on the face of the waters. tied forward, with a view to draw the fire in that direction, knowing that between it and the magazine v/ere several tiers of water casks; while he hoped that the wet sails, &c. thrown into the after hold, would prevent it from communicating with the spirit-room abaft. LOSS OF THE KENT. 17 The sailor, on mounting-, 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 an- nouncement was received with deep-felt thanksgiving, and with three cheers upon deck. Our flags of distress were in- stantly hoisted, and our minute guns fired ; and we endea- vored to bear down under our three topsails and fore-sail upon the stranger, which afterward proved to be the Cambria, a small brig of two hundred tons burthen — 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 McGre- gor of the 31st regiment, were consulting together, as the brig- was approaching 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 injunc- tion was instantly confirmed by Col. Fearon, who said, " Most undoubtedly the juniors first — but see that any man is cut down who presumes 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 the ladies, and as many of the soldiers' wives as it could safely contain, they hurriedly wrapt themselves up in what- ever article of clothing could be most conveniently found ; and I think about two, or half past two o'clock, a most mournful procession advanced from the after cabins to the starboard cuddy port, outside of which the cutter was suspended. Scarce- ly a word was heard — not a scream was uttered — even the in- fants ceased to cry, as if conscious of the unspoken and un- speakable anguish that was at 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, where the ladies plain- tively entreated to be left behind with their husbands. But on being assured that every moment's delay might occasion the sacrifice of a human life, they successively suffered them- selves to be torn from the tender embrace, and with a forti- tude which never fails to characterize and adorn their sex on occasions of overwhelming trial, were placed, without a mur- mur, in the boat, which was immediately 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. 2* 18 LOSS OF THE KENT. But He who enabled the Apostle Peter to walk on the face of the deep, and was graciously attending to the silent but ear- nest aspirations of those on board, had decreed its safety. After one or two unsuccessful 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 consequence 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 followed the motion of the ship, was gradually ri- sing out of the water, and must, in another instant, have been hanging perpendicularly by the bow, and its helpless passen- gers launched into the deep, had not a most providential wave suddenly struck and lifted up the stern, so as to enable the sea- man to disengage 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 engulfed "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, and per- ished in their efideavors to save them. One young lady, who had resolutely refused to quit her father, whose sense of duty kept him at his post, was near falling a sacrifice to her filial devotion, not having been picked up by those in the boats until she had sunk five or six times. Another indivi- dual, who was reduced to the frightful alternative of losing his wife or his children, hastily decided in favor of his duty to the former. His wife was accordingly saved, but his four children, alas ! were left to perish. A fine fellow, a soldier, who had neither wife nor child of his ovm, but who evinced the greatest solicitude for the safety of those of others, insist- ed on having three children Jashed to him, with whom he plunged into the water ; not being able to reach the boat, he was drawn again into the ship with his charge, but not before two of the children had expired. One man fell down the hatchway into the flames, and another had his back so com- pletely broken as to have been observed quite doubled falling overboard. The numerous spectacles of individual loss and Buffering were not confined to the entrance upon the perilous voyage between the two ships. One man who fell beneath the boat and the brig, had his head literally crushed fine — and some others were lost in their attempts to ascend the sides of the Cambria. LOSS OF THE KENT. 19 When the greater part of the men had been disposed of, the gradual removal of the officers commenced, and was mark- ed 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 of unmanly or unsoldier-like impatience to quit the ship ; but with the becoming deportment of men nei- ther paralyzed by, nor profanely insensible to, the accumulat- ing dangers that encompassed them, they progressively de- parted in the different boats w4th 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 re- commendation, I was surprised, I had almost said amused, by the singular delicacy of one of the. Irish recruits, who, 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 wouW be any harm in his appropriating it to his own use. Again, as an agreeable proof, too, of the subordination and good feelings that governed the poor soldiers in the midst of their sufferings, I ought to state that toward evening, when the melancholy groupe who were passively seated on the poop, exhausted by previous fatigue, anxiety and fasting, were oeginning to experience the pain of intolerable thirst, a box of oranges was accidentally discovered by some of the men, who, with a degree of mingled consideration, respect and af- fection that could hardly have been expected at such a mo- ment, refused to partake of the grateful beverage until they had afforded a share of it to their officers. The spanker-boom of so large a ship as the Kent, which projects, I should think, sixteen or eighteen feet over the stern, rests, on ordinary occasions, about nineteen or twenty feet above the water ; but in the position in which we were placed, from the great 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 from the surface. To reach the rope, therefore, that hung from its extremity was an operation that seemed to require the aid of as much dexterity of hand as steadiness of head. For it was not only he nervousness of creeping along the boom itself, or the ex- treme difficulty of afterward seizing on and sliding down by 20 LOSS OF THE KENT. the rope, that we had to dread, and tlfet 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, might be carried the next, by the force of the waves, fifteen or twenty yards away from it, the unhappy individual, whose best calculations were thus defeat- ed, was generally left swinging for some time in mid-air, if he was not repeatedly plunged sf^veral feet under Avater, or dash- ed 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, notwithstanding my com- parative inexperience and awkwardness in such a situation, to throw my leg across the perilous stick ; and with a heart ex- tremely grateful that such means of deliverance were still ex- tended to me, and more grateful still that I had been enabled, in common with others, to discharge my honest duty to my sovereign and to my fellow-soldiers ; I proceeded, after commit- ting my spirit, the great object of my solicitude, into the keep- ing of Him who had formed 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 I 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, without attempting for some minutes to make any progress, and to excite our apprehension that we must relinquish all hope of reaching the rope. But our fears were disappointed, and after resting for a while 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 low- ering myself, as many had imprudently done, at the moment wdien the boat was inclining toward us — and consequently being unable to descend the whole distance before it again re- ceded — I 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 sol- dier who reached the boat without being either severely bruis- ed or immersed in the water. But my friend Colonel Fearon had not been so fortunate ; for after swimming for some time, and being repeatedly struck against 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 LOSS OF THE KENT. 21 rope and perished, had not one in the boat seized him by the hair of the head and dragged him into it, almost senseless and alarmingly bruised. Captain Cobb, in his immovable resolution to be the last, if 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 seemed struck dumb and powerless with dismay. But finding all his entreaties Truitless, and hear- ing the guns, whose tackle was burst asunder by the advancing flames, successively exploding in the hold into which they had fallen — this gallant oflicer, after having nobly pursued, for the preservation of others, a course of exertion that has been rarely equalled either in its duration 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 get either backward or forward, and ultimately dropping himself into the water. The means of escape, however, did not cease to be presented to the unfortunate individuals above referred to, long after Captain Cobb took his departure, — since one of the boats persevered in keeping its station imder the Kent's stern, not only after all expostulation and entreaty with those on board had failed, but until the flames, bursting forth from the cabin windows, rendered it impossible to remain, wdthout inflicting the greatest cruelty upon the individuals that manned it. But even on the return of the boat in question to the Cambria, with the single soldier who availed himself of it, did Captain Cobb, with characteristic anxiety and caution, refuse to allow it to come along side, until he learned that it was command- ed by the spirited young officer, Mr. Thomson, whose inde- fatigable exertions during the whole day were to him a suffi- cient proof that all had been done that could be done for the deliverance of those individuals. But the same beneficent Providence which had been so wonderfully exerted for the preservation of hundreds, was pleased by a still more striking and unquestionable display of power and goodness, to avert the fate of a portion of those few, who, we had all too much reason to fear, were doomed to destruction. It would appear (for the poor men themselves give an ex- tremely confused, though I am persuaded not a wilfully false, account of themselves) that shortly after the departure of the last boat, they were driven by the flames to seek shelter on (:;''<{& 22 LOSS OF THE KENT. the chains, where they stood until the masts fell overboard, to which they then clung for some hours, in a state of horror that no language can describe; until they were most provi- dentially, I may say miraculously, discovered and picked up by the humane master (Bibbey) of the Caroline, a vessel on its passage from Egypt to Liverpool, who happened to see the explosion at a great distance, and instantly made all sail in the direction whence it proceeded. After the arrival of the last boat, the flames, which had spread along the upper deck and poop, ascended with the ra- pidity of lightning to the masts and rigging, forming one ge- neral conflagration, that illumined the heavens to an immense distance, and was strongly reflected upon several objects on board the brig. The flags of distress hoisted in the morning, . were seen for a considerable time waving amid the flames, until the masts to which they were suspended successively fell, like stately steeples, over the ship's side. At last, about half past one o'clock in the morning, the devouring element having communicated to the magazine, the long threatened explosion was seen, and the blazing fragments of the once magnificent Kent were instantly hurried, like so many rock- ets, high into the air; leaving, in the comparative darkness that succeeded, the deathful scene of that disastrous day float- ing before the mind like some feverish dream.* Although, after the first burst of mutual gratulation and of becoming acknowledgment of the divine mercy on account of our unlooked-for deliverance had subsided, none of us felt disposed to much interchange of thought, each being rather inclined to wrap himself up in his own reflections ; yet we did not, during this first night, view with the alarm it warrant- ed, the extreme misery and danger to which we were still ex- posed, by being crowded together, in a gale of wind, with up- ward of 600 human beings in a small brig of 200 tons, at a distance, too, of several hundred miles from any accessible port. Our little cabin, which was only calculated, under or- dinary circumstances, for the accommodation of eight or ten persons, was now made to contain nearly eighty individuals, many of whom had no sitting room, and even some of the la- dies no room to lie down. OAving to the continued violence of the gale, and to the bulwarks on one side of the brig hav- ing been driven in, the sea beat so incessantly over our deck as to render it necessary that the hatches should only be lift- * The brig was about three miles distant from the Kent at the peri- od of its explosion. LOSS OF THE KENT. 23 ed up between the returning waves to prevent absolute suffo- cation below, where the men were so closely packed together that the steam arising from their respiration excited at one time an apprehension that the vessel was on fire ; while the impurity of the air they were inhaling became so marked, that the lights occasionally carried down among them Avere almost instantly extinguished. Nor was the condition of the hundreds who covered the deck less wretched than that of their comrades below ; since they were obliged, night and day, to stand shivering, in their wet and nearly naked state, ankle deep in water.* Our only hope amid these great and accumulating miseries was, that the same compassionate Providence which had al- ready so marvelously interposed on our behalf, would not permit the wind to abate or change until we reached some friendly port ; for we were all convinced that a delay of a very few days longer at sea must inevitably involve us in fa- mine, pestilence, and a complication of the most dreadful evils. Our hopes were not disappointed. The gale continued with even increasing violence ; and our able captain, crowding all sail at the risk of carrying away his masts, so nobly urged his vessel onward, that in the afternoon of Thursday the 3d, the delightful exclamation from aloft Avas heard, " Land ahead!" In the evening Ave descried the Scilly lights; and running rapidly along the Cornish coast, we joyfully cast anchor in Falmouth harbor, about half past 12 o'clock on the following morning. * In addition to those Av^ho At'ere naked on board the Kent at the mo- ment the alarm of fire was heard, seA^eral indiA'iduals afterward threw off their clothes, to enable them the more easily to SAV^im to the boats. I LOSS OF THE GROSVENOR INDIAMAN, ON THE COAST OF CAFFRARIA, AUGUST 4,1782; With the Particulars relative to the unfortunate survivors of the Wreck. In the melancholy catalogue of human woes, few things ap- pear more eminently disastrous than the general fate of the Grosvenor's crew. Slilpwreck is always, even in its mildest form, a calamity which fills the mind with horror; but, what is instant death, compared to the situation of those who had hunger, thirst, and nakedness to contend with; who only es- caped the fury of the waves to enter into conflicts with the savages of the forest, or the greater savages of the human, race ; who were cut off from all civilized society, and felt the prolongation of life to be only the lengthened pains of death? The Grosvenor sailed from Trincomale, June 13, 1782, on her homeward bound vo5^age, and met with no memorable occurrq^ice till the 4th of August, the fatal day on which she went on shore. During tbe two preceding days it had blown very hard, the sky was overcast, so that they were unable to take an obser- vation ; and it is likewise probable, that from their vicinity to the shore, they had been carried out of their course by cur- rents. The combination of these circumstances may account for the error in their reckoning which occasioned the loss of the ship. It appears that Captain Coxson had declared, a few hours before the disaster took place, that he computed the ship to be at least one hundred leagues from the nearest land, and this opinion lulled them into a false security. John Hynes, one of the survivors, being aloft with som.e others in the night-watch, saw breakers ahead, and asked his companions if they did not think land was near. In this opmion they all coincided, and hastened to inform the third mate, who was the ollicer of the watch. The infatuated young man only laughed at their apprehensions ; upon which one of them ran to the cabin to acquaint the captain, who in- stantly ordered to wear ship. But before this could be ac- complished, her keel struck with great force; in an instant every person on board hastened on the deck, and apprehen- sion and horror were impressed on every countenance. LOSS OF THE ENGLISH SHIP KENT. The ship Kent, bound to Bengal, on the 28th of Feb., took fire, passengers with difficulty saved their lives. — ^p. 20, The CREW OF THE SHIP HERCULES, Reposing at night on the coast of Caffraria, where they were wreck- ed in June, 1796.— p. 62. LOSS OF THE GROSVENOR INDIAMAN. 25 The captain endeavored to dispel the fears of the passen- gers, and begged them to be composed. The pumps were sounded, but no water found in the hold, as the ship's stern lay- high on the rocks. In a few minutes the wind blew off the shore, which filled them with apprehensions lest they should be driven out to sea, and thus lose the only chance they had of escaping. The powder room was by this time full of water, the masts were cut away, without any effect, and the ship being driven within a cable's length q{ the shore, all hopes of saving her vanished. This dismal prospect produced distraction and despair, and it is impossible to describe the scene that ensued. Those who were most composed set about forming a raft, hoping by means of it to convey the women and children and the sick to land. Meanwhile three men attempted to swim to the shore with the deep sea-line ; one perished in the attempt, but the other two succeeded. By these a hawser was at length carried to the shore and fastened round the rocks, in which operation they were assisted by great numbers of the natives, who had come down to the water's edge to witness the uncommon sight. The raft, being by this time completed, was launched over- board, and four men got upon it to assist the ladies ; but they had scarce!)'- taken their station before the hawser which was fastened round it snapped in two, by which accident it was upset, and three of the men drowned. In this dilemma eve- ry one began to think of the 'best means of saving hiinself The yawl and the jolly boat had already been dashed to pie- ces by the violence of the surf ; so that the only means of preservation now left was by the hawser made fast to the rocks, hand over hand. Several got safe on shore in this manner, while others, to the number of fifteen, perished in the difiicult attempt. The ship soon separated just before the main-mast. The wind at the same time providentially shifted to the old quar- ter, and blew directly to the land, a circumstance which con- tributed greatly to the preservation of those on board, who all got on the poop, as being nearest to the shore. The wind and surges now impelling them, that part of the wreck on which the people were rent asunder fore and aft, the deck splitting in two. In this distress they crowded upon the star- board quarter, which soon floated into shoal water, the other parts of the v.'reck breaking off those heavy seas which would othervvdse have ingulfed or dashed them to pieces. Through 3 26 LOSS OF THE this fortunate incident, all on board, even the ladies and chil- dcen, got safe on shore, except the cook's mate, a black, who being drunk, could not be prevailed upon to leave the wreck. Before this arduous business was well effected night came on, and the natives having retired, several iires were lighted with fuel from the wreck, and the whole company supped on such provisions as they picked up on shore. Two tents were formed of sails that had drifted to the shore, and in these the ladies were left to repose, while the men wandered about in search of such articles as might be of service. On the morning of the 5th the natives returned, and with- out ceremony carried off whatever suited their fancy. This conduct excited a thousand apprehensions, particularly in the minds of the females, for .their personal safety ; but observing that the savages contented themselves with plunder, their fears were somewhat allayed. The next day was employed in collecting together all the articles that might be useful in their journey to the Cape, to which they imprudently resolved to direct their course : a resolution which involved them in complicated misery, and which can be justified by no wise principle. From the wreck they might easily have built a vessel capable of containing them all, and by coasting along, they might have reached the nearest of the Dutch settlements with half the danger or risk to which they were then exposing themselves. Distress, how- ever, sometimes deprives men of all presence of mind ; so the crew of the Grosvenor, having just escaped the dangers of the sea, appear to have considered land as the most desira- ble alternative, without reflecting on the almost insuperable obstacles that lay in their way. On examining their stores, they found themselves in pos- session of two casks of flour and a tub of pork that had been washed on the beach, and some arrack, which the captain prudently ordered to be staved, lest the natives should get at it, and by intoxication increase their natural ferocity. Captain Coxson now called together the survivors, and hav- ing divided the provisions among them, asked if they consent- ed to his continuing in the command, to which they unani- mously agreed. He then informed them that from the best calculation he could make, he was in hopes of being able to reach some of the Dutch settlements in fifteen or sixteen days. In this calculation the captain was probably not much mistaken. Subsequent observations prove that the Grosvenor niust have been wrecked between the 27ih and 2Sth decree GROSVENOR INDIAMAN. 27 of south latitude ; and as the Dutch colonies extended beyond the 3 1st degree, they might have accomplished the journey within the time specified, had not rivers intervened and re- tarded their progress. Every thing being arranged, they set out on their journey on the 7th, leaving behind only an old East-India soldier, who being lame, preferred trusting himself to the natives till some more favorable opportunity of getting away should present itself; adding, that he might as well die Avith them as end his life on the way with pain and hunger. As they moved forward they were followed by some of the natives, while others remained at the Avreck. Those who ac- companied them plundered them, from time to time, of what- ever they liked, and sometimes threw stones at them. After proceeding a few miles, they were met by a party of about thirty of the natives, whose hair was fastened up in a conical form, and their faces painted red. Among these was a man who spoke Dutch, who, it afterward appeared, was a runaway slave from the Cape, on account of some crimes, and was named Trout. When this man came up to the English he inquired who they were, and whither they were going. Find- ing by their answers that they had been cast away, he in- formed them, that their intended journey to the Cape would be attended with unspeakable difficulties from the natives, the wild beasts, and the nature of the country through which they would have to pass. Though this did not contribute to raise their spirits, they tried to engage him as a guide ; but no arguments could pre- vail upon him to comply with their wishes. Finding all their solicitations fruitless, they pursued their journey four or five days, during which they were constantly surrounded by the natives, who took from them whatever they pleased, but in- variably retired on the approach of night. As they approached they saw many villages, which they carefully avoided, that they might be less exposed to the in- sults of the natives. At length they came to a deep gully, where they were met by three Caffres armed with lances, which they held several times to the captain's throat. Irri- tated beyond all patience by their conduct, he wrenched one of the lances from their hands and broke it. Of this the na- tives seemed to take no notice, and went away; but the next day, on coming to a large village, they there found the three men, with three or four hundred of their countrymen, all armed with lances and targets. As the English advanced they 28 L6SS OF THE were stopped by these people, who began to pilfer and insult them, and at last fell upon and beat them. Conceiving that it was the intention of the natives to kill them, they formed a resolution to defend themselves to the last extremity. Accordingly, placing the women, the chil- dren, and the sick at some distance, the remainder, to the num- ber of eighty or ninety, engaged their opponents in a kind of running fight for upward of two hours, when our countrymen gained an eminence where they could not be surrounded, and a kind of parley took place. In this unfortunate encounter many were wounded on both sides, but none killed. After a pacifi- cation had taken place, the English cut the buttons from their coats and presented them to the natives, upon which they went away and returned no more. The following night they were terrified with the noise of wild beasts, so that the men were obliged to keep watch to prevent their too near approach. What a dreadful situation, especially for females of delicate habits, and so lately possess- ing' all the luxuries that eastern refinement could afford ! When morning arrived they were again joined by Trout, who had been on board the wreck, and had loaded himself with various articles of iron and copper, which he wa;* carry- ing to his habitation. He cautioned them against making any resistance in future, for as they were not furnished with any weapons of defence, opposition would only tend to n'ritate the natives and increase obstructions. With this advice he left them. Having made some progress during the day, they agreed to pass the night near a deep gully, but were so disturbed by the bowlings of wild beasts that they could get but little sleep» Though a Jarge fire was kept up to intimidate these unwel- come visitors, they came so near as to occasion a general alarm. The next day as they were advancing,^ a party of natives came down upon them, and plundered them, among other- thinofs, of their tinder-box, flint, and steel, which proved an irreparable loss* They were now obliged to carry with them a fire-brand by turns, the natives following them until it was almost dark. At length they came to a small river, where they determined to stop during the night. Before the natives, retired they became more insolent than ever, robbing the gen-^ tlemen of their watches, and the ladies of the diamonds which they had secreted in their hair. Opposition was in vain ; the attempts to resist these outrages being productive of fresh in^* suits, and even blows^ GROSVENOR INDIAMAN. 29 The following day they crossed the river. Here their pro- visions being nearly exhausted, and the delay and fatigue oc- casioned by traveling with the women and children being very great, the sailors began to murmur, and each seemed resolved to shift for himself. Accordingly the captain, with Mr. Logie, the first mate, with his wife; the third mate, Colonel James and lady, Mr. and Mrs. Hosea, Mr. Newman, a passenger, the purser, the surgeon, and five of the children, agreed to keep together, and travel as before ; many of the sailors were also prevailed upon to attend them, by the liberal promises of the passengers. On the other hand, Mr. Shaw, the second mate, Mr. Trotter, the fourth, Mr. Harris, the fifth. Captain Talbot, Messrs. Wil- liams and Taylor, M. D'Espinette, several other gentlemen and their servants, together with a number of the seamen, in all forty-three persons, among whom was Hynes, from whom much information was aifterward obtained, resolved to hasten forward. A young gentleman of the name of Law, seven or eight years of age, crying after one of the passengers, they agreed to take him with them, and to carry him by turns when tired. This separation was equally fatal, cruel, and impolitic ; however, the second mate's party having been stopped by a river, they once more joined with great satisfaction, and tra- veled in company the whole of that day and part of the next. They now arrived at a large village, where they found Trout, who introduced his wife and child to them, and begged a piece of pork. He informed them that this was his resi- dence, and repeated his former declaration, that the natives would not suffer him to depart, even if he was inclined to re- turn to his own country. He however communicated various articles of 'information relative to their journey, for which they made due acknowledgments ; but it is to be lamented that he could not be induced to extend his services, or rather, that his crimes and character rendered, him dangerous to be trusted, and fearful of trusting himself among Christians. During their conversation with Trout, the natives surround- ed them in numbers, and continued to follow them till dusk. The two companies passed the night together, but that dis- tress which ought to have been the bond of unity, was un- fortunately perverted into an occasion for disaffection and complaint. Their provisions running very short, a party went down to the sea-side to seek for shell-fi&'h on the rocks, and found a 3* 30 loss OF THE considerable quantity of oysters, muscles, and limpets. These were divided among the women, the children, and the sick ; for the tide happening to come m before they had collected a sufficient stock, some of the wretched troop were obliged to put up with a very scanty allowance. Alter a repast which rather excited than gratified their appetites, they continued their march, and about noon reached a small village, where an old man approached them, armed with a lance, which he levelled, making at the same time a noise somewhat resem- bling the report of a musket. From this circumstance, it is probable, he was acquainted with the use of fire arms, and apprehended they would kill his cattle, for he immediately drove his herd into the kraal ; an enclosure, where they are always secured upon the approach of danger, and during the night. The old man took no further notice of the English, but they were followed by some of the other inhabitants of the village, who behaved extremely ill. The final separation now took place ; they parted to meet no more. In adopting this resolution they appear to have been infiiuenced by motives which had, at least, the specious appearance of reason. They conceived that by pursuing different routes, and traveling in small parties, they should be less the objects of jealousy to the natives, and could the more easily procure subsistence. To counterbalance these advan- tages, however, they lost that unity of action, that systematic direction, which a prudent superior can communicate to those under his care ; and by rejecting established authority, they soon split into parties, guided only by caprice, and swayed by temporary views. After all, they did not part without evinc- ing those emotions so honorable to human nature : their mis- fortunes had, in some measure, levelled distinctions, and the services of the lowest were regarded as tokens of friendship, not expressions of duty. From this period the fate of the captain and his associates is almost wholly unkno^Ti. But imagination cannot form a scene of deeper distress than what the delicate and tender sex and the innocent children must have experienced. From the accounts of some of the party who survived their distresses, and subsequent inquiries, it is probable that the hand of death soon released them from their accumulated ills ; though the public mind was long harassed with the belief that a few had been doomed to worse than death by the natives. The separation being decided upon, the party which had attached itself to the second mate, traveled till it was quite GROSVENOR INDIAMAN. 31 dark, when, arriving- at a convenient spot, they kindled a fire and reposed for the night. Next day they proceeded, as they conjectured, thirty miles ; and though they saw great numbers of the natives, they re- ceived from them not the least molestation. Toward the close of the day they reached an extensive wood, and being fearful of entering it, lest they might lose their way, they spent a restless night on its verge, being terribly alarmed by the howl- ing of wild beasts. They continued their route the following day till noon, with- out any other food than wild sorrel and such berries as they observed the birds to peck at. None of the natives made their appearance. The wanderers having reached a point of the rocks, found some shell-fish, and after refreshing themselves they advanced till they came to the banks of a large river, where they reposed. Next morning, finding the river very broad and deep, and several of the company being unable to swim, they resolved to follow its ^^dndings, and seek some place where it was ford- able. In their way they passed many villages, the inhabit- ants of which were too m'^'^.h alarmed to yield them any as- sistance. Pursuing the course of the river a considerable way, and not finding it become narrower, they determined to con- struct catamarans, a kind of a raft, in order to cross it. This being effected with such materials as they found on the banks, those who could not swim Avere placed upon the float, which being impelled by the others, they all crossed it in safety, though the river was computed to be not less than two miles over. It was now three days since they had left the sea, and dur- ing that period they had scarcely taken any nourishment but water and a little wild sorrel. They therefore again directed their course to the shore, where they were fortunate enough to find abundance of shell-fish, which afforded them a very seasonable refreshment. After following the trendings of the coast for three or four days, during which the natives suffered them to pass without molestation, penetrating a pathless wood, where perhaps no human being ever trod, uncertain which way to proceed, in- commoded by the heat, and exhausted by the fatigues of their march, they were almost ready to sink, when they reached the summit of a hill. Here they rested, and had the satisfac- tion to see a spacious plain before them, through which a fine stream meandered. As the wild beasts, however, were accus- 32 LOSS OF THE tomed, in their nocturnal prowlings, to resort to this place for water, the situation of the travelers was perilous, and subject to continual alarms. In the morning one of the party ascended a lofty tree to observe the tren dings of the coast, after which they resumed their course, and entered another wood just as the night set in. Having passed it by paths which the wild beasts alone had made, they again reached the sea-coast. Here they made fires, which, after the fatigues they had undergone, was a toilsome business, and threw into them the oysters they had collected, to make them open, as they had not a single knife remaining among them. On this spot they reposed, but found no water. Next day the wanderers, in the course of their journey, had the good fortune to discover a dead whale, which sight, in their present situation, afforded them no little satisfaction. The want of a knife to cut it up prevented them from taking full advantage of this accidental supply ; some of them, though in the extremity of hunger, nauseated this food ; while others, making a fire on the carcass, dug out the part, thus roasted, with oyster shells, and made a hcirty meal. A fine level country now presented itself, the sight of which caused them to believe that their fatigues were near a termina- tion, and that they had reached the northernmost part of the Dutch colonies. Here new dissensions arose, some advising that they should penetrate inland, while others persevered in the original plan of keeping in the vicinity of the sea-coast. After many disputes another division of the party took place. Mr. Shaw, the fourth mate, Mr. Harris, the fifth, Messrs. Williams and Taylor, Capt. Talbot, and seamen, to the number of twenty-two persons, among whom was Hynes the reporter, resolved to proceed inland. The carpenter, the ships steward, M. D'Espinette, M. Oliver, with about twenty- four seamen, continued to follow the shore. The party which took the interior proceeded for three days through a very pleasant country, where they saw a great num- ber of deserted kraalls. During this time they had nothing to subsist on but a few oysters which they carried with them, and some berries and wild sorrel gatiiered on the way. The effects of hunger soon compelled them to return to the coast, where, as usual, they found a supply of shell-fish. As they were proceeding up a steep hill, soon after their separation, Capt. Talbot complained of great lassitude, and repeatedly sat down to rest himself. The company several times in- 6ROSTENOR INDIAMAN. 33 dulged him by doing the same ; but perceiving that he was quite exhausted, they went on, leaving him and his faithful servant, Blair, sitting beside each other, and neither of them were heard of any more. Having reposed near the shore, the next day, about noon, they arrived at a small river, where they found tVN'o of the carpenter's party, who, being unable to swim, had been left behind. The joy of these poor creatures at the sight of their comrades was excessive. They were preserved since they had been in this place almost by a miracle, for while they were gathering shell-fish on the beach, their fire went out, so that it was wonderful how they escaped being devoured by the wild beasts. They were with difficulty got over the river, and traveling on for four days more, the party came to another river, of such breadth that none of them would attempt to pass it. Having no alternative, they marched along its banks, in hopes of find- ing a practicable passage, and arrived at a village, where the natives showed them the inside of a watch, w^hich some of the carpenter's party had given for a little milk. Mr. Shaw conceiving that such a traffic would not be unacceptable, of- fered them the inside of his watch for a calf. To these terms they assented, but no sooner had they obtained possession of the price than they withheld the calf, which w^as immediately driven out of the village. They continued their march along the river for several d£^ys, and passed through several villages without molestation from the inhabitants, till they came to a part where they con- ceived they should be able to cross. Having constructed a catamaran, as before, they all crossed the river in safety, ex- cepting the two who had been left behind by the carpenter's party, and w^ho were afraid to venture. These unfortunate men were never seen afterward. Having gained the opposite bank, the company now pro- ceeded, in an oblique direction, toward the shore, which they reached about noon on the third day. The next morning, at the ebbing of the tide, they procured some shell-fish, and having refreshed themselves, they pursued their journey. In the course of that day's march they fell in with a party of the natives, belonging, as they imagined, to a new nation, by Avhom they were beaten and extreaaely ill treated. To avoid their persecutions they concealed themselves in the woods till the savages had retired, when they assembled again SR^ lesumed their march. They had not proceeded far be- 34 LOSS OF THE fore they perceived the prints of human feet in the sand, from which they concluded that their late companions were before them. In the hope of rejoining them they traced their sup- posed footsteps for a while, but soon lost them among the rocks and grass. After some time they came to another river, not very broad, but of considerable depth, which they passed in safety on a catamaran, as before. Nothing remarkable occurred during the three following days ; but at the expiration of that period they overtook the carpenter's party, whose sufferings they found had been even more severe than their own. The car- penter himself had been poisoned by eating some kind of fruit, with the nature of which he was unacquainted ] M. D'Espi- nette, and M. Olivier, worn out Avith famine and fatigue, had been left to their fate. The unfortunate little traveler, Law, was still with them, and had hitherto supported every hard- ship in an astonishing manner. Thus once more united, they proceeded together till they came to a sandy beach, where they found a couple of planks with a spike nail in each. This convinced them that some European ships had been near the coast, or that they were in the vicinity of some settlement. The nails were prizes of the first consequence : these being flattened between two stones, were shaped into something like knives, and, to men in their situation, were considered a most valuable acquisition. In a short time they came to another river, on whose banks they accidentally found fresh water, which induced them to rest there for the night. In the morning they crossed the river, and on examining the shore they found another dead whale, w^hich diffused a general joy, till a large party of the natives, armed with lances, came down upon them. These people, however, perceiving the deplorable condition of the travelers, conducted themselves in such a pacific manner as to dispel their apprehensions. One of them even lent those who were employed on the whale, his lance, by means of which, and their two knives, they cut it into junks, and car- ried off a considerable quantity till they could find w^ood and water to dress it. On coming to a river the following day, another of the party dropped, and they w^ere under the cruel necessity of leaving him behind. Having plenty of provisions, they now proceeded four days without intermission; and procuring a stick, they set about making a kind of calendar, by cutting a notch for every day; but in crossing a river, this register of time was lost, GROSVENOR INDIAMAN. 35 and the care they had taken to compute their melancholy dayg was of no avail. They soon reached a new river, where they halted for the night. The frequent impediments of rivers much retarded their progress. Few of these, however, are of very great magnitude at any distance from the sea ; but as they deriveii all their subsistence from the watery element, they were oblig- ed to submit to the inconvenience of passing them in general where the tide flowed. This will account for difficulties, from which, had it been practicable, a more inland course would have exempted them. As the weather was very unfavorable next morning, some of the company were afraid to cross the river, upon which Hynes, and about ten more, being impatient to proceed, swam across, leaving the rest, among whom was master Law, be- hind them. Having gained the opposite shore, they proceed- ed till they came to a place where they met with shell-fish, wood and water. Here they halted two days, in expectation of the arrival of the others ; but as it still blew fresh, they con- cluded that their more timorous companions had not ventured to cross the river ; therefore, thinking it in vain to wait any longer, they went forward. They had not traveled many hours before they had the good fortune to discover a dead seal on the beach. One of the knives being in the possession of this party, they cut up their prey, dressed part of the flesh on the spot, and carried the rest with them. The next morning the party left behind overtook them. ^ It was now conducted by the ship's steward, and in the interval from the recent separation, it appeared that they had suffi^red extremely from the natives, from hunger and fatigue, and that five of them were no more. Thus these unfortunate men v/ere rapidly losing some of their body ; yet the reflection of their forlorn condition did not rouse them to the good effects of unanimity, which alone, had it been a permanent principle, or enforced by authority to which they ought to have submit- ted, might have saved them many distresses, and would have tended to the preservation of numbers. Concord is always strength; the contrary, even in the happiest circumstances, is weakness and ruin. Having shared the remainder of the seal among them, and taken some repose, they again proceeded in one bod}^ and ofter some time came to a lofty mountain, which it was neces- sary to cross, or go round the blufT point of a rock on which 36 LOSS OF THE the surf beat with great violence. The latter appearing to be much the shortest passage, they chose it, but had reason to repent their determination, as they had a miraculous escape with their lives. Some of them not only lost their provisions, but their fire-brands, which they had hitherto carefully carried with them, were extinguished by the waves. Dispirited by this essential loss, which was their chief pro- tection from the wild beasts, they felt the misery of their situa- tion with aggravated force, and an additional gloom clouded their future prospects. Marching along in this disconsolate mood, they fell in wdth some female natives, who immediately fled. When the travelers came up to the spot where these women had been first descried, they had the satisfaction to find that the fire on which they had been dressing muscles was not extinguished. With joy they lighted their brands, and after a few hours repose pursued their course. Next day they arrived at a village, where the natives offer- ed to barter a young bullock with them. The inside of a watch, some buttons, and other trifles, were offered and readi- ly accepted in exchange ; the beast being delivered up, was despatched by the lance of one of the natives. The Cafires were pleased to receive back the entrails, and the carcass being divided in the most impartial manner, our people took up their abode for that night near the village, and the next moroiing passed another river on a catamaran. The bullock was the only sustenance they had hitherto re- ceived from the natives, by barter or favor, excepting that the women sometimes gave the poor children who accompanied them some milk. Among the most barbarous nations, the females, to the honor of their sex, are always found to be comparatively humane, and never was there a more just ob- ject of commiseration than master Law. Hitherto he had got on tolerable well, through the benevolent attention of his com- panions. He walked when able, and Avheti tired, they carri- ed him in turn without a murmur. None ever obtained any food without allowing him a share. When the rest were col- lecting shell-fish he was left to watch the fire, and on their return he participated in the spoils. They now entered a sandy desert, which they were ten days in passing. In this desolate tract they had many rivers to pass ; and had it not been for the supply of food they carried with them, they must all have perished. However, they had wood in abundance, seldom failed to find water by digging in the sand, and being s.afe from the apprehension of the na- UNITED STATES SLOOP OF WAR HORNET. Lost in 1830.— p. 85. RUSSIAN SAILORS, On the Island of Spitzbergen, making signals to the ship by which ihey were rescued, after having been on the island upwards of six years. — p. 116. GROSVENOR INDIAMAX. 37 tives, this appears to have been the most pleasant part of their journey. Having crossed the desert, they entered the territories of a new nation, by whom they were sometimes maltreated, and at others \vere suffered to pass without molestation. Being now on the borders of the ocean, they fell in with a party of the na- tives, who, by signs, advised them to go inland ; and comply- ing with their directions, they soon arrived at a village, where they found only women and children. The women brought out a little milk, which they gave to Master Law. It was contained in a small basket, curiously formed of rushes, and. so compact as to hold any kind of liquid. Here they had an opportunity of examining several huts, and observing the mode in which the natives churn their butter. The milk is put into a leather bag, which is suspended in the middle of the tent, and pushed backward and forward by two persons, till the but- ter arrives at a proper consistence. When thus prepared, they mix it with soot, and anoint themselves with the composition, which proves a defence against the intense heat of the climate, and renders their limbs uncommonly pliant and active. While the travelers were resting themselves, the men be- longing to the village returned from hunting, each bearing upon the point of his spear a piece of deer's flesh. They formed a ring round the strangers, and seemed to gaze on them with admiration. After having satisfied their curiosity, they produced two bowls of milk, which they appeared willing to barter ; but as our wretched countrymen had nothing to give in exchange, they drank it up themselves. Scarcely had they finished their meal, when they all rose lip, and in an instant went off into the woods, leaving the Eng- lish under some apprehensions as to the cause of their sudden motion. In a short time, however, they returned with a deer, and though our people earnestly entreated to be permitted to partake of the spoil, the natives not only disregarded their solicitations, but likewise insisted on their quitting the kraal. This they were obliged to comply with, and after walking a few miles, they lay down to rest. For several days they pursued their journey without any remarkable occurrence. They frequently fell in with the na- tives, who had ^reat numbers of oxen, but they would part with nothing without a return, which was not in the power of the travelers to make. They had, however, the negative satisfaction of not being annoyed in their progress. They now came to another river, where they saw three or four liHts, coa- 4 38 LOSS OF THE taining only women and children. The flesh of sea-cows anc sea-lions was hanging up to dry, of which the women gavt the travelers a part. They slept that night at a small distance from these huts. Next morning Hynes and nine others swam across the river, but the rest were too timorous to make the attempt. Those who had crossed the river, soon afterward had the good fortune to observe a seal asleep, just at high-water mark, and having cut off his retreat, they found means to kill him. Having divided the flesh, they traveled four or five days, oc- casionally falling in with the natives, who, upon the whole, behaved with tolerable forbearance. They now arrived at another river, which they were obli- ged to cross, and proceeding on their route, the next day found a whale; and thus being well supplied with provisions, they resolved to halt for their companions ; but after waiting in vain two days, they proceeded without them. They after- ward found that their companions had taken a more inland route, and had got before them. Having, therefore, cut up as mucjti of the whale as they could carry, and being much re- freshed, they proceeded with alacrity, having now no neces- sity to loiter in quest of food. Thus they traveled for more than a week, and in their way discovered some pieces of rags, which satisfied them that their late associates had got the start of them. They now entered an extensive sandy desert, and finding, toward the close of the first day, but little prospect of obtaining either wood or water, they were much disheartened. To their joy, however, at the entrance of a deep guUey they saw the fol- lowing words traced on the sand : Turn in here and you icill find plenty of loood omd water. This cheered them like a re- velation from heaven, and on entering the gulley they found the notification verified, and the; remains of several fires, vrhich assured them that their late companions had reposed in the same place. They^ proceeded several days, proportionably exhausted with fatigue as they advanced, but without any m.emorable occurrence. They now came to a bluff point of a rock, which projected so far into the sea as to obstruct their progress, s^o that they were obliged to direct their course more inland. To add to their distress, their provisions were again exhaust- ed, when, arriving at a large pond, they luckily found a num- ber of land-crabs, snails, and some sorrel in the vicinity, and on these they made a satisfactory meal. GROSVEN0R INDIAMAN. 39 As soon as it dawned they resumed their journey, and en- tering a wood, they observed many of the trees torn up by the roots. While they were lost in amazement at this phe- nomenon, to their terror and astonishment thirty or forty large elephants started up out of the long grass, with which the ground was covered. The travelers stood some moments in suspense whether they Avould retreat or advance ; but by taking a circuitous course, they passed these enormous crea- tures without any injury. The grass in which they lay was not less than eight or nine feet high. This may appear strange to those who are not acquainted with the luxuriant vegetation of tropical climates, but other travelers of unques- tionable veracity have made the same remarks on Africa. Having reached the sea-shore- that night, our travelers were miserably disappointed by the state of the tide, which deprived them of their usual supplies of shell-fish. To such extremes were they in consequence reduced, that some of .hem, who had made shoes of the hide of the bullock obtained in barter from the natives, singed off the hair, broiled and ate them. This unsavory dish they rendered as palatable as pos- sible by means of some wild celery they found on the spot, ind the whole party partook of it. At low water they went as usual to the rocks to procure ihell-fish ; and as they proceeded they often perceived evi- lent traces of that division of their party which had got the ;tart of them. In two days time they fell in with a hunting mrty of the natives, who offered no molestation to our people IS they passed, and for several days they every where be- laved with the same forbearance. After passing two rivers, and finding no fresh water near hem, they entered a sterile country, where the natives ap- peared to have nothing to subsist on but what they derived Yom hunting and fishing. What then must have been the si- tuation of our travelers ! They had not a drop of water for several days ; and a few berries which they occasionally pick- ed up, were the only alleviation of their burning thirst. How- ever, they soon reached Caffraria, properly so called, which they found to be a fine populous country. During their march through this territory our travelers were absolutely starving in the midst of plenty. They saw abundance of cattle, but so tenacious were the natives of their property, that they would not part with any thing gratuitously, and our people had nothing to give in barter. So apprehen- sive Avere the Caffres lest these poor vagrants might commit 40 LOSS OF THE depredations, that they constantly secured their cattle as they approached, and even used violence to keep them at a dis- tance. So true it is that in all countries poverty is consider- ed rather as a crime than a misfortune, and that he who has nothing to bestow, is immediately suspected of an intention to take away. But the Caffres had been characterized as a humane and inoffensive people. How are we then to reconcile this de- scription with the conduct they displayed to our countrymen? May not the idea that they were Dutchmen, solve the difficul- ty ? Between the Caffres and the Dutch colonists an invete- rate enmity subsisted at that period. The Caffres had been treated with unparalleled cruelty and oppression by the white people with whom they were conversant ; all white people were, therefore, probably regarded as enemies. Among un- civilized nations, wherever any intercourse has been establish- ed with Europeans, the characters of the latter, in general, have been determined from the conduct of a worthless few. Thus, as on other important occasions, many suffer for the vices of individuals. Our travelers, every where repelled or regarded with ap- prehension, at length came to a river, and having crossed it, were met by a party of natives, one of whom had adorned his hair with a piece of a silver buckle, which was known to have belonged to the ship's cook. It seemed the cook, who set a particular value upon his buckles, had covered them with bits of cloth, to conceal them from the natives ; but at length hunger had compelled him to break them up, in order to barter them for food : but no sooner was the price deposited than the natives broke their engagement, as had been their general practice, except in one solitary instance, and drove the claimants away. Hynes and his party were roughly handled by the natives tliey had fallen in with. To avoid their persecution, they traveled till late at night, and after reposing for a few hours, they recommenced their journey before it was light, that they might escape a repetition of their ill treatment. Next day about noon they reached a spot where there was good water, and the probability of finding an abundance of shell-fish; here, being much fatigued, they determined to spend the night. While in this situation they were overtaken by a tremendous storm of thunder and lightning, and the rain poured down in such torrents that they were obliged to hold up *lieir canvass frocks over the fire to save it from being ex.- GROSYEIIfOR INDIAMAN. 41 tinguished. Next day at low water, they found shell-fish as usual, staid some time to dry their clothes, and then resumed their journey. Coming to a large village, the inhabitants fell upon them with such fury that several of them were wound- ed, in consequence of which one man died soon afterward. Hynes received a wound in his leg from a lance, and bemg knocked down, was left senseless on the spot by his compa- nions, who supposed him dead. However, in a few hours, to their great joy, he rejoined his countrymen, who had despair- ed of ever seeing him .again. From this time they lost sight of the habitations of the na- tives, and entered a sandy desert, where it was with the ut- most difficulty they could procure any subsistence. At inter- vals, indeed, they experienced the usual bounty of the sea, and having collected as many shell-fish as possible, they open- ed them in the fire, and taking out the animal, left the shell, which greatly diminished the labor of carriage. Having passed the desert, they arrived at a large river, which, as they afterward learned from the Dutch, is called Bosje?man's river. Here they found Thomas Lewis, one or the party which had gone before them, who having been ta- ken ill, was abandoned to his fate. He informed them that he had traveled inland and seen many huts, at one of which he obtained a little milk, and at another was beaten away. He added, that having reached the place where he now was, he found himself too weak to cross the river, and was, therefore, determined to return to the nearest kraal, indifferent as to his reception or his life. In vain his companions strove to over- come this determination. They flattered him with the hope of yet being able to reach the Cape, but their encouragement was ineffectual. Both his body and mind were broken down ; he had drained the cup of affliction to the dregs ; despair had laid her iron hand upon him, and sealed him for her own. In spite of all their entreaties he went back to the natives, and once more had the good fortune to receive assistance when he eould least of all expect it, and in such a shape as proved ef- fectual to his preservation. But we are anticipating events. On exploring the sea-coast, our people, to their great joy, discovered another whale, and having cut the flesh into junks, took with them as much of it as they were able to carry. Again losing sight of the natives and their huts, they were kept in continual alarm by the wild beasts, which were here more numerous than in any part of the country through which they had hitherto passed, 4* 42 LOSS or TiTff On the fourth day after passing the river, they overtook the ship's steward and Master Law, who still survived inex- pressible hardships. From them they learned that the coop- er had been buried the preceding evening in the sand ; but when Hynes and the steward went to take a farewell view of the spot, they found, to their surprise and horror, that the body had been carried off by som^e carnivorous animal, which had evidently dragged it to a considerable distance, Hynes' party presented the steward and child with some of the flesh of the whale, by which they were much refreshed ; and for eight or ten days more they all proceeded in company. At length they came to a point of rocks, and as the whale was by this tin>e wholly consumed, they went round the edge in search of such sustenance as the sea might afford. This lock up so much time that they vrere obliged to sleep on the rock, where they could procure no water but what was very brack- ish. In the mxorning the stevs^ard and child were both taken ill, and being unable to proceed, the party agreed to halt till the next da}^. The extreme coldness of the rock on which they had slept produced a sensible effect on them all ; the steward and child still continued very ill. Their companions^, -therefore, agreed to wait another daj, when, if no favorable turn took place, they would be under the painful necessity of abandoning them to their fate. But their humanity was not put to this severe test, for in the course of the following night this poor child resigned his breath, and ceased any longer to share their fatigues and sorrovv's. The};^ had left him, as they supposed, asleep, near the fire round which they had all rest- ed during the night; but when they had made their arrange- ments for breakfast, and wished to call him to participate,, they foimd that his soul had taken its flight to another world. Forgetting their own misery, they sensibly felt for the loss of this tender 3-0 uth, and the affliction of the stev/ard in par- ticular was inexpressible. This child had been the object ot his fondest care during a long and perilou.^ journey, and it was with the utmost difficulty that his companions could tea.r him from the spot. They had not proceeded far before one of the part}?- asked hr a shell of water, which being given l.im, he solicited a second, and as soon as he had drunk it, lay down and instantly expired. So much were they habituated to scenes of distress, that by this time death had ceased to be regarded as shock- ing; it was even considered by them as a consummation ra- ther to be wished for than dreaded. They left the poor man GROSVENOR INDlAMAJf. 43 where he dropped, and had not advanced far, when another complained of extreme weakness, and sat down upon the sand by the sea-side. Him too they left, compelled by severe neces- sity, in order lo seek for wood and water, promising, if they were successful, to return to assist him. Having sought in vain for a comfortable resting-place for the night, they were all obliged to repose on the sands. Re- collecting the situation of their comrade, one of the party went back to the spot where he had been left, but the unhappy man was not to be found ; and as he had nothing to shelter or pro- tect him, it is more than probable that he was carried off by wild beasts. With the first approach of day they resumed their journey, but their situation was now more deplorable than ever. Hav- ing had no water since the middle of the preceding day, they suffered exceedingly from thirst, the glands of their throats and their mouths Vv-ere much swollen ; and in the extremity of thirst they were induced to swallov^' their own urine. This was the crisis of calamity. The misery they now imdervv-ent was too shocking lo relate. Having existed for two days without food or vrater, they were reduced to such an extremity, that when any of them could not famish himself with a draug'ht of urine, he Avould borrow a shellfull of his more fortunate com.panion, till he was able to pay it. The steward, whose benevolence ought to immortalize his memory, now followed his little favorite to another vvorld. In short, to such a state of wretchedness were they now reduced, that death was stripped of all its terrors. Next morning two more of the party were reduced to a very languid state ; one of them, unable to proceed a step far- ther, lay down, and his companions, incapable of affordisg him any a-^ssistance, took an aiieetionate farewell, and left him to expire. Toward evening they reached a deep gully, which they entered, in the hope of meeting with fresh water. Here they found another of the Grosvenor's crew lying dead, with his right hand cut off at the wrist. A circumstance so singular could not fail to attract the notice of his companions, espe- cially as they recollected that it had been the common asseve- ration of the deceased — Ma9/ the Devil cut my right arm of, if il be not true ! It had a sensible effect upon his comrades for a time, as they superstitiously imagined that Providence had interfered, by a miracle, to show its indignation against his pxofkneness. 44 LOSS OF THE One of the company, who had lost his own cloth&s in cross- ing a river, took the opportunity of supplying himself by stripping the dead man, and then they proceeded till night, without any other sustenance than what their o^vn water af- forded them. Next day brought no alleviation of their miseries. Neces- sity impelled them to proceed, though hope scarcely darted a ray through the gloom of their prospects. The whole party was at last reduced to three persons, Hynes, Evans, and Wormington, and these could hope to survive their compa- nions only a few days. Their faculties rapidly declined, they could scarcely hear or see, and a vertical sun darted its beams so intensely upon them, that it was with the utmost difficulty they could proceed. Their misery, from thirst, now became so intolerable, that Wormington earnestly importuned his companions to deter- mine, by lot, which of them should die, in order that the others might be preserved by drinking his blood. Hynes, though al- most childish, was shocked at the proposal ; his tears flowed abundantly, and he declared that as long as he was able to walk he could not think of casting lots ; but that, if he should be obliged to drop, they might then use him as they pleased. Upon this Wormington, shaking hands with Hynes and Evans, suffered them to proceed without him. Every hour now seemed to throw a deeper gloom over their fate ; nature could support no more. Hynes and Ev- ans, however, made another effort to advance, without even indulging a hope of the possibility of relief. They this day saw something before them which had the appearance of large birds, but their surprise maybe conceived, when, upon a nearer approach, they discovered them to be men. Nearly blind and idiots, they did not at first recollect their newly found companions, but after some time they recognized in them four of the steward's party from which they had been sepa- rated. One of them, a boy, named Price, advanced to meet them, and gave them the pleasing information that his asso- ciates had fresh water in their possession. This inspired them with new life, and reciprocal inquiries were made relative to the fate of their lost companions. The three men whom Hynes and his companion had overtaken, were named Berney, Leary and De Lasso, who hearing that Wormington was left behind, the two latter went in search of him, charging those who remained not to sufler Hynes and Evans to drink too freely of the water, as several had expired from the eagerness with which they swallowed that fluid after long abstinence. GROSTENOR INDIAMAN. 45 Wormington was recovered by the humanity of those who went in search of him, and a painful detail of sufferings suc- ceeded. It appeared that the captain's steward had been bu- ried in the sand of the last desert over which they passed, and that the survivors weie reduced to such extremity, that after his interment two of the party was sent back to cut oft his flesh for their immediate support ; but while proceeding upon this horrid errand, they had the good fortune to disco- ver a young seal, newly driven on shore, and fresh bleeding, which proved a most seasonable relief. They farther stated, that they had obtained shell-fish in the sand, when none were to be seen upon it, by observing the manner in which the birds scratched for them. Without this discovery they must inevitably have perished. Hynes and Evans recounting their adventures to the party they had joined, among other circumstances, mentioned that the ship's steward, whom he had left to expire on the road, had on very decent clothes. This tempted one of them to propose to Evans, who was by this time pretty well recovered, to go back to the spot and strip the body, but the steward could not be found, and they concluded that tbc wild beasts had anticipated their design. In the evening Evans returned, but without his companion, who had been so indolent, and ad- vanced with such a slow pace, that the former was obliged to leave him behind. As he was never seen afterward, no^-doubt can be entertained but that he likewise fell a victim to the ravenous beasts. These were so numerous as to be seen in troops of twenty or more ; and it was the common and effec- tual practice of the travelei^ to shout as loud as possible to drive away those formidable animals. Having now arrived at a favorable spot for water and shell- fish, they employed two days in collecting provisions for their future march, and in refreshing themselves. Rest and food had an astonishing effect in restoring not only the powers of the body, but of the mind; and in a short time they thought themselves qualified to encounter new fatigues. With extreme difficulty and danger they passed a large river, supposed to be the Sontag,* on a catamaran, and having reached the opposite shore, they looked back with terror and amazement on their fortunate escape from being driven out to sea by the rapidity of the stream. Here they likewise found a kind of shell-fish which buries itself in the sand, and whicU increased their supplies. * Sunday river. 46 LOSS OF THE The united parly, consisting of six persons, pursued their route over a desert country, where neither hut nor native was to be seen, and in six days reached the Scwartz river,* as they afterwards learned, on the banks of which they took usp their abode for the night. The country at length began to assume a fertile and culti- vated appearance, and some huts appeared at a distance from the shore. While contemplating with pleasure this change of prospect, the grass near them took fire, and spread with great rapidity. They all used' every effort to extinguish it, lest this involuntary mischief should provoke the resentnienl of the natives, or the blaze call them to the spot. Next morning they swam over the river in safety, and soon discovered another dead whale lying on the sea-shore. Thu3 supplied with food they purposed resting here a few days, if they could have found fresh water, but that necessary ar- ticle being wanting, they cut up as much of the whale as they could carry, and proceeded on their route. In two hours they came to a thicket, where they met with water, and halted to rest. Next morning four of the party went back to the whale for a larger supply, De Lasso and Price being left in charge of the fire. As Price was collecting fuel, he perceived at a little distance two men with guns, and being intimidated at the sight, he returned hastily to the fire, whither the w^elcome in- truders pursued him. These men belonged to a Dutch set- tlement in the neighborhood, and were in search of some strayed cattle. One of them, named John Battores, supposed to be a Portuguese, was able to converse with De Lasso, the Italian, so as to be understood, a circumstance as fortunate as it w^as little to be expected. Battores having learned the out- line of their melancholy story, accompanied them to the whale, where their companions w^ere employed in cutting away the flesh. Affected at the sight of these miserable objects, he de- sired them to throw away what they had been collecting, pro- mising them better fare when they reached the habitation to which he belonged. In vain shall we attempt to describe the sensations of the shipwrecked wanderers on receiving this intelligence, and that they were within four hundred miles of the Cape. The joy that instantly filled every bosom produced effects as va- rious as extraordinary : one man laughed, another wept, and the third danced with transport. *Z wart river. GROSVEXOR INDIAMAN. 47 On reaching the house of Mynheer Christopher Roostooff, to whom Battores was bailiff, they were treated with the kindest attention. The master, on being acquainted with their distress, immediately ordered bread and milk to be set before them ; but acting rather on the principles of humanity than prudence, he furnished them with such a quantity that their weak stomachs were overloaded. After their meal, sacks were spread upon the ground for them to repose on. It had been so long since they had knoA\Ti any thing of the calculation of time, that they were unacquainted even with the name of the month ; and they were given to understand, that the day of their deliverance was the 29th of November ; so that one hundred and seventeen days had revolved their melancholy hours since they were shipwrecked; a period of suffering almost unparalleled, and during which they had often been miraculously preserved. Next morning Mynheer Roostooff killed a sheep for the en- tertainment of his guests, and another Dutchman, of the name of Q,uin, came with a cart and six horses to convey them towards the Cape. The boy Price, being lame from the hardships he had undergone, was detained at Roostooff's house, Avho kindly undertook his cure, and promised to send him after the others when he was recovered. The rest of the party proceeded to Q,uin's house, where they were hos- pitabl}'- entertained four days. From that time they were forwarded in carts, from one settlement to another, till they arrived at Swellendam,* about one hundred miles from the Cape. Wherever they passed they experienced the humanity of the farmers, and their wants were relieved with a liberal hand. At Swellendam they were detained till orders should be re- ceived from the governor at the Cape, in regard to their future destiny, Holland and Great-Britain being at that time at war. At length two of the party were ordered to be forwarded to the Cape, in order to be examined, while the rest were to re- main at Swellendam. Accordingly Wormington and Leary proceeded to the Cape, where, after being strictly interroga- ted, thev were sent on board a Dutch man of war lying in the bay, with orders that they should be set to work. While in this situation, Wormington having discovered that the boat- swain was engaged in some fraudulent practices, imprudently threatened to give information, on which the boatsv^ain de- * Zwelleodam. 48 LOSS OF THE siring him and his companion to step into a boat, conveyed them on board a Danish East Indiaman just getting- under W€igh, and by this fortunate accident they first reached their native land. But to return to the fate of the rest. Though the flames of war were raging between the two nations, the Dutch go- vernment at the Cape, being informed of the particulars of the loss of the Grosvenor, Avith a humanity which does them in- finite honor, despatched a large party in quest of the unhap- py wanderers. This detachment consisted of one hundred Europeans and three hundred Hottentots, attended by a great number of wagons, each drawn by eight bullocks. The command was given to Captain Muller, with orders to pro- ceed, if possible, to the wreck, and load with such articles as might be saved, and to endeavor to discover such of the suffer- ers as were still wandering about the country, or in the hands of the natives. De Lasso and Evans accompanied this expedition as guides ; but Hynes being still very weak, was left at Sweilen- dam. The party was well provided with such articles as were most likely to insure them a favorable reception from the natives, and procure the liberty of the unfortunate persons they might find in their Avay. They proceeded with spirit and a]acrit3% till the Caffres, in consequence of their antipathy to the colonists, interrupted the expedition. In their progress they found Thomas Lewis, who had been abandoned by his companions, as before mentioned, and William Hatterly, who was servant to the second mate, and had continued with that party till he alone survived. Thus the fate of one division was ascertained. At other places on the road they met with seven Lascars, and two black women, one of whom was servant to Mrs. Logie, and the other to Mrs. Hosea. From these women they learned, that soon after Hynes' party had left the cap- tain and the ladies, they also took separate routes ; the latter intending to join the Lascars, but what became of them after this separation was unknown. They, indeed, saw the cap- tain's coat on one of the natives, but whether he died or was killed could never be discovered. After the enmity of the natives prevented the progress of the wagons, some of the party traveled forward fifteen days on horseback in the prosecution of their plan, but the Caffres still continuing to harass them, they were obliged to retura, after an absence of about three months. GROSVENOR INDIAMAN. .: 49 Captain Muller returned to Swellendam with the three Englishmen, the seven lascars, and two black women, the boy Price, and the two guides, De Lasso and Evans. The people of color were detained at Swellendam ; but the Eng- lish were forwarded to the Cape, w^here, after being examined by the governor, they were permitted to take their passage to Europe in a Danish ship, the captain of which promised to land them in England ; but, excepting Price, who was set on shore at WejTnouth, they were all carried to Copenhagen, from whence they at last found their way to England. Such was the termination of the adventures of these unfor- tunate people : but the inquiry concerning the fate of the cap- tain and his party was not dropped. Though it is probable that, before the first Dutch expedition could have reached them, they all paid the debt of nature, rumors had been spread that several of the English w^ere still in captivity among the natives, and these obtained such general belief, that M. Vaillant, whose philanthropy equalled his genius and reso- lution, made another attempt to discover the reputed captives; but he could learn nothing decisive as to their situation or final fate. The public mind, however, continued still to be agitated, and the interest which all nations took in the fate of the unhappy persons, particularly the women, some of whom, it was report- ed, had been seen, induced a second party of Dutch colonists, with the sanction of government, to make another eflbrt to explore the country and to reach the Ma'eck. These men, amply provided, set out on the 24th of August, 1793, from KafTer Keyl's River, tovrard Cape Natal, on the coast of which the Grosvenor was supposed to have been wrecked. Of this expedition we have a journal, kept by Van Reenen, one of the party, and published by Capt. Riou. It would not be generally interesting to the reader to give the meagre details of distance traveled, and elephants killed ; of danger encountered, and rivers crossed: we shall therf "-/^ confine ourselves to such incidents as appear to deserve n'. tice, or are connected with the melancholy subject of our narrative. After proceeding an immense way, on the 8d of November they arrived among the Hombonaas, a nation quite different from the CafFres. They have a yellow complexion, and their long coarse hair is frizzled up in the form of a turban. Some of these people informed our adventurers that, subject to them, there was a village of bastard Christians, descended fron^ 5 50 LOSS OF THE people shipwrecked on the coast, of whom three old women M-ere still alive and married to a Hambonaa chief. This in- telligence roused their curiosity, and they were fortunate enough to obtain an interview with the old women in question, who said they were sisters, but having been shipwrecked when children, they could not say to what nation they originally belonged. The Dutch adventurers offered to take them and their children back on their return, at which they seemed much pleased. It appears probable that the reports which had been spread, in regard to some European women being among the natives, originated from this circumstance, and as the exist- ence of any other white people in this quarter was neither known nor suspected, it was naturally concluded that they must have belonged to the Grosvenor. The Dutch afterward fell in with Trout, whose name has been mentioned in the preceding narrative. He at first en- gaged to conduct them to the spot where the Grosvtnor was wrecked, and informed them that nothing was then to be seen, except some cannon, iron ballast, and lead ; adding, that all the unfortunate crew of that ship had perished, some by the hands of the natives, and the rest of hunger. Trout, who it is to be feared was guilty of much duplicity from the first, pretended that he was a freeman, and had sailed in an English ship from Malacca ; but finding himself likely to be detected, and probably apprehensive of being carried back to the Cape, he cautiously avoided the Dutch in the se- quel, and left them to find their way to the wreck in the best manner they were able. As they were proceeding to the spot, one of the party, named Houltshausen, unfortunately fell into a pit of burnt stakes, by which he was terribly wounded in the palm of one of his hands, which eventually produced a locked jaw, and terminated in his death. These pits are dug by the natives, and being covered over with branches of trees and grass, serve as snares for the elephants, which frequently fall into them, and are thus taken. Several of the party, however, proceeded on horseback to the wreck, and found nothing more than what Trout had de- scribed remaining. It was plainly perceived that fires had been made in the vicinity; and on a rising ground, between two woods, was a pit. where things had been buried and dug- out again. This likewise tallied with the information of Trout, who told them that all the articles collected from the wreck had been dispersed over the country, and that most of them GROSVENOR INDIAMAN. 51 had been carried to Rio de la Goa,* to be sold. That place was represented to be about four days journey from the scene of the catastrophe. The natives in the neighborhood expressed great astonish- ment that the Dutch had been at such infinite pains to come in search of the unfortunate crew, and they all promised tliat, in case of any similar disaster, they would protect such peo- ple as migth be thrown upon the coast, if they could be as- sured of obtaining beads, copper, and iron for their trouble, which was liberally promised by the Dutch. These intrepid adventurers, who were now 447 leagues dis- tant from the Cape, and 226 beyond any Christian habitation, finding that nothing farther was to be discovered relative to the wreck, or the fate of the persons who had reached the shore, determined to return, particularly as Houltshausen's illness increased. On their way back they called at the bastard Christian vil- lage, and would have taken under their protection the three old women, who seemed desirous of living among Christians, but they wished first to gather in their crops ; adding, when that business was accomplished, their whole race, to the num- ber of about four hundred, would be happy to depart from their present settlement. Every indulgence was promised them in case they should be disposed to emigrate to the Cape. On seeing people of the same complexion as themselves they appeared to be exceedingly agitated. On their homeward journey the Dutch shot many elephants and sea-cows ; but on the first of December they met with a terrible accident while employed in cutting up the sea-cows killed the preceding day. " As we were thus engaged, (says the journalist,) a large elephant made up to the wagons ; we instantly pursued and attacked him, when having received several shot, by which he twice fell, he crept into a very thick underwood. Thinking we had killed him, Tjaart Van der Valdt, Lodewyk Prins, and Ignatius Mulder, advanced to the spot, when he rushed out furiously from the thicket, and catching hold of Prins with his trunk, trod him to death, dri- ving one of his tusks through the body and throwing it up into the air to the height of thirty feet. " The others perceiving that there was no possibility of es- caping on horseback, dismounted, and crept into the thicket to hide themselves. The elephant seeing nothing in view but one of the horses, followed him for some time, and then * Delagoa River. 52 LOSS OF THE turning about came back to the spot where the dead man was left. At this instant our whole party renewed the attack, and after he had received several more wounds, again escaped in- to the thickest part of the wood. " We now supposed ourselves safe ; but while we were dig- ging a grave for our unfortunate companion, the elephant rush- ed out again, and drove us all from the place. Tjaart Van der Valdt got another shot at him ; a joint attack being com- menced, he began to stagger, and falling, the Hottentots des- patched him as he lay on the ground." The rest of their journey afforded little worth notice. In January, 1791, they reached their respective homes, after sur- mounting incredible difficulties in an expedition to which they were prompted solely by a principle of humanity, and the de- sire of relieving, if any remained alive, such of our country- men as might be among the natives. No intelligence of this kind could, however, after the most diligent inquiries, be ob- tained. They were, indeed, informed that the ship's cook had been alive about two years before the period of their journey, but that he then caught the small-pox and died. We cannot conclude this mournful narrative better than with the sensible reflections of Captain Riou. " Had the party (says he) that set out in search of these shipwrecked people, in 1783, prosecuted theii- journey with the same degree of zeal and resolution that Van Reenen's party manifested, it is possible they might have discovered and relieved some who have since perished. Yet, as they could not have arrived at the place of the wreck in less than six months after the disaster happened,, there is no great proba- bility for supposing that, after such a length of time had eL .- ed, any great number of the unfortunate sufferers could be 1 3- maining alive. "But what we have most to regret is, that perhaps the failure of the" endeavors of the unfortunate crew to save their lives was owing to their own misconduct. It is too often the case, that disorder and confusion are the consequences of ex- treme distress, and that despair seizing on the unprincipled mind hurries it on to a subversion of all good order and disci- pline ; so that at the moment when the joint efforts of the whole are most necessary for the general good , each de- sponding thoughtless member acts from the impulse of the moment, in whatever manner his tumultuous feelings may di- rect ; and from an erroneous idea of self-jnterest,. or, wonder- ful as it may appear, from a desire o/ gratifying a rebellious i GROSVENOR INDIAMAN. 53 and turbulent spirit at a time when it can be done with im- punity, is always ready to overturn every plan that may be proposed by his superiors and the considerate few that hap- pen to be of the party. *• Such must have been, and such we are indeed told was the situation of the crew of the Grosvenor subsequent to their shipwreck. , " Though it may be said to be very easy to see errors when their consequences are apparent, it will not surely be too much to assert, that when this ship's crew was once safe- ly on shore, with the advantage of such articles as they could procure from the wreck, their situation, however deplorable, could not be considered as hopeless. For, had a chosen body of ten or twenty men marched a few days to the northward, they must have fallen in with Rio de la Goa, where it seldom happens that there is not a French or Portuguese slave ship. But allowing that Captain Coxson Vv^as much out of his reck- oning, and that*he supposed himself much nearer to the Cape than he really was, they might then have existed on the sea- coast, in that climate, sheltered by huts, ti]l ready to set out, and by preserving order and discipline, and conducting them- selves properly in regard to the natives, they might have gra- dually proceeded in safety to the territories of the Dutch. " Had the crew continued under the orders of their officers, either of those objects might have been accomplished by men whose minds were not wholly resigned to despair ; or they might have subsisted on what provision they could pick up from the wreck, together with what they could purchase from the natives, till a boat could have been constructed and sent to solicit assistance from the Cape. " These reflections have been extended by considering the circumstances in which the shipwrecked people were placed ; fsom all which it may fairly be concluded, that 'the greater part might have effected a return to theii native land, had they been guided by any idea of the advantages of discipline and subordination. " It is to be hoped, then, that the fatal consequences attend- ing disorderly conduct on these calamitous occasions, will impress on the minds of seamen this incontrovertible truth, that their only hope of safety must depend upon obedience." toss OF THE HERCULBS* LOSS OF THE AMERICAN SHIP HERCULE&V CAPTAIN BENJAMIN STOUT* On, the Coast of Caffraria^ the IGlh June, 1796. The account of tbe fate of the AmeriGan ship Hercules^ (and of the adventures and sufierings of her crew,) which set out on her voyage from Bengal in the month of December, 1795, involves so much interest as cannot fail to prove ex- tremely interesting ; nor can it be. better detailed than from the account given by the commander. Captain Benjamift Stout, whose intention it was to take in a private freight for Hamburgh, but not finding one that would ansAver his expec- tations, he chartered his ship to the British East India Com- pany, who were at that time busily employed in shipping rice for England. Intelligence having reached the settlements in India that a failure of corn throughout the whole of Great Britain was likely to produce a famine, the most active and laudable exertions Avere made in India to supply the markets at home with rice ; and he received on board upward of nine thousand bags,, with directions to proceed to London with every possible despatch. The crew, most of whom ha\ing been engaged in India, consisted of Americans, Danes, Swedes, Dutch, Portuguese, but chiefly Lascars, amounting ill the whole, men and boys, to about sixty-four. The neces- sary arrangement far the voyage being completed, they sail- ed from Sagar Roads on the 17th March, 1796. Nothing material occurred during the voyage until the 1st of June follovv'ing, at which time the}" reached the latitude of about 85 south, and 28 40 east longitude. It then began to blov/ a gale from the westward, which obliged them to lay to under their mizen stay sail for six days. During this time the gale continued to blow from the west, but increased progres- sively until the 7th, when the contention of the sea and winds presented a scene of horror of which perhaps the annals of marine history give us no example. " Although bred to the sea (says Captain Stout) from my ear]i(st life, yet all I had ever seen before, all I had ever heard of or read, gave me no adequate idea of those sublime effects v.'hich the violence and raging of the elements produce, and which, at this tremendous hour, seemed to threaten nature itself witli dissolution.'' The LOSS OF THE HERCULES. 55 ship, raised on mountains of water, was in a moment preci- pitated into an abyss, where she appeared to wait until the coming sea raised her again into the clouds. The perpetual roaring of the elements echoing through the void, produced such an awful sensation in the minds of the most experienced of the seamen, that several of them appeared for some time in a state of stupefaction ; and those less accustomed to the dan gers of the sea added to this scene of misery by their shncU ings and exclamations. The terrors of the day could only be surpassed by those of the night. When the darkness came on, it is impossible lor man to describe, or human imagination to conceive, a scene of more transcendent and complicated horror. To fill up the measure of their calamities, about the hour of midnight a sud- den shift of wind threw them into the trough of the sea, which struck her aft, tore aw^ay the rudder, started the stern-post from the hauden ends, and shattered the whole of her stern frame. The pumps were immediately sounded, and in the course of a few minutes the water had increased to four feet. A gang Avas immediately ordered to the pumps, and the re- mainder were employed in getting up rice out of the run of the ship and heaving it overboard, if possible to get at the leak. After three or four hundred bags were thrown into the sea, the principal leak was discovered, and the water poured in with astonishing rapidity. In order, therefore, to decrease as much as possible the influx of water, sheets, shirts, jackets, bales of muslin, and every thing of the like description were thrust into the aperture. Had not these exertions been attended with some success, the ship must certainly have gone down, although the pumps delivered fifty tons of water an hour. As the next day advanced, the weather began to moderate. The men worked incessantly at the pumps, and every exertion was made to keep the ship afloat. They were at this tima about two hundred miles from the eastern coast of Africa. On the 9th, although the violence of the tempest had in a great measure subsided, yet the swell of the sea was tremen- dous. The long-boat was ordered out ; but the captain hav- ing reason to suspect that some of the crew would endeavor to make ofl' with her, he directed the second mate and three seamen to take possession of her ; at the same time giving them arms and express orders to shoot the first man who at- tempted to board her without his permission. They were also instructed to keep astern, but to stick by the ship until they eame to an anchor. 56 LOSS OF THE HERCULES. The men having taken tlieir station in the boat, a raft was ordered to be made of the large spars, which was accordingly done. The whole when lashed together measured about 35 feet in length, and 15 in breadth. At this time the captain apprehended the ship could not make the land, and being con- vinced, in case of her going down, that all the people could not be received into the long-boat, determined not to neglect any measure that presented even a chance of saving the whole. When the second mate was preparing to obey the orders he had received and take command of the long-boat, the carpen- ter adv-ressed the captain in a respectful manner, and earnestly entreated him to leave the ship. On being reprimanded for not attending to the pumps, the man burst into tears, and de- clared that the whole of the stern frame was shook and loos- ened in such a manner that he expected every minute she would go down. The miserable appearance of this man, and the affecting tone of voice in which he delivered his appre- hensions, considerably increased the terrors of the crew ; whereupon the captain thought it necessary to declare that he would perform his duty and stick to the ship until he was con- vinced from his own observation that all hopes of saving her were at an tnd. The carpenter repeated his solicitations, when he was ordered to his post, and assured at the same 4ime, that unless he made every exertion to encourage the people in their duty at the pumps, he should be immediately thrown into the sea. He retired, and exerted himself after- ward with a manly perseverance. The captain was immediately addressed, on the departure of the carpenter, by many of the sailors, and on the same subject. They were so clamorous, and differed so much in their opinions, that he was nearly going to extremes with some of them. These circumstances are mentioned as a caution to future navigators, who are entrusted with a command. They too frequent])?- listen to the opinion of their people in time of dan- ger, who are generally for quitting the ship, and taking to boats, masts, yards and spars formed into rafts, or w^hatever timbers they can lash together ; indeed, as the prejudices and sentiments of the common sailors on these occasions are so various, it is not to be supposed that any thing can arise from such a mistaken conduct but confusion and misfortune. A crew, such as composed that of the Hercules, which con- •isted of people of various nations, require indeed from their LOSS OF THE HERCULES. 67 commander a peculiar attention. It may happen, that by hu- moring their religious prejudices at a particular moment, an essential service maybe obtained ; and the following remark- able anecdote Avill tend to elucidate this opinion. At a period when the tempest raged with the utmost vio- lence, the captain directed most of the crew below, particu- larly the Lascars, to work the pumps. One of them, however, was perceived coming up the gang-way, with a handkerchief in his hand ; and on being questioned what he was about, he answered in a tone of voice that discovered a perfect confi- dence in the measure he proposed, that he was going to make an offering to his god. " This handkerchief," said he, "con- tains a certain quantity of rice, and all the rupees I am worth; suffer me to lash it to the mizen-top, and rely upon it, Sir, we shall all be saved." The captain was going to order him back to the pumps, but recollecting that in so doing he might throw both him and his countrymen into a state of despondency, and thereby lose the benefit of their exertions, he acquiesced. The Lascar thanked him, and he soon beheld the child of prejudice mount the tottering ladder without discovering a single apprehension. He lashed the handkerchief to the mi- zen top-mast head, fearless of all danger, and arrived in safety on the deck. Confident now that his god was the captain's friend, he w^ent below to inform his brethren that he had done his duty ; all the Lascars seemed transported with joy, em- braced their virtuous companion, and then labored at the pumps Avith as much alacrity and perseverance as if they had encountered, before, neither apprehension nor fatigue. To their unceasing labors was owing, in a great measure, the preservation of his people. The shift of wind which threw the ship into the trough of the sea and tore away the nidder, was fortunately a sdeer, Avhich they split into se- veral threads, served them to sew with. Excepting an uneasiness, Vv^iich generally accompanies an involuntary solitude, these people having thus, by their inge- nuity, so far overcome their wants, might have had reason to be contented with what Providence had done for them in their distressful situation. But that melancholy reflection, to v/hich each of these forlorn persons could not help giving wa}^ that perhaps he might survive hds companions, and then perish for want of subsistence, or bec'ome a prey to the wild beasts, in- cessantly disturbed their minds. The mate, Alexis Himkofti more paiticnlar-ly suffered ; having left a wife and three chil- dren behind, he was deeply afflicted at his separation from them. He declared, after his return, that they were con- stantly in his mind, and that the thought of never more see- ing them rendered him very unhappy. 116 EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURES, &C. When our four mariners had passed nearly six years in this dreary place, Feodor Weregin, who had from the first been in a languid condition, died, after suffering excruciating pains during the latter part of his life. Though they were relieved by that event from the trouble of attending him, and the pain of witnessing without being able to alleviate his mis- eiy, yet his death affected them not a little. They saw their number diminished, and each of the survivors wished to be the next to follow him. As he died in winter, they dug a grave in the snow as deep as they could, in which they laid the corpse, and then covered it to the best of their power, that the white bears might not get at it. The melancholy reflections occasioned by the death of their comrade were still fresh in their minds, and each ex- pected to pay this last duty to his remaining companions in misfortune, or to receive it from them, when, on the 15th of August, 1749, a Russian ship unexpectedly appeared in sight. The vessel belonged to a trader, who had come with it to Archangel, intending that it should winter in Nova Zembla; but, fortunately for our poor exiles, the director of the whale fishery proposed to the merchant to let his ship winter at West Spitzbergen, to which, after many objections, he at length agreed. The contrary Avinds they met with on their passage made it nnpossible for them to reach the place of their destination. The vessel was driven toward East Spitzbergen, directly op- posite to the residence of our mariners, who, as soon as they perceived her, hastened to light fires upon the hills nearest their habitation, and then ran to the beach, waving a flag made of rein-deer's skin, fastened to a pole. Tbe people on board perceiving these signals, concluded that there were men upon the island who implored their assistance, and there- fore came to' an anchor near the shore. It would be in vain to attempt to describe the joy of these poor people at seeing the moment of their deliverance so near. They soon agreed with the master of the ship to work for him during the voyage, and to pay him eighty rubles on their arrival, for taking them on board with all their riches, Avhich consisted of fifty pud, or 2000 pounds weight of rein-deer fat ; beside many hides of those animals, skins of blue and white foxes, and those of the ten white bears they had killed. They took care not to for- get their bow and arrows, their spears, their knives, and ax, which were almost worn out, their awls and their needles, which they carefully kept in a bone box, very ingeniously LOSS OF AN. ENGLISH SLOOP. 117 made with their knives only; and in short every thing they Our adventurers arrived safe at Archangel on the 28th of September, 1749, having spent six years and three months in their dreary solitude. The moment of their landing was near proving fatal to the loving and beloved wife of Alexis Himkofl^ who being present when the vessel came into port, immediately knew her husband, and ran with such eagerness to his embrace, that she slipped into the water and very nar- rowly escaped being dro\^med. All three on their arrival were strong and healthy, but having lived so long without bread, they could not reconcile themselves to the use of it, and complained that it filled them with wind ; nor could they bear any spiritous liquors, and therefore never drank any thing but water afterward. LOSS OF AN ENGLISH SLOOP On the Coast of the Island of Cape Breton, in 1780. The man of true courage, even in the most desperate situa- tions, invariably finds resources within himself Of this the journal of Captain Prenties, of the 84th regiment of foot, af- fords the reader a striking example. Being charged, says that ofiicer, with the despatches deli- vered to me by General Haldimand, commander in chief in Canada, for General Clinton, I embarked on the 1 7th of No- vember, 1780, in a small sloop bound from Quebec to New- York. We set sail in company with a brig destined for the same place, and carrying a duplicate of the despatches. Hav- ing descended the St. Lawrence to the harbor called St. Pa- trick's Hole, we were detained in that port by a contrary wind, which continued six days. The winter began to set in, and ice, of considerable thickness, was soon formed on the banks of the river by the intenseness of the frost. Would to heaven it had continued a few days longer ! By absolutely preventing us from proceeding it would have saved us those misfortunes, the narrative of which begins with that of our navigation. Before we reached the mouth of the river it was discovered that the sloop had sprung a small leak. We had scarcely 118 LOSS OF AN ENGLISH SLOOP. I entered the gulf Avhen the ship began to make considerably more water, and though two pumps were kept constantly go- ing, we still had two feet water in the hold. On the other hand, the severity of the frost had increased, and the ice col- lected about the ship so as to render us apprehensive of being entirely surrounded. We had on board only nineteen persons, six of whom w^ere passengers, and the others bad seamen. As for the captain, to whom it was natural to look up for assist- ance in this predicament, instead of attending to the preserva- tion of the ship, he passed his time in getting drunk in his cabin, without bestovv^ing a thought upon our safety. The wind continued to blow with the same violence, and the water having risen in the hold to the height of four feet, cold and fatigue produced a general despondency among the crew. The seamen unanimously resolved to desist from iheir work. They abandoned the pumps, and showed the utmost indiffer- ence to their fate, declaring they would rather go to the bot- tom with the ship than exhaust themselves by useless labor in such a desperate situation. It must be acknowledged, that for several days they had undergone excessive fatigue, with- out any interval of relaxation. The inactivity of the captain had the effect of disheartening them still more. However, by encouragement and promises, and by the distribution of wine, which I ordered very seasonably to refresh them, I at length overcame their reluctance. During the interruption of their labor the water had risen another foot in the hold ; but their activity had so increased by the warmth of the liquor which I gave them every half hour, and they stuck so closely to their work, that the water was soon reduced to less than three feet. It was now the 3d of December. The wind appeared every day to become more violent instead of abating. The cracks in the vessel continued to increase, while the ice at- tached to her sides augmented her weight and checked her progress. It was necessary to keep constantly breaking this crust of ice which threatened to envelope the ship. The brig by w^hich we were accompanied, so far from being able to lend us any assistance, was in a situation still more deplorable, having struck upon the rocks near the island of Coudres,* through the ignorance of the pilot. A thick snow, which then began to fall, concealed her from us. The guns which we fired alternately every half hour, formed the whole of our correspondence. We soon had the mortification to find that our signals were not answered. She perished, together with * Jsk des Coudres (Hazel Island.) LOSS OF AN ENGLISH SLOOP. 119 her crew of sixteen persons, while it was impossible for us even to perceive their disaster, or to endeavor to pick them up. The pity with which their melancholy fate inspired us was soon diverted to ourselves, by the apprehensions of new dan- ger. The sea ran very high, the snow fell excessively thick, the cold was insupportable, and the whole crew a prey to de- jection. Thus situated, the mate exclaimed that we could not be far from the Magdalen Islands, a confused heap of rocks, some of which raise their heads above the sea, while others are concealed beneath the surface of the water, and have proved fatal to a great number of vessels. In less than two hours we heard the waves breaking with great violence upon those rocks, and soon afterward discovered the princi- pal island, called the Dead Man, which we with difficulty avoided. Our apprehensions of danger were not the less alarming, amidst a multitude of rocks which there was little probability of escaping with the same good fortune ; as the snow, which fell faster than ever, scarcely suffered us to see from one end of the ship to the other. It would be difficult to describe the consternation and horror with which we were seized during the whole of this passage. But when we had cleared it, a ray of hope dawned upon the hearts of the sea- men, Avho, upon considering the danger they had just escaped, no longer doubted the interposition of Providence in their favor, and redoubled their efforts with new ardor. The sea became more turbulent during the night, and at five o'clock the next morning a prodigious wave broke over the ship, staved in her ports, and filled the cabin : the impe- tuosity of the waves having driven in the stern-post, we en- deavored to stop the apertures with beef cut in slices, but this feeble expedient proved ineffectual, and the water continued to gain upon us more rapidly than ever. The affrighted crew had suspended, for a moment, the working of the pumps ; when they were about to resume their labors they found them frozen so hard that it was impossible to work them afterward. From that moment we lost all hope of saving the ship, and all our wishes were confined to her keeping above water, at least till Ave reached St. John's, or some other island in the gulf, where we might be able to land with the aid of our boat. Being left at the mercy of the wind, we durst not perform any manceuvre, for fear of giving some dangerous shock to the vessel. The weight of water, which was increasing every minute, retarded her progress, and the more rapid waves, 120 LOSS OF AN ENGLISH SLOOP. whose course she checked, returned with fury and broke orer" the deck. The cabin, in which we had again taken refuge, afforded a feeble protection against the howUng tempest, and scarcely sheltered us from the icy waves. We were every moment apprehensive of seeing our rudder carried away, and our mast go by the board. The gulls and wild ducks which hovered around us, testified, it is true, that the land could not be far distant ; but the very approach to it was a new subject of terror. How were we to escape the breakers with which it might be surrounded, unable as we were to avoid, or even to perceive them through the cloud of snow in which we were enveloped ? Such, for a few hours, was our deplorable situa- tion, when the weather having suddenly cleared, we at length perceived land at the distance of three leagues. The sentiment of joy with which the first sight of it iiv spired us was much abated upon a more distinct view of the enormous rocks which appeared to rise perpendicularly along the coast in order to repel us. The vessel, beside, shipped such heavy seas as would have sunk her had she been deep- ly laden. At each successive shock we were afraid of seeing the ship go to pieces. Our boat was too small to contain the whole of the crew, and the sea too rough to trust to such a frail support. It appeared as if we had made this fatal land only to render it a witness of our loss. Meanwhile we continued to approach it. We were not above a mile distant, when we discovered with transport, around the menacing rocks, a sandy beach, toward which our course w^as directed, while the water decreased so fast in depth as to prevent our approaching within fifty or sixty yards, when the ship struck. The fate of our lives w^as now about to be decided in a few minutes. At length the vessel struck upon the sand with great vio- lence. At the first shock the mainmast went by the board and the tiller was unshipped with such force that the bar al- most killed one of the seamen. The furious seas Avhich dashed against the ship on every side stove in the stern, so that having no longer any shelter in the cabin, we w^ere obli- ged to go upon deck, and to hold fast by the rigging, for fear of being Avashed overboard. In a few minutes the vessel righted a little, but the keel was broken, and the body of the ship seemed ready to go to pieces. Thus all our hopes were reduced to the boat, which I had infinite trouble to get over- board, being so covered, within and without, with lumps of ice, of which it was necessary to clear her. Most of the BURNING OF THE HIBERNIA, Bound for Vaa Dieman's Land, with passengers, persons lost their lives. — p. 175. Upwards of 150 LOSS OF THE NOTTINGHAM GALLEY. This vessel was wrecked on Boon Island, near New England, Dec. nth. 1710— p. 178. LOSS OF AN ENGLISH SLOOP. 121 crew having taken wine to endeavor to overcome the fright with which they were seized, I gave a glass of brandy to those who were sober, and asked if they were willing to em- bark with me in the boat for the purpose of getting on shore. The sea was so rough that it seemed impossible for our cra- zy bark to keep it a moment without being overwhelmed. Only the mate, two seamen, and a young passenger, resolved to risk themselves in the boat. In the first moment of danger I put my despatches in a handkerchief, which 1 tied round my waist. Regardless of the rest of my property, I seized a hatchet and a saw, and threw myself into the boat, followed by the mate and my ser- vant, who, more thoughtful than myself, had saved out of my box a purse of one hundred and eighty guineas. The pas- senger not springing far enough, fell into the sea, and our hands were so benumbed with cold as to be almost incapable of af- fording him the smallest assistance. When the two seamen had got into the boat, those who had most obstinately refused to try the same fortune, implored us to receive them ; but being apprehensive that we should founder with the weight of such a number, I ordered the boat to put off from the vessek ' Isoon had occasion to congratulate myself for having stifled a sentiment of commiseration which might have proved fatal to them. Though the shore was not above fifty yards distant, , we were met halfway by a prodigious wave, which half fill- ed the boat, and would infallibly have upset her had she been more heavily laden. A second wave threw us with violence upon the shore. The joy to find ourselves at length secure from those dan- gers which had so long kept us in the most cruel alarms, caus- ed us to forget for a moment that we had only escaped one kind of death, probably to endure another more terrible and painful. While we embraced each other, in our first trans- ports, and congratulated ourselves on our escape, we could not but be sensible of the distresses of our companions whom we had left on board, and Vv^hose lamentable cries we heard amidst the hoarse noise of the waves. What augmented the affliction into which we were plunged by this sentiment, was our being unable to afford them any kind of assistance. Our boat, thrown upon the sand by the angry waves, plainly testi- fied the impossibility of her breaking their force and return- ing to the vessel. Night was fast approaching, and we had not been long upon this icy shore when we found ourselves benumbed with 11 122 LOSS OF AN ENGLISH SLOOP. cold. We were obliged to walk over the snow, which sunk under our feet, to the entrance of a little wood, about two hun- dred yards from the shore, which sheltered us a little from the piercing northwest wind. We yet wanted a fire to warm our chilled limbs, and had no means of kindling one. The tinder-box which we had taken the precaution to put into the boat, had got wet by the last wave that drove us ashore. Ex- ercise alone could prevent our being frozen, in keeping our blood in circulation. Being better acquainted than my companions with the na- ture of these severe climates, I recommended to them to keep themselves in motion, in order to prevent being overpowered by sleep. But the young passenger, whose clothes were soaked in the sea-water, and were frozen stiff upon his body, was unable to resist the drowsy sensation, always produced by the excessive cold, which he experienced. In vain I em- ployed, by turns, persuasion and force to make him keep upon his legs. I was obliged to leave him to his supineness. Af- ter walking about half an hour I was myself seized with such a powerful inclination to sleep, that I felt myself ready every moment to sink to the ground in order to gratify it, till I re- turned to the place where the young man lay. I put my hand to hrs face and found it quite cold, when I desired the mate to feel it. We both conceived him to be dead. He re- plied, with a feeble voice, that he was not, but that he felt his end approaching, and entreated me, if I survived, to write to his father at New-York, and inform him of his fate. In ten minutes we saw him expire, without any pain, or at least ■without strong convulsions. I relate this incident to show the effect of violent cold on the human body during sleep, and to show that this kind of death is not always accompani- ed with a sensation of such excessive pain as is generally supposed. This dreadful lesson was incapable of inducing the others to resist the inclination to sleep by which they were attacked. Three of them lay down in spite of my exhortations. Seeing that it was impossible to keep them on their legs, I went and cut two branches of trees, one of which I gave to the mate, and my whole employment, during the remainder of the night, was to prevent my companions from sleeping, by striking them as soon as they closed their eyes. This exercise was of benefit to ourselves, at the same time that it preserved the others from danger of almost certain death. Day-light, which we awaited with such impatience, at LOSS OF AN ENGLISH SLOOP. 123 length appeared. I ran to the shore with the mate to en- deavor to discover some vestige of the ship, though we had very little hope of finding any. What was our surprise and our satisfaction to see that she had held together, notwith- standing the violence of the wind, which seemed strong enough to dash her into a thousand pieces during the night' The first thing I did was to contrive how to get the remain- der of the crew on shore. The vessel, since we quitted her, had been driven by the waves much nearer the shore, and the distance by which she was separated from it, I knew, must be much less at low v\^ater. When it was come, I called out to the people in the ship to tie a rope to her side and let them- selves dowTi one after another. They adopted this expedient. Watching attentively the motion of the sea, and seizing the opportunity of dropping at the moment when the waves retir- ed, they all got on shore without danger, excepting the car- penter. He did not think proper to trust himself in that man- ner, or probably was unable to stir, having used his bottle ra- ther too freely during the night. The general safety was at- tached to that of each individual, and I doubly rejoiced to see around me such a number of my companions in misfortune, whom I imagined to be swallowed up by the waves but a few hours before. The captain, before he left the ship, fortunately provided himself with all the materials for lighting a fire. The com- pany then proceeded toward the forest : some fell to work to cut wood, others to collect the dry branches scattered on the ground, and soon a bright flame, rising from a large pile, produced a thousand acclamations of joy. Considering the extreme cold which we had so long endured, no enjoyment could equal that of a good fire. We crowded around it as closely as possible to revive our benumbed limbs. But this enjoyment was succeeded, in general, by excruciating pain, as soon as the heat of the fire penetrated into those parts of the body which had been bitten by the frost. The mate and myself were the only exceptions, on account of the exercise we had taken during the night. All the others had been more or less attacked, both in the ship and on shore. The convul- sive movements produced in our unfortunate companions, by the violence of the torments they endured, would be too hor- rible for description. When we came to'make a review of our company, I obser- ved that Captain Green, a passenger, was missing. I was in- formed that he had fallen asleep in the ship, and had frozen to 124 LOSS OF AN ENGLISH SLOOP. death. Our anxiety was renewed on account of the carpea- ter, who was left behind. The sea continuing to roll with un- abated fury, so that it was impossible to send the boat to his relief, we were obliged to wait the return of low water ; when we at length persuaded him to come on shore in the same manner as the others ; which he did with extreme difficulty, being reduced to a state of the utmost weakness, and frozen in almost every part of his body. Night arrived, and we spent it rather more comfortably than the preceding. Yet, notwithstanding we were careful to keep np a large fire, we suffered considerably from the sharpness of the wind, against which we had no shelter. The trees were scarcely sufficient to protect us from the snow, which fell in immense flakes, as if to extinguish our fire. While it soaked through our clothes on the side exposed to the fire, on our backs it formed a heap which we were obliged to shake off before it froze into ice. The craving sensation of hunger, a new hardship that we had been hitherto unacquainted with, was now added to that of cold, which we had so much difficul- ty to endure. Two days elapsed, every moment of which added to the painful recollection of our past misfortunes, the terror of a still more distressing futurity. At length the wind and the sea, which had combined to prevent us from approaching the Tessel, redoubled their united efforts to destroy her. We were apprised of her fate by the noise of her breaking up. We ran toward the shore, and saw part of the cargo already floating, which the impetuosity of the waves washed through the opens of her sides. Fortunately the tide carried part of the wreck upon the beach. Providing ourselves with long poles,and the oars of our boat, we proceeded along the sand, drawing on shore whatever was most useful within our reach. It was thus we saved a few casks of salt beef^ and a conside- rable quantity of onions, which the captain had taken onboard to sell. Our attention was likewise directed to the planks that were detached from the vessel, and which might prove serviceable to us in constructing a hut. We collected a great number, which we dragged into the wood, to be immediately employed for the above mentioned purpose. This was no easy undertaking, as few of us were able to go to work upon It. Our success this day, however, inspired us with courage, and the food we had procured supporting our strength, the work had advanced considerably by the close of day. The light of our fire enabled us to continue it till after dark, and LOSS OF AN ENGLISH SLOOP. 125 by ten o'clock at night we had a hut twenty feet long, ten broad, and sufficiently solid, thanks to the trees which support- ed it at certain distances, to withstand the force of the wind, but not close enough to shelter us entirely from the cold. The two succeeding days were employed either in complet- ing our edifice, collecting during high water what the tide brought from the ship, or in taking an account of our provi- sions in order to establish the proportion in which they ought to be distributed. We had not been able to save any biscuit which was not thoroughly soaked with sea water. It was agreed that each person, well or ill, should be confined to a quarter of a pound of beef and four onions a day, as long as they lasted. This scanty pittance, scarcely sufficient to keep us alive, was all that we could allow ourselves, uncertain what time we might be obliged to spend on this desert coast. The 1 Itli of December, the sixth day after our shipwreck, the wind abated, so as to allow us to get the boat afloat, to go and seek what was left in the wreck. Great part of the day was lost in cutting away, with the hatchet, the thick ice which covered the deck and stopped up the hatchways. The next day we succeeded in getting out a small barrel, containing one hundred and twenty pounds of salt beef, two chests of onions, one of potatoes, three bottles of balsam of Canada, one of oil, which became exceedingly serviceable for the wounds of the seamen ; another hatchet, a large iron pot, two stew-pans, and about a dozen pounds of candles. This pre- cious cargo enabled us the following day to add four onions to our daily allowance. We returned again on board on the 14th, to look for the sails, part of which served to cover our hut, and to keep out the snow. The same day the wounds of those who had suf- fered most from the frost, and had neglected to rub them with snow, began to mortify. The skin came off their legs, their hands, and the parts of their limbs affected by the frost, with excessive pain. The carpenter, who was the last that came on shore, lost the graatest part of his feet, and in the night of the 14th became delirious, in which state he continued till the next day, when death relieved him from his miserable ex- istence. Three days afterward our second mate died in the same manner, having been delirious several hours before he expired ; and a seaman experienced the same fate the follow- ing day. We covered their bodies with snow and the branch- es of trees, having neither pickax nor spade to dig them a grave ; and if we had even been provided with them, the earth 126 LOSS OF AN ENGLISH SLOOP* was frozen too hard and too deep to yield to those instru- ments. All these losses, which reduced our company to fourteen persons, gave us but little concern, either on their account or on our own. Upon considering our dreadful situation, death appeared rather a blessing than a misfortune ; and when a sentiment of nature revived Avithin us the love of life, each individual regarded his companions as so many enemies armed by hunger to deprive him of his subsistence. In fact, if some had not paid the debt of nature, we should soon have been reduced to the horrible necessity of perishing of hunger, or of murdering and devouring each other. Without being brought to this dreadful alternative, our situation was so mis- erable that it seemed impossible for any new calamity to be capable of augmenting its horrors. The continual sensation of excessive cold and pressing hunger, the pain of the frost wounds irritated by the fire, the complaints of the sufferers, the neglect and filth which rendered us objects of disgust both to ourselves and others, all the images of despair collected around us, and the prospect of a slow and painful death, in the midst of a desolate region, far from the consolations of relatives and friends ; such is an imperfect representation of the pangs our minds endured every moment of the tedious days and eternal nights. The mate and I often went abroad to see if vre could disco- ver any vestiges of habitations in the country. Our excur- sions were not long nor attended with any success. We re- solved, one day, to penetrate farther into the country, keeping along the banks of a frozen river. We observed, from time to time, traces of elks and other animals, which caused us. sincerely to regret being unprovided with arms and powder to shoot them. A ray of hope, for a moment, illumined our minds. Following the direction of some trees, cut on the sides with a hatchet, we arrived at a place where some Indians must shortly have resided, since their wigwam was still stand- ing, and the bark employed for that purpose appeared quite fresh ; an elk's skin, which we found very near, suspended from a pole, confirmed our conjectures. We anxiously tra- versed all the adjacent country, but, alas ! without success. We, however, derived some satisfaction from reflecting that this place had had inhabitants or visitors, and that they might soon return. Struck with this idea, I cut a long pole, which I stuck upright on the bank of the river, fastening it to a piece of birch bark, after cutting it into the figure of a hand, with LOSS OF AN ENGLISH SLOOP. 127 the fore-finger extending and turned toward our hut. I like- wise took away the elk's skin, in order that the savages at their return might perceive that somebody had passed by the place since they left it, and might by the aid of the sign discover the route they had taken. The approach of the night obliged us to return to our habitation, and we doubled our pace to communicate that agreeable news to our com- panions. However feeble were the hopes we could reason- ably allow ourselves to entertain from this discovery, I per- ceived that my narrative afforded them considerable consola- tion ; so strongly does the kind instinct of nature impel the unhappy to seize upon whatever is capable of alleviating the sensation of their misery. Several days elapsed in hope of seeing the Indians appear every moment before our hut. These sweet ideas gradually lost ground, and soon vanished. Some of our sick, and among the rest the captain, had in this interval begun to recover their strength, and our provisions were fast decreasing. I mentioned the design I had formed of quitting the habitation with all those who were capable of working the boat, to re- connoitre the coast. This plan received universal approba- tion ; but when we came to think of the means of executing it, a new difficulty presented itself This was how to repair the boat, which had been dashed by the sea upon the sand with such fury that all her joints had opened. We had plen ty of tow for stopping the apertures, but unfortunately were in want of pitch to cover it. And how could we supply this deficiency? We could not think of any method, when it struck me all at once that we might employ the balsam of Canada which we had saved. It was easy to try ; I emptied few bottles of it into our iron pot and set it on a large fire ; taking ijt ofi' frequently to let it cool, I soon reduced the liquor to a proper consistence. During this time my companions had turned the boat and cleared her of sand and ice. I di- rected the crevices to be stopped with tow, caulked her with the balsam, and I had the pleasure of seeing that it produced the effect to admiration. This first success inspired us with a new ardor to continue our preparations. A piece of cloth fastened to a pole in such a manner as to be raised or lowered at pleasure, promised us a sail strong enough to relieve, with a gentle and favorable wind, the labor of the rowers. Among the crew few had suf- ficiently recovered to support the fatigues which we foresaw would attend this expedition. I was chosen to conduct ii, to- 128 LOSS OF AN ENGLISH SLOOP. gether with the captain, the mate, two seamen, and my ser- vant. The remainder of the provisions was divided accord- ing to the number of persons, into fourteen equal shares, with- out reserving, on account of the excessive labor we were about to undertake, a larger proportion for ourselves than was allotted to those who were to remain quietly in the hut. With this wretched allowance of a quarter of a pound of beef a day, for six weeks, with a crazy boat covered with a matter on which we could not depend, which the least breath of wind might upset, and the smallest rook dash to pieces, it was that we had to attempt an enterprize, the plan of which could have been inspired by blind despair alone. But we were at that point, that there was less temerity in braving every possible danger with the feeblest ray of hope, than in exposing ourselves, by cowardly inactivity, to the almost ine- vitable danger of perishing, abandoned by all nature. The year 1781 had just commenced. It Vv^as our intention to set off the second of January, but a furious northwest wind detained us till the afternoon of the fourth. Its violence having then abated, we carried on board our provisions, together with a few pounds of candles, and all the little articles that might be of service to us, and took leave of our companions, in the cruel uncertainty whether this might not be out last farewell. We had not proceeded above eight miles, when the wind turn- ing to the southeast, checked our progress and obliged us to make Avith our oars toward a large bay, which offered us a favorable asylum for the night. Our first care was to land our provisions and to remove the boat far enough upon the beach to prevent her being damaged by the sea. We were then obliged to kindle a fire and to cut wood to keep it up till the next morning. The smallest pine branches were employed in forming our bed, and the largest in hastily erecting a kind of wigwam, to secure ourselves as well as possible from the severity of the weather. In. taking our scanty repast I observed on the shore several pieces of wood thrown upon it by the tide, and Avhich appear- ed to have been cut with a hatchet. I likewise saw some poles formed long since by the hand of man, but we could not discover any marks of inhabitants. At the distance of two miles was a hill bare of trees, with some appearance of its having been cleared. I prevailed on two of my companions to accompany me thither before dark, that from its summit we might embrace a more extensive horizon. As we pro- ceeded along the bay we saw a Newfoundland fishing-boat, LOSS OF AN ENGLISH SLOOP. 129 half burned and the remaining part in the sand. This object afforded us fresh hopes, and we doubled our efforts to climb the hill. Having arrived at the summit, how great was our satisfaction to perceive some buildings on the other side of it, at the distance of a mile at farthest. Notwithstanding our fa- tigue, the interval which separated us from them was soon gone over. We arrived palpitating with hope and joy, but those pleasing emotions were instantly dissipated. In vain we traversed all the buildings ; they were deserted. They had been erected for the preparation of cod, and, according to all appearance, had been abandoned several years before. The sad termination of this excursion tended, however, to con- firm us in the idea that we should find some habitations by continuing our course round the island. The wind, which had again shifted to the northwest, de- tained us the next day, fearing to encounter the ice, which it drifted in great quantities. For three days it continued with the same fury. Having awaked in the night, I was astonished to hear its shrill whistling, not accompanied, as usual, by the hoarse noise of the waves. I called the "mate, and informed him of this phenomenon. Being curious to ascertain the cause, we ran toward the shore, the moon's rays affording us light. As far as the eye could reach, their fatal lustre enabled us to perceive the surface of the water motionless beneath the chains of ice, which was piled up, in different places, in heaps of pro- digious height. It is impossible to describe the sensation of despondency which overwhelmed our minds at this sight — unable to proceed farther on our expedition, or to return to our former cabin, which would have defended us better from the redoubled severity of the cold ! How long were we to continue in this dreadful situation 1 Two days elapsed amidst these gloomy reflections. At length, on the 9th, the wind abated. It shifted the following day to the southeast, and blew with such violence that all the ice by which we were blocked up in the bay was broken to pieces with a great noise, and driven out into the open sea, so that by four o'clock in the afternoon there was none left, ex- cepting along the shore. In breaking the chains that detained us, the tyrant of the air forged others for us by violence. It was not till after two days that the wind abated. A light breeze blowing along the shore, our boat was launched and the sail hoisted. We were already proceeding with a favorable course, when at several leagues distant we perceived an extremely elevated point of 130 LOSS OF AN ENGLISH SLOOP. land. The coast to that place appeared to form such a con- tinued chain of steep rocks that it was impossible to attempt a landing before we had doubled the distant cape. It would, however, have been dangerous to risk so long a course. The boat had sprung a leak, and two men Avere constantly em- ployed in bailing out the water, so that we could use but two oars ; and the enfeebled state to which we were reduced by disappointment and the want of food, scarcely allowed us to support that slight exertion. What was to become of us if the wind should turn to the northwest? We must infallibly be dashed to pieces against the rocks. Fortunately the danger was no longer an object worthy of our consideration, and the wind seconded our perseverance so well, that we arrived at the cape about eleven o'clock at night. The place not being convenient for a landing, we were obliged to coast along till two in the morning, when the wind becom- ing more violent deprived us of the liberty of choosing a fa- vorable spot ; we were obliged to descend upon, or rather to climb, with the utmost difficulty, up a rocky shore, without its ' being possible for us to secure'our boat from the waves, which threatened her with destruction. The place where we had landed was a bay of no great depth, surrounded on the land side by inaccessible heights, but exposed toward the sea to the northwest wind, from w^hich nothing could protect us. The wind, which rose on the 13th, threw our boat upon a ledge of the rocks and damaged her in several places. This accident was but a trifling pre- lude to new sufferings. Surrounded by insurmountable rocks, which prevented us from seeking shelter in the woods ; with- out any other covering than our sail, stiff with ice ; buried for several days beneath a deluge of snow, which was heaped around us to the height of three feet ; we had nothing to keep up our fire but the branches and fragments of trunks of trees, thrown by accident upon the shore. This deplorable situa- tion lasted till the 21st, when the weather grew milder, but we were not able to take advantage of it. How were we to repair our boat, which had opened in several places ? After reflecting on the various methods that presented themselves to our minds, and rejecting them as impracticable, all our thoughts were directed to seek our preservation in another quarter. Though it was impossible to scale the Avails of rocks which surrounded us on every side, and Ave Avere under the neces- sity of renouncing our boat, it came into our minds that wq LOSS OF AN ENGLISH SLOOP. 131 might proceed along the shore, by walking upon the ice, which had acquired sufficient strength to bear our weight. The mate and I resolved to make the experiment. We set off immediately, and proceeding a few miles, arrived at the mouth of a river bordered by a sandy beach, where we might have preserved our boat and lived much less uncomfortably, had our good fortune first conducted us thither. This dis- covery, while it occasioned regret, did not tend to increase our hopes. It was, indeed, easy to penetrate into the woods ; but could we wander at random in a savage country, in quest of an inhabited district 1 How were we to direct our course through the black gloom of the forest 1 and above all, how were we to get along through the snow, with which the earth was covered to the height of six feet, and which might be melted by the first thaw ? After consulting together on the subject of our return, it was agreed that we had no other resource than to carry on our backs the remainder of our provisions and useful effects, and to proceed along the coast, where it was most natural to expect to find any families of fishermen or savages. The weather seemed still inclined to frost, and the wind having swept into the sea the greatest part of the snov/ which cover- ed the ice upon the coast, we flattered ourselves that we should walk ten miles a day even in spite of the langour and debility into which we had fallen. This resolution being unanimously adopted, we had soon completed the necessary preparations. We intended to set off on the morning of the 24th, but in the night which pre- ceded it, the wind suddenly shifted to the southeast, accompa- nied with heavy rain ; so that in a few hours this crust of snow, which the day before appeared so solid, was entirely dissolved, and the ice detached from the shore. We had now no way of escaping from tbis disastrous shore on which we were confined. During these painful reflections our eyes were directed toward the boat, which we had frequently been tempted to break up m order to supply our fire, as we could not. expect to render her serviceable again. We still had tow sufficient to stow the crevices, but the balsam of Canada had been totally exhausted by our daily repairs, and we were unable to contrive any substitute for it. The frost, however, returned the next day. Its severity caused me, during the night, to conceive an idea, which I has- tened to put in execution as soon as daylight appeared. This was, to pour water upon the tow with which the crevices were 132 LOSS OF AN ENGLISH SLOOP. filled, and to let it freeze like a coating to a certain thickness. My companions laughed at my scheme, and could not, without reluctance, be prevailed upon to assist me. But this simple method succeeded beyond my hopes ; all the apertures were so well closed that they were at length convinced that no water could penetrate through them as long as the frost con- tinued to be equally severe. We made a successful trial of it on the 27th. Though the boat became heavy and difficult to be managed, by the quan- tity of ice with which it was covered, yet in the course of the day she proceeded twelve miles from the place of our depar- ture. This new service rendered her more valuable in our eyes, and we took care to remove her on our oars to a place more favorable to her security, A thick forest, situated near the spot, afforded us two advantages, of which we had been de- prived for so many nights ; a slight shelter against the pierc- ing wind, and an abundance of wood to keep up a great fire, which warmed us while we slept. This two-fold enjoyment was to us the height of pleasure. Our stock of finder being almost consumed, I was obliged to renew it by burning a piece * of my shirt, the same that I had worn ever since the loss of my effects. The following day a deluge of rain unfortunately melted all the ice from our boat, and we had the mortification to lose the advantage of a fine day, which might probably have for- warded us several miles on our way. We resolved to wait the return of the frost ; and what augmented our impatience and regret, was, that our provisions were now reduced to two pounds and an half of beef to each man. The frost not returning till the afternoon of the 29th, the delay unavoidably occasioned by our preparations prevented us from proceeding above seven miles before night. The suc- ceeding day a very heavy gale, which surprised us at the be- ginning of our route, obliged us to land before we had gone more than two leagues. The thaw kept us on shore till the day after the next, the 1st of February, when an intense frost affi)rded us an opportunity of repairing our boat. But the pieces of floating ice were so large, that they constantly em- ployed one of us to break them with a pole; and it was not without the most fatiguing exertions that we proceeded five miles before the close of day. Our navigation was more fortunate on the 3d. The wind blew in a direction as favorable as we could wish. Though the boat made some water, which employed part of our hands LOSS OF AN ENGLISH SLOOP. 133 in bailing out, we at first ran four miles an hour with the as- sistance of our oars, and soon afterward five with our only- sail. About two o'clock in the afternoon we were full in view of an elevated cape, which we calculated to be only- three leagues off But its prodigious height deceived us with regard to its distance, for it was almost dark before we reached it. After doubling it, our course took a different direction from what it had done, so that we were obliged to lower our sail and to take to our oars. The wind then began to blow from the shore. Our efforts to make head against it were very feeble, and had it not been for a current from the northeast, which assisted us to make some opposition, we should have run the risk of being carried irrecoverably into the open sea. The coast being lined with rocks, was here too dangerous to attempt to land ; we were obliged to row along the rocks, amidst a thousand dangers, in the dark, till five o'clock in the morning. Being then incapable, from our exhausted state, of any longer exertion, our eyes were shut to the dangers of landing, and heaven crowned our attempt with success, with- out any other accident than having our boat thrown, half full of water, upon the shore. The beginning of the wood was at no great distance, yet we had great difficulty to crawl to it, and make a fire to thaw our limbs and dry our clothes. Such, was the drowsiness into which fatigue and watching had plunged us, that it was impossible to refrain from sleep when our fire began to light. We were obliged to rouse each other alternately in order to keep it up, fearing lest it should go out while we were all together asleep, and we should be frozen to death in this lethargic state. When I awoke I had occasion to convince myself, by the observations I made on shore, of the truth of what I had sus- pected by the way, namely, that the elevated point of land which we had just doubled was Cape North, in the island of Cape Breton, which, with Cape Roi on the island of New- foundland, marks the entrance of the gulf of St. Lawrence. The pleasing certainty that we were on an inhabited island would have flattered us with the hope of at last meeting with assistance by continuing our voyage, if we had had any thing to subsist upon during the time that it might last. Our pro- visions were nearly exhausted, and this prospect filled us Avith despair. Nothing but ideas of a speedy death, or the most horrible means of deferring it, presented themselves to our minds. When we cast our eyes upon one another, each seem- ed read}'' to point out the victim whom it was necessary to 12 1 134 LOSS OF AN ENGLISH SLOOP. sacrifice to the hunger of his executioners. Some of us had already agreed to commit the selection of the object to the blind decision of the lot. Fortunately the execution of this dreadful design was deferred till the last extremity. While my companions were employed in clearing the boat of the sand with which the tide had filled her, and in stopping the crevices by pouring water upon the tow and leaving it to freeze, I walked along the shore with the mate in quest of oysters, of which we perceived a great quantity of shells scat- tered up and down. Unfortunately none of them were full. We should have considered it the height of good fortune to have met with some carcasses of wild beasts half devoured by birds of prey; but all these were now buried under the snow; there was nothing that could afford us even the vilest food. It was not sufficient that fate should have thrown us upon a desert coast, but to crown our misery, it had chosen the most dreadful season, when not only the earth refused its productions for our subsistence, but likewise when the ani- mals inhabiting the two elements which nourish mankind had fled to their retreats to preserve themselves from the intense cold which desolates these inhospitable climates. I should be afraid to excite too painful sensations in those minds which our situation till the present moment has in- spired with tender com.passion, if I were to paint in all their horror the miseries we had to suffer during the following days. Reduced for oar only nourishment to dry fruits of sweet brier, dug up from beneath the snow, and a few tallow candles, which we had reserved for a last resource; oppressed with fatigue at the least exertion ; checked in our navigation by the ice, the rain, or the winds ; som.etim.es animated with a faint hope, to be plunged soon afterward in the abyss of de- spair ; overwhelmed with the painful sensations of all these distresses combined to crush us with their insupportable Aveight every moment both of the day and of the night; such was our state till the 17th, when, completely exhausted, we landed for the last time, resolved to perish on the spot if hea- ven should not send us some unexpected relief. To place our boat in safety on the beach would have been an undertaking too far beyond our. power. She was abandoned to the fury of the waves after we had sorrowfully taken out our imple- ments and sail which served to cover us. Our first efforts were employed in clearing the snow from the spot we had fixed upon, to raise ]t all round in a sloping direction, for the purpose of fixing in it branches of trees, intended to form a LOSS OF AN ENGLISH SLOOP. 135 shelter ; lastly, in cutting and piling as much wood as possible to keep up a fire, fearing lest we should soon be unable to use our instruments. A few handsful of hips, boiled in snow water, were, during the first days, the sole support of our miserable lives. These began to fail us, and we thought ourselves fortunate in being able to supply their place with the marine plants which grew along the shore. After boiling them several hours, during which they lost little of their hardness, I put into the liquor one of the only two candles we had left. This disgusting- broth and the tough plants at first appeased our hunger, but in a few moments Ave were seized with a terrible retching, without having sufficient force to be able to clear our stom- achs. This crisis lasted about four hours, after which we were somewhat relieved, but fell into a state of absolute de- bility. We were, however, obliged the next day to have recourse to the same nourishment, which operated as before, only with rather less violence ; for this purpose we had used our last candle. We were compelled for three days to be contented with the hard tough plants, which made us retch every mouth- ful we took. At the same time our legs began to swell, and our whole bodies became so bloated, that notwithstanding the little flesh we had left, our fingers, with the smallest pressure upon our skin, sunk to the depth of an inch, and the impres- sion remained an hour afterward. Our eyes appeared as if bu- ried in deep cavities. Benumbed by the internal dissolution of our blood and by the intense cold we endured, we had scarcely strength to crawl by turns and revive our almost ex- tinguished fire, or to collect a few branches scattered upon the snow. It was then that the remembrance of my father, which had attended me amidst the greatest dangers, combined with the idea of my death to fill my heart with unusual emotion. I represented to myself that tender parent at first uneasy on my account, anxiously expecting to hear from me; afterward overwhelmed with grief at seeing the time elapse without receiving any intelligence ; and at last condemned to bewail the loss of his son during all the days of his old age. I wept myself at the thought of dying so far from his embrace with- out receiving his benediction. These afiecting ideas, inter- rupted by the groans uttered around me, were succeeded by barbarous projects with which the natural instinct of life in- spired me for support. The wretched companions of my mis- 136 LOSS OF AN ENGLISH SLOOP. fortunes, whose exertions had hitherto assisted me, now ap- peared only to be a prey to satisfy my hunger ; and I read the same sentiment in their greedy looks. I know not whither these ferocious dispositions would have led us, when suddenly the accents of a human voice were heard in the forest. At the same instant we discovered two Indians armed with muskets, Vvho did not appear to have yet perceived us. This sudden appearance reviving our courage, gave us strength to rise and advance toward them with all the despatch we were able. As soon as they saw us they stopped, as if their feet had been nailed to the ground. They looked steadfastly at us, mo- tionless with surprise and horror. Beside the astonishment that must naturally have been excited in them at the unexpect- ed meeting with six strangers in a desert corner of the island, our appearance alone was sufficient to shock the most intrepid. Our clothes hanging in rags, our eyes concealed by the bloated prominence of our livid cheeks, the monstrous bulk to which all our limbs were swelled, our long and shaggy beards, our hair flowing in disorder down our shoulders, must, altogether, have given us a frightful appearance. However, as we ad- vanced, a thousand agreeable sensations were displayed in our countenances : some shed tears and others laughed for joy. Though these peaceable signs were calculated in some de- gree to move the fears of the Indians, they did not yet mani- fest the least inclination to approach us, and certainly the dis- gust which our whole figure must have produced sufficiently justified their coldness. I therefore resolved to advance to- ward him who was nearest to me, holding out one hand to him in a supplicating attitude. He seized it and gave it a hearty shake, which is the mode of salutation usual among these savages. They then began to manifest some marks of compassion. I made a sign to them to come toward our fire ; they accom- panied us in silence and sat down near us. One of them, who spoke bad French, begged us, in that language, to inform them whence we came, and what accident had conducted us to that spot. I hastened to give him as brief an account as possible of th« misfortunes and sufferings we had experienced. As he seemed to be deeply affected by my narrative, i asked him if he could furnish us with any provisions. He replied in the affirmative ; but seeing that our fire was almost out, he rose abruptly and seized our hatchet, at which he looked for a moment smiling, as I imagined, at the bad condition in which LOSS OF AN ENGLISH SLOOP. 137 it was. He threw it down with a look of disdain, and took that which was by his side. In a moment he had cut a great quantity of branches, which he threw upon our fire ; he then took up his musket, and without saying a word, went away with his companion. • Such a sudden retreat might have given uneasiness to per- sons unacquainted with the humor of the Indians ; but I knew that these people seldom speak but when they see an abso- lute necessity for it. I did not, therefore, doubt but that they were gone to fetch us provisions, and assured my alarmed comrades that we should not be long before we saw them again. Notwithstanding the distress in which we were for food, hunger was not, at least with me, the most pressing want. The good fire which the savages had made crowned, at that moment, all my desires, having passed so many days of suffering from intense cold, near the feeble flame of our miserable fire. Three hours had elapsed since the departure of the Indians, and my afflicted companions began to lose all hope of seeing them again, when we perceived them turning a projecting point of land, and rowing toward us in a canoe of bark. They soon came on shore, bringing a large piece of smoked veni- son, and a bladder filled with fish oil. They boiled the meat in our iron pot with snow water, and when it was dressed they took care to distribute it amongst us in very small quan- tities, with a little oil, to prevent the dangerous consequences which might have resulted from our voracity in the debili- tated state to which our stomachs were reduced. This light repast being over, they made me embark with two of my companions in their canoe, which was too small to take us all at once. We were received upon landing by three Indians and a dozen women or children, who were waiting for us on the shore. While those in the canoe returned to fetch the rest of our company, the others led us toward their huts or wigwams, three in number, constructed for the same number of families, at the entrance of the forest. We were treated by these good people Avith the kindest hospitality; they made us swallow a kind of broth, but would not permit us, notwithstanding our entreaties, to eat meat, or take any other too substantial nourishment. I felt the sincerest joy when the canoe returned with our three companions. Upon finding ourselves together among these savages, after only such a short separation, we felt the sensations that, are experienced by friends from infancy, who, 12* 138 LOSS OF AN ENGLISH SLOOP# after having long sighed remote from each other, at length find one another again in the bosom of their native land. The hut appeared to us the abode of bliss. The transports to which we gave way, interested in our favor a very old woman, wha testified great curiosity to hear our adventures. I gave a more circumstantial detail than before to the Indian who un- derstood French, and he rendered it into his language for the others. In the course of my narrative I had occasion to observe that the women were deeply affected by it, and ground- ed on this impression the hope of favorable treatment during our stay. After having satisfied the most pressing wants, our thoughts were turned toward the unfortunate comrades whom we had left behind at the place of our shipwreck. The distress to which we had so near fallen victims made me fear that their fate had been still more wretched. However, if but one of them survived, I was determined to omit no exertion to save him. I endeavored to describe to the savages, as well as I was able, the quarter of the island on which we had been cast, and inquired whether it was not possible to send thither some relief To the description I gave of the course of the neighboring river, and of a small island to be seen at a little distance from its mouth, they replied that they were perfectly acquainted with the spot, that it was about one hundred miles to it, by ve,ry difficult ways through the woods; that they must cross rivers and mountains to arrive at it, and if they undertook the journey they must expect some compensation for their fatigues. It would have been unreasonable to require them to suspend their hunting, their only means of supporting their wiv^es and children, to undertake the toilsome excursion purely from a motive of benevolence toward strangers. As to their account of the distance of the place where we were wrecked, it did not appear exaggerated, since I computed, by my own calcula- tions, that our course along the shore could not have been less than one hundred and fifty miles. I then told them what it had not before come into my mind to mention, that I had money, and that if it was of any value in their eyes, I would employ part to pay them for their trouble. They seemed perfectly satisfied with the proposal, and asked to see my purse; I took it from my servant and showed them the guineas which it contained. At the sight of the gold I observed in their countenances sensations which I should never have expected to meet with among a savage toss OF AN ENGLISH SLOOP. 139 people ; the women in particular eyed it with extreme avidi- ty ; and when I had presented each of them with a guinea, they set up a loud laugh, that being the way in which the Indians express extraordinary emotions of joy. However exorbitant their pretensions might be, I deter- mined to spare nothing to save my countrymen, if any of them were still alive. We, therefore, concluded an agree- ment, by which they engaged to depart the following day, and I was to give them tv/enty-five guineas before they set off, and the same sum on their return. They immediately fell to work to make shoes fit for walking upon the snow, both for themselves and our seamen, whom they were to bring back. Early the next morning they departed, after receiving the sti- pulated sum. From the moment the savages saw gold in my possession, my situation lost all the charms which it owed to their hos- pitality. They became as rapacious as they had before beeni generous, requiring ten times the value of the smallest articles with which they furnished my companions and me. I was fearful, too, lest this excessive passion for money, which they had contracted from their intercourse with the Europeans, should impel them to rob us, and leave us in the same deplo- rable situation from which we had been rescued by their as- sistance. The only motive on which I grounded the hope of more humane treatment was the religion they had embraced, having been converted to Christianity by the French Jesuits, before this island was ceded to us together with Canada. They showed the strongest attachment to their new faith, and frequently stunned us in the evening by their doleful psalmody. My servant was a particular favorite with them all, because, being an Irish Catholic, he joined their prayers, though he did not understand a single word of them. I much doubt whether they themselves could understand them, for their singing, or rather shouting, was a confused jargon, composed of bad French and their savage idiom, with a few Latin phrases which they had learned from their missionaries. We were many days before we recovered our strength, or were capable of digesting any substantial food. The only nourishment the Indians could procure us was elk flesh and seal-oil, upon which they live entirely during the hunting season. Though the remembrance of so many past miseries caused us to bless the change in our situation, and reconciled us to our residence among the savages, yet I felt very anxious to 140 LOSS OF AN ENGLISH SLOOP. leave them, on account of the despatches with which I had heen entrusted, and which might be of the greatest import- ance to the public service ; and the more, as I could not be ignorant that the duplicate was lost in the wreck of the brig. But I was still so weak, that for some time I found it im- possible to take the least exercise, and experienced, as well as the companions of my misfortunes, how difficult it is to re- cover from such a rude attack upon the constitution. After an absence of about a fortnight, the Indians returned with three of our people, being all that death had spared out of the eight persons whom I had left behind at the hut. They informed us, that after consuming all their provisions, they had subsisted upon the skin of the elk which we had disdain- ed to share with them; that the latter resource being ex- hausted, three had died of hunger, and that the others had been reduced to the horrible necessity of feeding on the dead bodies till the arrival of the Indians ; that one of the five who remained had given way with so much imprudence to his vo- racity, that he died in a few hours, amidst inexpressible tor- ments ; and that another had accidentally killed himself in handling the arms of one of the savages. Thus our compa- ny, consisting at first of nineteen persons, was reduced to nine ; and I wonder, whenever I think of it, that a single in- dividual escaped, after having had to contend for the space of three months with all the complicated hardships of cold, hunger, and fatigue. Our impaired strength kept us in this dismal place a fort- night longer, during which I was obliged, as before, to pay the most exorbitant price for our food and our smallest wants. At the end of that time, finding my health somewhat re-esta- blished, and my purse almost empty, I conceived myself oblig- ed to sacrifice my personal comfort to my duty to the service, and resolved to proceed with my despatches to General Clinton with all possible expedition, though this, of all the seasons of the year, was the least proper for traveling. I therefore hired two Indians to take me to Halifax for forty guineas, which I engaged to pay them upon my arrival there. I farther took upon myself to furnish them by the way with every kind of provisions, and suitable refreshments, in the in- habited parts through which we might pass. Some of the other Indians were to conduct the rest of our company to a settlement on Spanish River, where they were to remain till the spring, to wait for an opportunity of proceeding to Halifax by sea. I furnished the captain with all ihe money necessa- LOSS OF AN ENGLISH SLOOP. 141 ry for his subsistence and that of his men, for which he gave me a bill on his owner at New- York. The latter was not ashamed to refuse to pay it, under the pretext that as the ship was lost, neither the captain nor the crew could have any daim upon him. I set off on the second of April, accompanied by two Indians, my servant, and Mr. Winslow, a young passenger in our ship, and one of the three survivors at the hut. We each carried with us four pair of Indian shoes, a pair of snow shoes, and provisions for a fortnight. We arrived that evening at a place called by the English Broad Oar, where a snow stonn de- tained us the w^hole of the following day. We set off again on the 4th, and after a march of about fifteen miles, arrived on the banks of a beautiful salt-water lake, called the lake of St. Peter, one end of which communicates with the sea. Here we met with two Indian families that were going a hunt- mg. I purchased of them, for four guineas, a bark canoe, which my guides informed me would very often be necessary for crossing certain parts of the lake that are never frozen. As in other parts we should have to travel upon the ice, I was likewise obliged to buy two sledges to place the boat upon, and to draw it after us. Having enjoyed two days repose, and procuring a fresh supply of provisions, we resumed our march on the 7th, pro- ceeding several miles along the bank of the lake ; but the ice being bad, we were obliged to quit that route and take another through the woods. The snow there was six feet deep ; a thaw, accompanied with rain, which came on the next day, rendered it so soft that it was no longer possible to Avalk upon its surface. We were therefore obliged to stop. ^ A large fire, a commodious wigwam, and abundance of provisions, as- sisted us to endure this disagreeable delay without entirely dissipating our inquietudes. The winter was too far advanc- ed, for us to hope to travel much longer upon the snow with- out the accidental return of the frost ; and should it not re- turn again, the only thing we could do was to Avait till the lake should be entirely cleared of the ice, and thus we might be detained a fortnight or three weeks longer. In this case our situation was likely to become as unfortunate as that to which we had been reduced by our shipwreck, excepting that the weather was less severe, that we Avere rather better sup- plied with provisions, and had at least arms to recruit our Stock. The frost fortunately returned on the 12th, and we resolved 142 LOSS OF AN ENGLISH SLOOP. to take advantage of it the next day. We that day proceeded six leagues, sometimes on floating ice, and sometimes in the canoes. On the 14th, our provisions being almost consumed, I proposed to go in pursuit of game, which appeared to abound in this district. The savages, in general, think only on the wants of the day, without troubling themselves about those of the morrow. This foresight might, however, have proved very essential, since a sudden thaw might have prevented us from going out. I Avent into the woods with one of my guides, and we soon discovered the traces of an elk, which my Indian killed after an hour's pursuit. He opened him with much dexterity, caught the blood in a bladder, and cut up the body into large quarters, part of vv^hich we carried on our shoulders to the canoe, sending the other Indian, my servant, and Mr. Winslow for the remainder. This expedition procured us a sufficient stock of provisions to remove any apprehensions of want, even in case a sudden thav/ prevented us from continu- ing our route on the lake or in the woods. We departed early in the morning of the 15th, and that day went six leagues, which so much diminished our strength, al- ready exhausted by long hardships, that it was impossible to proceed the next day. We were detained by fatigue till the 18th, when we resumed our journey in the same manner, that is, partly on the floating ice and partly in the canoe, in those places where the lake was not frozen. I then had an opportunity to notice the beauties of the lake, one of the finest that I have seen in America, though the sea- ' son was not calculated to show it to advantage. It is covered with an infinite number of small islands dispersed over its surface, which gave it a great resemblance to the celebrated lake of Killarney and the other fresh-water lakes of Ireland. No settlement has ever been made on the islands, though the soil appears fertile ; and the residence upon them would be de- lightful in summer, were it possible to procure fresh water, of w^hich they are entirely destitute ; and this is doubtless the reason why they are not inhabited. If the ice of the lake had been uninterrupted and more so- lid, we should have saved much time and trouble by proceed- ing directly from point to point, from one island to another, instead of being obliged to make a long circuit at every bay we came to. On the 20th we arrived at St. Peter's, a place where there is a settlement of a few English and French families. I am bound in gratitude to make mention here of Mr, Cav?inagh, LOSS OF AN ENGLISH SLOOP. 143 an English merchant, who received us with every kind of ci- vility, and who, being informed of my misfortunes, had the confidence to advance me two hundred pounds sterling for a bill of exchange Avhich I gave him on my father, though our name was utterly unknown to him. At St. Peter's I should have hired a fishing-boat to repair to Halifax, but for the apprehension of falling into the hands of the American privateers, with which those seas were then infested. The lake being in this place separated from the sea by a forest about a mile broad, we had only to drag our canoe that distance, in order to reach the coast and embark. After stopping the following days in different places of little conse- quence, we arrived on the 25th at Narrashoe, where we were received with the same hospitality as at St. Peter's. We left it on the 26th in our canoe, to repair to the Isle Madame, situa- ted about the middle of the streights of Canceau,* which se- parate Cape Breton from Nova Scotia: but at the point of that island we discovered such a prodigious quantity of float- ing ice, that it would have been the height of imprudence to venture our feeble bark among it. We therefore returned to Narrashoe, where I hired a vessel capable of resisting its violence. I ordered the canoes to be taken on board, and on the 27th, with the assistance of the most favorable wind, we crossed the streights in three hours and landed at Canceau, which gives name to them. At length, after a navigation of ten days along the coast, our canoe brought us in safety into the harbor of Plalifax. The Indians having received the sum we had agreed upon, and the presents with vchich I endeavored to satisfy my grati- tude toward those to whom I owed the preservation of my life, left us in a few days to return to their island. As I was obliged to wait a considerable time longer for a vessel, I had, during that interval, the satisfaction to be joined by my companions in misfortune, whom the other Indians had taken to conduct by Spanish River. At last, after waiting two months, I em- barked in the ship called the Royal Oak, and arrived at Noav- York, where I delivered my despatches to General Clinton in a very tattered condition. * The Gut of Canso. 144 SUFFERINGS OF EPHRAIM HOW. THE SUFFERINGS OF EPHRAIM HOW, Of New-Haven, who set sail for Boston in a small Ketch^ which on its return was wrecked near Cape Sable, in tJi^ year 1676. On the 25th of August, 1676, Mr. Ephraim How, of New- Haven, in New-England, with his two eldest sons, one Mr. Augur, Caleb Jones, son to Mr. William. Jones, one of th© 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 New- Haven on the 10th of September, but was forced back to Bos- ton by contrary winds. Flere Mr. How was seized with a violent flux, which continued nearly a month ; many being 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 tem- pestuous, so that they could not pass the Cape, but were dri- ven off to sea, where they were in great danger, experiencing terrible storms with outrageous winds and seas. His eldest son fell sick and died about the 21st; soon after his other son was taken ill and died also. This was a bitter cup to the poor father, for these youths were his only assist- ants in worki-ng the vessel. Soon after Caleb Jones died, so that half of 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 boiste- rous as frequently to break over the vessel, and if he had not been lashed fast he must have been washed overboard. In this extremity he was at a loss whether he should persist in en- deavoring to make for the New-England shore, or bear 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 SUFFERINGS OF EPHRAIM HOW. 145 was hardly ever dry, nor had he the benefit of warm food above thrice, or thereabout. At length, about the 21st of November, early in the morn- ing, the vessel was driven on the tailings of a ledge of rocks where the sea broke violently. Looking out, they saw a dis- mal rocky island to the leeward, upon which, if Providence had not given 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 nehher man or 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 deatb, but the storm returning, beat so violently on the vessel as it still lay at anchor, that it was stove to pieces, and several things floated to the shore. The following articles were all they had toward their fu- ture support: — A cask of gunpowder, which received no da- mage from the water; a barrel of wine; half a barrel of mo- lasses ; and several useful articles toward building a tent: all the above drifted from the wreck; beside which, they had fire arms and shot, a pot for boiling, and most probably other things not mentioned in the narrative. Their tent was soon erected, for the cold was noAv getting severe, but new and great distresses attended them, for though they had arms and ammunition, there were seldom any fowls to be seen, except crows, ravens, and sea-gulls. These were so fev/ that they could seldom shoot more than one at a time. Many times half a fowl, with the liquor it was boiled in, serv- ed for a meal for all three. Once they lived five days with- out any sustenance, but did not feel themselves pinched with hunger as at other times; which they esteemed as a special favor of heaven unto them. AVhen they had lived in this miserable condition twelve weeks, Mr. Flow's dear friend and companion, Mr. Augur, died, about the middle of February, 1677; so that he had none left to converse with but the ]ad, who likewise departed on the 2d of April. Mr. How was 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 which 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 13 146 VOYAGE OF THE SHIP PRESIDENT. 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 North-East Indians, who held out after the death of the famous Philip, king of the Wompanoags. At length a vessel belonging to Salem, in New-England, providentially passed by, and seeing this poor fellow, they sent their boat on shore and took him away. He had been on this island more than seven months, and above a quarter of a year by himself On the 18th of July he arrived at Sa- lem, and at last returned to his family at New-Haven. They for twelve months had supposed him dead; by which it appears he did not get home till the end of August, or perhaps later. VOYAGE OF THE PACKET-SHIP PRESIDENT. The voyage of the ship President, Captain H. L. Champlin, one of the New- York line of London packets, November and December, 1831, was unusually eventful. The ship sailed from Portsmouth, England, on the ISth of October, with 18 cabin passengers and 90 m the steerage; and in her voyage of fifty days encountered a great number of severe gales and, squalls, beside other adventures. The following far ticulars are extracted from a journal, 2mblished for their private use, by the passengers. Monday, November 21, 1831. — Light breezes all this day from about N. W. a clearer sky, a brighter setting of the sun, and by eight o'clock in the evening, an almost perfect calm. The rays of the mild and bright full moon fell softly and eheerily on the scarcely rippled waters — the ship was nearly motionless — the air was mild and inviting — and the sails, which were all expanded to catch any passing breeze, flapped idly against the masts. The whole night was tranquil, and toward daylight every cloud had disappeared from the hori- zon; at six there was a light but promising breeze from the eastward, and we Vv'ere bearing before it with royals and studding sails all set. It increased, however, every moment, at seven o'clock the royals, studding sails and top-gallants were all struck, and at eight, from the violence of this suddea southeaster, we were tumbling over the huge waves undei VOYAGE OF THE SHIP PRESIDENT. 147 close-reefed courses and fore-topsail, at the rate of eleven knots the hour. The heavens now became obscured with douds of a pitchy blackness, surcharged with wind and rain ; between ten and eleven o'clock we had two or three squalls, which, in their temporary violence, the captain assured us were not surpassed by the worst hurricane he had ever en- countered. A judicious and well-timed luffing to and shak- ing the sails in the wind alone saved them from total destruc- tion. So furious was the gale while it lasted, that the spray blown from the waves far and near resembled a snow drift, and when the rain fell it was in torrents. The air during all this time was pleasantly warm, but there was a dampness about it rather oppressive, which caused the barometer to sink menacingly low. With the severest of these squalls the wind hauled to about due west ; but both this and the sea gradually subsided, and until late in the afternoon there were prospects of a calm. Our latitude at noon to-day was 41 deg. 36 min. and longitude 66 deg. At sunset heavy banks were visible to windward — ^the wind soon freshened, and the sea rose, and there were decided indications of a stormy night. About twelve o'clock the wind howled and moaned fearfully amidst the rigging, and the increasing sea gave a peculiar jerking motion to the ship. At two in the morn- ing of Wednesday, November 23, the gale became very severe, and the sea of mountainous height. Sleep was pretty gene- rally excluded, for the ship rocked and pitched to such an un- usual degree from the irregularity of the waves, that those in the upper berths were obliged to hold on to escape being thrown violently out upon the floor. A little after four o'clock we were suddenly awakened by the fearful crash of a very heavy sea breaking over the ship and pouring in upon the deck an immense flood of water. A studding sail boom was broken, and another swept overboard — the sky-lights of the ladies' and gentlemen's cabins were shattered, and floods of the briny element rushed in, setting the state-rooms on the leeward side quite afloat. In an instant all was bustle through- out the ship — some starting up to put ofl" their drenched gar- ments, others to fly from the reach of the threatening Avaters, and all eager to ascertain the full extent of the danger. Al- though, fortunately, not much had been done, there was something very appalling in such an hour. The wind at the same time blowing furiously and the sea running tremendous- 148 TOYAGE OF THE SHIP PRESIDENT. ly high.* As the morning advanced there was some little diminution of the sea, or rather it became more regular, and therefore less uncomfortable, but no perceptible abatement of the gale. Under the scanty sail we could carry we of course made very little headway, while the drift to leeward was con- siderable. Sunday, November 27. — A light breeze sprang up from the eastward, accompanied with heavy and almost unremitted showers of rain. By nine o'clock it shifted to S. E. and began rapidly to grow fresher. About this hour there appeared a vessel on the larboard bow, which, from not showing a rag of sail, we concluded must be in some distress. The yards w^ere therefore braced up, and we bore toward her. It proved to be a small schooner, named the " Hitty Tom, of Duxbury," with her foremast and jib-boom carried away, and her sails in tattered plight, but otherwise apparently in sound condi- tion. The boat was gone, and the hatches snugly fastened down, proving evidently that she had been deliberately aban- doned, probably on the appearance of some ship to which her crew could betake themselves. She had probably become unmanageable from the loss of mast, spars, and sails, and was deserted in the hope of her being fallen in with and towed to port. The conditions of his insurance would not permit our captain to do this, and we therefore left her without delay. At eleven o'clock we had our usual services and a sermon preached by our clergyman of the presbyterian persuasion. From ten till four in the afternoon the w^ind continually in- creased, hauling gradually round, till at this la-st hour it reach- ed W. and soon after settled (blowing a furious gale) into N. W. About nightfall we passed a ship, which we supposed to be one of the packets, a little to leeward, lying to under very spare canvass, and since conjectured to have been either the Florida or Manchester. Monday, November 28. — After a hard blow all night there was a partial lull of the wind this morning, but at eleven o'clock it rose again into a gale, with a very heavy and un- pleasant sea. About this hour we observed what we supposed to be one of the Liverpool packets, from her having shown * When the above sea was shipped a larg« quantity of water went down the scuttle into the steerage, where there were ninety passengers. Some of the women, as they told one of the passengers (a clergyman) next day, thought for several minutes that the ship had foundered, and was rapidly sinking far down into the depths of the ocean. Great was the joy when one of their company, finding his way up through the scuttle, exclaimed;^ '' O thank God^ we are on the top yet." VOYAGE OF THE SHIP PRESIDENT. 149 a Holyhead signal, bearing on the opposite tack to ourselves, and carrying, for the wind, a great press of sail. Toward evening the wind grew fluctuating and fitful, and soon we wore ship, heading about S. W. from some indications of a southerly breeze. Lat. at noon 39 deg. 40 m. long. 69 deg. 20 m. — giving us about seventy miles in forty-eight hours. Tuesday, November 29. — During the past night the wind was rather moderate, from about W. S. W. and we all enjoyed the luxury of a good sound sleep. Toward morning it hauled to the W. N. W. accompanied with heavy falls of sleet and snow, with frequent and violent gusts of wind. About nine o'clock two ships appeared a little on our starboard bow, ex- hibiting such marks of distress as induced our captain to bear down for them; and in a short time we discovered that our conjectures were not unfounded. Coming along side the most injured of the two, we perceived her to be the " Lycurgus, of New- York," evidently run foul of by the neighboring ship. She appeared to have been struck astern, as her mizen and mainmast were both carried away, and the other ship was completely deprived of her bowsprit and foremast. The Ly- curgus was evidently abandoned, and appeared in a sinking condition, the other was lying to the wind under close-reefed maintopsai], and from showing no signal of distress, seemed to have undergone no damage in her hull. The wind was blowing a gale at the time, and the sea running very high, so that, even had it been desired, we could have afforded her no assistance. The sight of these dismantled ships was a truly appalling spectacle, and awoke in our hearts a strong feeling of gratitude, that, amid all the storms and tempests to which we had been exposed, no accident of any consequence had be- fallen us.* The clouds, after 12 o'clock, break a little, but the wind is very violent in squalls, and the sea exceedingly heavy. A fall of wet and cold sleet occasionally accompanies these squalls,, rendering it so exceedingly uncomfortable to the poor mariners that all the spare flannels and warm hosiery amongst the cabin passengers was put in requisition, and most cheer- fully furnished. About six o'clock we were visited by two or three squalls, which perhaps exceeded in fierceness the very worst we had encountered in the whole course of our truly tempestuous * The other of the above ships has since proved to be the Fabius, of New- York, and which went ashore herself before reaching port, losing her fir^ mate overboard. j 13* 150 VOYAGE OF THE SHIP PRESIDENT, voyage. The wind howled and roared amidst the riggingfj and it was impossible to listen to its terrific fury without a shudder of apprehension. The sea, too, was uncommonly high ; but the noble ship, as usual, rode the mountainous bil- lows with perfect ease. After the violent squalls, which pour- ed forth their appalling fury from about six till eight o'clock, accompanied by chilling and almost blinding showers of sleet and hail, there was a perceptible and most welcome lull in the wind, and a gradual subsiding of the sea. At six in the morning of Wednesday/, November 30, there was a decided change for the better, and at eight o'clock it proved a comparatively tran- quil morning, the wind moderate, and the sea very much gone down. During the past night a serious alarm was excited upon deck by the apparition of a ship bearing down upon us, nearly before the w^nd, in full sail, and so close that to avoid a con- tact seemed almost impossible. The second mate w^as in great terror, and had ordered the alarm-bell to be rung, and even the captain was startled, although scarcely persuaded that there were marks about this object correctly answering to the description of a ship The next impression w^as that it must be a water-spout, and conjecture immediately formed it into a cloud; but it turned out to be the captain's own shadow, re- flected to an immense magnitude by the lamps suspended from the roof of the cuddy, upon the thick and misty atmos- phere. The density of the air was much increased by the con- trast of its temperature with that of the water, which, from its contiguity to the Gulf-Stream, was now very warm, and the consequence was a vapor similar to steam, so thick as easily to take upon it such shadowy resemblances as had alarmed our crew. The feelings of all were undoubtedly more alive to such apprehensions from the accident we had witnessed in the early part of the day. Sunday, Becemher 4. — About 3 o'clock this morning the lights upon the highlands were discerned, and on rising the next morning Ave were presented with the cheerful and wel- come sight of land. . A long range of the Jersey shore, with the hills of Neversink beyond, were in full view ; but the wind was light and baffling, and our progress proportionably, I may say provokingly, slow. Now and then, however, a breeze sprang up, which bore us well onward toward Sandy Hook, and about mid-day its light-house was perfectly dis- cernible by the naked eye. About three o'clock we were L t^OYAGE OF THE SHIP PRESIDENT. 151 boarded by the news-boat Eclipse, and soon after by the Thomas H. Smith, another boat of some of the daily papers. In these two of our passengers embarked, in the hope of being the sooner in town, and by them a notification of our ap- proach, with a list of passengers, consignees, &c. were trans- mitted to New- York. About five o'clock w^e received a pilot on board, and shortly a fine breeze sprung up from the S. W. which quite confirmed us in the expectation of being in port before the next morning. Fallacious hope ! Within a little hour, a violent squall, bearing with it a heavy fall of snow, struck us from about W.N.W. ; immediately all was bustle on board, sail was taken in, and in a few moments we were drifting away from our long-desired haven under the closet sail. The wind all night, and all the next day, blew a tre- mendous gale ; and in addition to its unpleasant and danger- ous violence, the weather became piercingly cold. The un- happy sailors were completely benumbed ; there was speedi- ly a coat of ice over the whole of the sails and rigging, and every drop of spray froze as it fell on the deck. All these were circumstances to render it truly a " miserable night," decidedly the worst we had experienced during the whole of our very bad voyage. Winds, and weaves, and frost, com- bined with the distressing circumstance of being driven out to sea at the moment we fancied ourselves secure of our port, was almost too much for the fortitude of the most patient amongst us. The chief subject of conversation was our ex- treme regret at not having been able to come to an anchor within the Hook before the gale commenced; but our regrets only proved our shortsightedness. The packet from Charles- ton, also named the President, had actually reached the envi- able situation for w^hich we had been longing. She dragged her anchors, drifted upon a dangerous shoal a considerable distance from land, filled, and went to pieces, and the crew and passengers very narrowly escaped with their lives ! The cold during the v/hole of Monday/, December 5, was intense, and we were without the slightest provision for a fire. The fury of the gale was unmitigated, and it was not till nearly daylight, on the morning of Tuesday/, December 6, that it lulled sufiiciently to enable us to bear the close-reefed foretopsail and mainsail. At ten o'clock we lay up about due north, close hauled, in order to make the land on Long-Island, and thus ascertain our exact position. About three o'clock the land to the westward of Fire-Island, and soon after the light-house, some little distance 152 VOYAGE OF THE SHIP PRESIDENT. to windward, became visible, proving- that our drift, during the thirty-six hours of the gale, had been nothing like vi^hat we had anticipated, and correspondently strengthening our good opinion of the noble ship. It still blew nearly a gale from about W. N.W. but the sea Avas smooth, and as much sail crowded as the gallant President could well " stagger" under. She swept through the water, and by midnight the lights on the highlands were a second time discerned. Wednesday, December 7. — This morning, at an early hour, we were again greeted with a sight of the Jersey coast. The weather however looked doubtful, and we all felt more anx- ious than rejoiced, lest the unhappy occurrence of Sunday night might be repeated. Yet as the morning advanced the prospects were more cheering, and under a light, but head breeze, we were making a gradual progress toward the Hook, when about twelve o'clock we were boarded by the news- boat Thomas H. Smith, and nearly all of the cabin passen- gers, and some of those in the steerage, agreed to take ad- vantage of her lighter and more expeditious sailing to New- York, being much encouraged by the intelligence that our fellow- voyagers had safely reached the city on Sunday night. Before two o'clock we were all embarked, by six o'clock we were within the Hook, and at nine we were safely landed on the wharf at New-York. Thus ended our tedious and dangerous voyage, a voyage of more than fifty days in length, and in which we struggled against more than a month of head wind, encountered at least a dozen gales, and two or three hundred severe squalls. But, owing to the strength of our excellent ship, and the rare skill and vigilance of our captain, no serious injury was sus- tained either by the crew or passengers. Although we press- ed on our way wreck after wreck, and found, on our arrival, the newspaper columns crowded with disasters of fellow-voy- agers, all of our great company (nearly one hundred and fifty souls) were landed, safely landed at our long-sought haven. We found, too, that other vessels which had left London som« days before us, were yet unheard of. Such distinguished pro- tection and kindness as we have experienced from the Father of mercies, demand unfeigned gratitude, and a life of future obedience. May these claims of our great Benefactor be felt by us all, and may the result of these trials be our better pre- paration for the termination of the voyage of life, and the ad- mission of our disembodied spirits into that haven above, where no tempest blows, and " no wave of trouble ever rolls." LOSS OF THE CENTAUR. 153 LOSS OF HIS MAJESTY'S SHIP CENTAUR, Of Seventy-four Guns, September 2od, 1782; and the Mira- culous Preservation of the Phniace, with the Captain^ Master, and ten of the Crew. By Captai?i Inglefield, After the decisive engagement in the West-Indies, on the glorious 12th of April, 1782, when the French fleet under Count de Grasse was defeated by Admiral Sir George Rod- ney, several of the captured ships, beside many others, were either lost or disabled, on their homeward bound passage, with a large convoy. Among those lost was the Centaur of seventy-four guns, whose commander. Captain Inglefield, with the master and ten of the crew, experienced a most providen- tial escape from the general fate. The captain's narrative affords the best explanation of the manner and means by which this signal deliverance was ef- fected. Those only who are personally involved in such a calamity can describe their sensations with full energy, and fiirnish, in such detail, those trials of the heart which never fail to interest. The Centaur (says Captain Inglefield) left Jamaica in ra- ther a leaky condition, keeping two hand-pumps going, and when it blew fresh, sometimes a spell with a chain- pump was necessary. But I had no apprehension that the ship was not able to encounter a common gale of wind. In the evening of the 16th of September, when the fatal gale came on, the ship was prepared for the worst weather usually met in those latitudes; the mainsail was reefed and set, the top-gallant mast struck, and the mizen-yard lowered down, though at that time it did not blow very strong. Toward midnight ii blew a gale of wind, and the ship made so much water that I was obliged to turn all hands to spell the pumps. The leak still increasing, I had thought to try the ship before the sea. Happy I should have been, perhaps, had I in this been determined. The impropriety of leaving the convoy, except in the last extremity, and the hopes of the weather growing moderate, weighed against the opinion that it was right. About two in the morning the wind lulled, and we flattered ourselves the gale was breaking. Soon after we had much thunder and lightning from the south-east, with rain, when it began to blow strong in gusts of wind, which obliged me to 154 LOSS OF THE CENTAUR. haul the mainsail up, the ship being then under bare poles. This was scarcely done, when a gust of wind, exceeding in violence any thing of the kind I had ever seen or had any conception of, laid the ship upon her beam ends. The water forsook the hold and appeared between decks, so as to fill the men's hammocks to leeward; the ship lay motionless, and to all appearance irrecoverably overset. The water in- creasing fast, forced through the cells of the ports, and scut- tled in the ports from the pressure of the ship. I gave im- mediate directions to cut away the main and mizen masts, hoping, when the ship righted, to wear her. The mizen-mast v/ent first, upon cutting one or two of the lanyards, without the smallest effect upon the ship; the main-mast followed, upon cutting the lanyard of one shroud ; and I had the disap- pointment to see the foremast and bowsprit follow. The ship upon this immediately righted, but with great violence ; and the motion was so quick, that it was difficult for the people to work the pumps. Three guns broke loose upon the main- deck, and it was some time before they were secured. Seve- ral men being maimed in this attempt, every moveable was destroyed, either from the shot thrown loose from the lock- ers, or the wreck of the deck. The officers who had left their beds naked when the ship overset in the morning, had not an article of clothes to put on, nor could their friends supply them. The masts had not been over the sides ten minutes before I was informed the tiller had broken short in the rudder-head ; and before the chocks could be placed, the rudder itself was gone. Thus we were as much disastered as it was possible, lying at the mercy of the wind and sea : yet I had one com- fort, that the pumps, if any thing, reduced the water in the hold; and as the morning came on (the 17th) the weather grew more moderate, the wind having shifted, in the gale, to north-west. At daylight I saw two line of battle ships to leeward ; one had lost her foremast and bowsprit, the other her mainmast. It was the general opinion on board the Centaur, that the former was the Canada, the other the Glorieux. The Ramil- lies was not in sight, nor more than fifteen sail of merchant ships. About seven in the morning I saw another line of battle ship ahead of us, which I soon distinguished to be the Ville de Paris, with all her masts standing. I immediately gave orders to make the signal of distress, hoisting the ensign on LOSS OF THE CENTAUR. 155 the stump of the mizen-mast, union downwards, and firing one of the forecastle guns. The ensign blew away soon after it was hoisted, and it was the only one we had remaining ; but I had the satisfaction to see the Ville de Paris wear and stand toward us. Several of the merchant ships also approached us, and those that could, hailed, and offered their assistance ; but depending upon the king's ship, I only thanked them, de- siring, if they joined Admiral Graves, to acquaint him of our condition. I had not the smallest doubt but the Ville de Paris was coming to us, as she appeared to us not to have suffered in the least by the storm, and having seen her wear, we knew she was under government of her helm ; at this time also it was so moderate that the merchantmen set their topsails ; bat approaching Avithin two miles, she passed us to windward: this being observed by one of the merchant ships, she wore and came under our stern, offering to carry any message to her. I desired the master would acquaint Captain Wilkinson that the Centaur had lost her rudder as well as her masts j that she made a great deal of water, and that I desired he would remain with her until the weather grew moderate. I saw the merchantman approach afterward near enough to speak to the Ville de Paris, but I am afraid that her condition was much worse that it appeared to be, as she continued upon that tack. In the mean time all the quarter-deck guns Avere thrown overboard, and all but six, which had overset, off the main deck. The ship lying in the trough of the sea, labored prodigiously. I got over one of the small anchors, with a boom and several of the gun-carriages, veering out from the head door by a large hawser, to keep the ship's bow to the sea ; but this, wiih a top-gallant-sail upon the stump of the mizen- mast, had not the desired effect. As the evening came on it grew hazy, and blew strong in squalls. We lost sight of the Ville de Paris, but I thought it a certainty that we should see her the next morning. The night Avas passed in constant labor at the pumps. Sometimes the wind lulled, and the water diminished ; when it blew strong again, the sea rising, the water again increased. Toward the morning of the 18th I was informed there were seven feet water upon the kelson ; that one of the winches was broken ; that the two spare ones would not fit, and that the hand-pumps v/ere choked. These circumstances were suffi- ciently alarming ; but upon opening the after-hold, to get some rum up for the people, we found our condition much more so. 156 LOSS OF THE CENTAUR. It will be necessary to mention, that the Centaur's afler- hold was enclosed by a bulk-head at the after part of the well ; here are all the dry provisions and the ship's rum were stowed upon twenty chaldrons of coal, which unfortunately had been started on this part of the ship, and by them the pumps were continually choked. The chain-pumps were so much worn as to be of little use ; and the leathers, which, had the well been clear, would have lasted twenty days or more, were all consumed in eight. At this time it was observed that the wa- ter had not a passage to the well, for there was so much that it washed against the orlop-deck. All the rum, twenty -six puncheons, and all the provisions, of which there was suffi- cient for two months, in casks, were staved, having floated with violence from side to side until there was not a whole cask remaining ; even the staves that were found upon clear- ing the hold, were most of them broken in two pieces. In the fore-hold we had a prospect of perishing: should the ship swim we had no water but what remained in the ground tiers ; and over this all the wet provisions, and butts filled with salt water, were floating, and with so much motion that no man could with safety go into the hold. There was nothing left for us to try but bailing with buckets at the fore hatchway and fish-room ; and twelve large canvass buckets were im- mediately employed at each. On opening the fish-room we were so fortunate as to discover that two puncheons of rum, which belonged to me, had escaped. They were immediately got up, and served out at times in drams ; and had it not been for this relief, and some lime juice, the people would have dropped. We soon found our account in bailing ; the spare pump had been put down the fore hatchway, and a pump shifted to the fish-room; but the motion of the ship had washed the coals so small, that they had reached every part of the ship, and the pumps were soon choked. However, the water by noon had considerably diminished by working the buckets ; but there appeared no prospect of saving the ship, if the gale oontinued. The labor was too great to hold out without wa- ter ; yet the people worked without a murmur, and indeed with cheerfulness. At this time the weather was more moderate, and a couple of spars were got ready fpr shears, to set up a jury foremast; but as the evening came on the gale again increased. We had seen nothing this day but the ship that had lost her main- mast, and she appeased to be as much in want of assistance as LOSS OF THE CENTAUR. 157 ourselves, having fired guns of distress ; and before night 1 was told her fore mast was gone. The Centaur labored so much, that I had scarcely a hope she could swim till morning. However, by great exertion of the chain-pumps and bailing, we held our own, but our suf- ferings for want of water were very great, and many of the people could not be restrained from drinking salt water. At daylight (the 19th) there was no vessel in sight; and flashes from guns having been seen in the night, we feared the ship we had seen the preceding day had foundered. To- ward ten o'clock in the forenoon the weather grew more mo- derate, the water diminished in the hold, and the people Avere encouraged to redouble their efforts to get the water low enough to break a cask of fresh water out of the ground tier; and some of the most resolute of the seamen were employed in the attempt. At noon we succeeded with one cask, which though little, was a seasonable relief All the officers, pas- sengers and boys, who were not of the profession of seamen, had" been employed thrumming a sail, which was passed un- der the ship's bottom, and I thought it had some effect. The shears were raised for the fore-mast; the weather looked promising, the sea fell, and at night we were able to relieve at the pumps and bailing every two hours. By the morning of the 20th the fore-hold was cleared of the water, and we had the comfortable promise of a fine day. It proved so, and I w^as determined to make use of it with every possible exer- tion. I divided the ship's company, with the officers attend- ing them, into parties, to raise the jury foremast; to heave over the lower-deck guns; to clear the wrecks of the fore and after holds ; to prepare the machine for steering the ship, and to work the pumps. By night the after-hold was as clear as when the ship was launched; for, to our astonishment, there was not a shovel of coals remaining, twenty chaldrons having been pumped out since the commencement of the gale. What I have called the wreck of the hold, was the bulk-heads of the after-hold, fish-room, and spirit-rooms. The standards of the cock-pit, and an immense quantity of staves and wood, and part of the lining of the ship, were thrown over-board, that if the water should appear again in the hold, we might have no impediment in bailing. All the guns were over- board, the fore-mast secured, and the machine, which was to be similar to that with Avhichthe Ipswich was steered, was in great forwardness; so that I was in hopes, the moderate wea- ther continuing, that I should be able to steer the ship by noon 14 158 . LOSS OF THE CENTAUR. the following- day, and at least save the people on some of the Western Islands.* Had we any other ship in company with us I should have thought it my duty to have quitted the Cen- taur this day. This night the people got some rest by relieving the watch- es; but in the morning of the 21st we had the mortification to find that the weather again threatened, and by noon it blew a gale. The ship labored greatly, and the water appeared in the fore and after hold, and increased. The carpenter also informed me that the leathers were nearly consumed ; and likewise that the chains of the pumps, by constant exer- tion and the friction of the coals, were considered as nearly useless. As we had now no other resource but bailing, I gave orders that scuttles should be cut through the decks to introduce more buckets in the hold ; and all the sail-makers were em- ployed, night and day, in making canvass buckets: and the orlop-deck having fallen in on the larboard side, I ordered the sheet cable to be roused overboard. The wind at this time was at west, and being on the larboard tack, many schemes had been practiced to wear the ship, that we might drive into a less boisterous latitude, as well as approach the Western Islands ; but none succeeded: and having a weak carpenter's crew, they were hardly sufficient to attend to the pumps ; so that we could not make any progress with the steering ma- chine. Another sail had been thrummed and got over, but we did not find its use ; indeed there was no prospect but in a change of weather. A large leak had been discovered and stopt in the fore-hold, and another in the lady's hole ; but the ship appeared so weak from her laboring, that it was clear she could not last long. The after cock-pit had fallen in, the fore cock-pit the same, with all the store-rooms down; the stern-post was so loose, that as the ship rolled, the water rushed in on either side in great streams, which we could not stop. Night came on, Avith the same dreary prospect as on the preceding, and was passed in continual efforts of labor. Morn- ijig came, (the 2'2d,) without our seeing any thing, or any change of weather, and the day was spent with the same struggles to keep the ship above water, pumping and bailing at the hatch-waj^s and scuttles. Toward night another of the chain pumps was rendered quite useless, by one of the rollers being displaced at the bottom of the pump, and this * The Azores. L LOSS OF THE CENTAUR. 159 was without remedy, there being too much water in the well to get to it; we also had but six leathers remaining, so that the fate of the ship was not far off Still the labor went on without any apparent despair, every officer taking his share of it, and the people were always cheerful and obedient. During the night the water increased ; but about seven in the morning of the 23d I was told that an unusual quantity of water appeared, all at once, in the fore-hold, which, upon my going forward to be convinced, I found but too true ; the stow- age of the hold ground-tier was all in motion, so that in a short time there was not a whole cask to be seen. We were convinced the ship had sprung a fresh leak. Another sail had been thrumming all night, and I was giving directions to place it over the bows, when I perceived the ship settling by the head, the lower deck bow ports being even with the water. At this period the carpenter acquainted me the well was staved in, destroyed by the wreck of the hold, and the chain- pumps displaced and totally useless. There was nothing left but to redouble our efforts in bailing ; but it became difficult to fill the buckets, from the quantity of staves, planks, anchor- stock, and yard-arm pieces, which were now washed from the wings, and floating from side, to side with the motion of the ship. The people, till this period, had labored, as if de- termined to conquer their difficulties, without a murmur or without a tear; but now, seeing their efforts useless, many of them burst into tears and wept like children. I gave orders for the anchors, of which we had two re- maining, to be thrown overboard, one of which (the spare an- chor) had been most surprisingly hove in upon the forecastle and mid ships, when the ship had been upon her beamends, and gone through the deck. Every time that I visited the hatch-way I observed that the water increased, and at noon washed even with the orlop- deck ; the carpenter assured me the ship could not swim long, and proposed making rafts to float the ship's company, whom it was not in my power to encourage any longer with a pros- pect of their safety. Some appeared perfectly resigned, went to their hammocks and desired their messmates to lash them in ; others were lashing themselves to gratings and small rafts ; but the most predominant idea was, that of putting on their best and cleanest clothes. The weather, about noon, had been something moderate, and as rafts had been mentioned by the carpenter, I thought 160 LOSS OF THE CENTAUR. it right to make the attempt, though I knew our booms could not float half the ship's company in fine weather; but we were in a situation to catch at a straw. I therefore called the ship's company together, told them my intention, recom- mending them to remain regular and obedient to their officers. Preparations were immediately made for this purpose ; the booms were cleared; the boats, of which we had three, viz. cutter, pinnace, and five-oared yawl, were got over the side ; a bag of bread was ordered to be put in each, and any liquors that could be got at, for the purpose of supplying the rafts. I had intended myself to go in the five-oared yawl, and the coxswain was desired to get any thing from my steward that might be useful. Two men, captains of the tops, of the fore- castle, or quarter-masters, were placed in each of them, to prevent any person from forcing the boats, or getting into them till an arrangement was made. While these prepara- tions were making, the ship was gradually sinking, the orlop- decks having been blown up by the water in the hold, and the cables floated on the gun deck. The men had some time quitted their employment of bailing, and the ship was left to her fate. In the afternoon the weather again threatened, and blew strongly in sqtialls; the sea ran high, and one of the boats (the yawl) was staved'^long side and sunk. As the evening approached, the ship appeared little more than suspended in water. There was no certainty that she would swim from one minute to another ; and the love of life, which I believe never showed ttself later in the approach to death, began now to level all distinctions. It was impossible, indeed, for any man to deceive himself with a hope of being saved upon a raft in such a sea ; beside that, the ship in sinking, it Avas probable, would carry every thign down with her in a vortex, to a certain distance. It was near five o'clock, when, coming from my cabin, I observed a number of people looking very anxiously over the side; and looking over myself, I saw that several men had forced the pinnace, and that more were attempting to get in. I had immediate thoughts of securing this boat before she might be sunk by numbers. There appeared not more than a moment for consideration ; to remain and perish with the ship's company, to whom I could not be of use any longer, or seize the opportunity which seemed the only way of escap- ing, and leave the people with whom I had been so well sa- tisfied on a variety of occasions that I thought I could give LOSS OF THE CENTAUR. 161 my life to preserve them. This, indeed, was a painful con- flict, such as, I believe, no man can describe, nor any have a just idea of who has not been in a similar situation. The love of life prevailed. I called to Mr. Rainy, the mas- ter, the only officer upon deck, to follow me, and immediately descended into the boat at the after part of the chains, but not without great difficulty got the boat clear of the ship, twice the number that the boat would carry pushing to get in, and many jumpi;»g into the water. Mr. Baylis, a young gentle- man fifteen years of age, leaped from the chains, after the boat had got ofi*, and was taken in. The boat falling astern, became exposed to the sea, and we endeavored to pull her bow round to keep her to the break of the sea, and to pass to windward of the ship ; but in the attempt she was nearly filled, the sea ran too high, and the only probability of living was keeping her before the wind. It was then that I became sensible how little, if any, better our condition was than that of those who remained in the ship ; at best, it appeared to be only a prolongation of a mi- serable existence. We were, all together, twelve in number, in a leaky boat, with one of the gunwales staved, in nearly the middle of the Western Ocean, without a compass, without quadrant, without sail, without great-coat or cloak, all very thinly clothed, in a gale of wind, with a great sea running ! It was now five o'clock in the evening, and in half an hour \ye lost sight of the ship. Before it was dark a blanket was discovered in the boat. This was immediately bent to one of the stretches, and under it, as a sail, we scudded all night, in expectation of being swallowed up by every wave, it being with great difficulty that Ave could sometimes clear the boat of the water before the return of the next great sea ; all of us half drowned, and sitting, except those who bailed at the bot- tom of the boat ; and, without having really perished, I am sure no people ever endured more. In the morning the wea- ther grew moderate, the wind having shifted to the southward, as we discovered by the sun. Having survived the night, we began to recollect ourselves, and to think of our future pre- servation. When we quitted the ship the wind was at N. W. or N. N. W. Fayal had borne E. S. E. 250 or 260 leagues. Had the wind continued for five or six days, there was a probabili- ty that running before the sea, we might have fallen in with some one of the Western Islands. The change of wind was death to these hopes ; for, should it come to blow, we knew 11* 162 I-OSS OF THE CENTAUR* there would be no preserving life but by running before the sea, which would carry us again to the northward, where we must soon afterward perish. Upon examining what we had to subsist on, I found a bag of bread, a small ham, a single piece of pork, two quart bot- tles of water, and a few of French cordials. The wind con- tinued to the southward for eight or nine days, and providen- tially never blew so strong but that we could keep the side of the boat to the sea: but we were always most r-.iserably wet and cold. We kept a sort of reckoning, but the sun and stars being somewhat hidden from us for twenty-four hours, we had no very correct idea of our navigation. We judged that we had nearly an E. N. E. course since the first night's run, which had carried us to the S. E. and expected to see the island of Corvo. In this, how^ever, w^e were disappointed, and we feared that the southerly wind had driven us far to the northward. Our prayers were now for a northerly wind. Our condition began to be truly miserable, both from hunger and cold ; for on the fifth day we had discovered that our bread was nearly all spoiled by salt water, and it was neces- sary to go on allowance. One biscuit divided into twelve morsels, for breakfast, and the same for dinner ; the neck of a bottle broken off, with the cork in, served for a glass, and this, filled with water, was the allowance for twenty-four hours for each man. This was done without any sort of par- tiality or distinction ; but we must have perished ere this, had we not caught six quarts of rain water ; and this we could not have been blessed with, had we not found in the boat a pair of sheets, which by accident had been put there. These were spread Avhen it rained, and when thoroughly wet, wrung into the kidd, with which we bailed the boat. With this short allowance, which was rather tantalizing to our comfortless condition, we began to grow very feeble, and our clothes being continually wet, our bodies were, in many places, chafed in- to sores. On the 13th day it fell calm, and soon after a breeze of wind sprung up from the N. N. W. and blew to a gale, so that we ran before the sea at the rate of five or six miles an hour under our blanket, till we judged we were to the south- ward of Fayal, and to the v/estward 60 leagues; but the wind blowing strong, we could not attempt to steer for it. Our wishes were now for the wind to shift to the westward. This was the fifteenth day we had been in the boat, and we had only one day's bread, and one bottle of water remaining of a LOSS OF THE CENTAUR. 163 second supply of rain. 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 sto-utest 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 lo 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 ima- ginations had represented. Others had complained of these symptoms in their throats ; some had drank their own urine; and all but myself had drank salt water. As yet despair and gloom had been successfully prohibited ; and as the evenings closed in, the men had been encouraged by turns to sing a song or relate a story instead of supper; but this evening I found it impossible to raise either. As the night came on it fell a calm, and about midnight a breeze of wind sprang up, we guessed from the westward by the swell, but there not being a star to be seen, we were afraid of run- ning out of our way, and waited impatiently for the rising sun to be our compass. As soon as the dawn appeared we found the wind to be ex- actly as we had wished, at W. S. W. and immediately spread our sail, running before the sea at the rate of four miles an hour. Our last breakfast had been served with the bread and water remaining, when John Gregory, quarter-master, de- clared with much confidence that he saw land in the S. E. We had so often seen fog-banks which had the appearance of land, that I did not trust myself to believe it, and cautioned the people, (who were extravagantly elated,) that they might not feel the effects of disappointment ; till at length one of them broke out into a most immoderate swearing fit of joy, which I could not restrain, and declared he had never seen land in his life if what he now saw was not land. We immediately shaped our course for it, though on my part with very little faith. The wind freshened, the boat Vvent through the water at the rate of five or six miles an hour, and in two hours' time the land was plainly seen by eve- ry man in the boat, but at a very great distance, so that we did not reach it till ten at night. It must have been at least twenty leagues from us when first discovered; and I cannot help remarking with much thankfulness the providential fa- vor shown to us in this instance. 164 LOSS OF THE CENTAUR. In every part of the horizon, except where the land was discovered, there was so thick a haze that we could not have seen any thing for more than three or four leagues. Fayal, by our reckoning, bore E. by N. which course we were steer- ing, and in a few hours, had not the sky opened for our pre- servation, we should have increased our distance from the land, got to the eastward, and of course missed all the island. As we approached the land our belief had strengthened that it was Fayal. The island of Pico, which might have f eveal- ed it to us, had the weather been perfectly clear, was at this time capped with clouds, and it was some time before we were quite satisfied, having traversed for two hours a great part of the island where the steep and rocky shore refused us a land- ing. This circumstance was borne with much impatience, for we had flattered ourselves that we should meet with fresh water at the first part of the island we might approach ; and being disappointed, the thirst of some had increased anxiety almost to a degree of madness, so that we were near making the attempt to land in some places where the boat must have been dashed to pieces by the surf At length we discovered a fishing canoe, which conducted us into the road of Fayal about midnight ; but where the regulation of the port did not permit us to land till examined by the health officers ; how- ever I did not think much of sleeping this night in the boat, our pilot having brought us some refreshments of bread, wine, and water. In the morning we were visited by Mr. Graham, the English consul, whose humane attention made very am- ple amends for the formality of the Portuguese. Indeed I can never sufficiently express the sense I have of his kindness and humanity, both to myself and people ; for I believe it was the whole of his employment for several days to contrive the best means of restoring us to health and strength. It is true, I believe, there never were more pitiable objects. Some of the stoutest men belonging to the Centaur were obliged to be supported through the streets of Fayal. Mr. Rainy, the master, and myself, were, I think, in better health than the rest, but I could not walk without being supported ; and for several days, with the best and most comfortable provisions of diet and lodging, we grew rather worse than better. J. N. INGLEFIELD. Fayal, Oct. 13, 1782. LOSS, BY FIRE, OF THE PRINCE. 165 LOSS, BY FIRE, OF THE FRENCH EAST-INDIA COMPANY'S VESSEL, THE PRINCE, Bound from V Orient to Pondic lurry, July 26th, 1752. By M. D. Ld Fond, one of the Lieutenants of that Ship. The French East-India Company's ship, The Prince, com- manded by M. Morin, and bound to Pondicherry, weighed anchor on the 19th of February, 1752, from the harbor of L' Orient. She had scarcely passed the island of St. Michael when, the wind shifting, ijt was found impossible to double the Turk bank. The utmost efforts and the greatest precautions could not prevent her from striking on the bank in such a, manner that the mouths of the guns were immersed in the water. We announced our misfortune by signals of distress, when M. de Godehue, the commander of the port of L' Orient, came on board to animate the crew by his presence and his orders. All the chests and other articles of the greatest value were removed safely into smaller vessels to lighten the ship ; the whole night was occupied with the most laborious exer- tions. At length the tide in the morning relieved us from our dangerous situation, and enaMed us to reach the road of Port Louis. We owed the preservation of the ship entirely to the prudent directions of M. de Godehue and the measures adopt- ed in consequence. The ship had sprung several leaks, but fortunately our pumps kept the water under ; half the cargo was taken out of the vessel, and in about a week we returned to L' Orient, where she was entirely unloaded. She was then careened and caulked afresh. These precautions seemed to promise a successful voyage, and the misfortune we had al- ready experienced showed the strength of the vessel, which fire alone appeared capable of destroying. On the 10th of June, 1752, a favorable wind carried us out of the port, but after a fortunate navigation we met with a dis- aster of which the strongest expressions can convey but a faint idea. In this narrative I shall confine myself to a brief detail, as it is impossible to recollect all the circumstances. The 26th of July, 1752, being in the latitude of 8 deg. 30 min. south, and in longitude 5 deg. west, the wind being S. W. just at the moment of taking the observation of the me- ridian, I had repaired to the quarter where I was going to command, when a man informed me that a smoke Avas seen ff, Uc.xM^ from thf! nannpl of the Greater hatchwav. i66 LOSS, BY FIRE, OF THE PRINCE.' Upon this information the first lieutenant, who kept the keys of the hold, opened all the hatchways to discover the cause of an accident, the slightest suspicion of which frequent- ly causes the most intrepid to tremble. The captain, who was at dinner in the great cabin, Avent upon deck and gave orders for extinguishing the fire. I had already directed several sails to be thrown overboard and the hatchways to be covered with them, hoping by these means to prevent the air from penetrat- ing into the hold. I had even proposed, for the greater secu- rity, to let in the water between decks to the height of a foot ; but the air, which had already obtained a free passage through the openings of the hatchways produced a very thick smoke that issued forth in abundance, and the fire continued gradu- ally to gain ground. The captain ordered sixty or eighty of the soldiers under arms to restrain the crew and prevent the confusion likely to ensue in such a critical moment. These precautions were seconded by M. de la Touche with his usual fortitude and prudence. That hero deserved a better opportunity of signa<* lizing himself, and had destined his soldiers for other opera- tions more useful to his country. All hands Avere now employed in getting water ; not only the buckets, but likewise the pumps wpve kept at work, anrl pipes were carried from them into the hold ; even the water in the jars were emptied out. The rapidity of the fire, how- ever, baffled our efforts and augmented the general conster- nation. The captain had already ordered the yawl to be hoisted overboard, merely because it was in the way ; four men, among whom was the boatswain, took possession of it. They had no oars, but called out for some, when three sailors jumped overboard and carried them Avhat they stood so much in nee4 of. These fortunate fugitives were required to return ; they cried out that they had no rudder, and desired a rope to be thrown them ; perceiving that the progress of the flames left them no other resource, they endeavored to remove to a dis- tance from the ship, which passed them in consequence of a breeze that sprung up. All hands were still busy on board ; the impossibility of escaping seemed to increase the courage of the men. The master boldly ventured down into the hold, but the heat obli- ged him to return ; he would have been burnt if a great quan- tity of water had not been thrown over him. Immediately afterward the flames were seen to issue with impetuosity LOSS, BY FIRE, OF THE PRINCE. 167 from the great pannel. The captain ordered the boats over- board, but fear had exhausted the strength of the most intre- pid. The jolly boat was fastened at a certain height, and preparations were made for hoisting her over; but, to com- plete our misfortunes, the fire, which increased every mo- ment, ascended the main-mast wath such violence and rapidity as to burn the tackle , the boat, pitching upon the starboard guns, fell bottom upward, and we lost all hope of raising her again. We now perceived that we had nothing to hope from hu- man aid, but only from the mercy of the Almighty. Dejec- tion filled every mind; the consternation became general; nothing but sighs and groans were heard ; even the animals we had on board uttered the most dreadful cries. Every one began to raise his heart and hands toward heaven; and in tlie certainty of a speedy death, each was occupied only with the melancholy alternative between the two elements ready to devour us. The chaplain, who was on the quarter-deck, gave the gene- ral absolution, and went into the gallery to impart the same to the unhappy wretches who had already committed them- selves to the mercy of the weaves. What a horrible specta- cle ! Every one was occupied only in throwing overboard whatever promised a momentary preservation ; coops, yards, spars, every thing that came to hand was seized with despair, and disposed of in the same manner. The confusion was ex- treme ; some seemed to anticipate death by jumping into the sea, others, by swimming, gained the fragments of the vessel; while the shrouds, the yards, and ropes, along the side of the ship, were covered with the crew, w^ho were suspended from them, as if hesitating between two extremes, equally immi- nent and equally terrible. Uncertain for what fate Providence intended me, I saw a father snatch his son from the flames, embrace him, throw him into the sea, then following himself, they perished in each other's embrace. I had ordered the helm to be turned to star- board; the vessel heeled, and this manoeuvre preserved us for some time on that side, while the fire raged on the lar- b'ard side from stem to stern. Till this moment I had been so engaged that my thoughts were directed only to the preservation of the ship; now, how- ever, the horrors of a twofold death presented themselves ; but, through the kmdness of heaven, my fortitude never for- sook me. 1 looked round and foimd myself alone upon the 168 LOSS, BY FIRE, OF THE PRINCE. deck. I went into the round-house, where I met M. de la Touche, who regarded death with the same heroism that procured him success in India. " Farewell, my brother and my friend," said he, embracing me. " Why, where are you going?" replied I. " I am going (said he) to comfort my friend Morin." He spoke of the captain, who was over- whelmed with grief at the melancholy fate of his female cousins, who were passengers on board his ship, and whom he had persuaded to trust themselves to sea in hen-coops, after having hastily stripped off their clothes, while some of the sailors, swimming with one hand, endeavored to support them with the other. The yards and masts Avere covered with men struggling with the waves around the vessel ; many of them perished every moment by the balls discharged by the guns in conse- quence of the flames , a third species of death that augmented the horrors by which we were surrounded. With a heart oppressed with anguish, I turned my eyes away from the sea. A moment afterward I entered the starboard gallery, and saw the flames rushing with a horrid noise through the win- dows of the great cabin and round-house. The fire approach- ed, and was ready to consume me; my presence was then entirely useless for the preservation of the vesssel, or the re- lief of my fellow sufferers. In this dreadful situation I thought it my duty to prolong my life a few hours, in order to devote them to my God. I stripped off my clothes with the intention of rolling doAvn a yard, one end of which touched the water; but it was so covered with unfortunate wretches, whom the fear of drown- ing kept in that situation, that I tumbled over them and fell into the sea, recommending myself to the mercy of Provi- dence, A stout soldier, who was drowning, caught hold of me at this extremity; I employed every exertion to disen- gage myself from him, but without effect. I suffered myself to sink under the water, but he did not q^uit his hold; I plun- ged a second time, and he still held me firmly in his grasp ; he was incapable of reflecting that my. death would rather hasten his own than be of service to him. At length, after struggling a considerable time, his strength was exhausted in consequence of the quantity of water he had swallowed, and perceiving that I was sinking the third time, and fearing lest I should drag him to the bottom along with me, he loosed his hold. That he might not catch me again, I dived and rose a considerable distance from the spot. LOSS, BY FIRE, OF THE PRINCE. 169 This first adventure rendered me more cautious in future : I even shunned the dead bodies, which were so numerous that, to make a free passage, I was obliged to push them aside with one hand, while 1 kept myself above water with the other, I imagined that each of them was a man who would assured- ly seize and involve me in his own destruction. My strength began to fail, and I was convinced of the necessity of resting, when I met a piece of the flag-staff. To secure it, I put my arm through the noose of the rope, and swam as well as I was able. I perceived a yard floating before me, when I approached and seized it by the end. At the other extremity I sse\\ a young man scarcely able to support himself, and speedily relinquish- ed this feeble assistance that amounted to a certain death. The sprit-sail yard next appeared in sight ; it was covered with peo- ple, and I durst not take a place upon it v/ithout asking per- mission, which my unfortunate companions cheerfully granted. Some were quite naked, and others in their shirts ; they ex- pressed their pity at my situation, and their misfortune put my sensibility to the severest test. M. IMorin and M. de la Touche, both so worthy of a better fate, never quitted the vessel, and were doubtless buried in its ruins. Whichever way I turned my eyes the most dismal sights presented themselves. The main-mast, burnt away at the bottom, fell overboard, killing some, and affording to others a precarious resource. This mast I observed covered with people, and abandoned to the im.pulse of the waves ; at the same moment I perceived two sailors upon a hen-coop with some planks, and cried out to them, " My lads, bring the planks and swim to me." They approached me, accompanied by se- veral others ; and each taking a plank, which we used as oars, we paddled along upon the yard, and joined those who had taken possession of the main-mast. So many changes of situation presented only new specta- cles of horror. I fortunately here met with our chaplain, who gave me absolution. AVe were in number about eight]/ persons, who were incessantly threatened with destruction by the balls from the ship's guns. I saw likev/ise on the mast two young ladies, by whose piety I was much edifled; there were six females on iDoard, and the other four were, in all pro- bability, already drowned or burned. Our chaplain, in this dreadful situation, melted the most obdurate hearts by his dis- course and the example he gave of patience and resignation. Seeing him slip from the mast and fall into the sea as I was behind him., I lifted him up again. " Let me go, (said he,) 15 170 LOSS, BY FIRE, OF THE PRINCE. I am full of water, and it is only a prolongation of my suffer- ings." " No, my friend, (said ],) we will die together when my strength forsakes me." In his pious company I awaited death with perfect resignation. I remained in this situation three hours, and saw one of the ladies fall off the mast with fatigue, and perish ; she was too far distant for me to give her any assistance. When I least expected it, I perceived the yawl close to us ; it was then five o'clock, P. M. I cried out to the men in her that I was their lieutenant, and begged permission to share our misfortune Avith them. They gave me leave to come on board, upon condition that I would swim lo them. It was their interest to have a conductor, in order to discover land ; and for this reason my company was too necessary for them to refuse my request. The condition they imposed upon me was perfectly reasonable ; they acted prudently not to approach, as the others would have been equally anxious to enter their little bark ; and we should all have been buried together in a watery grave. Mustering, therefore, all my strength, I was so fortunate as to reach the boat. Soon after- ward I observed the pilot and master, whom I had left on the main-mast, follow my example ; they swam for the yaAvl, and we took them in. This little bark was the means of sav- ing the ten persons who alone escaped out of nearly three hundred. The flames still continued to consume our ship, from which we were not more than half a league distant: our too great proximity might prove pernicious, and we, therefore, pro- ceeded a little to windward. Not long after, the fire commu- nicated to the powder-room, and it is impossible to describe the noise with which our vessel blew up. A thick cloud in- tercepted the light of the sun ; amidst this horrid darkness we could perceive nothing but large pieces of flaming wood projecting into the air, and whose fall threatened to dash to pieces numbers of unhappy vrretches still struggling with the agonies of death. We ourselves were not quite out of dan- ger ; it was not impossible but that one of the flaming frag- ments might reach us, and precipitate our frail vessel to the bottom. The Almighty, however, preserved us from that mis- fortune ; but what a 'spectacle now presented itself! The vessel had disappeared ; its fragments covered the sea to a great distance, and floated in all directions with our unfortu- nate companions, whose despair and whose lives had been terminated together by their fall. We saw some completely L LOSS, BY FIRE, OF THE PRINCE. 171 suffocated, others mangled, half-burned, and still preserving sufficient life to be sensible of the accumulated horrors of their fate. Through the mercy of heaven I retained my fortitude, and proposed to make toward the fragments of the wreck to seek provisions and to pick up any other articles we might Avant. We were totally unprovided, and were in danger of perishing with famine ; a death more tedious and more painful than that of our companions. We found several barrels, in which we hoped to find a resource against this pressing necessity, but discovered, to our mortification, that it was part of the powder which had been thrown overboard during the conflagration. Night approached, but we providentially found a cask of brandy, about fifteen pounds of salt pork, a piece of scarlet cloth, twenty yards of linen, a dozen of pipe-staves, and a few ropes. It grew dark, and we could not wait till day-light, in our present situation, without exposing ourselves a hundred times to destruction among the fragments of the wreck, from which we had not yet been able to disengage ourselves. We therefore rowed away from them as speedily as possible in order to attend to the equipment of our new vessel. Every one fell to work with the utmost assiduity; w^e employed every thing, and took off the inner sheathing of our boat for the sake of the planks and nails ; we drew from the linen what thread we wanted ; fortunately one of the sailors had two needles ; our scarlet cloth served us for a sail, an oar for a mast, and a plank for a rudder. Notwithstanding the darkness, our equipment was in a short time as complete as circumstances would permit. The only difficulty that remained was how to direct our course; we had neither charts nor instruments, and were nearly two hundred leagues from land. We resign- ed ourselves to the Almighty, whose assistance we implored in fervent prayers. At length we raised our sail, and a favorable wind removed us for ever from the floating corpses of our unfortunate com- panions. In this manner we proceeded eight days and eight nights without perceiving land, exposed, stark naked, to the burning rays of the sun by day, and to intense cold by night. The sixth day a shower of rain inspired us with the hope of some relief from the thirst by which we were tormented; we endeavored to catch the little water that fell in our mouths and hands. We sucked our sail, but having been before soaked in sea-water, it communicated the bitter taste of the latter to the rain which it received. If, however, the rain had been 172 LOSS, BY FIRE, OF THE PRINCE. more violent, it might have abated the M^ind that impelled us, and a calm would have been attended with inevitable de- struction. That we might steer our course with greater certainty, we consulted every day the rising and setting of the sun and moon ; and the stars showed us what wind we ought to take. A very small piece of salt pork furnished us one meal in the twenty-four hours ; and from this even we were obliged to desist on the fourth day, on account of the irritation of blood which it occasioned. Our only beverage was a glass of bran- dy from time to time ; but that liquor burned our stomachs without allaying our thirst. We saw abundance of flying fish, but the impossibility of catching them rendered our misery still more acute ; we Avere therefore obliged to be contented with our provisions. The uncertainty with respect to our fate, the want of food, and the agitation of the sea, combined to de- prive us of rest, and almost plunged us into despair. Nature seemed to have abandoned her functions ; a feeble ray of hope alone cheered our minds and prevented us from envying the fate of our deceased companions. I passed the eighth night at the helm ; I remained at my post more than ten hours, frequently desiring lo be relieved, till at length I sunk down with fatigue. My miserable com- rades were equally exhausted, and despair began to take pos- session of our souls. At last, when just perishing with fatigue, misery, hunger, and thirst, we discovered land by the first rays of the sun, on Wednesday, the 3d of August, 1752. Only those who have experienced similar misfortunes can form an adequate conception of the change which this discovery pro- duced in our minds. Our strength returned, and we took pre- cautions not to be carried away by the currents. At two P. M. we reached the coast of Brazil, and entered the bay of Tres- son, in latitude 6 deg. Our first care, upon setting foot on shore, was to thank the Almighty for his favors ; we threw ourselves upon the ground, and in the transports of our joy rolled ourselves in the sand. Our appearance was truly frightful, our figures preserved no- thing human that did not more forcibly announce our misfor- tunes. Some were perfectly naked, others had nothing but shirts that were rotten and torn to rags, and I had fastened round my waist a piece of scarlet cloth, in order to appear at the head of my companions. We had not yet, however, ar- rived at the end of our hardships ; although rescued from the greatest of our dangers, that of an uncertain navigation, we LOSS, BY FIRE, OF THE PRINCE. 173 were still tormented by hunger and thirst, and in cruel sus^ pense whether we should find this coast inhabited by men susceptible of sentiments of compassion. We were deliberating which way we should direct our course, when about fifty Portuguese, most of whom were arm- ed, advanced toward us, and inquired the reason of our landing. The recital of our misfortunes was a sufficient answer, at onee announced our wants, and strongly claimed the sacred rights of hospitality. Their treasures were not the object of our de- sire, the necessities of life were all that we wanted. Touched by our misfortunes, they blessed the power that had preserved us, and hastened to conduct us to their habitations. Upon the way we came to a river, into which all my companions ran to throw themselves, in order to allay their thirst ; they rolled in the water with extreme delight, and bathing was in the se- quel, one of the remedies of which we made the most frequent use, and which at the same time contributed most to the res- toration of our health. The principal person of the place came and conducted us to his house, about half a league distant from the place of our landing. Our charitable host gave us linen shirts and trow- sers, and boiled some fish, the water of which served us for broth, and seemed delicious. After this frugal repast, though sleep was equally necessary, yet we prepared to render solemn thanks to the Almighty. Hearing that, at the distance of half a league, there was a church dedicated to St. Michael, we re- paired thither, singing praises to the Lord, where we pre- sented the homage of our gratitude to Him to whom ^ve were so evidently indebted for our preservation. The badness of the road had fatigued us so much that we were obliged to rest in the village ; our misfortunes, together Avith such an edifying spectacle, drew all the inhabitants around us, and every one hastened to fetch us refreshments. After resting a short time^ we returned to our kind host, who at night furnished us with another repast of fresh fish. As we wanted more invigorating food, we purchased an ox, which we had in exchange for twenty-five quarts of brandy. We had to go to Paraiba, a journey of fifteen leagues, bare- footed, and Avithout any hope of meeting v/ith good provisions on the way ; we therefore took the precaution of smoke-dry- ing our meat and adding to it a provision of flour. After rest- ing three days, we departed under an escort of three soldiers. We proceeded seven leagues the first day, and passed the night at the house of a man who received us kindly. The 15* 174 LOSS, BY FIRE, OF THE PRINCH. next evening a sergeant, accompanied by twenty-nine soldierisv eame to meet us for the purpose of conducting and presenting us to the commander of the fortress ; that worthy officer re- ceived us graciously, gave us an entertainment, and a boat to go to Paraiba. It was midnight when we arrived at that town • a Portuguese captain was waiting to present us to the gover- nor, who gave us a gracious reception and furnished us with all the comforts of life. We there reposed for three days ; but being desirous of reaching Fernambuc,* to take advantage of ,a Portuguese fleet that was expected to sail every day, in or- der to return to Europe, the governor ordered a corporal to conduct us thither. My feet were so lacerated that I could scarcely stand, and a horse was therefore provided for me. At length, after a journey of four days, w^e entered the town of Fernambuc, My first business was to go with my people to present myself to the general, Joseph de Correa, who con- descended to give us an audience ; after which Don Francisco Miguel, a captain of a king's ship, took us in his boat to pro- cure us the advantage of saluting the admiral of the fleet, Don Juan d'Acosta de Porito. During the fifty days that we remained at Fernambuc that gentleman never ceased to load me with new favors and civilities. His generosity extended to all my companions in misfortune, to soAe of whom he even gave appointments in the vessels of his fleet. On the 5th of October we set sail, and arrived without any accident at Lisbon, on the 17th of December. On the 2d of January our consul, M. du Vernay, procured me a passage in a vessel bound to Morlaix. The master and myself went on board together, the rest of my companions being distributed among the ships. I arrived at Morlaix on the 2d of February. My fatigues obliged me to take a few days' rest in that place, from whence I repaired on the 10th to L' Orient, overwhelmed with poverty, having lost all that I possessed in the world, after a service of twenty-eight years, and with my heahh greatly impaired by the hardships I had endured. * Pernambucov LOSS, BY FIRE, OF THE HIBERNIA. 175 LOSS, BY FIRE, OF THE HIBERNIA, Bound for Van DieraavJs Land, iciih passengers. The fol- lovjing is from a letter of Mr. James Easby, milhorighif Richmond, Yorkshire, one of the passengers. On the 5th of February, about eleven o'clock, A. M. an alarm of fire was given, Avhich was ascertained to be but too true. The second mate, who acted as steward, had gone into the state-room, and while in the act of drawing a bucket of rum, let a lighted candle fall into the spirits ; and instead of giving the alarm, endeavored to extinguish the flames by- throwing about the store-room the blazing spirits, which dread- fully burnt his legs and arms, and set fire to a quantity of tar, pitch, spirits, straw, &c. As soon as an alarm was given the deck was scuttled, and water poured in — every exertion was used to arrest the all-devouring element, but to no purpose ; in less than two hours all hopes of saving either ship or car- go were abandoned, as between decks and lower-holds were full of smoke and the flames were breaking through between th-e decks. The captain now ordered the boats to be launch- ed, which was done. Giving me some books, charts, &c. he ordered me to get into the long boat, and take care of the few provisions which were saved from the sailors' forecastle and cabin. O what a scene of horror now took place ! Some were seen dressed up in their best clothes, as if going to a ball ; others were profaning God's name with the m.ost awful execrations , while some were on their knees supplicating his mercy. " 'Now shrieked the timid ^ " And stood still the brave." There were two hundred and thirty-two souls on board, and the boats would not hold more than a third of that number ; they were filled in a moment, and dropt astern. As the ship was still going, we drifted away, picking up a few who swam from the ship, or floated on pieces of timber. The whole of the sails and masts of the noble Hibemia were now in flames, and in a few minutes fell into the sea. And now a most dread- ful scene presented itself — all endeavoring to get upon the masts, with the expectation of being picked up by the boats, that being the only sad alternative, the flames or a watery grave. Those who got upon the rafts had neither vi^ater nor provisions, and if not picked up, would linger out a painful 176 LOSS, BY FIRE, OF THE HIBERNfA. existence, and at last be starved to death, there being littlei chance of any ship coming that way. We were now fifty de- grees south latitude, and twenty degrees west longitude, in the south-east trade winds, having a fair wind for Pernambu- eo, on the Brazilian coast. We all met, that is, the boats, and determined to make, if possible, Pernambuco, though at a distance of twelve hundred miles, and having very little provisions and no water. It was most heart-rending to see so many in distress and unable to relieve them, the boats being quite filled, and the long boat in a leaky state, required eight men to bail the water to keep her afloat. We rigged out a jury-mast, and with the aid of a top-gallant sail were enabled to make a good head-way. The Hibernia was not more than one mile from us to windward — many poor creatures cling- ing to the bowsprit to keep them from the flames as long as possible, waving their hats for us to go and receive them. The doctor and four sisters were clinging to a rope at the stern of the ship. We would fain have taken them in, but the captain told us it would be at the expense of our own lives; so we abandoned all hope of saving them. By the help of an old bed-tick we lengthened our sail, and in a little time lost sight of the Hibernia, and all our property, and all our hopes. Next morning the chief mate in the pinnace left us, and we saw him no more, he having on board seventeen souls. We had given him charts, compass and sextant to navigate with. We had nothing to eat from breakfast until the next day at twelve o'clock, and then only two table-spoonsfull of brandy, and two ounces of preserved beef, night and morning for se- ven da3'S. On the night of the 6th, a man died from fatigue and hunger. On the captain taking his observations at twelve o'clock, he informed us that we were four hundred and nine- ty miles from Pernambuco, with a light breeze. We had no water the whole time, and gave up all hopes of ever again setting feet on land. On this day we killed one of the three small pigs which we had on board — eating it raw, and supping the blood with as much eagerness as if it had been wine. Hunger is fine sauce, but our hunger was nothing to our thirst. Had I been possessed of a thousand Avorlds, I would willingly have given them for a draught of water. Many of them drank sea-water though warned against it — several of them became delirious. There were fifty-two souls on board beside eleven in the captain's gig, which we had in tow. At twenty minutes past three o'clock, the man at the helm, to the joy of all, cried out, "A sail a-head!" We stood i LOSS OF THE NOTTINGHAM GALLEY. 177 down upon her, after hoisting a sailor's red shirt as a signal of distress ; but all hopes were again lost, as the ship had not seen us, when Ave completely despaired ; but, to the great joy of all, we perceived her mizzen topsail leached, and her main- sail hauled up. We then shouted for joy, and in twenty mi- nutes we spoke her. She was the Lotus, of Whitby, from Portsmouth, with convicts and soldiers for Van Dieman's Land. They took us on board, gave us some water and provisions; but an old Major ordered us into our boats again : we made a stand to a man, and declared Ave Avould rather the soldiers would run us through than go to sea again in so leaky a ves- sel. The captain of the Lotus ordered the carpenter to in- spect her, and he declared her not sea-AA^orthy ; he then sunk her, and sent the gig adrift, and Ave Avent on board a good ship. The sailors Avere kind to us ; the carpenter gave me his bed and some clothes, as all I had on at the time the fire happen- ed Avere a cap, shirt, troAvsers and shoes. I saved my AA'atch, and this is all the property that I am possessed of. The Lo- tus landed us at St. Domingo, to the care of the British Con- sul, Avho, I am happy to say, is a good man ; he ordered us plenty of meat and a pint of wine after dinner ; God knows, we had much need of it. The Consul has chartered the Adelaide, of Dundee, to take us forAvard to Hobart ToAvn, at government expense. There is noAV a subscription on foot, to be paid us, on our arrival at Van Dieman's Land, by the Governor. There is also a subscription set on foot by the English merchants. The Methodists have also behaved hand- somely to us. Yours, J. EASBY. LOSS OF THE NOTTINGHAM GALLEY, OF LONDON; Wrecked on Boon-Island, near New-England, December Wth, 1710; and the Sufferings, Preservation, and Deli- verance of the Crew. By Captain John Dean. The Nottingham Galley, of and from London, of 120 tons, ten guns, fourteen men, John Dean, commander, haiung taken cordage in England, and butter, cheese, &c. in Ire- 178 LOSS OF THE NOTTINGHAM GALLEY. land, sailed for Boston, in New-England, the 25tli of Septem- ber, 1710. Meeting with contrary winds and bad weather, it was the beginning of December when we first made land to the eastward of Piscataqua, and proceeding southward for the bay of Massachusetts, under a hard gale of wind at north- east, accompanied with rain, hail, and snow, having no obser- vation for ten or twelve days, we, on the 11th, handed all our sails, excepting our fore-sail and maintop-sail double-reefed, ordering one hand forAvard to look out. Between eight and nine o'clock, going forward myself, I saw the breakers ahead, whereupon I called out to put the helm hard to starboard ; but before the ship could wear we struck upon the east end of the rock called Boon-Island, four leagues to the eastward of Pis- cataqua. The second or third sea heaved the ship along side of it: running likewise so very high, and the ship laboring so exces- sively, that w^e were not able to stand upon deck ; and though it was not distant above thirty or forty yards, yet the weather was so thick and dark that we could not see the rock, so that we were justly thrown into consternation at the melancholy prospect of immediately perishing in the sea. I presently called all hands down to the cabin, where we continued a few minutes, supplicating the mercy of heaven ; but knowing that prayers, without personal efforts, are vain, I ordered all up again to cut the masts by the board ; but several were so op- pressed by the terrors of conscience that they were incapa- ble of any exertion. We, however, went upon deck, cut the weathermost shrouds, and the ship heeling toward the rocks, the force of the sea soon broke the masts, so that they fell right toward the shore. One of the men w^ent out on the bowsprit, and returning, told me he saw something black ahead, and would venture to get on shore, accompanied with any other person : upon which I desired some of the best swimmers (my mate and one more) to go with him, and if they gained the rock, to give no- tice by their calls, and direct us to the most secure place. Re- collecting some money and papers that might be of use, also ammunition, brandy, &c. I then went down and opened the place where they were ; but the ship bulging, her decks opened, her back broke, and her beams gave way, so that the stern sunk under water. I was, therefore, hastened forward to escape instant death, and having heard nothing of the men who had gone before, concluded them lost. Notwithstanding, I was under the necessity of making the same adventure upon LOSS OF THE NOTTINGHAM GALLEY. 179 the fore mast, moving gradually forward betwixt every sea, till at last quitting it, I threw myself with all the strength I had toward the rock ; but it being low water, and the rock extremely slippery, I could get no hold, and tore my fingers, hands, and arms in the most deplorable manner, every wash of the sea fetching me off again, so that it was with the ut- most peril and difficulty that I got safe on shore at last. The rest of the men ran the same hazards, but, through the mercy of Providence, we all escaped with our lives. After endeavoring to discharge the salt water, and creeping a little way up the rock, I heard the voices of the three men above mentioned, and by ten o'clock we all met together, when, with grateful hearts, we returned humble thanks to Providence for our deliverance from such imminent danger. We then endeavored to gain shelter to the leeward of the rock, but found it so small and inconsiderable that it Avould afford none, (being about one Imndred yards long and fifty broad,) and so very craggy that we could not walk to keep ourselves warm, the Aveather still continuing extremely cold, with snow and rain. As soon as daylight appeared I went toward the place where we came on shore, not doubting but that we should meet w*ith provisions enough from the Avreck for our support, but found only some pieces of the masts and yards among some old junk and cables congered together, w^hich the an- chors had prevented from being carried away, and kept mo- ving about the rock at some distance. Part of the ship's stores, with some pieces of plank and timber, old sails, can- vass, &c. drove on shore, but nothing eatable, excepting some small pieces of cheese which we picked up among the rock- weed, in the Avhole to the quantity of three small cheeses. We used our utmost endeavors to get fire, having a steel and flint v>'ith us, and also by a drill with a very swift motion ; but having nothing but what had long been water-soaked, all our attempts proved ineffectual. At night we stowed one upon another, under our canvass, m the best manner possible, to keep each other warm. The next day the weather clearing a little, and inclining to frost, I went out, and perceiving the main land, I knew where we were, and encouraged my men with the hope of being disco- vered by fishing shallops, desiring them to search for and bring up what planks, carpenter's tools, and stores they could find, in order to build a tent and a boat. The cook then com- plained that he was almost starved, and his countenance dis- 180 ^.«SS OF THE NOTTINGHAM GALLEY. eovering his illness, I ordered him to remain behind with two or three more whom the frost had seized. About noon the men acquainted me that he was dead ; we therefore laid him in a convenient place for the sea to carry him aAvay. None mentioned eating him, though several, with myself, afterward acknowledged that they had thoughts of it. After we had been in this situation two or three days, the frost being very severe, and the weather extremely cold, it seized most of our hands and feet to such a degree as to take away the sense of feeling and render them almost useless, so benumbing and discoloring them as gave us just reason to apprehend mortification. We pulled off our shoes, and cut off our boots; but in getting off our stockings, many, whose legs were blistered, pulled off skin and all, and some, the nails of their toes. We then wrapped up our legs and feet as warmly as we could in oakum and canvass. We now began to build our tent in a triangular form, each side being about eight feet, covered it with the old sails and canvass that came on shore, having just room for each to lie down on one side, so that none could turn, excepting all turn- ed, which was about every two hours, upon notice given. We also fixed a staff to the top of our tent, upon which, as often as the weather would permit, we hoisted a piece of cloth in the form of a flag, in order to discover ourselves to any vessel that might approach. We then commenced the building of our boat with planks and timber belonging to the wreck. Our only tools were the blade of a cutlas made into a saw with our knives, a hammer, and a caulking mallet. We found some nails in the clefts of the rocks, and obtained others from the sheathing. We laid three planks flat for the bottom, and tAvo upon each side, fixed to stanchions and let into the bottom timbers with two short pieces at each end, and one breadth of new Holland duck round the sides to keep out the spray of the sea. We caulk- ed all we could with oakum drawn from the old junk, and in other places filled up the distances with long pieces of can- vass, all of which we secured in the best manner possible. We found also some sheet-lead and pump-leather, which proved of use. We fixed a short mast and square sail, with seven paddles to row, and another longer to steer. But our carpen- ter, whose services were now most wanted, was, by reason of illness, scarcely capable of affording us either assistance or advice; and all the rest, excepting myself and two more, were so benumbed and feeble as to be unable to stir. The i LOSS OF THE NOTTINGHAM GALL*" . 181 weather, too, was so extremely cold, that we could seldom stay out of the tent above four hours in the day, and some days we could do nothing at all. When we had been upon the rock about a week, without any kind of provisions, excepting the cheese above mentioned, and some beef bones, which we ate, after beating them to pie- ces, we saw three boats about five leagues from us, which, as may easily be imagined, rejoiced us not a little, believing that the period of our deliverance had arrived. I directed all the men to creep out of the tent and halloo together, as loud as their strength would permit. We likewise made all the signals we could, but in vain, for they neither heard nor saw us. We, however, received no small encouragement from the sight of them, as they came from the south-west ; and the wind being at north-east when we were cast away, we had reason to suppose that our distress might have been made known by the wreck driving on shore, and to presume that they were come out in search of us, and would daily do so when the weather should permit. Thus we flattered ourselves with the pleasing but delusive hope of deliverance. lust before we had finished our boat, the carpenter's ax was cast upon the rock, by which we were enabled to com- plete our work, but then we had scarcely strength sufficient to get her into the water. About the 21st of December, the boat being finished, the day fine, and the water smoother than I had yet seen it since we came there, we consulted who should attempt to launch her- I offered myself as one to venture in her ; this was agreed to, as I was the stronfrest, and therefore the fittest to undergo' the extremities to which we might possibly be re- duced. My mate also ofl^ered himself, and desiring to accom- pany me, I was permitted to take him, together with my brother and four more. Thus commending our enterprise to Providence, all that were able came out, and with much dif- ficulty got our poor patched-up boat to the water side. The surf running very high, we were obliged to wade very deep to launch her, upon which I and another got into her. The swell of the sea heaved her along shore and overset her upon us, whereby we again narrowly escaped drowning. Our poor boat vras staved all to pieces, our enterprise totally disappoint- ed, and our hopes utterly destroyed. What heightened our afPxictions, and served to aggravate our miserable prospects, and render our deliverance less prac- ticable, we lost, with our boat, both our ax and hammer, which 16 182 LOSS OF THE NOTTINGHAM GALLEY. would have been of great use to us if we should afterward have attempted to construct a raft. Yet we had reason to admire the goodness of God in producing our disappointment for our safety ; for, that afternoon, the Avind springing up, it blew so hard that, had we been at sea in that imitation of a boat, we must, in all probability, have perished, and those left behind, being unable to help themselves, must doubtless soon have shared a similar fate. We were now reduced to the most melancholy and deplo- rable situation imaginable ; almost every man but myself was weak to an extremity, nearly starved with hunger, and pe- rishing with cold ; their hands and feet frozen and mortified ; large and deep ulcers in their legs, the smell of which was highly offensive to those who could not creep into the air, and nothing to dress them with but a piece of linen that Avas cast on shore. We had no fire ; our small stock of cheese was exhausted, and we had nothing to support our feeble bo- dies but rockweed and a few muscles, scarce and difficult to be procured, at most not above two or three for each man a-day ; so that our miserable bodies were perishing, and our disconsolate spirits overpowered by the deplorable prospect of starvation, without any appearance of relief. To aggra- vate our situation, if possible, vv'e had reason to apprehend lest the approaching tide, if accompanied with high winds, should entirely overflow us. The horrors of such a situation it is impossible to describe ; the pinching cold and hunger ; extremity of weakness and pain ; racking and horrors of con- science in many; and the prospect of a certain, painful, and lingering death, Avithout even the most remote A'iews of de- liverance ! This is, indeed, the height of misery ; yet such, alas ! Avas our deplorable case ; insomuch that the greater part of our company AA'ere ready to die of horror and despair. For my part I did my utmost to encourage mj^self and ex- hort the rest to trust in God, and patiently await their deli- verance. Asa slight alleviation of our faith, Providence di- rected tOAA-ard our quarters a sea-gull, AA^hich my mate struck down and joyfully brought to me. I divided^ it into equal portions, and though raw, and scarcely affording a mouthful for each, yet Ave received and ate it thankfully. The last method of rescuing ourselves aa'c could possibly devise, AA-as to construct a raft capable of carry in o- tAA'o men. Thi-3 proposal was strongly supported by a Swede, one of our men, a stout brave fellow, Avho, since our disaster, had lost the use of both his feet by the frost. Fie frequently impor- LOSS OF THE NOTTINGHAM GALLEY. 183 tuned me to attempt our deliverance in that way, offering him- self to accompany me, or, if I refused, to go alone. After de- liberate consideration we resolved upon a raft, but found great difficulty in clearing the fore-yard, of which it was chiefly to be made, from the junk, as our working hands were so few and weak. This done, we split the yard, and with the two parts made side-pieces, fixing others, and adding some of the largest planks we could find, first spiking, and afterward making them firm. The raft was four feet in breadth^ We fixed up a mast, and out of two hammocks that were driven on shore we made a sail, with a paddle for each man, and a spare one in case of necessity. This difficulty being thus surmounted, the Swede frequently asked me whether I designed to accompany him, giving me to understand that, if I declined, there was another ready to offer himself for the enterprise. About this time we saw a sail come out of Piscataqua river, about seven leagues to the westward. We again made all the signals we could, but the wind being north-west, and the ship standing to the eastward, she was presently out of sight, with- out ever coming near us, which proved an extreme mortifica- tion to our hopes. The next day, being moderate, with a small breeze right on shore in the afternoon, and the raft being wholly finished, the two men were very anxious to have it launched; but this was as strenuously opposed by the mate, because it was too late, being two in the afternoon. They, however, urged the lightness of the nights, begged me to suf- fer them to proceed, and I at length consented. They both got upon the raft, when the swell, rolling very high, soon overset them, as it did our boat. The Swede, not daunted by this accident, swam on shore, but the other, being no swim- mer, continued some time under water ; as soon as he appeared I caught hold of and saved him, but he was so discouraged that he was afraid to make a second attempt. I desired the Swede to wait a more favorable opportunity, but he continued resolute, begged me to go with him, or help him to turn the raft, and he would go alone. By this time another man came down and offered to adven- ture ; when they were upon the raft I launched them ofl^ they desiring us to go to prayers, and also to watch what became of them. I did so, and by sun«et judged them half way to the main, and supposed that they might reach the shore by two in the morning. They, however, probably fell in with some breakers, or were overset by the violence of the sea and pe- 184 LOSS OF THE NOTTINGHAM GALLEY. rished ; for two days afterward the raft was found on shore, and one man dead about a mile from it, with a paddle fastened to his wrist ; but the Swede, who was so very forward to ad- venture, was never heard of more. We, who were left upon the desolate island, ignorant of what had befallen them, waited daily for deliverance. Our expectations were the more raised by a smoke we observed, two days afterward, in the wood, which was the signal ap- pointed to be made if they arrived safe. This continued dai- ly, and we were willing to believe that it was made on our account, though we saw no appearance of any thing toward our relief. We supposed that the delay was occasioned by their not being able to procure a vessel so soon as we desired, and this idea served to bear up our spirits and to support us greatly. Still our principal want was that of provision, having no? thing to eat but rock-weed and a few muscles ; indeed, when the spring tide was over we could scarcely get any at all ; I have myself gone, as no other person was able, several days, at low water, and could find no more than two or three a-piece. I was frequently in danger of losing- my hands and arms, by putting them so often into the water after the muscles, and when obtained, my stomach refused them, and preferred rock-weed. ' Upon our first arrival we saw several seals upon the rock, and supposing they made harbor there in the night, I walked round at midnight, but could never meet with any thing. We saw likewise a great number of birds, which perceiving us daily there, would never lodge upon the rock, so that we caught none. This disappointment was severe, and tended to aggravate our miseries still more ; but it was particularly afflicting to a brother I had with me, and another young gentleman, neither of whom had before been at sea, or endured any kind of hard- ship. They were now reduced to the last extremity, having no assistance but what they received from me. Part of a green hide, fastened to a piece of the main-yard, being thrown up by the sea, the men importuned me to bring it to the tent, which being done, we minced it small and swal- lowed it. About this time I set the men to open junk, and when the weather would permit I thatched the tent with the rope-yam in the best manner I was able, that it might shelter us the better from the extremities of the weather. This proved of XOSS OF THE NOTTINGHAM GALLEY. 185 SO much service as to turn two or three hours rain, and pre- serve us from the cold pinching w^inds which were always very severe upon us. About the latter end of December our carpenter, a fat man, and naturally of a dull, heavy, phlegmatic disposition, aged about forty-seven, who, from our first coming on shore, had been constantly very ill, and lost the use of his feet, complain- ed of excessive pain in his back, and stiffness in his neck. He was likewise almost choked with phlegm, for want of strength to discharge it, and appeared to draw near his end. We prayed over him, and used our utmost endeavors to be serviceable to him in his last moments ; he showed himself sensible, though speechless, and died that night. We suffered the body to remain till morning, when I desired those who were most able to remove it ; creeping out myself to see whe- ther Providence had sent us any thing to satisfy the exces- sive cravings of our appetites. Returning before noon, and not seeing the dead body without the tent, I inquired why they had not removed it, and received for answer, they were not all of them able ; upon which, fastening a rope to the bo- dy, I gave the utmost of my assistance, and with some diffi- culty we dragged it out of the tent. But fatigue and the con- sideration of our misery so overcame my spirits, that, be- ing ready to faint, I crept into the tent, and was no sooner there, than, to add to my trouble, the men began to request my permission to eat the dead body, the better to support their lives. This circumstance was, of all the trials I had encountered, the most grievous and shocking : to see myself and company, who came hither laden with provisions but three weeks be- fore, now reduced to such a deplorable situation ; two of us having been absolutely starved to death, while, ignorant of the fate of two others, the rest, though still living, were re- duced to the last extremity, and requiring to eat the dead for their support. After mature consideration of the lawfulness or sinfulness on the one hand, and absolute necessity on the other, judg- ment and conscience were obliged to submit to the more pre- vailing arguments of our craving appetites. We at length determined to satisfy our hunger, and support our feeble bo- dies with the carcass of our deceased companion. I first ordered his skin, head, hands, feet, and bowels to be buried in the sea, and the body to be quartered, for the convenience of drying and carriage; but again received for answer, that, 16* 186 LOSS OF THE NOTTINGHAM GALttV. none of them being able, they entreated I would perform that labor for them. This was a hard task ; but their incessant prayers and entreaties at last prevailed over my reluctance, and by night I had completed the operation. I cut part of the flesh into thin slices, and washing it in salt water, brought it to the tent and obliged the men to eat rock- weed with it instead of bread. My mate and two others re- fused to eat any that night, but the next morning they com- plied, and earnestly desired to partake with the rest. I found that they all ate with the utmost avidity, so that I was obliged to carry the quarters farther from the tent, out of their reach, lest they should do themselves an injury by eating too much, and likewise expend our small stock too soon. I also limited each man to an equal portion, that they might not quarrel, or have cause to reflect on me or one another. This method I was the more obliged to adopt, because in a few days I found their dispositions entirely changed, and that aflectionate, peaceable temper they had hitherto manifested, totally lost. Their eyes looked wild and staring, their coun- tenances fierce and barbarous. Instead of obeying my com- mands, as they had universally and cheerfully done before, I now found even prayers and entreaties vain and fruitless ; nothing was now to be heard but brutal quarrels, w Jch horrid oaths and imprecations, instead of that quiet submissive spirit of prayer and supplication they had before manifested. This, together with the dismal prospect of future want, obli- ged me to keep a strict watch over the rest of the body, lest any of them, if able, should get to it, and if that were spent, we should be compelled to feed upon the living, which we cer- tainly must have done, had we remained in that situation a few days longer. The goodness of God now began to appear, and to make provision for our deliverance, by putting it into the hearts of the good people on the shore, to which our raft was driven, to come out in search of us, which they did on the second of January, in the morning. Just as I was creeping out of the tent I saw a shallop, half way from the shore, standing directly toward us. Our joy and satisfaction, at the prospect of such speedy and unexpect- ed deliverance, no tongue is able to express, or thought to conceive. Our good and welcome friends came to an anchor to the southwest, at the distance of about one hundred yards, the swell preventing them from approaching nearer: but their LOSS OF THE NOTTINGHAM GALLEY. 187 anchor coming home, obliged them to stand off till about noon, waiting for smoother water upon the flood. Meanwhile our passions were differently agitated ; our expectations of deli- verance, and fears of miscarriage, hurried our weak and dis- ordered spirits strangely. I gave them an account of all our miseries excepting the want of provisions, which I did not mention, lest the fear of being constrained by the weather to remain with us might have prevented them from coming on shore. I earnestly en- treated them to attempt our immediate deliverance, or at least to furnish us, if possible, with fire, which, with the utmost difficulty they at last accomplished, by sending a small canoe with one man, who, after great exertion, got on shore. After helping him up with his canoe, and seeing nothing to eat, I asked him if he could give us fire : he answered in the affirmative, but was so affrighted by my thin and meagre appearance, that at first he could scarcely return me an an- swer. However, recollecting himself, after several questions asked on both sides, he went with me to the tent, where he VTBS surprised to see so many of us in such a deplorable con- dition. Our flesh was so wasted and our looks were so ghastly and frightful, that it was really a very dismal spec- tacle. With some difficulty we made a Are, after which, determin- ing to go on board myself with the man, and to send for the rest, one or two at a time, we both got into the canoe ; but the sea immediately drove us against the rock with such vio- lence that we were overset, and being very weak, it was a considerable time before I could recover myself, so that I had again a very narrow escape from drowning. The good man with great difficulty got on board without me, designing to re- turn the next day with better conveniences, if the weather should permit. It was an afflicting sight to observe our friends in the shal- lop standing away for the shore without us. But God, who orders every thing for the best, doubtless had designs of pre- servation in denying us the appearance of present deliverance; for the wind coming about to south-east, it blew so hard that the shallop was lost, and the crew, with extreme difficulty, saved their lives. Had we been with them, it is more than probable that we should all have perished, not having strength sufficient to help ourselves. When they had reached the shore they immediately sent an express to Portsmouth, in Piscataqua, where the good peo- 188 SHIPWRECK OF M. DE BRISSON. pie made no delay in hastening to our deliverance, as soon as the weather would allow. To our great sorrow, and as a far- ther trial of our patience, the next day continued very stormy, and though we doubted not but the people on shore knew our condition, and would assist us as soon as possible, yet our flesh being nearly consumed, being without fresh water, and uncertain hoAV long the unfavorable weather might continue, our situation was extremely miserable. We, however, re- ceived great benefit from our fire, as we could both warm ourselves and broil our meat. The next day, the men being very importunate for flesh, I gave them rather more than usual, but not to their satisfaction. They would certainly have eaten up the whole at once, had I not carefully watched them, with the intention of sharing the rest next morning, if the weather continued bad. The wind, however, abated that night, and early next morning a shallop came for us, with my much esteemed friends Captain Long and Captain Purver, and three more men, who brought a large canoe, and in two hours got us all on board, being obliged to carry almost all of us upon their backs from the tent to the canoe, and fetch us ofi' by two or three at a time. When we first came on board the shallop, each of us ate a piece of bread and drank a dram of rum, and most of us were extremely sea-sick ; but, after we had cleared our stomachs, and tasted warm, nourishing food, we became so exceeding- hungry and ravenous, that, had not our friends dieted us, and limited the quantity for two or three days, we should certainly have destroyed ourselves with eating. Two days after our coming on shore, my apprentice lost the greater part of one foot ; all the rest recovered their limbs, but not their perfect use; very few, excepting myself, escap- ing without losing the benefit of fingers or toes, though other- wise all in perfect health. THE SHIPWRECK OF M. DE BRISSON On the Coast of Barbara/, and of his Captivity among the Moors, Written by himself. Having made several voyages to Africa, I received an or- der in June, 1785, from the Marshal de Castries, then minis- SHIPWRECK OF M. DE BRISSON. 189 ter and secretary of state for the marine department, to era- bark for the island of St. Louis, in the Senegal, in the St. Catharine, commanded by M. Le Turc. On the 10th of July we passed between the Canary isle and that of Palma, and the captain having rejected my advice relative to the caution necessary to be observed in those seas, the ship soon afterward struck upon shoals. A dreadful confusion ensued. The masts being loosened by the shock, quivered over our heads, and the sails were torn in a thousand pieces. The terror became general ; the cries of the sailors, mixed with the terrible roaring of the sea, irri- tated, as it were, by the interruption of its course between the rocks and the vessel, added to the horrors of the scene. In this dangerous state, such was the consternation of the crew, that no one thought of saving himself. " O my wife !" cried one; "O my dear children!" exclaimed a second; while others, extending their hands toward heaven, implored the divine protection. In the hope of saving the ship, the masts were cut away; but our exertions were of no avail, the hold being already filled with water. We must inevitably have been lost, had not Mr. Yan, one oi the lieutenants ; Mr. Suret, a passenger ; three English sai- lors, and a few others, encouraged by my example, assisted me to haul out the shallop, and to prevent it afterward from being sunk or dashed to pieces against the sides of the ship. We were obliged to struggle the whole night against the fury of the sea, that when the day appeared we might be able to avoid the rocks, by which we were surrounded on all sides, and get, if possible, on shore. We had scarcely made two strokes with our oars when they were swept from the hands of the rowers by the violence of the waves ; the shallop was overset ; we were separated in an instant, and all, excepting Mr. Devoise, brother to the Con- sul at Tripoli, cast upon a sand bank ; I, however, immediate- ly threw myself into the water, and was fortunate enough to save him from destruction. Our unfortunate companions, who had remained on board, now saw themselves deprived of every assistance from us ; but I soon revived their hopes, by plunging into the waves, accompanied by Mr. Yan, whose zeal and activity seconded my efforts. He prevailed upon the rest to join in our endea- vors to get the shallop afloat again, which we accomplished with great difficulty ; but we found ourselves amply repaid for our labor when we §et the re^t of the crew on shore. We, 190 SHIPWRECK OF M. DE BRISSON. however, escaped this first danger only to become the victims of a second still more terrible. When the wretched crew had reached the shore I per- suaded them to climb the surrounding rocks, on the summit of which we discovered an extensive plain, terminated by some small hills, covered with a kind of wild fern. On these hills we saw some children collecting a flock of goats. As soon as they beheld the strangers, they set up such outcries as instantly alarmed and brought together the neighboring inhabitants. These, after viewing the crew, began to dance and caper, at the same time uttering the most horrid cries and yells. When these savages came up, some of my companions, among whom were the first and second lieutenants, separated from us. They were immediately surrounded and seized by the collar, and it was then that, by the reflection of the sun's rays from the polished blades of their poniards, we first dis- covered them to be armed. As I had not perceived this be- fore, I had advanced without fear. Our two unfortunate companions having disappeared, I could not make the men stop even for a short time. Fear got such possession of their hearts, that, giving vent to cries of despair, they all fled different ways. The Arabs, armed with cutlasses and large clubs, fell upon them with incredible fury, and I had the mortification of soon seeing some of them wound- ed, while others, stripped naked, lay extended and expiring on the sand. I was so fortunate as to obtain a promise of good will from an unarmed Arab, who afterward proved to be a talbe, or priest, by giving him two watches, a gold stock-buckle, two pair of sleeve-buttons, a ring set with diamonds, a silver goblet, and two hundred and twenty livres in specie. The latter article afforded him most pleasure. The news of our shipwreck being spread through the coun- tr}'-, we saw the savages running in great haste from all quar- ters ; their numbers naturally increased the jealousy of the others, so that they soon came to blows, and several lives were lost in the contest. The women, enraged that they could not pillage the ship, fell upon and tore from us the few articles of dress we had left ; but their attention was princi- pally attracted by mine, which seemed to be more worthy of their notice. My master, who was by no means of a warlike disposition, perceiving that the number of Arabs increased every moment, SHIPWRECK OF M. DE BRISSON. 191 called aside two of his friends, whom he cunningly admitted as partners with him, in the property of twelve of the crew who had surrendered themselves to him. After making his arrangements, he retired from the crowd, that he might shel- ter us from insult. The place which he chose for that pur- pose was a wretched hut, covered with moss, at the distance of more than a league from the sea ; here we lodged, or rather were heaped one upon the other. Our patron's first care was to pay us a visit, and to search us, lest we should have concealed some of our property. Un- luckily for them, my companions had preserved nothing, on which account he was in a very ill humor, and showed them no mercy. He took from them even their shirts and hand- kerchiefs, intimating, that if he did not do them that favor, others would. He likewise attempted to pay m.e the same compliment, but upon my observing that I had already given him enough, I experienced no farther molestation. Being as yet ignorant among what tribe we had fallen, I addressed myself to our master for information; and partly by words, and partly by signs, I put the following questions to him: "What is thy name, and that of thy tribe; and why didst thou fly from those crowds who advanced toward the shores of the sea?" He replied, " My name is Sidy Moham- med, of Zowze ; my tribe is that of Lebdesseba, and I fled from the Ouadelims, because we are not on good terms with one another." I was much affected to find that we had f.illen into the hands of the most ferocious people who inhabit the deserts of Africa. While the talbe repaired to the shore for more plunder, a company of Ouadelims discovered and pillaged our retreat, and beat us most unmercifully. I was almost at the last gasp, when one of the associates of the talbe came and res- cued me, and, before a large assembly, afterward claimed me as the reward of his valor. The priest made the stronges-t objections to this claim, threatening to chastise the claimant, Avho replied to the talbe: "Since this is thy pretension, as he cannot be mine, he shall perish by my hand." He had scarcely pronounced these words when he drew his poniard to stab me. I trembled under the threatening dagger of this barbarian : but my master, without losing a moment, threw over me a kind of chaplet, formed of a long piece of cord, upon which are strung a great number of small black balls, and theoi took in his hand a small book which hung in his girdle. The women at the same instant rushed toward me, 192 SHIPWRECK OF M. DE BRISSON. snatched me from the hands of the claimant, and delivered me into those of the enraged priest, dreading lest he should thunder forth an anathema against his antagonist. When I had recovered a little tranquility, and began to re- flect upon the danger I had escaped, I was so much affected that I could not refrain from tears. I endeavored to conceal from every eye this testimony of my sensibility and grief: but being observed by some of the women, instead of feeling compassion, they threw sand in my eyes, " to dry my eye- lids," as they said. Fortunately the obscurity of the night concealed me from the sight of these monsters, and saved me from their fury. We had now been three da^^-s in a state of slavery, and during that time had taken no nourishment but a little flour, which though before spoiled by the sea-water, was rendered still more disagreeable by the mixture of barley meal, which had long been kept in a goat's skin: and, bad as this repast was, it was frequently interrupted by the alarming outcries which we heard at a distance. The Arab tribe to whom we were prisoners had repaired to the sea-coast, a few daj^s before our shipwreck, to collect the fruits of wild plants for the support of their families in the interior of the country ; but upon the approach of their ene- mies, the Ouadelims, they prepared to return home with their provisions and prisoners. After passing mountains of prodigious height, covered Avith small, sharp, greyish flints, we descended into a sandy valley, overgrown with sharp thistles. Having here slackened our pace, I found that the soles of my feet were entirely covered with blood, so that it was impossible for me to proceed any farther. My master then made me get up behind him upon his camel; but this attention on his part, instead of giving me any relief, had quite a contrary effect, and exposed me to the severest pain. A camel naturally steps very heavy, and his trot is remarkably hard. Being naked, and unable to de- fend myself from the friction of the animal's hair, in a very little time my skin was entirely rubbed off My blood trick- led down the animal's sides, and, instead of exacting pity in these barbarians, this sight afibrded them a subject of diver- sion. They made sport of my sufferings, and spurred on the camels, in order to heighten their enjoyment. My wounds would in consequence have been rendered incurable, had I not formed the resolution of throwing myself off and walking upon the sand. This I accomplished, and sustained no other THE CREW OF THE MAGPIE, While hanging on their boat, with the exception of two, were attacked and devoured by sharks. — p. 213. MADAME DENOYER, With her servant and child, set adrift in a canoe in the open sea, between the Bahama Islands and Cuba.— p 224. SHIPWRECK OF M. DE BRISSON. 193 injury in the fall than that of being dreadfully pricked by the thistles, which covered the whole surface of the ground. Toward evening, perceiving a thick smoke, I imagined that we were approaching some hamlet, where we should find something to eat, and, above all, something to allay our into- lerable thirst ; but I soon perceived that there was nothing but a few bushes, in Avhich our guide had taken up his lodg- ings. Exhausted with fatigue, I retired behind one of them, to wait for the relieving hand of death, but had scarcely ex- tended myself on the ground, Avhen an Arab of our company came and compelled me to get up to unload his camel. This insult I resented, and found afterward that it produced a good effect. I observed preparations making which threw me into the greatest inquietude, '-fhey made flints red hot in a large pan, raised a huge stone which lay at the foot of a bush, dug up the earth; and frequently repeating my name, they all burst into loud fits of laughter. Then calling me, they obliged me to approach the hole they had dug in the ground, Avhile the man whom I had beaten made different signs with his hand, often drawing it backward and forward against his throat, as if to give me to understand that he would cut it, or that they were resolved to serve me in that manner. In spite of my resolution, and the determination to defend myself, these ges- tures were very alarming ; but my apprehensions were con- verted into surprise, when I saw them take from the pit which I had approached, a goat's skin full of water, a small leather bag, containing barley meal, and a goat newly killed. By the sight of those provisions I was restored to my former tranquillity, though I was ignorant for what purpose the heat- ed flints were intended. At length I saw tliem fill with water a large wooden vessel, into which some barley-meal hac been put, and the red hot flints being thrown into the water, served to make it boil. They then made a kind of paste, kneading it afterward with their hands, and swallowed it without chevring. As for us slaves, we had nothing to eat but some of this paste, which was thrown to us upon the carpet used by our patron to put under his feet while he repeated his prayers, and at niglrt as a matress to sleep on. After kneading this leaven a long time, he gave it to me to distribute among my companions. It can scarcely be imagined how disagreeable it was to the taste. The water with which it was mixed had been procured on the sea-shore, and was afterward preserved 17 194 SHIPWRECK OF M. DE BRISSON. in a goat's skin, which they had lined with a kind of pitch to prevent it from corrupting, by which its smell was rendered doubly disgusting. This water was our only drink, and, bad as it was, our allowance was extremely scanty. At dinner time the next day our masters regaled upon raw fat, of which they appeared remarkably fond. As soon as the meat was roasted, or rather baked, they took it from the earth, and, without taking time to free it from the sand which adhered to it, they devoured it with excessive voracity. Having well picked the bones, they used their nails to scrape off the re- maining flesh, and then threw them to us, telling us at the same time to eat quickly and unload the camels, that our journey might not be delayed. Passing some of the tents, the women, still more ferocious than the men, took pleasure in tormenting us, while our mas- ters durst scarcely oppose them. Having retired to a small distance from my load, I perceived a man taking aim at me with a double-barreled fusee, upon which I presented my breast to him, desiring him to fire. He was greatly astonished at this firmness, and his surprise tended to confirm me in my opinion that these people are impressed with respect when a person appears not to fear them. I was advancing toward this man, when I was struck on the head, and for a few moments de- prived of sense, by a stone from an unknown hand, but which I suspected to have been thrown by his wife. After resting three days among the Arabs of the tribe of Roussye, we resumed our journey, penetrating farther into the interior of the country, where we were to join the families of our conductors. After being exposed for sixteen days to the greatest fatigues and dreadful miseries, we at length reached the end of our journey, in a most wretched and exhausted condition. Being observed upon the brow of a hill, several of the black slaves, whose principal employment is to tend the camels, came to meet our masters, in order to kiss their feet and in- quire after their health. As we proceeded, the children made the air resound with shouts of joy, and the women standing up, out of respect, awaited at the door of their tents the arri- val of their husbands. Upon their approach they advanced toward them with an air of submission, and each, after pros- trating before her husband, laid her right hand on his head and kissed it. This ceremony being finished, they began to satisfy their curiosity with regard to us, and to load us with abuse; but they did not stop here, for, they even spit in our SHIPWRECK OF M. DE BRISSON. 195 faces, and pelted us with stones. The children imitated their example, pinched us, pulled our hair, and scratched us with their nails ; their cruel mothers ordered them to attack some- times one and sometimes another, taking pleasure in making them, torment us. Exhausted with hunger, thirst, and despair, we had impatiently -wished for the moment of our arrival, but little did w^e foresee the new torments that awaited us. After our masters had divided their slaves, the favorite wife of the talbe ordered M. Devoise, M. Baudre, and myself, who had fallen to her husband's share, to unload the camels, to clean a kettle which she brought us, and to pull up some roots to make a fire. While thus employed in signifying her will to us, her husband Avas quietly enjoying a sound sleep on the knees of one of his concubines. The hope of soon regaining my liberty inspired me with sufficient fortitude to endure the hardships imposed upon me by this diabolical woman. I therefore went to collect some wood, but Avhat was my surprise, when upon my return I be- held my two companions, who had been dreadfully beaten, ex- tended on the sand. They had been subjected to this cruel treat- ment because their strength being entirely exhausted, they had been unable to perform the task assigned them. My repeated outcries awakened my master, and though, as yet, I spoke the language very imperfectly, I endeavored to address him in the following terms : " Have you conducted us hither to cause us to be butchered by a cruel Avoman ? Think of your promise. Conduct mfi. without delay, either to Senegal or Morocco: if you do not, I will cause all the eflects I gave you to be taken away." My passion knew no bounds, and several of the neighbors having approached me, my master appeared to be extremely uneasy, fearing lest I should mention the quantity of the ef- fects which he had received from me. Addressing himself to his wife, "I forbid thee," said he, "to require from him the least service that may be disagreeable to him; and if thou dost, I desire that he may not obey thee." From this moment that woman conceived an implacable hatred against me. The end of August approached, and not the smallest pre- parations were made for our journey. I asked Sidy Moham- med what he was waiting for in order to conduct us to Sene- gal. He replied that he was looking for strong, vigorous ca- mels, capable of enduring the fatigues of such a journey, and that it was his intention to set off as soon as he had procured them. 196 SHIPWRECK OF M. DE BRISSON. I was the more urgent in intreating him not to delay, as the nights now began to be very uncomfortable, the dew fre- quently wetting us through the bushes which afforded a kind of shelter. From this dcAv, however, we obtained some relief; for, by collecting it in our hands from our bodies, it served to quench our thirst, which the coolness of the night did not allay, and we preferred it to our OAvn urine, Avhich we were necessi- tated to drink. Having spoken to my master a second time, he made me such a reply as convinced me he was sincere. " Dost thou think," said he, "that in the present excessive heat it Avould be possible to travel AA'ithout provisions, and, above all, ivithout water 1 We should find it very difficult to approach the Senegal, as the river has inundated all the plains, and w0 should have much to fear from the Arabs of the tribe of Trar- gee, who are our enemies. I tell the truth," added he ; "• we must wait till the month of October." As we were Christians, when the Arabs had almost exhaust- ed their provisions, their dogs fared better than we, and it was in the basins destined for their use that we received our allow- ance. Their object was to make us change owr religion ; but in this they failed, although our food consisted of raw snails* and herbs and plants that were trodden under foot. I was soon undeceived by a young female Moor, whose flocks fed with those 1 tended, respecting the hopes I had en- tertained of liberty in consequence of my master's promises* and this information rendered my labors still more irksome ailu insupportable. I no longer met in the fields my companions in misfortune, but above all I regretted the loss of the captain. His compa* ny had often comforted me in affliction, and I found a kind of alleviation in conversing with him on our sufferings, and the hopes we entertained of returning to our native land* One evening, the coolness of the weather having e»tieed my ca>» mels to stray farther than usual, I was under the necessity of following them to a neighboring hamlet, where I beheld a spectacle truly horrible. The unfortunate captain was ex- tended lifeless upon the sand, holding in his mouth one of his hands, which his extreme weakness had, doubtless, pre- rented him from devouring. He was so altered by famine that all his features were absolutely effaced, and his body exhibited the most disgusting appearance. A few days afterward the second captain, having fallen through weakness at the foot of an old gum tree, was attack- ed by an enormous serpent. Some famished crows by their SHIPWRECK OF M. DE BRISSON. 197 cries frightened away the venomous animal, and alighting on the body of the dying man, were tearing him to pieces, while four savages, more cruel than the furious reptile, beheld this scene without affording him the least assistance. I endea- vored to run toward him, if possible to save his life, but was stopped by the barbarians, who, after insulting me, said: " This Christian also will soon become a prey to the birds." Finding my efforts ineffectual, I hastened from this scene of horror ; and not knowing which way to direct my steps, I followed my sheep and my camels. Upon my arrival at the tents, my master, struck with my absent and distracted looks, inquired what was the matter. " Go (replied I) a few steps hence, and behold what your cruelty and that of your wife is capable of producing. You have suffered my companion to expire, and because his illness prevented him from Avorking, you refused him the milk necessary for his subsistence." While pronouncing these words I concealed my tears, which would only have excited the laughter of these human brutes, Avho ordered me to go away and bring the bloody clothes of the unhappy victim of their barbarity. I was fired with indignation at such an indecent proposal. My agitation, and the fern which I had eaten to appease my hunger, pro- duced a painful vomiting, which was succeeded by almost total debility. I was, however, able to crawl behind a bush, where I found another wretched object, who inquired the rea- son of my tears, and if I had seen Baudre. " He is not far off," I replied. This was all I could or wished to say; but my master's sister, who came to bring us some milk, exclaim- ed, " The crows are now devouring Baudre's entrails ; you will soon meet the same fate; you are good for nothing else." My health, which had hitherto been better than I could have expected, now declined fast. My whole skin had been twice renewed, and my body began to be covered, a third time, with a kind of scale, like those of the Arabs, and this change was attended with considerable pain. The thorns over which I had walked had torn my feet to the quick ; I could scarce- ly stand erect, and the large dogs continually let loose upon me, and from v.'hich I could never disengage myself without receiving dreadful wounds, rendered me absolutely incapable of guarding the camels. To add to my misery, the excessive heats, about the end of February and March, had dried up all the water in that part of the country, and not a single drop of rain had fallen to moisten the fields which I had sown. Our cattle finding no pasture, were on the point of perishing, when 17* 198 SHIPWRECK OI' M. DE BRISSOW, the tribes of Labdesseba and Ouadelims, having taken into consideration their present condition, resolved to go in quest of some spot occupied by more industrious inhabitants. In this melancholy situation I accidentally met with an Arab having in his train a Christian slave, who, I. found, had been baker to our ship. This man was disposed of to my master at a moderate price, and ordered to perform my or- dinary labor. I had now an opportunity of recruiting my strength a little ; but the unfortunate bakei paid dearly for his knowledge in the art of preparing food. Having eaten all the snails we could find, we fed upon sheep which had died either of hunger or disease. This suggested to us the idea of strangling a few kids in the night time, persuaded that our masters would not meddle with them, as their law prohibits their eating of any animal unless it has died by the knife ; but being suspected, and at last caught in the act, we narrowly escaped having our throats cut. One morning, as I was preparing to set off to cut wood, poor Devoise, addressing me in a faint and languishing voice, said, " The illusion is now over ; I have hitherto flattered myself with hopes of again beholding my native country, but I feel my strength forsake me. This night, my dear friend, for this title justly belongs to you, after all your care, you will find my body arrested by the cold hand of death. Adieu, my friend ! the tears you strive to conceal are a neAV proof of your attachment. Write to my brother ; tell him that I remembered him in my last moments, and that I die wuth the sentiments of a true Christian. Adieu ! my last moment is nearer than I expected. I expire." He spoke no more; that moment, indeed, was his last. I was deeply affected at losing M. Devoise, though I had only known him since our departure from France. I went into the field to seek the only companion I had now left, and, upon our return, we vv^ere ordered to carry away our friend's body, and to dig a very deep pit, in order, as the Arabs said, to conceal that Christian from the sight of their children. This last duty to the deceased we performed with difficulty ; for, being too weak to carry him, we were obliged to dracr him by the feet three quarters of a league. The earth at the brink of the pit giving way, I tumbled in first, and was very near expiring under the weight of the body. A few days afterward we quitted that place to seek a more fertile spot, and encamped in the vicinity of several other tribes, where I found one of our sailors, named Denoux, who SHIPWRECK OF ?.I. DE BRISSOX. 199 was a slave like myself. I inquired what had become of my companions. " Six of them (said he) were carried away by the emperor's son, soon after our shipwreck, and have since gone to France. M. Taffaro, the surgeon-major, died of blows he received on the head with a large stick ; M. Ra- boin, second lieutenant, likewise expired in dreadful torture. Others, to avoid the horrors of famine, have renounced their religion. As for me, it will not be long before I follow those whom death has delivered from their misery. Behold in what a condition I am; there is no kind of ill-treatment to which I am not daily exposed." Upon the information that some of the crew had returned to France, I conceived new hopes, thinking that the marine minister would transmit positive orders to reclaim the rest. Such commands were actually received by the vice-consul at Morocco, but he neglected to execute them. I was reflecting upon the cause of his total neglect, when, upon retiring be- hind my bush, I was much astonished to see my master's ca- mels returning without a guide. Being called rather too late to receive my portion of milk, and not seeing the poor baker, I took the liberty of inquiring what was become of him ; but the Arabs returned a very cold answer, and drove me from their presence. Early the next morning, a young Arab, em- ployed in tending the flocks, informed me that Sidy Moham- med, suspecting that the baker privately milked his camels, watched him, and having caught him in the act, seized him by the throat and strangled him. I was now the only slave remaining in the hamlet, and had no longer any companion to whom I could communicate my misfortunes. My situation became daily more deplorable, but yet I resolved not to suffer myself to be dejected. This resolution, and my conduct toward those who had endeavored to humble me, procured me some respect among these savages; so that I was occasionally permitted to lodge in the back of their tents, and even sometimes to drink out of their vessels. My master, too, suffered me to remain unmo- lested, and I was no longer required to tend his camels. It is true, he never said a word concerning my liberty, but if he had, I should not have regarded it, as I was so well acquaint- ed with his perfidy that I placed not the least confidence in him. It was, however, necessary for me to make faggots, as I had done for some time, in order to exchange them for milk, being often driven by thirst almost to madness. The Arabs themselves suffered exceedingly from the same cause; seve- 200 SHIPWRECK OP M. DE BRlSSON. ral of them died of hunger and thirst; this being the fourth season in which their crops had been destroyed by drought. This dreadful situation had so irritated their minds, that the different tribes made war upon each other. Milk entirely failed them, and each tried who could carry off most cattle, for the purpose of killing them and drying the flesh. Water was still scarcer, as little is to be found in the desert, except- ing toward the sea, and even there it is black, putrid, and brackish. The bad quality of this beverage, together with the want of pasturage, always keeps the Arabs at a distance from the coast. Being destitute of every kind of provision, none attempted to pursue his journey. Those who had the least milk quenched their thirst from the bowels of the camels which they killed. From the stomachs of these animals they pressed a greenish kind of water, which they carefully pre- served, and boiled their flesh in it. That procured from the bodies of their goats had the taste and smell of sweet fennel, and the broth made of it never appeared disagreeable; but that procured from the camel was not equally pleasing to the taste. I was much astonished that these animals, which ne- ver drink above two or three times a-year, and eat nothing but dried plants, should have such a prodigious quantity of water in their stomachs. In order to regain my liberty I found means to get again into my possession the treasure 1 had given the Arab, which might have enabled me to cross the desert, and to bribe the Arabs to conduct me to Morocco. Sidy Mohammed, howev- er, missed it, and prevailed on me, by powerful arguments, once more to'restore it. The principal inducement was a pro- mise of being sent to Mogador, and meanwhile to be allowed a sufficient quantity of milk, night and morning. At length chance conducted Sidy Mahmud, sheriff of the tribe of Trargea, to the place which I was watering with my tears. He inquired who I was ; upon which the Arabs ac- quainted him with my history, boasting of the great riches, in powder and arms, Avhich I Avas said to possess at Senegal. The sheriff immediately recollected me, asked me what situ- ation I had held in the island of St. Louis, and I answered his questions. Looking at me nearer, he exclaimed, " What! art thou Brisson?" Upon my replying in the affirmative, he appeared greatly astonished, and addressing himself to the Arabs, " You know not this Christian, (said he,) every thing at Senegal belongs to him." This man having seen me deli- ver stores in the king's magazine, imagined that they were SHIPWRECK OF fli. »E ERISSON. 201 my property ; and my master's brother-in-law, Sidy Selim, hearing this flattering account of my riches, did not scrnple to purchase me at the price of five camels. I was ignorant of this bargain, when I was unexpectedly filled with joy and surprise. Returning one evening with my master from watering our camels for the third time during three months, my mistress ordered me to carry a leather bucket, which she had borrowed, to a neighboring tent. There I found Sidy Selim, who, calling me to him, directed me to prepare to depart with him the next morning for Moga- dor. I had been so often flattered Avith this hope, and as often deceived, that I could scarcely believe him to be in earnest ; the appearance, however, of some preparation for the pro- posed journey, convinced me that he was; and the old man repeating his protestations, I was so transported that I threw myself at his feet, wept, sighed, and laughed; in short, I knew not what I was doing. In order to feel or form an idea of what I experienced when I learned that the chains of my ser- vitude were broken, a person must have been reduced to a similar situation. My former master then called me, and told me that I no longer belonged to him. " I have fulfilled my promise, (he added,) you are going to be restored to your country." These words made me forget all my resentment, and resign myself entirely to joy, which was increased when informed tKat I Avtio to linvA a o.ompanion. " W^e are now g-oingr to join him, (said he,) a few paces hence." I Avas far from sus- pecting that he meant the unfortunate baker. ' The moment I saw him, I asked by what miracle he had been restored to life. " Alas ! (he replied,) I know not how I escaped death. Sidy Mohammed one day surprised me milking his camels; He ran to me, gave me several blows, and squeezed my throat so closely that I fell almost lifeless at his feet. Upon reco- vering my senses, I was astonished to find myself alone. My neck was covered with blood, and you may still see the marks of his nails. I crawled as well as I was able into a cavern of the rock, which several times echoed the voice of my bar- barous master, who came back to look for me, or at least to see in what situation I was. I had resolved either to starve myself to death, or to make for the sea-coast, in the hope of meeting with some vessel. I arrived there after a journey of ten days, during which time I had no food but snails, and no- thing to drink but my own urine. I had scarcely proceeded twenty paces among the rocks, in order to hail a small sloop 202 SHIPWRECK OF BI. DE BRISSON. which lay at anchor off the coast, Avhen I was seized by two young Arabs, who took the greatest care of me ; and since that time I have been their slave. They appeared to be of a much milder disposition than the Arabs of the interior, and are much more industrious. They informed me, about a fort- night ago, that they were going to take me to the sultan, and I am inclined to believe that their reason for bringing me hither was because they had agreed upon this place of ren- dezvous with your master, after informing him that they had me in their possession." Sidy Mohammed's behavior, upon taking leave of me, was very affecting. "Adieu, my dear Brisson !" said he; "you are about to undertake a long journey. You will soon per- ceive that I had great reason to be afraid of it. I wish no danger may befall you, and that your passage by sea may be more fortunate than the last. Adieu ! forget not to send my wife the scarlet cloth. Charge it to the account of Sidy Selim, Once more adieu, my dear Brisson!" The tears which ac- companied his last words might have deceived me, had I not known what an adept he was in the art of dissimulation. After we ha,d been sixty-six days on our journey, my strength was exhausted, my legs were prodigiously swollen, my feet covered with running sores, and I should infallibly have sunk under my misfortunes, had not my master, to en- courage me, every now and then said, " Behold the sea ! Dost not thou see the ships ? Have a good heart ; we ar© ^.l^ost at our journey's end." Hope supported me, and when I least expected it, I beheld the element of which I had so much canse to complain. Upon quitting a labyrinth of broom bushes, we arrived at the top of a few little sand hills, when, to my inexpressible joy — a joy of which the reader can scarcely form any idea — I perceived the French colors, and those of several other nations, floating over the poops of dif- ferent vessels lying in the harbor of Mogador, which place I as yet knew only by the name of Saira. " Well, Brisson !" said my master, " art thou content ? Dost thou not see the vessels ? Are there any French ? I promised to conduct thee to the consul, and thou seest that I have kept my word. But who.t is the matter — thou art quite silent ?" Alas ! what could I answer 1 I could scarcely give vent to my tears ; and to articulate a word was impossible. I surveyed the sea, the colors, the ships, and the city, and thought that every thing I beheld was only an illusion. The unfortunate baker, equally affected and surprised, joined his sighs with mine, SHIPWRECK OF M. DE BRISSON. 203 while my tears bathed the hands of the generous old man who had procured me the enjoyment of such an agreeable prospect. On entering the city we met two Europeans. "Whoever thou art, (said I,) behold the misery of an unfortunate man, and deign to assist him. Afford me some consolation, and re- vive my drooping spirits. Where am I ? Of what country are you 1 What day of the month is it ? What day of the week is it ?" 1 found that I addressed two of my countrymen from Bordeaux, who, after looking at me a few moments, went to inform Messrs. Duprat and Cabanes, who considered it their duty to relieve, as far as lay in their power, such unhap- py people as might be driven upon these coasts. Those gen- tlemen came to meet me, and, without being disgusted at my appearance, which was far from inviting, they clasped me in their arms, and shed tears of joy at being able to relieve an unfortunate man. While I was waiting for an audience with the emperor I saw a captain review his troop. He was seated upon the ground, with his chin resting upon his two fists, and his arms placed upon his knees, which were bent upward. He made his soldiers advance two by two, then gave his orders, upon which the men, after prostrating before him, retired to their posts, or went to enjoy their amusement. Five or six of the guards arriving with white staves, sud- denly leaped upon me, seized me by the collar like a male- factor, and having ordered two large folding doors," like those of our barns, to be opened, they pushed me rudely into a kind of enclosure, where I looked in vain for any thing announcing t^e majesty of the throne. Having walked fifteen or tv^'•enty paces past a kind of wheel barrow, my attendants made me suddenly turn about, and pushing me in a brutal manner, or- dered me to prostrate myself before this Avheel-barrow, in which the emperor was seated cross-legged, amusing himself with stroking his toes. Having looked at me for some time, he asked if I was not one of those Christian slaves whose vessel had been cast away upon his coast about a year be- fore : what was the intention of my voya«:re to Senegal, &c. " You AVer e lost through your own fault," said he. "Why did you not keep farther from the shore ? Art thou rich ? Art thou married?" I had scarcely answered these questions when he ordered paper and ink to be brought him, v»'ith a small reed, which he used as a pen. He then traced out the four cardinal points, 204 SHIPWRECK OF M. DE BRISSON. to show me that Paris lay toward the north, and wrote down a few cyphers, as far as twelve, asking me if I knew them. He likewise put several questions of the same kind, to display the great extent of his learning. " Did the mountaineers treat thee well? (continued the prince;) Did they take much of thy effects ?" I replied to all his questions ; observing, that in proportion as we approached the capital^ we found the manners of the inhabitants milder and more civilized, " My authority does not extend over all the country thou hast traversed, (said he,) or rather my orders cannot be conveyed so far. With whom didst thou come?" With Sidy Selim, of the tribe of Roussye. •' I know him ; let him be brought hither." A moment afterward my master was introduced. The emperor ordered one of his guards to take care of me and the baker till he should receive fresh orders and to supply me with food from the royal kitchen : this man seemed greatly surprised that the sultan should have con- versed so long with a slave. Fortunately the French consul was at this time in great favor with the emperor, on account of some presents which he had made him. The emperor, for this reason, set all the pri- soners at liberty, and me among the rest ; so that we had now only to consider of the necessary measures for our return to France. The Arabs of the desert, among whom I had resided, are so ignorant that they not only consider themselves as the prin- cipal nation in the world, but have the foolish vanity to be- lieve that the sun rises for them only : " Behold the luminary, (said the3^) which is unknown in thy country! During the night thou art not lighted, as we are, by that heavenly boc^y which regulates our days and oli fasts. His children (mean- ing the stars) point out to us the hour of prayer. You have neither trees nor camels, sheep, goats, nor dogs. Are 3'our women made like ours?" " Indeed, (said one, counting my fingers and toes,) he is made like us; he differs only in his color and language, which astonishes me. Do you sow barley in your houses ?" (meaning our ships.) " No. (answered I ;) we sow our fields almost in the same season as you." " How 1 (exclaimed several of them,) do you live upon land ? We be- lieved that you were born and lived upon the sea." As soon as my quarantine was finished at Cadiz, where I landed, before I proceeded to my native land, or to the arms of a tender and affectionate wife, I wrote to the Marshal de Castries that I waited his orders to return to Seneq-al. Charr^-- COMMODORE BEERINGS, Conveyed on shore from a Russian ship. He died Dec. 8lh, 1741 : the island has since been called by his name. — p. 289. THE SURVIVORS OF THE MEDUSA, A French Frigate. "A large fire was kindled, and each one was occupied in dressing his meal." — p. 332. FAMINE IN THE SHIP PEGGY. 205 ged with new despatches, I again embarked at Havre de Grace on the 6th of May, 1787, and had the good fortune to arrive at the island of St. Louis without any accident. EXTRAORDINARY FAMINE IN THE AMERICAN SHIP PEGGY, 0)1 her return from the Azores to New-York in 1765. Famine frequently leads men to the commission of the most horrible excesses : insensible on such occasions to the appeals of nature and reason, man assumes the character of a beast of prey ; he is deaf to every representation, and coolly meditates the death of his fellow-creature. One of these scenes so afflicting to humanity was, in the year 1765, exhibited in the brigantine the Peggy, David Har- rison commander, freighted by certain merchants of New York, and bound to the Azores. She arrived without accident at Fayal, one of those islands, and having disposed of her car go, took on board a lading of wine and spirits. On the 24th of October, of the same year, she set sail on her return to New- York. On the 29th, the wind, which had till then been favorable, s'addenly shifted. Violent storms, which succeeded each other almost without interruption, during the month of November, did mxuch damage to the vessel. In spite of all the exertions of the crew and the experience of the captain, the masts went by the board, and all the sails, excepting one, were tore to rags; and to add to their distress, several leaks were discovered in the hold. At the beginning of December the wind abated a little, but the vessel was driven out of her course; and, destitute of masts, sails, and rigging, she Vv'as perfectly unmanageable, and drifted to and fro at the merc}^ of the waves. This, however, was the smallest evil; another of a much more alarming nature soon manifested itself Upon examining the state of the provi- sions, they Avere found to be almost totally exhausted. In this deplorable situation the crew had no hope of relief but from chance. A few days after this unpleasant discovery, two vessels were 18 206 FAMINE IN THE SHIP PEGGY. descried early one morning, and a transient ray of hope cheered the unfortunate crew of the Peggy. The sea ran so high as to prevent Captain Harrison from approaching the ijhips, which were soon out of sight. The disappointed sea- men, who were in want of every thing, then fell upon the wine and brandy with which the ship was laden. They allot- ted to the captain two small jars of water, each containing about a gallon, being the remainder of their stock. Some days elapsed, during which the men in some measure ap- peased the painful cravings of hunger by incessant intoxi- cation. On the fourth day a ship was observed bearing toward them in full sail ; no time was lost in making signals of distress, and the crew had the inexpressible satisfaction to perceive that they were answered. The sea was sufficiently calm to permit the two vessels to approach each other. The strangers seemed much affected by the account of their sufferings and misfortunes, and promised them a certain quantity of biscuit ; but it was not immediately sent on board, the captain alledging, as an excuse for the delay, that he had just begun a nautical observation which he was desirous to finish. However un- reasonable such a pretext appeared under the present circum- stances, the famished crew of the Peggy were obliged to sub- mit. The time mentioned by the captain had nearly expired, when, to their extreme mortification, the latter, regardless of his promise, crowded all his sails and bore away. No lan- guage is adequate to describe the despair and consternation which then overwhelmed the crew. Enraged and destitute of hope, they fell upon whatever they had spared til] then. The only animals that remained on board were a couple of pi- geons and a cat, which were devoured in an instant. The on- ly favor they showed the captain was to reserve for him the head of the cat. He afterward declared, that however disgust- ing it would have been on any other occasion, he thought it at that moment a treat exquisitely delicious. The unfortunate men then supported their existence by living on oil, candles, and leather, and these were entirely consumed by the 28th of December. From that day until the 13th of January it is impossible to tell in what manner they subsisted. Captain Harrison had been for some time unable to leave his cabin, being confined to his bed by a severe fit of the gout. On the last mention- ed day the sailors went to him in a body, with the mate at ' their head ; the latter acted as spokesman, and after an af- FAMINE IN THE SHIP PEGGY. 207 fecting representation of the deplorable state to which they were reduced, declared that it was necessary to sacrifice one in order to save the rest ; adding-, that their resolution was irrevocably fixed, and that they intended to cast lots for the victim. The captain, a tender and humane man, could not hear such a barbarous proposition without shuddering ; he repre- sented to them that they were men, and ought to regard each other as brethren ; that, by such an assassination, they would for ever consign themselves to universal execration; and commanded them, with all his authority, to relinquish the idea of committing such an atrocious crime. The captain was silent ; but he had spoken to deaf men. They all with one voice replied, that it was indifferent to them whether he approved of their resolution or not ; that they had only ac- quainted him with it out of respect, and because he would run the same risk as themselves ; adding that, in the general mis- fortune, all command and distinction were at an end. With these words they left him, and went upon deck, where the lots were drawn. A negro who was on board and belonged to Captain Harri- son was the victim. It is more than probable that the lot had been consulted only for the sake of form, and that the wretched black was proscribed the moment the sailors first formed their resolution. They instantly sacrificed him. One of the crew tore out his liver and devoured it, without having the patience to dress it, by broiling, or in any other manner. He was soon afterward taken ill, and died the following day in convulsions, and with all the symptoms of madness. Some of his comrades proposed to keep his body to live upon, after the negro was consumed ; but this advice was rejected by the majority, doubtless on account of the malady which had carried him off He was, therefore, thrown overboard, and consigned to the deep. The captain, in the intervals when he was the least tor- mented by the gout, was not more exempt from the attacks of hunger than the rest of the crew ; but he resisted all the per- suasions of his men to partake of their horrid repast. He contenfed himself with the water which had been assigned to him, mixing with it a small quantity of spirits ; and this was the only sustenance he took during the whole period of his distress. The body of the negro, equally divided, and eaten with the greatest economy, lasted till the 26th of January. On the 208 FAMINE IN THE SHIP PEGGY. 29th the famished crew deliberated upon selecting a second victim. They again came to inform the captain of their in- tention, and he appeared to give his consent, fearing lest the enraged sailors might have recourse to the lot without him. They left it with him to fix upon any method that he should think proper. The captain, summoning all his strength, wrote upon small pieces of paper, the name of each man who was then on board the brigantine, folded them up, and put them into a hat, and shook them well together. The crew mean- while preserved an awful silence j each eye was fixed, and each mouth was open, while terror was strongly impressed upon every countenance. With a trembling hand one of them drew from the hat the fatal billet, which he delivered to the captain, who opened it and read aloud the name of David Flatt. The unfortunate man on Avhom the lot had fallen appeared perfectly resigned to his fate. " My friends, (said he to his companions,) the only favor I request of you is, not to keep me long in pain ; dispatch me as speedily as you did the negro." Then turning to the man who had performed the first execution, he added, " It is you I choose to give me the mortal blow." He requested an hour to prepare himself for death, to which his comrades could only reply with tears. Meanwhile comipassion, and the remonstrances of the captain, prevailed over the hunger of the most hard-hearted. They unanimously resolved to defer the sacrifice till eleven o'clock the following morning. Such a short reprieve afforded very little consolation to Flatt. The certainty of dying the next day made such a deep im- pression upon his mind, that his body, which, for above a month, had withstood the almost total privation of nourish- ment, sunk beneath it. He Avas seized with a violent fever, and his state was so much aggravated by a delirium with which it was accompanied, that some of the sailors proposed to kill him im,JTiediately, in order to terminate his suflferings. The majority, however, adhered to the resolution which had been taken of waiting till the following morning. At ten o'clock in the morning of the 30th of January a large fire was already made to dress the limbs of the unfortu- nate victim, when a sail was descried at a distance. A favor- able wind drove her toward the Peggy, and she proved to be the Susan, returning from Virginia and bound to London. The captain could not refrain from tears at the affecting account of the sufferings endured by the famished crew. He lost no time in affording them relief, supplying them immedi- LOSS OF THE MAGPIE. 209 &tely with provisions and rigging, and offered to convoy the Peggy to London. The distance from New- York, their prox- imity to the English coast, together with the miserable state of the brigantine, induced the two captains to proceed to Eng- land. The voyage was prosperous ; only two men died, all the others gradually recovered their strength, Flatt himself was restored to perfect health, after having been so near the gates of death. ^OSS OF THE MAGPIE, AND ESCAPE OF TWO OF HER CReV. I KNOW many men in the navy who have served their years and years afloat, who have passed through the rugged life of a sailor untouched by the enemy and unhurt by misfortune. How true it is, "that in the midst of life we are in death!" that the very moment of intoxicating joy may be our last of existence ; and the instant of the greatest apparent security the date of our death; — how vain are all our precautions against the unerring hand of fate ! The Magpie, a small schooner, under the command of Lieu- tenant Smith, an active, intelligent officer, was ordered to cruise between the Colorados, a shoal at the western extremi- ty of the island of Cuba, and the Havana, in order to intercept a piratical vessel which had committed innumerable depreda- tions both on shore and at sea, and which every trader had seen, bat none could accurately describe. It was a service of the ut- most importance, inasmuch as the existence of this vessel ren- dered higher insurances requisite. The merchant vessels dared not sail without a convoy, and the men-of-war were otherwise in great request in every part of Columbia and Mexico, to protect the merchants from the rapacity of the dif- ferent governments, or the constant revolutions, which threw the weak entirely on the power of the strongest, without a chance of assistance. The Magpie proceeded to her destination, and there remain- ed, in hopes of capturing the marauder. It was one evening when the sea-breeze had lulled, and the calm in being which occurs before tbe land-breeze commences, that the schooner lay upon the silent waters without a motion, with her head to- 18* 210 LOSS OF THE MAGFIE, ward the shore, and about eight miles distant from the CoIo' yados. Smith, who had swept the horizon with his glass from: the mast head of his charge until the twilight had died into* darkness, Avas in his cabin, the mate on deck, the crew talking- over past scenes and occurrences, every thing apparently in the most perfect security, when an event occurred which I well know I cannot paint in the glowing colors the heart- rending tale deserves. It is requisite here to mention that the schooner had her fore-topsail set, the yard being braced for the starboard tack ; the foresail was in the brails, and the jib and boom mainsail, the latter with the tack triced up, hanging up and down in the calm. On the larboard bow a small black cloud had hung over the land ; and in tropical climates, almost invariably, the clouds settling on the hi] Is is the sign of the land-breeze being ■ about to commence. Perhaps many of my readers have not been in these climates, where the blessings of the cool night- breeze must be felt to be appreciated : generally speakings the land-wind comes on in light flaws, until it settles into its strength, which is rarely sufficient to drive a frigate at the rate of five knots an hour. None can guess with what impatience the navigator, who has been beating all day against the sea-breeze and current, awaits the arrival of his fair wind and cooling breeze, which is to give him renewed existence by its bracing qualities, and to forward him toward his port. It is a blessing eagerly sought after, and heartily welcome when it comes. The cloud, which at first seemed only of small dimensions, gradually increased ; and the moon, which was shining bright- ly just over the vapor, perhaps made it appear darker than it really was. The mate looked at the gathering blackness without apprehension, although some foreboding of approach- ing mischief seemed to render him unquiet and uneasy. "'Mr. Smith," said the mate, looking down the hatchway, "I think the land-breeze is coming off rather strong, sir ; the clouds look very black." "Very well," replied Smith, "keep a sharp look out, I shall be on deck myself in a moment." It is proper for the historian of all misfortunes to show how, by cautious attention, such misfortunes might have been guarded against. When the mate observed the increasing blackness and density of the cloud, he ought to have braced the foreyard round, and thus to have prevented the schooner being taken aback ; for there are no vessels so ticklish (as we LOSS OF THE MAGPIE. 211 call it) as schooners, and no yards so difficult to manage in a squall as the long overgrown yard for a schooner's fore-top- sail or square sail. Had this slight manoeuvre been executed, the horrible consequences v^hich ensued might have been ob- viated : at any rate, the men ought to have been kept in readi- ness, the fore-top-sail should have been furled, or lowered, and preparations to meet any circumstances ought to have been made. It is a singular fact, that the crew, who had been engaged in relating all kinds of wonderful events about five minutes before the catastrophe occurred, became aw^fuliy silent ; not a word escaped them ; there seemed a preparatory stillness for death itself, or a respectful fear at its approach. A sqaall of wind, which must have been fearfully strong, seemed to burst from the cloud alongside of the schooner ; it reached her before the mate could call the watch into activity. The vessel was taken aback; and Mr, Smith, as he put his foot upon the last step of the ladder, found his schooner up- set, and scarcely time had he to reach the deck before she sunk, to rise no more. The crew, amounting in all to twenty-four, happened luckily to be on deck, witli the exception of two, who were drowned in the schooner ; and in one minute they found themselves struggling in the water — ^their home, their ship, and some of their companions, lost for ever. The v;ild cry for assistance from some, of surprise from others, and fear from all, seemed to drown the wind; for, as if sent by Providence to effect this single event, no sooner had the schooner sunk than the wind entirely ceased, a cahn came on, and the bright rays of the moon fell upon the wet faces of the struggling crew — most fortunately, as some would think, but in reality the most painfully unfortunate from what fojiowed. The boat on the booms of the schooner floated clear of the sinking vessel, and seemed prepared for their salvation; the fore-yard-arm had somehow got fixed on the gunwale, and as the schooner sunk, it naturally heeled the boat, until she was nearly upset and half full of water, when the yard got disentangled, the schoon- er sunk and the boat floated. The only ark of their safety was amply large enough to have saved the twenty-two men who instantly swam to her ; but such -was the impetuosity occasioned by their fright, that prudence Avas overlooked, and in the hurried exertion of eight or ten endeavoring to scramble in, all on one side, the half-filled boat heeled below her gunwale in the water, and 212 LOSS OF fiit Magpie. rolled over and over; some got across her keel, the others held on by her — and all were safe from drowning. Mr. Smith, who appears to have been a man of most con- summate command and coolness, began to reason with his crew on the impossibility of their being saved if they conti- nued in their present position ; for those who were on the keel would shortly roll off, and exertion and fatigue would soon force the others to relinquish their holds, or urge them to en- deavor forcibly to dislodge the possessors from their quiet seats. He pointed out the necessity of righting the boat, of allowing only two men to get in her to bale her out, whilst the others, supported by the gunwales, which they kept up- right, might remain in the water until the boat was in such a condition as to receive two more; and thus by degrees to ship the whole crew in security. Even in this moment of peril the discipline of the navy assumed its command. At the order from the lieutenant for the men on the keel to relinquish their position, they instantly obeyed, the boat was turned over, and once more the expedi- ent was tried — but quite in vain ; for no sooner had the two men begun to bale with a couple of hats, and the safety of the crew to appear within the bounds of probability, than one man declared he saw the fin of a shark. No language can convey the panic which seized the struggling seamen. A shark is at all times an object of horror to a sailor ; and those who have seen the destructive jaw^s of these voracious fish, and their immense and almost incredible power — their love of blood, and their bold daring to obtain it — alone can form an idea of the sensations produced to a swimmer by the cry of " a shark ! a shark !" Every man now struggled to obtain a moment's safety. Well they knew that one drop of blood would have been scent- ed by the everlasting pilot fish, the jackalls of the shark ; and that their destruction was inevitable, if one only of these mon- sters should discover the rich repast, or be led to its food by the little rapid hunter of its prey. All discipline was now unavailing; the boat again turned keel up. One man only gained his security, to be pushed from it by others ; and thus their strength began to fail from long-continued exertion. As, however, the enemy so much dreaded did not make its ap- pearance. Smith once more urged them to endeavor to save themselves by the only means left, that of the boat : but as he knew that he would only increase their alarm by endea- voring to persuade them that sharks did not abound in those LOSS OF THE MAGPIE. 213 parts, he used the wisest plan of desiring those who held on by the gunwale to keep splashing in the water with their legs, in order to frighten the monsters at which they were so alarmed. Once more had hope began to dawn ; the boat was clear to her thwarts, and four men were in her hard at work. A little forbearance and a little obedience, and they were safe. At this moment, when those in the water urged their messmates in the boat to continue bailing with unremitted exertions, a noise was heard close to them, and about fifteen sharks came right in amongst them. The panic was ten times more dreadful than before. The boat again was upset by the simultaneous endea vor to escape danger, and the twenty-two sailors were again devoted to destruction. At first the sharks did not seem inclined to seize their prey, but swam in amongst the men, playing in the -water, some- times leaping about and rubbing against their victims. This was of short duration. A loud shriek from one of the men announced his sudden pain. A shark had seized him by the leg and severed it entirely from the body. No sooner had the blood been tasted than the long-dreaded attack took place; another and another shriek proclaimed the loss of limbs: some were torn from the boat, to which they vainly endea- vored to cling — some, it was supposed, sunk from fear alone — all were in dreadful peril. Mr. Smith, even now, when, of horrible deaths the most horrible seemed to await him, gave his orders with clearness and coolness ; and to the everlasting honor of the poor de- parted crew be it known, they were obeyed. Again the boat was righted, and again two men were in her. Incredible as it may appear, still however it is true, that the voice of the officer was heard amidst the danger ; and the survivors actu- ally, as before, clung to the gunwale, and kept the boat up- right. Mr. Smith himself held by the stern, and cheered and applauded his men. The sharks had tasted the blood, and were not to be driven from their feast ; in one short moment, when Mr. Smith ceased splashing, as he looked into the boat to watch the progress, a shark seized both his legs and bit them off just above the knees. Human nature was not strong enough to bear the immense pain without a groan ; but Smith endeavored to conceal the misfortune. Nature, true to her- self, resisted the endeavor, and the groan was deep and audi- ble. The crew had long respected their gallant commander ; they knew his worth and his courage. On hearing him ex- press his pain, and seeing him relinquish his hold to sink, two 214 LOSS OF THE MAGPIE. of the men grasped their dying officer and placed him in the stern sheets. Even now, in almost insupportable agony, that gallant fellow forgot his own sufferings, and thought only on rescuing the remaining few from the untimely grave which awaited them. He told them again of their only hope, de- plored their perilous state, and concluded with these words: " If any of you survive this fatal night, and return to Jamai- ca, tell the admiral (Sir Laurence Halstead) that I was in search of the pirate when this lamentable occurrence took place ; tell him, I hope I have always done my duty, and that I" — here the endeavor of some of the men to get into the boat gave her a heel on one side ; the men who were sup- porting poor Smith relinquished him for a moment, and he rolled overboard and was drowned. His last bubbling cry was soon lost amidst the shrieks of his former companions — he sunk to rise no more. Could he have been saved, his life would have been irksome ; and, but for the time which even the best desire to make atonement for the sins and errors of early life — to offer their contrite prayers to the throne of grace — to implore that salvation we all hope for, and none of them- selves can claim — he had better have died as he did, than live to be dependent on others ; to hear the peevish complaint of his attendants, or to sigh for pleasures he could never en- joy, or for comforts he could never obtain. With him died every hope., All but two of the crew gave way to loud exe- crations and cursings. Some, who had not been so seriously injured by the monsters of the deep, endeavored to get upon the keel of the boat, which was again upset ; but, worn out with excessive fatigue, and smarting under the keen pain, they gave up the chance of safety, and were eaten up by the sharks ; or, courting death, which appeared inevitable, they threw themselves from their only support and were drowned. At eight o'clock in the evening the Magpie was upset ; it was calculated by the two survivors that their companions had all died by nine. The sharks seemed satisfied for the moment ; and they with gallant hearts resolved to profit by the precious time in order to save themselves. They righted the boat, and one getting over the bows and the other over the stern, they found themselves, although nearly exhausted, yet alive and in comparative security. They began the work of bailing, and soon lightened the boat sufficiently not to be easily upset, when both sat down to rest. The return of the sharks was the signal for their return to labor. The vora- cious monsters endeavored to upset the boat. They swam LOSS OF THE MAGPIE. 215 oy its side in seeming anxiety for their prey; but, after wait- ing some time, they separated — ^the two rescued seamen found themselves free from their insatiable enemies, and, by the blessing of God, saved. Tired as they were, they continued their labor until the boat was nearly dry, when both lay down to rest, the one forward, and the other aft. So completely had fear operated on their minds, that they did not dare even to move, dreading that an incautious step might again have cap- sized the boat. They soon, in spite of the horrors they had v/itnessed, fell into a sound sleep, and day had dawned before they awoke to horrible reflections, and apparently worse dangers. The sun rose clear and unclouded; the cool calm of the night was followed by the sultry calm of the morning ; and heat and hunger, thirst and fatigue, seemed to settle on the unfortunate men, rescued by Providence and their own exer- tions from the jaws of a horrible death. They awoke and looked at each other — the very gaze of despair was appalling. Far as the eye could reach, no object could be discerned ; the bright haze of the morning added to the strong refraction of light: one smooth interminable plain, one endless ocean, one cloudless sky, and one burning sun, were all they had to gaze upon. The boat lay like the ark — in a world alone ! The^f had no oar, no mast, no sail — nothing but the bare planks, and themselves, without provisions or water, food or raiment ; they lay upon the calm ocean, hopeless, friendless, miserable. It was a time of intense anxiety; their eyes rest- ed upon each other in silent pity, not unmixed with fear ; each knew the dreadful alternative to which nature would urge them : the cannibal u-as already in their looks, and fear- ful would have been the first attack on either side, for they were both brave and stout men, and equals in strength and courage. ••'Tis a bad business this, Tom," said the man on the bow — ^'a very bad business, indeed; I think I am sorry I was not eaten by the sharks with the rest of the poor fellows, and then I should never have known the misery of this moment." " I have been," replied Jack, " in many a heavy squall be- fore now ; but I never felt such a gale as this ; no hope, Tom, none ! Here we are, doomed to die of thirst and hunger ! — nothing to eat, you know, Tom — nothing !" The word " no- thing" was repeated by Tom, who afterward continued the conversation : — " Well, bo}^ many's the ship that passes through the Gulf of Florida, and which must come nearly 216 LOSS OF THE MAGPIE. within hail of us ; so that if we, or one of us, can live but a little — and I dare say loe can find food for one — why then, you know, the whole of the story will be told, and that will be something." "Food for one!" re-echoed the other, and advanced a little toward his only companion with a look of savage determina- tion. Both understood the allusion; there was no doubt but that they could have outlived the day without resorting to the last resource ; but they stood afraid of each other. Both had knives, for sailors always carry these instruments sus- pended to their necks by a strong piece of white line, which they call a lanyard. Although not driven to the dreadful al- ternative, they anticipated the worst results ; they knew thej^ could not long survive the awful situation in which they were placed. If no ship passed them within four-and-twenty hours, it was evident that one must hare been murdered to save the other. In all times of tribulation and danger men turn their thoughts to God, and solicit that support for which, when in health and securit}'-, they had omitted to pray. There is a de- lightful calm v/hich generally comes over the mind of the most hardened after they have been induced to pray for sup- port and forgiveness ; and few there are who, having once ex- perienced the consolations of religion, totally abandon it after- ward. In the situation in which the two men were placed, they had not even the comfort of employment, for they had nothing to employ themselves upon : all they could do was, or could be done in a second — namely, when the sea-breeze came, to place a thwart upright, with a jacket upon it, in the bows of the boat, and scud before the wind; in which case, if they could exist four or five days, they might reach the wes- tern shore of the Gulf of Mexico. The man abaft fell upon his knees, and lifting his clasped hands to heaven, silently began his prayer. The throb of religion reached the heart of his companion, who, fearing to approach too near the only human being he was likely to see again, knelt down on the fore part of the boat ; and thus, in silence, they prayed for support, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. It was now^ about half past six in the morning. The sun was beginning to prove its burning power; the sea was as smooth as a looking-glass ; and, saving now and then the slight cat's paw of air which ruffled the face of the water for a few yards, all was calm and hushed. In vain they strained LOSS OF THE MAGPIE. 217 their eyes ; in vain they turned from side to side to escape the burning raj^s of the sun ; they could not sleep, for now anxiety and fear kept both vigilant and on their guard. They dared not to court sleep, for that might have been the last ot mortal repose. Once they nearly quarrelled, but fortunately the better feelings of humanity overcame the bitterness of despair. The foremost man had long complained of thirst, and had frequently dipped his hand into the water and suck- ed the fluid. This w^as hastily done, for all the horrors of the night were still before them, and not unfrequently the sharp fin of a shark was seen not very far from the boat. In the midst of the excruciating torments of thirst, heightened by the salt water, and the irritable temper of the bowman, as he stamped his impatient foot against the bottom boards, and tore his hair with unfeeling indifference, he suddenly stopped the expression of his rage, and called out — " By , there is a sail !" The extravagance of joy was now equal to the former despair. They jumped into each other's arms — they laugh- ed and cried together. It was a sail, a brig, which had a light breeze aloft, and was steering exactly in their direction. Every means of making a signal was resorted to. One stood upon the thwart and flung his jacket in the air, whilst th-e other, although the stranger was miles distant, endeavored to hail her. Sometimes they hailed together, in order to pro- duce a louder sound, and occasionally both stood up to make some signal. Their eyes w^ere never off the brig. They thought no longer of the burning sun, or of hunger, or of thirst ; deliverance was at hand, at least so they flattered them- selves, and no time of greatest joy could have beat the excite- ment and gratification of that moment. Whilst they stood watching in silence the approach of the brig, which slowl}- made her way through the water, and at the very instant that the}' w^ere assuring each other that they were seen, and that the vessel was purposely steered on the course she w^as keep- ing to reach them, the whole fabric of hope was destroj^ed in a second; the brig kept away about three points, and began to make more sail. Then was it an awful moment. Their countenances saddened as they looked at each other ; for in vain they hailed — in vain they threw their jackets in the air — It was evident they had never been seen, and that the brig was steering her proper course. Both now attempted to break adrift one of the fixed thwarts. The loose ones had been lost during the night ; and akhough, as all may fancy, every muscle was exerted, and all the stren.eth 19 218 LOSS OF THE MAGPIE. nature had given them pushed to its utmost, yet were they msufficient in power to succeed. Their object was to use two of those thwarts as paddles, and to edge down at an angle from the course of the brig ; so that they would, if they did not reach her, at any rate pass so near as to be certain of be- mg seen. This last was a sad disappointment ; but, sailor- like, they would not despair while hope was in sight. They endeavored by heeling the boat on one side, to propel her by their hands. But they were soon worn out with fatigue, and obliged to relinquish the attempt ; for, independently of the impossibility of success in such an undertaking, they lost the better opportunity of being seen from the vessel. It was after a long deep sigh from the man in the stern- sheets, and after wiping away a stream of tears as he looked at the vessel, then about two miles and a half distant, that he broke into a loud lamentation on the utter hopelessness of their condition if they were not seen. In vain they declared that the brig had purposely altered her course to avoid them — in vain they pointed to a man going aloft, whom they could distinctly see — and in vain they waved their jackets, and as- sisted the signal with speech. The time was slipping away, and if once they got abaft the beam of the brig, every second would lessen the chance of being seen; beside, the sea-breeze might come down, and then she would be far away, and be- 3^ond all hope in a quarter of an hour. Now it was that the man who had been so loudly lamenting his fate, seemed sud- denly inspired with fresh hope and courage ; he looked atten- tively at the brig, then at his companion, and said — " By hea- ven, I'll do it, or we are lost !" " Do what ?" said his shipmate. " Though," said the first manj^ " it is no trifle to do, after what we have seen and known, yet I will try ; for if she passes us, what can we do ? I tell 3^ou, Jack, I'll swim to her. If I get safe to her, you are saved ; if not, I shall die without add- ing, perhaps, murder to my crimes." " What ! jump overboard, and leave me all alone !" replied his companion : " look, look at that shark, which has followed us all night — vAij it is only waiting for you to get in the water to swallow you, as it did perhaps half of our mess- mates — no, no — wait, do wait, perhaps another vessel may come ; beside, I can't swim half the distance, and I should Tom — only think of the be afraid to remain behind : thi sharks, and of last night." This appeal staggered the determination of the gallant fel- low. There, about twenty yards from the boat, was the fin of LOSS OF THE MAGPIE. 219 the shark, and now and then another and another might be seen. He looked at his enemies and then at himself. Cer- tain death awaited him in the boat, perhaps heightened by crime ; a chance of death awaited him in the sea ; but there was hope to buoy him up — the time was flying ; the brig was fast advancing, and hope was every minute growing less. "Well," said he, "Jack, it comes to this, you see, that if we wait we must die — if I get to the brig, we must be saved. If the sharks — God Almighty protect me!" said he, shudder- ing as he mentioned the word — "should take me, and you live to get back again, you know where to remember me. I say. Jack, it's no use being frightened to death when we can but die: come, give us your hand, my la.st companion.. I'll do it, if it is to be done. Good by. Now, if you see those devils in chase of me, splash or make some noise to frighten them, but don't tell me you see them coming. Another shake of the hand — God bless you. Jack ! keep your eye upon me, and make signals to the brig — there," said he, putting his knife down, "that might be of use to you, and here's my toggery. If I'm taken, it's none the better for last night's swim." Then falling on his knees, and saying, " God pro- tect me!" he jumped overboard with as much calmness as if he was bathing in security. No sooner had he begun to strike out in the direction he intended, than his companion turned toward the sharks. The fins had disappeared, and it was evident they had heard the splash, and would soon follow their prey. It is hard to say who suffered the most anxiety. The one left in the boat cheered his companion, looked at the brig, and kept waving his jacket — then turned to watch the sharks. His horrors may be imagined, when he saw three of those terrific monsters swim past the boat, exactly in the direction of his companion: he splashed his jacket in the water to scare them away, but they seemed quite aware of the impotency of the attack, and lazily pursued their course. The man swam well and strongly. Thene was no doubt he would pass within hail of the brig, provided the sharks did not interfere ; and he, knowing that they would not be long in following him, kept kicking the water and splashing as he swam. There is no fish more cowardly, and yet more des- perately savage, than a shark. I have seen one harpooned twice, with a hook in its jaws, and come again to a fresh bait : yet will they suffer themselves to be scared by the smallest noise, and hardly ever take their prey without it is quite still. Generally speaking, any place surrounded by rocks where the 220 LOSS OF THE MAGPIE. surf breaks, although there may be a passage for a ship, will be secure from sharks. It was not till a great distance had been accomplished that the swimmer became apprized of his danger and saw by his side one of the terrific creatures. Still, however, he bravely swam and kicked.; his mind was made up for the worst, and he had little hope of success. In the mean time the breeze had gradually freshened, and the brig passed with great velocity through the water: every stitch of canvass Avas spread. To the poor swimmer the sails seemed bursting with the breeze ; and as he used his utmost endeavor to propel himself, so as to cut off the vessel, the spray appeared to dash from the bow, and the brig to fly through the sea. He was now close enough to hope his voice might be heard ; but he hailed, and hailed, and hailed in vain — not a soul was to be seen on deck : the man who steered was too intent upon his avocation to listen to the call of mercy. The brig passed, and the swimmer was every second getting farther in the distance. Every hope was gone, not a ray of that bright divinity remained : the fatigue had nearly exhaust- ed him, and the sharks only waited for the first quiet moment to swallow their victim. It was in vain he thought of returning toward the boat, for he never could have reached her, and his companion had no means of assisting him. In the act of offering up his last prayer ere he made up his mind to float and be eaten, he saw a man look over the quarter of the brig. He raised both his hands, he jumped himself up in the water, and by the singu- larity of his motions fortunately attracted notice. A tele- scope soon made clear the object : the brig was hove to, a boat sent, and the man saved, The attention of the crew was then awakened to the Magpie's boat : she was soon along- side ; and thus, through the bold exertions of as gallant a fel- low as ever breathed, both were rescued from their perilous situation. At first the dreadful tale was discredited ; and the American captain rather fancied the addition to his crew to be two pi- rates, who had, to avoid a surer death, put to sea in an earless, mastless, sailless boat. They were landed at the Havana, and then conveyed to Port Royal in the first man-of-war. Such were the sufferings and the deaths of the crew of the unfortunate Magpie ; and these facts were related to the offi- cers composing the court-martial which sat upon the two re- maining men. The story was told with unaffected modesty ; and he who had so generously risked his life to save his mess- ADVENTURES OF MADAME DENOYER. 221 mate, could not be prevailed upon to tell that part which sole- ly related to himself: but when the truth was out, and his messmate had done ample justice to the heroic act, they both burst into tears in the court, and ran into each other's arms. There was not a man in that court, either as captain or crew, who did not show how quickly the feelings of sailors can be touched, and how alive they are to recording a generous and manly act. The survivors were both strongly recommended for promo- tion, and the recommendation was not in vain — a few short months saw them warrant-officers ; and when I left that sta- tion some years afterward, these two men had gained the con- fidence and esteem of their commanding-officers, who found them sober, attentive, and alert in doing their duties. And thus it sometimes happens that the most unfortunate circumstances are the best roads to promotion and contentment. ADVENTURES OF MADAME DENOYER, Who loas turned adrift in a boat, in the open sea, between the Bahama Islands and Cuba, in 1766. The distressing situation to which Madame Denoyer, a courageous and unfortunate Creole of Cape Francois, in St. Domingo, was reduced, must affect every tender and virtuous mind. Her narrative shows into what excesses the base de- sire of gain is sometimes capable of leading men. M. Denoyer, an inhabitant of Cape Francois, where he had gained universal esteem, with a view to improve his circum- stances, formed the design of settling in Samana, a bay in. the portion of St. Domingo, then belonging to Spain. This in- tention he communicated to his wife, by whom it was ap- proved of After residing a year at Samana, Madame Denoyer re- quested her husband to return to Cape Francois, where her native air was more favorable to her health. M. Denoyer was too fond of his wife not to comply with her desire. They accordingly embarked in a small vessel belonging to them, with a child seven years old, another at the breast, and a fe- male negro servant, named Catharine. While they were preparing for the voyage an English vessel was lost upon the 19* 222 ADVENTURES OF MADAME DENOYER. coast ; the crew, however, had the good fortune to reach the land. As there was at Samana a small French ship just ready to sail, the shipwrecked men, eight in nnmber,Jnte* rested the commander, the Sieur Verrier, to receive them on board, and to take them to Cape Francois or Monte Christo, Being unable to accommodate them all, he proposed to Mr Denoyer to take two of them in his bark. One of them was the captain, whose name was John, and the other was called Young. M. Denoyer, being a man of a humane disposition, received them with pleasure, gave them linen and clothes, treated them with the utmost kindness, in return for which they promised all the assistance in their power to their benefactor. M. Denoyer set sail at the beginning of March, 1776, hav- ing likevvise on board two French seamen, whom he had hired to navigate the vessel. As they steered their course close in shore, when they arrived opposite the habitation of Manuel Borgne, several leagues distant from the place of their depar- ture, the two French seam.en requested M. Denoyer to put them on shore, as the assistance of the two Englishmen whom he had so hospitably received would be sufficient. With this request M. Denoyer complied. About ten o'clock the following morning M. Denoyer, with the help of the two Englishmen, set sail. They came to an anchor in the evening, at a place called Grigri, a league from Porto Plata, on the north coast of St. Domingo. They supped together near the shore, after which, covering the poop with palmetto leaves^ and erecting a kind of awning, they placed underneath it a matress for Madame Denoyer, her two chil- dren, and negro servant, to sleep upon. M. Denoyer threw himself upon another matress at the feet of his wife, v.h.ile the two Englishmen lay down at the head of the bark. They slept soundly till midnight, when they were awaked by the cries of their infant daughter. After milking the goat which they had taken with them for the purpose of suckling the child, M. Denoyer lay down again. About three or four o'clock in the morning his Avife was disturbed by the dull sound of a violent blow on the bed of her husband, whom she heard sigh. Trembling with affright, she aucke her black servant, crying, " Good God ! Catherine, they are killing M. Denoyer." At the same time she lifted up the cloth which composed the awning, when John darted toward her bed with a hatchet in his hand, and with a ferocious look threatened to kill her if she made the least motion to rise, and unless she ADVENTURES OF MADAME DENOYER. 223 immediately let down the cloth; after which the perfidious assassin returned, and with two more strokes dispatched his victim; he then bent the sails, and Young repaired to the helm, with the intention of steering toward New- York. At break of day the bark was two leagues distant from the shore. Madame Denoyer, overwhelmed with fear, scarcely had strength to rise from her bed. But what were her feel- ings at the horrid spectacle which presented itself to her eyes ? She beheld the matress, upon which was extended the man- gled body of her husband, floating on the water ! The bar- barous John, aggravating his crinie by the bitterest raillery, said: " Make yourself easy, Madame, your husband is taking a sound nap." A nipment afterward he returned to her, arm- ed with a dagger, demanding her husband's arms and the keys of his boxes. Madame Denoyer delivered them to him. The villain hav- ing rummaged in every place, without finding any money, re- turned them. The disconsolate widow then melting into tears, (the source of which seemed to have been before dried up by grief and terror,) asked him why he had murdered her hus- band, since he had no money? The assassin replied that it was for the sake of the vessel, w^hich he had resolved to take to New- York. After these words the monster appeared to relent, and offered the afflicted lady tea and chocolate. She answered that she wanted nothing; upon which he told her not to grieve, that he intended her no injury, but, on the con- trary, would land her on French ground, with all her baggage. During the remainder of the day he left her at liberty to re- sign herself entirely to her sorrow. It may be supposed that the night afforded no repose to this unfortunate woman. The image of her husband, murdered by villains whom he had treated with the utmost kindness, in- cessaritl^r haunted her; their cruelty, their baseness, their brutality, augmented her apprehensions, and rendered them still more terrible when she cast her eyes on her beloved in- fants. While her mind vra* occupied with the most gloomy and afflicting ideas, she heard the two executioners of her husband planning an outrage which every virtuous woman dreads more than death itself John, the infam.ous John, pro* posed to his companion to take the servant, reserving the mistress for himself; but Young refusing to comply, the vil- lains, after fastening the helm, lay down. The black servant conceived the design of putting out their eyes with a nail while they were asleep ; but fearing lest they only feigned sleep, she relinquished the undertaking. 224 ADVENTURES OF MADAME DENOYER. At the dawning of the following day they set sail, and kepf out to sea. Madame Denoyer inquired whether they intend- ed to take her to New- York. They replied, that if she wish- ed to go to Cape Francois, one of them would take her, the children and black servant, thither in the canoe which they had on board. Anxiety concerning her future fate; the sight of the ^-illains, stained with her husband's blood ; her forlorn situation; her apprehensions and grief; induced her to ac- cept this offer, though the canoe was very small to with^and the fury of the waves ; this kind of boat being made of a single trunk of a tree, after the manner of those of the sava- ges of America. Having acquainted them with her resolu- tion, John told her to pack up her linen in a bundle, her box- es being too bulky to be removed into a canoe. He himself put into it a wretched straw matress, four biscuits, a pitcher containing about four quarts of fresh water, six eggs, and a small quantity of salt pork. John having put into it the two children and the black servant, searched Aladame Denoyers pockets, where he found her husband's silver stock-buckle and shoe-buckles, which he took from her, together with the linen which she had packed up. Having at length got into the boat, she waited with impatience for the conductor that had been promised her, when she saw Young cut the rope by which the boat was fastened : he then repaired to the helm, while John set the sails, and the vessel was soon out of sight. The sky and the ocean were the only objects she had then in view. Abandoned in the midst of the waves, far from any coast, the forlorn Avidow demanded relief of her husband's assassins ; she conjured them, with all the eloquence of an affectionate mother, to take compassion on her infant offspring. When her voice failed, she continued to supplicate with the most ex- pressive and affecting gestures. The assassins, deaf to her intreatiss, abandoned the wretched family to its fate, and dis- appeared. Consternation, the excess of ker grief, the danger which threatened the objects dearest to her heart, combined to reduce her to a state of total insensibilit5\ Her faithful servant em- ployed every method in her power to recover her mistress. She revived, but only to behold the abyss ready to receive her, to deplore the wretched situation of her beloved children, who were likely to be the prey of the monsters of the deep. She pressed them to her bosom, bedewed them with her tears, and every time she cast her eyes upon them she ima- ADVENTURES OF MADAME DENOYER. 225 gined that she beheld them for the last time. Resig-ning her- self entirely to the direction of Providence, she suffered the canoe to float at the will of the waves. But the approach of a horribly dark night soon augmented her danger and her apprehensions. To crown the misfor- tunes of the distressed family, the wind began to blow with -great violence, the waves rose, and, amidst their impetuous shocks, a sea broke over the canoe, vv'ashed away the biscuit and fresh water, while the attention of the wretched woman was diverted from such a great misfortune only by the fear of being swallowed up by a wave still more tremendous. It is impossible to describe the protracted horrors of this terrible night. The wished-for dawn at length arrived, and brought calmer weather, but no other consolation. They beheld nothing but sky and water, and were ignorant which way to direct their course. In this desperate situation Madame Denoyer never ceased to implore the assistance of Providence, the onl}^ sup- port of the unfortunate. In this manner they passed seven days and seven nights, exposed to the inclemencies of the weather, without drink or food of any kind, excepting a little salt pork. Exhausted with fatigue, the enfeebled mother was every moment losing the little strength she had left ; but in this condition the idea of a speedy death was less terrible than the deplorable state of her children. In quitting them she was desirous of giving the most precious mark of maternal affection. She was on the point of opening a vein to prolong the life of the little inno- cent closely pressed to her bosom, when Catherine discover- ed a distant sail. This intelligence gave Madame Denoyer ^lew life; both the women, shouted and made signs. They soon perceived that their signals were seen, and that the vessel Avas standing toward them. A new danger now intervened. The waves broke with such force against the ship as to ren- der them apprehensive that the canoe would be sunk if they attempted to get on board. However, by the management of the captain, the widow, the children, and the black servant were taken on board the vessel. She arrived safely in the road of New-Orleans, the place of their destination. Madame Denoyer had the good fortune to find there M. Rougeot, a notary, and near relation, who received her and her familv, rescued, as it were, from the tomb, with the greatest joy and affection. The inhabitants of Louisiana generously raised a subscrip- 226 LOSS OF A SPANISH FRIGATE. tion for the relief of the unfortunate lady. She gave her li- berty to Catherine, the faithful companion of all her distresses; but that female, touched with the gratitude of her mistress, refused to leave her, declaring that nothing but death should part them. The above facts were attested by Madame Denoyer before the proper officer at New-Orleans, to whom she likewise gave a description of her husband's ass'assins. Inquiry was made concerning them at New- York, but whether they perished by the just judgment of Providence, or found means to escape detection, was never ascertained. SHIPWRECK OF A SPANISH FRIGATE. On the coast of Mexico, in 1678. Related by the Captain. Leaving Lima, the capital of Peru, in 1678, I proceeded to Callao, and there went on board a frigate, to the command of which I had been appointed. Her cargo consisted of flour, fruits, and a great number of chests for Panama, where we arrived safe on the 6th of May. As I was to take in another cargo of merchandise at Caldera, a port of Mexico, situated in the province of Costa Rica, I set sail for that place with several passengers. We left Panama on the 12th of May, and imagined that we should arrive as usual, in about nine days, at Caldera. At the end of a fortnight, however, we found our- selves under the necessity of coming to an anchor at the mouth of the Manglares, which descends from Chiriqui, a lofty moun- tain, celebrated for its gold mines. I there went on shore with some of the crew to procure a supply of provisions, which be- gan to fail. All agreed, that, as the passage we had to make was very short, it would be sufficient to take on board enough for eight days. I, however, prepared for the worst, and took, at my own expense, sufficient for a month; these provisions consisted of calves, pigs, fowls, maize, and some fruits of the country. Having again put to sea, we were tossed about with great violence by the waves during the eight days, in which, ac- cording to our reckoning, we should arrive at the place of our destination. On the ninth, at four in the afternoon, we were overtaken by a furious squall, which, together with the violence LOSS OF A SPANISH FRIGATE. 227 of the sea, drove us on a coast so lined with rocks, that if we had been carried a musket shot farther, the vessel must ine- vitably have been dashed into a thousand pieces, and we should all have perished, as there was no beach upon which we could have gained the land. To escape such imminent danger we hoisted out the cutter with all possible expedition, and endeavored to tow the frigate out to sea by the assistance of eight of our stoutest rowers. We labored with such dili- gence and success, that we accomplished our purpose. The tempest, and the efforts we had made to extricate ourselves from this perilous situation, had greatly fatigued us, and we were seized with such a listlessness, that about midnight, owing to the bad look-out that was kept, the ship got among the rocks, against one of which she struck with such violence that all the larboard ports were broken to pieces. At the noise of the crash we gave ourselves up for lost, conceiving, as we well might, that the keel had struck ; nor could we immediately ascertain the extent of the calamity, because it was so dark that we could not see. The supposi- tion Ave had formed caused us to pass the remainder of the night in the utmost inquietude, though the storm had abated. Fortunately, when daylight came, we found that our terrors had been greater than the injury we had received. The wind .hen appearing favorable, I ordered the sails to be set ; but it did not long continue, for, during the four following days it changed more than six times. At length, after being beaten about from one side to the other, we found ourselves again at the mouth of the same river where v/e had taken in our fresh suppl}/" of provisions. The passengers were not so much vexed as they would have been on any other occasion, for they had exhausted their provisions, and had lived for three days on the small portion which I had assigned them of mine. We were therefore obliged to land a second time. For fear of being again expos- ed to the like inconvenience, they laid in a stock sufficient for a fortnight, and purchased a quantity of plantain fruit, which are excellent eating when ripe. For my part I again took provisions for a month, choosing rather to have some left than '0 run the risk of being in want of them. We now set sail again, and proceeded as far as the Cape of Borica, when we were overtaken by a calm that detamed us at that place twenty-two days. It lasted from break of day till sunset, and then a light breeze springing up, we con- tinued OUT course all night ; but the contrary currents that 228 LOSS OF A SPANISH FRIGATE. prevail on those coasts caused us to lose more way in an hour than we had made in six. As soon as the dawn of day began to appear, the man at the mast-head cried out, with de- monstrations of joy, " land ! land !" but when it was light, this land was discovered to be the point of Borica, which we left at the beginning of the night, and this circumstance caused us the greatest mortification. However, unable to redress this misfortune, we endeavored to divert our thoughts from it, by employing ourselves in va- rious ways; some in fishing, others in reading, and others again amused themselves with bathing in the sea. In this si- tuation we passed the greatest part of the time in conversing on our common misfortune, sometimes deploring it beyond measure, and sometimes unable to refrain from laughing at it. Our provisions were consumed during this long calm; we were therefore necessitated to go on shore for the third time. I was of opinion that we should return to Panama, but the pilot and seamen declaring that with a wind the least favora- ble we should arrive in four or five days at Caldera, I at length yielded to their persuasion ; therefore, put the ship about, and returned for a fresh supply of provisions to the mouth of the Chiriqui. We took on board a larger quantity than before, and again set sail ; and after a passage of eight days, came in sight of the island del Cagno. Some of the crew now flattered themselves that in two days we should reach the wished-for port of Caldera. But men are liable to be mistaken in their judgments. The weather, that had been clear and serene, suddenly changed. The sun had just set when the pilot ordered the sails to be lowered, apprehensive of a tempest, which was threatened by a small cloud that approached us. It no sooner became ver- tical than it spread in every direction, and poured down upon the frigate torrents of rain, accompanied with such tremen- dous thunder and lightning as to strike terror into the most intrepid. There was a mixture of light and darkness, which, though it filled us with horror, was, however, of considerable assistance; for the lightning, by which we were on all sides surrounded, afforded us light to work the ship. Our efforts were of little avail ; we became exhausted, and came to the resolution of suffering our wretched vessel to drive at the will of the wind and waves. At length at the return of the day the storm abated; but as the sky was still overcast with the same cloud, we could not promise ourselves fair weather. The pilot endeavored to find LOSS OF A SPANISH FRIGATE. 229 eut in what latitude we were; but, notwithstanding all the ob« servations he took, according to the rules of his art, he could not even form a conjecture. I sent for him into my cabin, and asked him if we should not do better to seek on the coast some situation sheltered from the wind, and secured from the vio- Aence of the waves, to which we might retire until the weather became fair, rather than to continue to beat about at a venture, m uncertainty, and liable to be overtaken by another storm, which might involve us in destruction. The poor man, with tears in his eyes, was unable to make me any answer, except- ing that his sins were doubtless the cause of the ill success of our voyage, and that he knew not what to do, because the sailors would not longer obey him. I ordered them to be tailed, and having questioned them, they replied they be- lieved we were near Caldera, and that we should be able to see it when the weather cleared off In this hope we continued cruising about in the same lati- tude for five days. On the 6th the weather was serene, and appeared perfectly favorable : the pilot took an observation, and assured us that we were certainly not more than ten leagues from the port, and that we should soon discover land. We immediately set all our sails ; nevertheless we continued our course till night, without perceiving it. The next morn- ing he still persisted in his opinion, till about noon he disco- vered some lofty mountains, but it was nearly tAvo hours be- fore he could tell what land it was. At length, after having minutely examined them, he declared, with the greatest mor- tification and chagrin that they were the mountains of Chiri- qui, to which place we were again driven back by the force of the currents. It is impossible to conceive the disappointment of all the passengers when they learned this disagreeable intelligence. They vented imprecations against the pilot and me, and we had the greatest difficulty to appease them. I again propos- ed to return to Panama, which place we might have reached in five days ; but the passengers, most of whom had business of importance to transact in the province of Costa Rica, re- presented that we ought not to be discouraged, that we had only to rest four or five daj^s at Chiriqui, which, notwithstand- ing the number of mosquetoes, was a very pleasant place, and then we might proceed on our voyage with better fortune. This proposal was supported by the pilot, who, with greater boldness and effrontery than ever, swore that he would carry the ship into the port of Caldera in five days, or burn all hiz 20 230- LOSS OF A SPANISH FRIGATE. books. I yielded, and we went to rest ourselves at Chiriqiri for the fourth time. We remained there six days, during which we refreshed ourselves, and ate as many oranges, both sour and sweet, as we could find on the side of the mountain. Then having laid in another stock of provisions, we again set sail. It was now eighty-one days since our departure from Panama. The next day a fresh breeze sprung up, so that, with only part of our sails, we imagined we made more way than we had done at any time during our voyage ; but the day follow- ing the sky became overcast, the wind lulled, the pleasure we felt at proceeding with rapidity was changed to vexation, when, at the end of twelve days we found that we had made but little progress ; contrary currents having set us back in the night as far as we had advanced during the day. Our provisions meanwhile began to fail, and we were no longer at Chiriqui to procure a fresh supply. At length our necessities increased to such a degree, that, having no other food but a small quan- tity of maize, which was in the hog-trough, this disagreeable mess, left by those filthy animals, was divided among us in equal portions. When this was consumed we made a hash of the tough carcass of an old spaniel, which had hitherto been a favorite of mine. All the crew devoured with avidity this wretched galimaufry, of which there was not sufficient to satisfy them. The following day a fresh repast was prepared of the bull's hide that my dog had been accustomed to lie on, and which, on his death had.become a useless article. It was boiled down till converted into a blackish glue, that did not much contri- bute to prepossess us in favor of its taste. But so far from be- ing disgusted, our hunger had become so craving, that we swallowed it with as much relish as if it had been the most delicate jelly. The same day a negro sailor opened his box, in which he had preserved two plantains : one of them he ate, shell, rind and all, and with the greatest secrecy brought the other and presented it to me, requesting me only to give him the shell. The moment he received it he greedily devoured it, fearing lest some one should come and take it from ?iim. The crew were still abundantly provided with wine, the immode- rate use of which had not a little contributed to the bad man- ner in which the frigate was steered. treeing the principal seamen, and the pilot in particular, at a loss what to do, and that so many faults acknowledged by them had stripped them of those airs of assurance which LOSS OF A SPANISH FRIGATE. 231 they had attempted to impose upon me relative to their capa- city, I took aside, consoled and encouraged them in the most friendly terms I could use. I had no difficulty to persuade them to steer for the land in whatever direction it might lie. They were so bent upon this measure, that if we had come to a shore inhabited by the most savage Indians, the most irre- concilable enemies of the Spanish nation, they would have steered for it with joy, to relieve us from the cruel extremity to which we were reduced. Some of them watched all night, in the hope of discovering some mountain that might direct them in their course. At daybreak, by unexpected good fortune, the man at the mast-head cried "A sail! a sail!" This sound diffused the utmost joy through the whole crew : we had the satisfaction to see that the other ship answered our signals and was ap- proaching us. The captain, who was a Mexican, and a friend of mine, no sooner knew that I commanded the frigate, than he hoisted out his boat and came to me to offer his services. After the first compliments, he informed me that we were near the island Del Cagno, on the south coast of the Ameri- can isthmus, at the extremity of the province of Costa Rica. It is only a league from the continent, lies in 8 deg. 30 min. north latitude, and is uninhabited. We resolved to put into it together to refresh ourselves. When Don Louis de Legnare, the Mexican captain, was informed of the extremity to which we were reduced, he immediately sent on board the frigate, fowls, bread, fruits, and other refreshments, capable of recruiting our exhausted strength, and taking away the bad taste of the old spaniel and his bed. We at length landed on the island, dined in the re- freshing shade of some plantain trees, situated on the banks of a pleasant rivulet, which, at the distance of one hundred paces from the spot, discharged itself into the sea. Don Louis's vessel being freighted only with provisions, fruits, &c. that he intended to dispose of at Panama, the passengers in the frigate and my sailors had abundance for their money. They took no more than was sufficient for four days, under the certain expectation that in two or three days they should arrive at Caldera. For my part, I was gratuitously supplied by Don Louis with all sorts of poultry, fruits, biscuits, pre- serves, chocolate, and other articles ; but, notwithstanding all my entreaties that he would suffer me to pay him for them, he would not consent, saying, I might perhaps, some day do as much for him. 232 LOSS OF A SPANISH FRIGATE. We remained the rest of the day in the delieious island and enjoyed great pleasure. Toward evening we all repaired to our respective ships, excepting Don Louis, who resolved to pass the night in mine. The next morning we parted, each vessel resumed her course, and our voyage was so successful, that on the following day, at seven in the evening, we came in sight of the so-much-wished-for port. Nothing but rejoicing was now heard among tiie crew, who could scarcely moderate their transports. For my part,. I was so overjoyed that I gave my crew a cask of wine containing about ten gallons ; and a Genoese merchant on board made them a present of another. The sailors were too strongly disposed to present gratification to defer till the next day the enjoyment of such an agreeable present. They tapped it immediately, and finding the wine excellent, they began to make copious libations to Bacchus. The pilot, who was at their head, encouraged them by his ex- ample. They played their parts so well, that in a short time the casks were emptied, and they soon experienced the effects of their intemperance. The Genoese merchant,, fearing lest some mistake might oc- cur in the working of the ship, very prudently determined to place himself between the pilot and the man at the helm, who steered by his orders ; because he had observed that the for- mer, who was stretched on a chair and quite intoxicated ^ gave directions from memory, as being within view of a port with which he was perfectly acquainted. The merchant, therefore, placed himself at an equal distance from each, to repeat the pilot's order. This excess of precaution was our ruin ; for the pilot having called to the steersman^ "-To the north-west," which was actually the course we should have taken to reach Galdera, the merchant cried out stammering, " To the north- north-west." The helmsman conceiving the pilot had given this direction, steered, without hesitation, N. N. W. which, while it carried us farther from the port, at the same time brought us nearer the land. Night meanwhile came on, and the passengers and I were sleeping in profound security. About two in the morning, be- ing suddenly awaked by the noise of the waves furiously dash- ing against the rocks on the coast, I jumped up and exclaimed in astonishment, " How now, pilot ? Are we already enter- ing the port ?" At the second or third repetition of these ques- tions the pilot, rousing himself from his drunken lethargy, and rising from his chair to look about him, perceived with horror tha.t i^e frigate was on the point of striking against a toss OF A SPANISH FRIGATE. 233 rock, which could scarcely be discerned on account of the ex- cessive darkness occasioned by the shade of a lofty mountain covered with trees. He instantly called out, " Put the ship about." But it was too late, and the unfortunate vessel, im- pelled by the violence of the wind and waves, was dashed al- most at the same moment against the rock, with such force that her side was shattered ; a mountainous sea, which had broken against the same rock, overwhelmed the frigate on its return, and filled the stern-cabin. Nothing was now heard in the ship but the most dreadful outcries and lamentations, which succeeded the shouts of joy and intemperate mirth occasioned but a few moments before by the fumes of the wine. Nothing can equal the distress and confusion which every where prevailed. Some, awakened by the shock, cried out along with the rest, though half asleep and ignorant of the cause. The noise, the darkness, the shrieks, augmented the horrors of the scene. The most de- plorable thing was, that we all saw we were lost, and yet none was able to say by what strange reverse we were over- whelmed with destruction just at our entrance into the port; and I was just as ignorant of the cause as the rest. Amidst this consternation some Avere on their knees on the deck, ad- dressing vows to heaven for their safety, others with folded hands implored the Almighty for mercy, while others loudly acknowledged their most secret crimes. Though surrounded with this scene of distress, I, for my part, preserved that composure with which God has endowed me, and which I have the good fortune never to lose, in what- ever danger I am involved. Seeing that they were all on the point of perishing, for Avant of adopting the only measure suited to the critical situation we were in, I encouraged these unfortunate men to exert themselves for their own preserva- tion. I persuaded them first to cut away the masts, and to secure the planks, beams, and other things capable of sup- porting us on the water, and assisting us to reach the shore. I then ordered them to throw overboard every thing which, by its weight, would contribute to sink the vessel more rapid- ly. With these precautions, and the aid of the pumps, I kept the ship afloat till the dawn of day. But what proved of greater service than any thing else, was the advice I gave them, for every two to fasten about them a long cord, one at each end. This expedient saved the lives of a considerable number; for when the frigate, which had opened every where, foundered in spite of our 20* 234 i-ossr or a spAmsK frxcfate; pumping, the crew being obliged to betake themselves to such plank or pieces of wood as chey could lay hold of, to endeavor to reach the shore, it often happened that the first who got to land drew after him his companion at the other end of the cord, and who w^as frequently on the point of perishing. In this manner I drew on shore the pilot, who certainly was not worth the trouble ; and we all arrived safe on shore, excepting five or six, who were dashed by the fury of the waves against the rocks or the ship. A few hours afterward the tide, having ebbed, left the frigate almost dry, so that it was easy for us to take out what was in her and carry it on shore. Scarcely any thing was lost, for we recovered most of the articles that I had ordered to be thrown overboard. We returned thanks to the Almighty fo? having preserved our lives, after which we set fire to the ves- sel to get at the iron w^ork, which we stowed away on the shore, together with all our effects and provisions, under thick trees, which situation we had chosen that Ave might be shel- tered by them from the intense heat of the sun. As we had no design of remaining long in that place, I ad- vised the crew to choose some one of the company to command them, representing to them that otherwise there would be nothing but disorder and confusion. They unanimously en- treated me to exercise the office of commander, I complied. I immediately enforced my authority, and divided them into three detachments, sending one in search of water, the second in quest of provisions, (for what we had saved from the ship was wet and unfit for use,) and the third to reconnoitre the country, and see .if they could discover any habitation, the pilot declaring that we were onljr three or four leagues from Caldera. The first detachment soon returned, bringing some excellent water, which they had found near the place. The second came back, a few minutes afterward, loaded with wild fruits, but of a bad taste, and the eggs of tortoises. They like- wise reported that they had seen a hedgehog, and the dung of turkey-fowl. Pleased with this discovery, I sent them back to procure a further supply of water and eggs of tortoises. There was such a prodigious quantity of these eggs on this coast, that In every hollow in the sand on the beach they found two or three hundred. We ate them with great appetite, though they had a certain brackish flavor, offensive both to the taste and smelL We spent the rest of the day in constructing small arbors with the branches of the palm-tree. At sunset the third de- L0S9 OF A SPANISH FRIGATE. 235 tachment returned, which at first gave us great joy, flatter- ing ourselves that they had doubtless discovered some habi- tation. They, however, reported that they had met with a river so deep, so rapid, and so full of crocodiles that it was impossible for them to cross it. I blamed them for suffering themselves to be impeded by such an obstacle, since, by cut- ting wood, they might have formed a raft, on which they might have passed the river. For fear they should play some other stupid trick, I resolved to go with them myself the next day. Accordingly, deputing one of the company to take care of those who remained, I left them, with the injunction, that if they did not hear of me in eight days, they should leave their effects and proceed after me, at the same time charging them not to leave the coast. We then set off. I was armed with two pistols and two bayonets, stuck in my girdle: beside which, I carried my sword in my hand. ]My musket was car- ried by a sailor, and on this the whole company founded their hopes of procuring subsistence. The others, beside their swords, were each furnished with a hatchet, cord, knife,, tin- der-box and matches. After proceeding two hour^ by a sandy and fatiguing route, we arri\'ed on the banks of a river, to which we gave the ap- pellation of River of Crocodiles, though there were not, in- deed, so many of those animals as the detachment had reported. In order to cross, we determined to march along its banks till we came to some wood, where we could procure branch- es proper for making a raft. We found one at the distance of two leagues, took away as much wood as we wanted, and returned to the spot from which we had set out, resolved not to leave the coast, in hopes that agreeably to the opinion of the pilot, we should arrive at the port of Caldera. Having formed a raft in the best manner we were able, Avith our hatchets, wood, and cords, we ventured to abandon ourselves upon it to the current of the river, which was very rapid. The men made on it a kind of seat of rushes for me; 1 got on it the first, after taking my musket from the man who car- ried it. The pilot placed himself at one end, and a stout sea- man at the other, each of them having a long pole and two oars to guide the raft. As we could not all get upon it with- out sinking it with our weight, we divided ourselves; one party waiting on the banks of the river till the raft should return to convey them over. A long cord was fastened to it, that those who remained behind might draw it back when the others had passed. This done, we took care of the cords 236 LOSS OF A SPANISH FRIGA-fE. which we thought we might again want, and I ordered tlitf branches to be thrown into the river, that the company might be prevented from entertaining any hope of returning till we had found some habitation, and discovered whether we were on the continent or on an island. We marched about six leagues farther, and theri passed another fiver in the sam« manner as before* At sunset we arrived at a spacious beach, where we halt- ed, being greatly fatigued. This was the case with me more than any other; for having passed through very wet and swampy places, my shoes got so wet that the leather had stretched, and the sand penetrating through them, incommod- ed me exceedingly. As they were, therefore, productive of more pain than comfort, I threw them away. While we Were looking about for an elevated spot where we might re- pose and pass the night, we heard a noise near an old tree, whose trunk was hollow with age. Approaching it to disco ver the cause, a large kind of lizard, called by the inhabit- ants of Spanish America Iguana, ran out of it. It is the ug- liest animal to which nature has given life, but its flesh is the more delicate, and in taste resembles pullet. The pilot made a stroke at it with his hatchet, with such success as to cut it in two. We were in great vvant of such a fortunate supply to recruit our strength, which a long and toilsome march, but more particularly the want of nourishment, had almost ex- hausted. This lizard was three quarters of a yard long, and \vas sufficient to make us a good supper. Having broiled it on the coals, we enjoyed our repast, and then went to sleep. At daybreak we resumed our route. About ten o'clock we ascended a very steep mountain, and then entered a thick wood full of thorns and briars, to avoid a cape which would have obliged us to make a great circuit. I here suffered very much. By walking I had worn out the feet Of my stockings, and my bare feet not being accustomed to such a rough road, were soon torn and scratched all over. It was still worse when, on leaving the wood, we reached the sea- shore; the sand, heated by the sun, raised blisters as large as pigeon's eggs on the soles of my feet. These blisters break- ing, the sand penetrated to the quick, and gave me excessive pain. My sufferings excited the compassion of my compan- ions, who obliged me to halt beneath a verdant arbor, which they prepared on the banks of a rivulet, and in which we took shelter from the scorching heat of the noon-day sun. While part of the company reposed, the others collected, in the LOSS OF A SPANISH FRIGATE. 237 holes at the foot of the rocks on the sea-coast, a great num- ber of a kind of periwinkles, but were at a loss how to dress them. We could have wished to eat them boiled, but we had no vessel to put them into, and were obliged to be contented with roasting them on the coals ; after that we made a hearty- repast. After dinner, the necessity of proceeding obliged us to set off again. I prepared to depart in spite of my blisters ; my peo- ple wrapped up my feet in the best manner they could with linen rags, on which we pursued our course till sunset, when we arrived on the banks of a pond, but were so harassed by a great quantity of gnats, that, notwithstanding our fatigue, we were unable to remain there. We were obliged to quit the spot and continue our march till ten o'clock at night. We were now filled with the greatest uneasiness, and our ap- prehensions of being attacked by the wild Indians -were the more augmented, as we had perceived a light among the trees of a neighboring wood; but we had no farther reason to be terrified. The day following we pursued our route and came to a ri- Tulet, on the banks of which we found a fire lighted, and a great number of shells of plantains scattered round it. This at first led us to conclude that there must be near the spot some of the trees which bear that fruit. Our search for them was, however, in vain. About noon we arrived at a broad ri- ver, bordered by lofty trees that afforded a refreshing shade. Pressed by hunger, we threw out a line and took three large fish, and broiled them. We crossed a river on a raft as be- fore, and continued our walk till we arrived at another of still greater magnitude, on the banks of which we passed the night ; one of our number keeping watch, that we might not be surprised, while asleep, by the Indians. At day break we saw around us a great number of palm trees, cut some of their shoots, and ate the hearts, which are tender but insipid. A littler farther w^e found a kind of fruit, of the color of the mulberry and the size of an apricot. The inhabitants call them Icacos.. It is a sourish-sweet, and has a very agreeable taste. We liked it better than the palm-tree shoots. After traversing a wood and a mountain we regain- ed the sea-shore, where we perceived on the beach a great number of sea-crabs. We flattered ourselves with the hope of a good repast, but were miserably disappointed ; the nim- ble fellows, with their crooked claws, were such excellent runners that the most alert of our people pursued them above 238 LOSS OF A SPANISH FRIGATE. half an hour without being able to catch more than four. But, to' compensate for the loss of them, having observed a great number of parrots on some neighboring trees, I had recourse to my musket, of which we had hitherto made no use, and killed six, which furnished us an excellent meal. They were of a species, the flesh of which, though hard and black, is ex- tremely delicious; when young, and consequently more ten- der, they are a dish fit for a king. We again set off and pass- ed the night near a cape, where we found abundance of the fruit called Icacos. We ate those raw which were the ripest, and broiled the others. With the morning's dawn commenced our fifth day's jour- ney. We passed two rivers on rafts, without meeting with any thing to eat till six in the evening, when I killed a pea- cock that perched on the summit of a tree, at the foot of which I was sitting to rest myself. We regaled upon, it and ate as if it had been the most delicious morsel we had yet met with. At noon the following day we arrived at a deserted hut, Avhere we found a great quantity of ripe plantains. We ate half ot them, carrying the remainder with us, not without apprehen- sions of being surprised in the fact, or afterward pursued by the owner of the cottage and all his family. But we were so fortunate as to see nobody. We continued our march till night, which we passed on the banks of a river, after making a sup- per on the plantains we had stolen. Though we had eaten a great quantity of them during the day, and this kind of fruit is pernicious on account of its excessive coldness, yet none of us experienced any inconvenience. The following day four of our company went to a moun- tain, at the distance of two leagues, to fetch wood proper for making a raft in order to cross the river. They left one man behind with me. I could scarcely stand, but was obliged to rise soon after their departure. The occasion was certainly worth the trouble ; it was to fire at a flock of ring-doves which came and perched on a tree about fifty paces from me. I crawl- ed almost on all fours nearly to the foot of the tree, as much from weakness as from fear of scaring them away. I fired with such success as to kill eighteen at one shot ; so that my comrades, on their return, found a banquet they did not ex- pect. Their joy on this occasion was so great that they scarce- ly perceived that they wanted wine to make the entertainment complete. The dates which they brought from the wood served for bread. After such an excellent repast we recommenced our march; LOSS OF A SPANISH FRIGATE. 239 I mustered all my strength, and kept up with the rest as well as I was able ; but after walking several hours, being unable any longer to support myself on my sore feet, I entreated my companions to continue their journey without me, as it was not just, that for the sake of an individual, the others should run the risk of perishing ; that I would follow them as well as I was able, as soon as my feet were better ; adding, that if they met with any Spanish habitations, I trusted they would send for me ; but if the country was uninhabited, they might lake such measures as they should think lit ; and recommend- ing them above all things to keep together. It is impossible to conceive how deeply this address affected my little troop ; they could not refrain from tears, and opposed the resolution which I had stated that it was my determination to take, swearing they would not forsake me, were they even to run the risk of perishing, and offered to carry me on their shoul- ders. This proposal I refused, as too fatiguing to them, and as a measure which would retard them too much ; telling them that their time was precious, and they ought diligently to prosecute their design, which was to repair to the port of Caldera. But, notwithstanding all I could say, they would not be denied, and I was obliged to suffer them to carry me. They all performed this duty with the greatest pleasure, relieved each other by turns, till seven o'clock at night. They then halted, as much for the purpose of reposing as to eat and refresh themselves. Having fortunately found some of the same kind of periwinkles as before, we broiled them on the coals. These, however, did not fully supply our ne- cessities, for the fatigue of walking, and the intense heat of the sun during the whole day, produced excessive thirst, our throats were inflamed, and we wanted fresh water to quench the fire which consumed us. Proceeding a league farther, we fortunately came to one of the most delightful rivers that was ever seen. Its banks were lined on each side with lofty plan- tains loaded with fruit, and whose branches meeting over the stream, formed a most agreeable kind of bower as far as the eye could reach. We returned thanks to God for this fortunate discovery, and with avidity appeased our thirst. Our joy was still farther increased when the pilot, having looked about him, declared that he knew the place, and that the charming stream we were admiring was the river St. Anthony. He assured us, that at the distance of about four leagues there was a rich farm abounding in cattle, belonging to Alonzo Macotela, of the city g40 LOSS OF A SPANISH FRIGATE. of Esparza, in the province of Costa Rica. The fruit of the softy trees, whose beautiful foliage we could not sufficiently admire, served us for supper that night. To create varietVi we ate them raw, broiled, and roasted under the ashes. We then crossed the river on a raft, and night coming on, we lay down to sleep with greater tranquillity than the preceding night. The next morning three of our men were despatched to the farm of Macotela ; I remained behind with two others, all that and the following day, during which we lived on the crabs we caught in the river. My companions were the Genoese mer» chant, who has been mentioned before, and a monk of the order of Mercy. On the night of the second day the latter was charged to watch, to prevent a surprise, while the mer- chant and I slept ; but the sentinel, who understood the mo- nastic better than the military duties, fell asleep likewise, till about eleven o'clock, I was suddenly awaked by a noise A^^hich seemed to call me by my name. I called the monk, but as he made no other reply than by snoring, I rose up, and at the same time distinctly heard myself called, though at a great distance. I awoke the Genoese merchant and the monk, and soon afterward we discovered on the river a large raft, on which were above twenty persons. They were conducted hj Don Domingo de Chavarria, the pastor of the town of Esparza. Our three men who had been sent off to the farm of Maco- tela had there met with him, and told him in what state they had left us on the banks of the river St. Anthony, to await their return. The good pastor, following the impulse of a benevolent mind, came to seek us with refreshments to re- cruit our spirits. He immediately set off with all his domes- tics, some of his friends, and all the provisions he could col- lect. Being informed who he was, and for what purpose he had come, I ran to salute him the moment he landed, at the same time expressing my gratitude for his kindness. The joy of the merchant and the monk, on this deliverance from the danger of perishing of hunger and of being surprised by the wild Indians, was equal to mine. Don Domingo and his com- pany appeared to be as highly gratified with having found us, so that we were all happy. The time and place not being suited to a long conversation, we all crossed the river on the raft. When we were on the ether side, each mounted a horse, excepting myself To re- lieve my feet, I was slung in one of those suspended beds LOSS OF A SPANISH FRIGATE. 241 f wkich are so much in use in all parts of the American con- tinent. Six stout Indians carried me alternately, two at a time, on their shoulders, better than the best mules in the country could have done. In this manner we arrived, a little before daybreak, at the farm of Macotela, where we rested some time, and then proceeded to the town of Esparza, I was car- ried to the house of Don Domingo, where I found our three companions who had gone before us. Having arrived in such a good port, our first care was to render sincere thanks to divine Providence for our deliver- ance. The next thing I did was to send a courier to Carthago, the capital of Costa Rica, to acquaint Don Juan de Salinas, the governor of that province, with my arrival. I knew him, because I had seen him at Lima, where I had contracted a particular friendship with him. The courier made such des- patch, that in twenty-four hours after his departure the go- vernor entered my apartment. I informed him of the circum- stances and consequences of our shipwreck, and at my request he immediately despatched a frigate to take., on board our companions in misfortune, Avho, I knew, must, by this time, have been weary of waiting for relief. The crew being made acquainted with the place where they would find them, set sail, but returned two days afterward with the account that they had found nobody. We were persuaded that thejr had not gone to the place to which they had been directed, and therefore Don Juan de Salinas sent another ves- sel, ordering the crew to go on shore, and to bring certain in- telligence of my comrades. The ship accordingly proceeded ta the spot, and the crew landed on the beach; but seeing no- thing, the captain sent out some of his people to make search in the neighborhood. They made a circuit of more than two leagues, searching every place, both to the right and left, but without seeing any person ; at length perceiving that all their labor was in vain, they returned to make their report. When they were just setting ofTto go on board, one of them perceived on the strand a large heap of leaves, which did not appear to be placed there Avithout design. He kicked them with his foot, and found under them a variety of articles, iron, &c. This discovery surprised them, and neither his comrades nor he could conceive why the men had thus abandoned them. After some deliberation they resolved to remove them on board of the ship, and returned to give an account of their mission. Every body at Esparza, and I among the rest, imagined that 21 242 LOSS OF A JAMAICA SLOOP. my comrades had been surprised and carried off by the sa- vages, and we despaired of ever seeing them again. Four days afterward, the governor being at dinnex with me and the pastor, a horseman, in full speed, arrived at the gate, who with the utmost terror, stated that he had seen a power- ful army of English marching between the wood and the sea. He was immediately conducted into the house, and assured us of the same thing. His terror convinced us rather than his words ; every one rose, and the alarm-bell was rung. Univer- sal consternation ensued, for the people of the town were too badly armed, and still worse disciplined, to make a vigorous resistance. The governor mounted his horse, and notwith- standing my weakness, I accompanied him to assist in draw- ing out his people. The noise, the tumult, and the disorder increased every moment. People came from all quarters an- nouncing the approach of the enemy. Don Juan and I went out of the town to reconnoitre, and scarcely had we proceeded fifty paces, when we saw approach- ing, in a very tattered condition, the little troop, which alone composed the formidable army we had been threatened with* 1 laughed at this panic-terror when I had discovered the cause, and T\^as extremely rejoiced to see that my companions in misfortune had escaped the danger I had dreaded. I ques- tioned them concerning their adventures. They informed me, that having waited three days beyond the time fixed, they had set off according to my advice ; that they had followed me along the coast, and had subsisted nearly in the same manner as I had done. I remained almost a month at Esparza, which I left under the conduct of good guides, after receiving every possible re- lief from the charitable Don Domingo and Don Juan de Sa- linas, together with letters of recommendation from the latter to the Viceroy of New Spain, to whom he was related. LOSS OF A JAMAICA SLOOP, Commanded hy Captain Nathaniel Uring, in 1711. Captain Nathaniel Uring having been appoin»ted to the command of a sloop to trade to the Leeward Islands, in the beginning of November, 1711, the events which attended the LOSS OF A JAMAICA SLOOP. 243 prosecution of his voyage are so various and interesting, that we shall lay them before our readers in the captain's own words. " We set sail from Jamaica in company with another sloop belonging to the same o\\'ner, in order to load logwood and sarsapariila on the coast of New Spain, and had agreed to rendezvous at Truxillo, if we lost company ; touched at Blewfields, where we watered, and proceeded on our voyage. I being then unacquainted in those seas, had a pilot sent on board by the owner, and I was directed to keep company with the other sloop commanded by Captain Gill, who was reckon- ed a good pilot in that part of the world. " After we had sailed about a week from Jamaica, having little wind, saw the coast of the Moschettos ; and at the same time the wind began to freshen, with a small drizzling rain. The wind soon after shifting from the N. E. to the N. and N. by W. and blowing hard, tacked and stood to the eastward; the wind increasing to a storm, obliged us to haul down our main-sail and jib, and lay by under our fore-sail. Night com- ing on, lost sight of our consort, and made several false fires, but was not answered, so that I gave over the hopes of seeing her any more. " About nine or ten of the clock at night, there being a very great sea raised by the wind, our bowsprit gave way and fell under the lee bow; endeavored to save it, but the sea running so high, could not, and being afraid it would stave a hole in the bow of the vessel, were obliged to cut it away; and while some men were cutting away the bowsprit, others were car- rying the hawser forward for a stay, in order to secure the mast, and then reefed the fore-sail and set it; but the storm continuing, were soon obliged to haul it doAvn again. About eleven o'clock at night we suddenly saw the water look very white, which made me afraid that we were upon some shoal, and immediately hove the lead, and found fourteen fathom wa- ter : kept heaving it, expecting every moment to be ashore. Set the fore-sail again. I inquired of my pilot in relation to the depth of water, but found he knew nothing of the matter. Hove the lead several times in the space of a quarter of an hour, and had almost the same water, it shoaled very little, which gave me hopes that we were not in so much danger as I before feared. The wind easing a little, we double reef- ed our main-sail and set it, and hauled down the fore-sail, which kept the sloop's head more to the wind. In about an hour the water shoaled to thirteen fathom, and so to twelve, 244 LOSS OF A JAMAICA SLOOP. and then eleven ; and about three o'clock we had but ten, and quickly after nine fathom, which made me afraid we should be drove on shore by daylight. I looked on my draught of those seas, which laid down several ledges of rocks and shoals, and expected nothing less than to be thrown on some of them every moment, where we could expect nothing but immediate death. This, I must confess, was a melancholy prospect ; the tedious hours went heavily away, wishing and longing for the day in hopes to see some island or harbor where we might save the vessel and our lives. We had less water every cast of the lead, and were come into eight fa- thom when the day appeared, the sight of which revived our sinking spirits, and gave us some hopes of deliverance; but, alas ! when it was light, that we could see about us, we found ourselves near the shore. The storm continuing, and the wind blowing right upon it, by this time had drove us into less than seven fathom water; then set the fore-sail, to try if the vessel would bear it, or must soon have been drove ashore. Made hard shift to carry it, and gathered again ojff the land into eight fathom. " The land was very remarkable in several places ; and seeing an opening which looked like an harbor, or large river, I took notice of it to my pilot, and inquired of him if he knew it ; he confessed he did not ; and having no one on board ac- quainted in those seas, except himself, were entirely at a loss. I called all the seam.en together, and asked their opinionsi, whether they were willing to run the risk of their lives, and venture for the place which Vv^e saw look so like an harbor, and perhaps might find water enough to go in. They all an- swered they were willing to submit to any thing I thought proper. I had thoughts of venturing, but considered it was a shoal coast, and that it was the highest probability there was not water enough for the vessel ; and if there was not, and she should touch the ground, she would quickly be in pieces ; and the strength of the current runing out of the river, as it appeared to be, would force us into the sea again, and then all must inevitably perish. Upon these considerations I chose rather to run the risk of the wind's easing or changing, or that probably we might discover a small island as we stood along shore, where we might anchor and be preserved. " Having set our fore-sail as above mentioned, we gathered a little off the shore, and withal deepened our water till about ten o'clock, and were again got into nine fathom: but the land stretching more to the eastward, soon began to shoal qui LOSS OF A JAMAICA SLOOP. 245 water agfain to eight fathom, and so to seven. My pilot see- ing a remarkable tuft of trees, said he knew the land ; and further to the eastward he grew more confirmed in it ; but 1 having consulted my draught, it laid down a great many rocks and shoals thereabout, which gave me little hopes ; but stand- ing to the eastward, we still raised the land, and the pilot said positively he knew it was Cape Gracia de Dios ; to the east- ward of which, round that cape, he said was very good and safe anchoring, as the wind then was, where he had been seve- ral times ; and further said that we should weather the cape in five fathom water. I was glad to hear he was so positive he knew the land ; and in weathering the cape had no more than five fathom water, which confirmed me that he was right in his judgment. As soon as we deepened the water the pilot said it was time to bear away ; did so, but soon shoaled the water again, and the pilot was afraid he was mistaken, and then said he was right again ; but we soon saw the pilot had de- ceived us, for we struck upon a shoal of rocks, and gave but few thumps before the main-mast jumped out of the step ; and for fear the foot of the mast should force out the sloop's bow and sink her immediately, we made haste to cut it away ; but having but one ax, had hard work to do it, as we had also in cut- ting away the vessel's gunwale, in order to launch the canoe overboard. "The mast being gone, we could have no assistance of tackles, and found it very difficult to launch her into the sea, she being very heavy ; but being apprehensive of the sloop's beating in pieces upon the shoal, every one outdid themselves, and at last, with much ado, got her into the water, by which time it was near night ; and being at least two leagues from the shore, made haste to leave the sloop, that we might reach it before it was dark, and only took with us one piece of beef, our small arms, a little gunpowder, some small shot, an ax, and an iron pot, and then put for the shore, which we did not reach till near eight o'clock at night ; when near it, we saw the break of the sea so high, and at such a distance from it, were very much afraid of the canoe's oversetting before we should be able to get thither ; but there being no way to save our lives but through that danger, were obliged to put for it, let the consequence be what it would. It being moonlight, we watched a favorable opportunity of a smooth sea, and im- mediately rowed for the shore, the sea breaking over us seve- ral times before we came to it, and by the providence of God we happily landed » 21* 246 toss OF A JAMAICA SLOOF. "As soon as we were all out of the canoe we hauled EeT upon the beach, and then endeavored to go back from the wa* ter side into the woods, which we saw at some distance, in or- der to get fire and shelter ourselves, being both cold and wet, and sadly fatigued ; but w^hen we attempted to go toward the woods, we came quickly into a morass, and were up to the mid-leg, and sometimes up to the knees in mud and water ; and what made it the more troublesome, it was full of long cutting grass intermixed with briars, which very much in- commoded us, and tore our legs in several places. After w^e had gone near a mile in this miserable way, we came to the dry land, and went into the edge of the woods, where, by the help of a pistol and some gunpowder, we made a fire and dried our clothes ; then cut down some small trees, with which, and the branches of others, we set up a little hut to shelter us from the rain, in which we designed to rest and refresh ourselves, after two days and a night's fatigue. We lay down in our hut, but found it was impossible to sleep, there being millions of musketoes and other biting flies about us : so that neither mouth, nose, eyes, nor any part of us, was free from them } and whenever they could come at our Skin, they bit and stung us most intolerably. "As soon as it was day went to the water side to look for the sloop, but not seeing her, concluded she was beat in pieces upon the ledge of rocks. Having but one piece of beef, about six pounds, and no bread for our vvhole company, being six- teen in number, we began to think of looking out to see what we could get to subsist on ; and therefore I sent the people different ways, to hunt, and see whether they could discover any inhabitants. In about four hours some of them returned with a bunch of green plantains, wdiich they had found grow- ing in an old deserted plantation, w^here they saw sweet cas- save J this discovery came very seasonably to our relief; as soon as we found bread kind, we boiled our beef and refreshed ourselves. "The following day I distributed amongst my people some small arms, powder, and shot, which I had directed to be put into the canoe when we left the sloop, in order to kill such creatures as probably we might find in that country, to pre- vent our being starved, if we found no inhabitants. The men being thus provided, I ordered them to go different ways to hunt, and observe if they saw any paths in the woods by which we might find some of the natives, concluding we were not far distant from the people, by reason of the little deserted LOSS OF A JAMAICA StOOP. 247 plantation, where were the remains of a little hut or Indian cabin. I also took my gun and went a different way ; and es- pying a tiger-cat upon a tree, I fired, but missed her, which, if I had had the good fortune to have killed, would have been sufficient to have made us a plentiful meal. Having hunted several hours in the woods, and meeting nothing worth shoot- ing, I returned. Some of our people came back soon after with several large fishing-hawks which they had killed ; and not- withstanding they were very toagh and fishy, we ate them very heartily. " The next day, being the third after our being cast away, the people went out again to see what they could ki]l, and some of them soon returned with more Imwks, which we were dressing, when others brought with them a large piece of a cow. When I saw the beef 1 inquired how they came by it; they told me they found it single in the woods, and shot it, be- lieving it to be wild ; but soon after seeing three or more which appeared to be tame, they found their mistake. I was very sorry the people were so rash, being apprehensive of the ill consequences that might attend it. " By the time we had dined upon the beef, a native of the country came to us, who spoke broken English ; by him we understood, that about sixteen or eighteen miles farther to the southward there were inhabitants, and that a vessel lay sunk near the shore a few miles from., us, without any mast or peo- ple in her ; this we judged to be our sloop. He told me also that some of our people had killed a cow belonging to Cap- tain Hobby, one of the chief men on that side of the country ; and said, he would be much displeased when he heard of it. I told him I was very sorry for it, but that the seamen had killed it believing it to be wild. I was glad to hear we were near inhabitants, and that the sloop was drove so near the shore, as we hoped to get some provisions. " The weather proving more moderate, and the sea pretty well dmvn, we launched the canoe ; and while some of the men rowed her along shore, others walked by land, and so continued till it grew night, and then hauled the canoe ashore, and turned her bottom up. Part o: us took up our lodging under her, and part upon the sandy beach ; but those under the canoe soon quitted their lodging, by reason of the flies not suffering them to sleep, choosing to lie in the open air, where the wind blew most of them away. In the night two of our men left us, and carried with them my fowling-piece and a musket, with good part of our powder and shot. 248 LOSS OF A JAMAICA SLOOP. " In the morning we launched our canoe, and pursued ottr journey as before. About noon we saw our vessel sunk near the shore; we went on board, but found every thing gone out of her. I ordered the canoe to Black River, where she was conducted by an Indian, and went myself to the Indian ha- bitations, where I found most of them very happy ; some of them so drunk that they could not speak. We had the good luck to find one or two sober, who showed us where they had laid some of our provisions, which our people went imme- diately to dress, being all very hungry. Black River running up near the Indian habitations within the land, our people brought up the canoe ; the sober Indians were very courteous, and gave us some of our own rum and sugar, with which we made some punch, and cheered our spirits; they also let us know where they had hid some of our rum, from whence vre took a small cask and put it into our canoe. " The next day Captain Hobby came to us, and behaved very civilly, though he made a heavy complaint for the loss of his cow. I assured him our men would not have killed it if they had not believed it had been wild ; at which he seemed better satisfied, and was very friendly, seeming very sorry for our misfortune. " This country being all a low flat, morassy ground, we were grievously pestered with flies, so that it was almost im- possible to sleep. As to the Indians, I did not perceive they found any inconvenience, or that they took any notice of them. " In four or five days we fitted our canoe as well as we could, in which we fixed a small fire-hearth to dress our pro- visions, having put into her as much provisions and water as we could go safely to sea with. Taking Avith me eight of my people, we put to sea, intending to make for Truxillo, which was the place appointed for our rendezvous, and where we ex- pected to find our consort. Captain Hobby lending us another canoe to carry the rest of our men, we rowed round the cape where we were cast away, which we then knew went by the name of the False Cape ; this makes me believe some other people had been deceived in it as well as my pilot, who had given it that name. Having passed the cape, we stood down along the shore with our sails ; and at night let go our grap- lin, and lay by till morning, for fear of passing our consort, which we hoped to see upon the coast. As soon as it was light we weighed and pursued our voyage, keeping as near the shore as we could with safety, as we designed to call at Plantain River, to inquire whether they had seen her pass by. LOSS OF A JAMAICA SLOOP. 249 At night we anchored again. We boiled the pot every day ; our food was flour and water boiled like hasty-pudding, with some little bits of beef to give it a relish, instead of butter and salt. In prosecution of this voyage in the canoe, I found it very troublesome and fatiguing ; for having no rudder, it was very hard work to steer her with a paddle, for which I had occasion to use my whole strength. Being at that work most part of the day, I was heartily tired before night ; and scorch- ing in the sun all day in the latitude of 16 degrees, added to our pain. But the fatigue of the night was still worse than the day ; for the canoe being very leaky, it was impossible for me to sleep in her bottom, where the water washed con- tinually from side to side ; I therefore laid one of the paddles across the canoe's gunwale, to keep my legs out of the water, and one of the seats or thouts I placed under the lower part of my back, with my shoulders on the stern-sheets : in this manner I slumbered, and got now and then a short sleep. " Three or four days and nights passed in this manner, till discovering the huts on the point of Plantain River, we saw the English flag hoisted. As soon as we opened the river we put in for it, but as the water was shallow, and a heavy sea beating on the shore, it was with great difficulty we got in without being overset or filled with water. As soon as we arrived at the river we were welcomed ashore by the white men who resided at that place ; we told them our story, and inquired if they had seen any vessel lately on that coast ; they said they had not, but commiserated our condition, and gave us such fresh provision as they had. " After having refreshed ourselves and cheered our spirits, we set about fixing a rudder to our canoe, and completed it that night. At bed time I asked one of the inhabitants to show me where I should lodge; being conducted to the place, I went to sleep ; and though I found it hard enough for my sore bones, I slept very heartily, being the first tolerable night's rest I had got since our being cast away. " Having lost a good part of our powder and shot by our two deserters, on going to Black River, I let the white men know our necessity, who supplied us with some more ; and having staid only one night at this place, in the morning we took our leave, and pursued our voyage for Truxillo. We left Plantain River, and steered along shore for Cape Come- rone ; passed by it, and after several days and nights being at sea with our usual fare, came in sight of the port of Truxillo, but found no vessel there, which gave me additional trouble 250 LOSS OF A JAMAICA SLOOP. and anxiety. We put our canoe's head to the eastward, in or- der to return to Plantain River, but had not rowed above five or six miles, (being now obliged to row against the wind,) be- fore the sky beg;an to lovver, grow cloudy, and thicken apace to the northward, which threatened an approaching storm. It being then about four or five o'clock in the afternoon, I thought it high time to provide for our safety before night, by putting* the canoe ashore or into some river ; but there being a very great sea, either was very dangerous ; and to keep the sea m a storm was still worse ; and so of two evils I chose the lesser. Seeing the opening of a river, we endeavored to get in ; but the sea ran so high at the mouth of it that it filled our canoe and threw us ashore on the west side. With a good deal of hard labor we freed her and put her into the river. It being now night, we anchored in the middle of the stream, in hopes of being free from flies. The night proving very stormy, we thought ourselves very happy we had got into so good an har- bor. In the morning we rowed about two miles up the river ; and observing a little ridge of land standing above the rest, landed there, and soon after pitched a tent with our canoe's sails ; we cut down the branches of the cohone trees, to lay at the bottom of it to sleep upon and keep us from the wet ground. The weather continued very stormy, and in the night there fell such a prodigious deal of rain that it occasioned a continual rivulet to run through our tent ; and we lay in water, though it was placed on the highest ground; being also very much pestered with musketoes and other stinging flies, which would not suffer us to sleep. " In the morning the rain ceased and it grew fair weather, though the wind continued to blow hard. We began to look about to see what we could meet with for the mouth, and went on the other side of the river in order to hunt. We saw a large guana on the bough of a tree, which one of our people endeavored to take with his hand, but it escaped into the river, and so we lost a creature that would have given us all a good meal. We had not gone far into the woods before we saw a company of Irage black monkeys, of which we killed several, and then returned to our tent. Our people thought these mon- keys excellent victuals, and ate them very greedily ; though, for my own part, it was several days before I could prevail with myself to taste them, they looked so much like young chil- dren broiled. But it was not long before I got over the preju- dice, and ate them as heartily as any of our men. The flesh of a monkey has some thing of the taste of ill-fed pork, and are about the bigness of a full grown hare. LOSS OF A JAMAICA SLOOP. 251 "After two or three days being in the river, we rowed up several miles, to see if we could discover the signs of any in- habitants, or a more convenient place to pitch our tent ; but found the whole country flat and morassy, and not the least sign of any people. The weather continued bad for eight or ten days, often raining very hard; and being still plagued with flies, were obliged to quit the woods and go to the sea- side, into the breeze, to get rid of them ; but found we had not changed much for the better, for the sand flies there were almost as troublesome as the musketoes in the woods. " In a day or two after we changed our quarters one of our people took a hicatee asleep upon a log of wood m the river, as it was sunning itself, on which we feasted plentifully. It is an amphibious creature, and like what is called a tortoise or land turtle. In two or three days after we removed to the sea-side I was seized with a violent pain in my right thigh ; it swelled extremely, and looked very red, insomuch that I could neither stand nor go ; from the excessive pain of my thigh, and the biting and stinging of musketoes and sand flies, I had no rest either night or day, my hands being always employed in beating ofl* the flies from my face. Our powder and shot being all spent, except a little reserved to make a fire, we lived chiefly upon cabbage, which grew there in great numbers, some of the trees grow to fifty or sixty feet high, the circumference being about four or five feet. The cabbage is close, very white, short, and well tasted, and I thought sweeter and better than our English cabbage. In this river we frequently saw numbers of large alligators, and it was usual for eight or ten of them together to come ashore upon a point of sand near the river's mouth, in the middle of the day, to sun themselves. Our provisions growing short, be- fore I was lame, I endeavored to shoot some of them for food, but had not the good fortune to kill any. "When we had been here ten or twelve days, the weather was grown pretty tolerable, but there was still a great sea beat upon the shore, when the seamen took it in their heads to go to sea in the canoe, in order to get to Plantain River ; and notwithstanding my lameness, and earnest entreaties to the contrary, I could not prevail with them to stay a day or two till I was better, in which time the sea might have fallen, and we should then not run half the risk in going out of the river, as at this time. I made shift to crawl to the canoe, and placed myself in the stern-sheets, and with the help of my boatswain undertook to steer her. It is commonly observed, that the sea 252 LOSS OF A JAMAICA SLOOP. breaks upon the shore in three or five seas quickly succeed- ing each other, and then a small intennission, when it is mo^ proper to put from the shore. Being come to the river's mouth, as soon as the great seas were over we rowed out ; but our canoe being heavy, we were not able to get without the break- ers before the great seas approached us, at which time we were a good distance from the shore between the breakers ; and seeing our danger, I encouraged the people to row brisk- Jy over them ; but the sea rose so high, and broke so terribly, that they were all alarmed and confounded ; the sea broke in upon us, and the canoe being filled half full, canted her broad- side to it, for want of their pulling with their oars as they ought to have done. I perceived our danger, and another sea ready to break in upon us, with the help of my boatswain I turned the canoe's head to the shore ; and the very moment we had done so the sea broke over us from end to end, filled the canoe, and forced her very swiftly toward the shore ; the seamen sitting still, prevented her oversetting; one sea follow- ing close upon the back of another, quickly drove us on shore on the west side of the river ; happy it was for us that the ca- noe's stern was in the sea when it reached us, or otherwise she must have been turned bottom up ; and being in the cur- rent, which ran strong out of the river, v/ould have drove us to sea, where we had no chance for saving our lives. We hauled up the canoe and freed her, and with a good deal of labor and pains put her again into the river. When the sea- men got into safety, they swore the most bitter oaths that they would not go to sea in the canoe any more, but would travel by land to Plantain River. "They communicated to me their intention, and desired what provisions were left might be equally shared. I then re- presented to them the lame condition I was in, and that it was impossible for me to travel by land, since they saw I could hardly stand ; and conjured them not to leave me in such sad distress, Avhere I must inevitably perish, being incapable of helping myself. I desired they would stay but two or three days, in which time my leg might possibly grow better, or the sea would be smoother, so that we might be able to proceed without much danger ; and also represented to them the very great hazards and difficulties which would attend their going by land, the many large rivers that were between us and Plan- tain River, beside the fatigue of traveling, and the risk they ran of the wild beasts devouring them, in which that country abounded; but all I said could not divert them from their present purpose. LOSS OF A JAMAICA SLOOP. 253 " The pilot, a poor helpless old fellow, and a boy, were the only persons left with me ; they had divided the provisions, and left me such a share as they thought fit, hardly equal to theirs, and prepared for their journey by every man packing up his little bundle. I began seriously to reflect and con- sider with myself what course to take, having, since our at- tempt to go out of the river, found a very sensible alteration in my leg for the better, which I made no show of, but limped as before, in hopes my lameness would have induced them not to have left me in that helpless condition ; but when I sav/ they kept to their resolution, and even took the ax with them, which was all we had to trust to, to keep us from starving, I halted after the man who had the ax, and desired he would let me have it, but found him inflexible. I then endeavored to force it from him, but he calling others to his assistance, pre- vented my taking it. " I knev/ that about eight miles distant was the great river of Remain, which they must pass to go to Plantain river ; and considered that when they saw it, if I went with them, by my pointing out the hazard and difficulty to get over it, I might persuade them to return ; and therefore took up my bundle and followed them. When we came in sight of the river, I found it very broad, and a rapid stream ; the people began im- mediately to cut down some dry trees, in ord«r to make a float to pass over it, and the meanwhile I sat down on the bank with one of them, who had been lately sick, and had no great relish for the journey. As we were viewing the breadth of the river and the swiftness of the stream, I took the opportu- nity to represent the great difficulty and danger which attend- ed the passing it, and that we should be driven out of the ri- ver's mouth before it was possible for us to reach the oppo- site shore ; that we had not only that river to pass, but seve- ral more such before we came to Plantain river, and many other difficulties to encounter ; therefore I thought we had bet- ter return to the canoe, and wait a few days for a favorable opportunity to put to sea, in which we could not possibly run a quarter part of the risk and danger we were throwing our- S3lves into. This man being feeble and tired, lent an open ear to all I said, and communicated it to the rest of the people. They having already tired themselves by cutting down trees, the ax being dull, and having not yet provided a quarter part wanted for making the float, began to listen to the man, and think there was some reason in what he said ; upon which they greAV more serious, and retired into the woods out of my 22 254 LOSS OF A JAMAICA SLOOP. hearing, to consult what was most proper to be done, and came to a resolution to return to our former quarters ; accordingly we all went back. " I began to flatter myself that 1 had obtained my purpose to go in the canoe, Avhich I was desirous to do for tAvo rea- sons ; one was, because it would prevent the great hazard and labor we must expect in going over the several rivers we must pass, beside the fatigue of traveling about sixty miles upon the sand, in a very hot country, and the danger of being devoured by tigers, alligators, or other ravenous beasts ; and the other reason w^as, if we traveled by land, I must leave the canoe, with the greatest part of my clothes, beside the small arms and the iron pot, so useful to us. Having returned to our old quarters, v/e fed chiefly upon cabbage, saving the lit- tle provisions we had left to the last stake. Here we remain- ed three or four days ; it being tolerably fair vv^eather, and the sea being much smoother, I proposed to put to sea ; but the seamen refused, and swore they would not go in her any more. I talked pretty smartly to them, and told them what they deserved ; and that if but one man would go with me, I would leave them. My boy and two men consented to go; and Ave set out accordingly about eight o'clock in the morn- ing, and in about three hours we reached the mouth of the river of great Remain ; to which place several of the people (growing into better temper) went with us, and assisted us to make our bark logs. We found scattered upon the banks of the river several bamboo trees; these we got together, and cut into proper lengths, and fastened them to each other to make bark logs, in order to get over the river. We had a fishing line, w^iich was divided between us ; myself and the boy one half, and the two men had the other half, each bark log carrying two persons. We left the ax with the rest of the people, who returned to the canoe, and we set forward w'ith our two bark logs ; we paddled up close by the side of the river, keeping as much out of the current as possible, in- tending to go a good way up it before we endeavored to cross it, that we might be in no danger of driving out of the river's mouth. We kept paddling till half an hour past six o'clock at night; and seeing a fine green spot, clear of bushes, close to the river's side, we landed there, and took up our abode that night ; but on stepping ashore, several large alligators flounced from thence into the vrater close by us, which very much startled us. Finding this place convenient for us, we made fast our bark logs, and then made a fire to prevent the LOSS OF A JAMAICA SLOOP. 255 tigers or alligators from disturbing us. Being tired, we soon fell asleep round the fire ; for the fatigue of the day had made us forget the danger of the night. We had provided a pistol, and a little gimpowder in a calabash, which was close waxed up, to prevent its being damaged, with which we made a fire when we found it necessary. " In the morning, as soon as it was light, we mounted our bark logs and continued paddling up the river ; but the stream was so rapid that we went up but slowly, and sometimes were not able to bear up against it. We endeavored to haul up by the branches of the trees which hung over the river, but they being tender twigs, afforded but little assistance. When I came within my depth, I waded and pushed the bark log be- fore me, but was soon out of foot-hold, and then mounted the bark log again, and W'orked with our paddles, and yet made but little riddance, finding it very hard to strive against the stream. We often saw large alligators leap from among the bushes into the water just by us ; notwithstanding which I was often obliged to run the risk of being seized by them, there being often a necessity to wade, or we could not force the bark log against the stream. At last, with great toil and danger, in six or seven hours we got three or four miles up the river, till we came the length of an island which lay near a quarter part over it ; but were hard put to it to get thither, the island dividing the stream of the river, and redoubling its force, so that it was with great difficulty we reached it. Hav- ing surmounted the difficulty, we rested awhile, and then pad- dled about half a mile further up the side of the island; be- lieving ourselves so far up that we might safely venture to cross it, we put over, and happily reached the other side about a mile above the river's mouth, then drove down the current till we came to a convenient place near its entrance, and landed about three o'clock in the afternoon. The weather being hot, and having no wind, and only my shirt on, and that leaving my thighs very often bare, the heat of the sun scorching them, made me frequently throw water on them to keep them cool, not thinking of the consequences ; but soon after we landed I found them extremely sore, very red, and blistered in several places, which grew very painful. We un- lashed our bark logs for the sake of our lines, ate a little morsel of bread with about an ounce of raw salt beef, and fill- ed up with the limpid stream. Being thus refreshed, we set forward, and travelled eight or ten miles that night ; before it grew dark we made a fire near the sea-side, in order to take 256 LOSS OF A JAMAICA SLOOP. up our lodging, but having had no water since parting from the river Remain, were almost famished, and ready to die with thirst ; having found some cocoa plumb-trees, we took up our quarters, and searched them very narrowly for fruit ; found two or three plumbs, which moistened my mouth, and gave ^ me great relief In a little time after, by digging in the sand, we found fresh water, and satisfied our thirst. "As soon as it was day Vv'e pursued our journey, and about ten o'clock in the morning came to a river with a very deep and rapid stream, but not above a quarter so broad as that al- ready passed. Finding bamboos scattered over the point of the river, we gathered them together, and began to make our bark logs. In about three hours we completed them, and put over the river, and found less trouble in'passing than we ex- pected, by reason half the breadth of it on the farthest side proved to be shoal water, and not above mid-leg deep ; this we found little inconvenience in wading through. When over, and had taken our line from the bark logs, it being about two o'clock in the afternoon, we sat down by the river-side to din- ner. Having eaten as much as we could afford, and washed it down with large draughts of water, we proceeded on our journey, but found it very troublesome traveling on dry and loose sand, beside the inconvenience of bad shoes. We at- tempted several times to travel through the woods, but found the underwood so thick, and the ground morassy, there was no passing that way, and were obliged to keep by the sea-side. We waded over several rivers, some up to our knees, others to oar middle, and others up to our chin. One of the men could swim, and he used to try first whether the rivers were fordable, which if he found, we forded over ; and if not, we made our bark logs and went over upon them. We traveled about eight or ten miles after passing over Limehouse River, (for so that river was called where we dined,) and it being near night, we made a fire according to custom, and rested till morning ; then went forward, fording many rivers in our way. About noon we came to a headland that jutted into the sea, Avhich put a stop to our going by the sea-side ; the rocks being very high and steep, the sea beating violently against them, we chose to go back into the woods, where we found it less troublesome, with an intent to go through the country till we should get on the other side of the headland ; and accaxdingly marched up the hills for that purpose, hav- ing with great difficulty traveled up and dov/n several, often obliged to haul ourselves up from tree to tree, and slide down LOSS OF A JAMAICA SLOOP. 267 again on the other side, easing ourselves down the branches to prevent our falling. Having wandered for several hours in this manner, and being in hopes we had passed the head- land, and withal beginning to be apprehensive we should not be able to get out of the woods before night, there being more danger of wild beasts, and much more unwholesome sleeping than at the sea-side ; we therefore thought it absolutely ne- cessary to recover it before it was dark, and having descend- ed between two hills into a deep narrow valley, we found a fine rivulet, very seasonable to quench our thirst. I concluded this rivulet led to the sea, and therefore followed the stream ; but it having many turnings and windings, we went several miles round before we came to it, and to our great mortifica- tion, found ourselves still on the same side, and not far from the place where we entered the w^oods. The sun being set, we gathered wood and made a fire ; here we continued till the morning, and then attempted to go over the hill, but found it impossible to force a way through the penguins, briars, and other prickly plants that grew there. We retired, after tear- ing our clothes and losing some of our flesh, and then took a very desperate resolution to climb over the cragged part of the rocks, very steep and high, and extremely dangerous to pass ; these we got over by stepping from one hole in the sides of the rocks to another, and from one crag to another, holding by the ragged part of it with one hand, and our spare clothes with the other, and by the assistance of Providence we all got over. We now went on cheerfully, believing the worst of our journey over ; in about an hour after, by the sea-side, I found a cocoa-nut ; I soon opened it, and found it full of milk, which I drank with great pleasure, and then divided the nut among the people. After we had traveled about ten miles we came to another point of rocks, but this we got over without much difficulty. Having gone about six long miles farther, it grow- ing night, Ave made our fire according to custom, and in the morning proceeded on our journey, fording over many rivers ; it was showery weather, and being but thinly clothed, I was often wet to the skin, but soon dried again by the wind and sun. About nine o'clock in the morning we came to a low flat point of land, w^iich, by the sea beating continually upon it, had washed away the earth from the roots of the trees which had grown there, and left them lying scattered very thick all over the point. " Having got over this troublesome place, we were in ex- pectation every moment of coming to some habitations. We 22* 25S LOSS OF A JAMAICA SLOOP. went on several miles farther, but found no signs of inhabi- tants ; and having made an end of our little provisions the day "before, began to be quite out of heart, and apprehensive of starving, having nothing with us that could by any means provide for our subsistence. We came to a large lake or la- goon of water, which had a communication with the sea, the stream of which I observed ran out of the sea into the lagoon. One of our men forded it^ and went on the other side to see what he could discover; and in about two hours returned with the joyful news of having discovered the print of a man's foot, which gave us hopes of noi being iar from the inhabi- tants. With much ado we forded over the mouth of the la- goon, and continued on our journey till we came to another deep and rapid river, which there was no passing without bark logs ; Ave fell to our old work of gathering bamboos, and such dry wood as we could gather to make them ; but they being very scarce, could not gather so many together that night as we wanted. Made a fire upon the point of the river, where we took up our lodgings ; several showers of rain incommoded us very much, and had almost put out our fire; we grew faint and weak for want -of sustenance; how- ever, about nine o'clock the next morning, we finished our bark logs, and put over the river. Having landed, dried our clothes, that we might travel the lighter, which had been our custom in our whole journey, they being wet in passing the rivers, and being continually pestered with musketoes and flies, and more so whenever we s^t or lay down, we proceed- ed along the shore, and had not gone above half a mile before we discovered a path which led into the woods, the sight of which gave me inexpressible joy; we followed it, and in about half a mile farther we saw a hut, and soon after, to our great comfort, a white man appeared. He asked us who Ave were, and from Avhence Ave came; AA^e related to him our mis- fortunes ; he pitied our condition, and asking Avhere the cap- tain was, he Avas told I vA-as the person, and my name; he said he knew me AA^hen I commanded a packet-boat to Ja- maica, and Avhat his cottage afforded I should he very Avel- come to. He soon provided us Avith something to eat, Avhich we had great need of This person's name Avas Luke Haugh- ton, Avhose family consisted of two AA'omen and an Indian boy of about fifteen years of age; the boy Avas his slave, as Avas one of the Avomen, Avho used to sleep Avith him, and dress his provisions, whom he kept as his Avife ; the other Avoman Avas a slave to a white man Avho was absent. A little distance LOSS OF A JAMAICA SLOOP. 259 from Luke Haughton's there lived another white man, who had also two slaves, an Indian man and woman. I told Haughton where we had left the rest of our company, and would have hired him and the other white man to have fetch- ed them up in their canoe, and for their trouble I promised them our canoe, iron pot, and small arms; but they would not undertake so dangerous a voyage on my account; and these people had like to have paid dear enough for their in- discretion, for if it had not been for a Jamaica sloop, which by great accident passed by that coast, and seeing a smoke on the shore, and knowing there were no inhabitants near that place, supposed they were people in distress; it being fair Aveather and smooth water at the same time, they sent their canoe thither and took them on board when they were almost starved; the pilot having had his reward for under- taking what he was incapable of, he being starved to death. The seamen would have shot him long before I left them, if I had not prevented them. My padrone's habitation was near Cape Camerone, which is the western part of the Moschetto coast that is inhabited. He lived in the same manner as the natives; when he wanted provisions he went a hunting, and always brought home something to eat, sometimes warree or deer, and at other times corrisos, quams, or monkeys, though he would seldom kill corrisos or quams, (not thinking them worth a shot,) if he could kill warree, deer, or monkeys. When he returned we had as much boiled as would serve the fami- ly, and the rest was barbecued to keep it from stinking, not being provided with salt enough for that purpose, nor would salt preserve it so well. The warree is shaped like a hog, with this difference, they are of a less size, their ears, legs and tail are shorter in proportion than those of the hog, and have what they call a navel upon its back, which is placed about two thirds toward the tail, and are two lumps of flesh about the bigness and shape of their kidneys, which li« just within the skin on each side of the back bone, between which issues out a matter which casts forth a strong scent, not much unlike that of a fox; they keep in droves ; their flesh is very sweet and good, I think much better than European pork. When they find themselves hard chased, they wdll turn upon dogs or men, and often wound the dogs with their tusks : and sometimes the men are in great danger of being hurt by them. They are easily discovered by the scent. It is an ordinary thing when they are to windward of you, to smell a drove of them more than a mile. The piccary is much another such 260 ' LOSS OF A JAMAICA SLOOP. creature; both these are reckoned the best food the country affords. The deer are small and seldom fat. Monkeys are the same as those already described, which are generally fat. The corriso is near as big as a middling turkey, the color in- clined to black; it has a yellow bill, and the cock has a fine tuft or plume of feathers on his head of several colors, which makes it a beautiful bird ; but their flesh is not quite so good as the turkey. The quam is not so big as the corriso, but the flesh is better tasted, and is generally fatter. I am in- formed these fowls lay but two eggs before they set. The inhabitants always take care to bury their bones to prevent the dogs from eating them, it will make them run mad. Their bread kind is sweet cassave and green plantain roasted, Avhich we had mostly from old Indian plantations up the river. This shows the country has been full of inhabitants, though there are so few now; beside the old Indian plantations, each white man has a small plantation of plantain and banana trees; and w'hen they had a mind to increase their number, after gather- ing the fruit, they dug up the roots, and divided each of them into three or four parts, and planted them again; and from each part there sprung a tree. '' On Christmas eve my padrone went out a hunting in order to provide against the festival, and had the good luck to bring home both warree and corrisos. He invited his neighbor to dine with us on Christmas day; we had both boiled and roast, on which we feasted very plentifully; and to regale after dinner, instead of punch or wine, we had pumpkin mishlaw, which is made thus: the pumpkins are cut into small pieces and boiled ; the inside is mashed to a pulp in the liquor it is boiled in, and being served out in calabashes when it is hot, we drank it with a good gust, and passed the day very cheer- fully. In two or three days after my padrone took it into his head to visit the white men at Plantain river, he, leaving about three days' provision for the family, said he would return again by the time it was expended, in order to provide us more. Having made an end of our provisions the third day, and no padrone appearing the next morning, I took a gun and our fishing tackle, and the Indian boy with me: we went up the river with our canoe to the plantation, designing to kill a cor- riso or quam, w^hich were often there devouring the fruit : and if that failed, we intended to fish in the river. As soon as I landed I heard the cherupping of a corriso, which I en- deavored to shoot ; but fluttering from tree to tree, I could not get within reach of it ; and in the pursuit lost the bird LOSS OF A JAMAICA SLOOP. 261 and my way both. When I left the chase I endeavored to find the canoe ; but instead of going toward it, I wandered farther into the woods, and found myself merooned, for so they call those people that have lost themselves in a wood. 1 walked on, endeavoring to find my way, and hallooed several times in hopes of being answered by the Indian, Avho might have directed me ; but hearing no answer, I concluded I had got a good way into the woods ; and being entirely at a loss how to recover the canoe, I began in earnest to consider the most proper means of finding it, and determined to mount the first tree I could climb. Having found one fit for my purpose, I got up into it, and from thence saw the river ; and being acquainted with the manner of its course, I judged where- about the plantation was ; having finished my view, the sun keeping a certain position, I bent my course toward that part of the river where I judged the canoe was. And in passing through the woods I came to a large cotton tree, which could not be less than twenty-five feet in circumference ; having passed it going forward, I found the underwood so close that I could not force my way through for a long time, and was at last obliged to creep through the thicket, which gave me much trouble, beside the loss of my clothes, which was mor- tification enough in a country where I could get no more ; but my chief concern being now for my life, that did not much affect me. When I was through it I found the woods more open, and continued my course till I came to a place where the water had been newly dried up, and left an oozy ciay behind it of a hardness fit to take any impression, and saw there the fresh print of the footing of a large beast, which I took to be a tiger's. This sight startled me, and I immediately exa- mined my gun, to see if it was in a condition to shoot if I met it: and soon perceived that the priming was lost out of the pan, and having no more powder with me, I would have avoid- ed going that way, but saw the underwood so close every where else, that there was no getting through it ; and consid- ering I might as well meet the tiger in the thicket as any where, I kept my course. Having gone about half a mile further, I saw the opening of the woods ; soon after, to my great satisfaction, I came to the plantation and found the ca- noe, and resolved with myself not to run into the same dan- ger any more, but went to fishing, and b}^ night had caught nine small fishes, three of which would make a middling sized herring ; we returned to our habitation and had them dressed ; I took three of them for my own share, and left the rest for 262 LOSS OF A JAMAICA SLOOP. the family. I am ready to think most people will believe I did not waDt sauce to them, having eaten nothing all the day. The next day we went a fishing again, having the day before had enough of hunting; we caught about fourteen or sixteen small fishes, which made a good meal for the family ; we ate them boiled, and the sauce to them was the water they were boiled in : our bread was either roasted plantains or cassave roots, and little enough of them. "Within about a mile and a half from us there lived two or three families of Indians : one of them coming to our habita- tion, inquired after my padrone, and wl>en we expected him to return; and withal, asked me how we did for provisions. I told him we fared hard enough. He said if they had known that we had been in want of food they v\'ould have supplied us, and desired me to lend him a gun, v/hich I did ; he went over the river, and in about an hour returned with a large fawn, which was soon dressed, half a side of it broiled and in our bellies. The Indians w^ere so kind as to bring us something or other to eat every day, so that we did not want for food any mxore. In about ten days my padrone returned from Plantain River, whom I was very glad to see. He excused himself for staying so long, telling me the people of Plantain River w^ould not let him come away sooner. I recounted to him my adven- ture in the woods, which he only laughed at. The next day he went a hunting, and furnished us with more provisions. In his leisure hours he used to entertain me with stories of his travels, and the hardships he had met with in being seve- ral times made a prisoner by the Spaniards, both in Mexico and Peru. He had been a prisoner a long time at St. Juan d'Uloa, vv^hich is a large and strong fort, vrith more than twen- ty pieces of brass cannon. It is built upon an island, which makes the fort of Levera Cruz, where there is a large fair town ; it is situated at the bottom of the bay of Mexico, and is the barricade for that kingdom. The city of Mexico is eighty leagues from thence, in the land ; this city, I have been credibly informed by a Spanish merchant who lived there, is one-third part as big as London, and that there are six thou- sand coaches in it. My padrone had also been prisoner at the Havana, on the island of Cuba, and has often told me how both that place and the Levera Cruz might be surprised by the English; and recounted to me how a number of bucca- neers surprised, took, and plundered the latter. The buccaneers having mustered all their strength, resolved upon sacking the town ; and being arrived within sixteen or eighteen miles of it, LOSS OF A JAMAICA SLOOP. 263 they anchored with their ships, and landed their men undis- covered ; they marched that night about ten or twelve miles, and in the morning retired between the high sand-hills which lie along that coast. The men lay hid all day, and marched again in the night, in order to surprise the town in the morn- ing, at the opening of the gates, which they effected thus : The bucaneers were about six hundred men; when they came near the town they halted, and sent a small party that could speak Spanish, habited like the country people, in order to seize on one of the gates as soon as they were opened; which was ex- ecuted thus: At the opening of the gates one of the party mounted a ladder w^hich led up to the bastion, or tower that commanded the gate, and under pretence to beg fire of the sentinel to light his pipe, with his pistol he killed him : this was the signal for seizing the gate. It being immediately put in execution, they gave notice to their main body, who instant- ly marched into the town, and at the same time attacked and took another small work, both of which they guarded, and then marched into the parade. IMost of the Spaniards being in bed, could not presently get together, but soon took the alarm, and formed a body of horse and foot ; they marched in good order through one of their broad streets to attack the enemy in form ; the bucaneers being dra^Am up upon the pa- rade, and seeing the Spaniards marching toward them, pre- pared to receive them, and part of them drew up at the end of the street in which the Spaniards were marching, and v.'hen they came near enough to engage, they fired upon them; the bucaneers having disposed themselves in such order, that as soon as their first rank had fired, they marched beyond the street, and the second took place, and so the third ; so that they kept a continual fire upon the Spaniards, and killed many of themx, and their horses not being able to stand the fire, they were soon put into disorder, and fled ; the bucaneers pur- sued them, but the Spaniards flying out of one of the gates into the country, they left the chace ; the castle of St. Juan taking the alarm, fired briskly into the town, in order to beat out the enemy, but they being resolved to plunder it before they left it, called a consultation, to consider what was proper to be done, and resolved to seize on the fathers which had most authority and respect among them; having beheaded some of them, they obliged others to carry them in a little boat to the castle, present them to the governor, and tell him, if he did not leave off firing immediately, they would use all the fathers in the town in the same manner. The governor 2C4 LOSS QF A JAMAICA SLOOP. being exasperated at so inhuman and barbarous an action, re- doubled the fire, which the bucaneers finding, they shut all th« gates of the town, and would not suffer any more of the in- habitants to leave it, but drove them all in a body to that part of the town which lay next to the fort, and most exposed to the fire from thence; so that if they Avould not forbear firing, they should kill their own men. When the governor saw it he was moved with compassion for the inhabitants, and ceased firing. The bucaneers plundered the town, and when they had so done, marched out, carrying away with them some of the chief inhabitants as hostages for a sum of money which they demanded for not burning it ; and so retired to their ships with very little loss. " The Spaniards have since that time built watch-towers, and keep sentinels all along that coast, in order to prevent the like surprise. " When my padrone had finished this story, he told me that one of his acquaintance had been taken prisoner by the Spa- niards, either in cutting wood, or in some expedition against them, which I do not remember ; but he having been kept a prisoner a long time, was at last put on board of one of their galleons to be sent to Old Spain, of which he had terrible ap- prehensions in being kept a close prisoner there; and as the ship passed by the island of Cozumel, Avhich is desert, and near the coast of Honduras, the ship was to the windward of it : and it being very fine weather, he took this opportunity, just at the dusk of the evening, and slipt out of one of the ports and swam for the shore, though they were near three leagues from it. Fie got safe to the island ; but when he found himself there, he was in a bad condition : for his fire- works which he had fastened with his frock to the nape of his neck, were either lost or rendered useless, so that he could get no fire. At his first landing he lived upon cockles and other shell-fish, till seeing great numbers of large snakes, which they call oulers, that are not venomous, he killed several of them ; and having flayed them, he split them in pieces, dipped them in salt water, and dried them upon the rocks in the sun, and found this food much more agreeable to him than his shell- fish ; there was no fresh water on the island but what lodged in the holes of the rocks Avhen it rained, though he always found enough to satisfy his thirst. In this manner he lived without fire for near six months, till a sloop happened to touch there to cut some fire-Avood, Avho took him on board, and he was found very hearty and in good plight. These and some L0S6 OF A JAMAICA SLOOP. 265 Other of the like stories my padrone used to entertain me with, and hearing him describe all the islands and coasts in the bay of Honduras, and those about us, where we had often traveled to and fro for many years, and I knowing the drafts of those parts where I had been to be very false, which was the cause of the loss of our vessel ; for though our pilot was ignorant, if I had had a good draft of the coast I could have preserved the sloop. " These considerations put me upon drawing a draft of those coasts, which will be very useful to masters of ships that may, by accident, be driven into those seas, or trade thither, and are unacquainted therewith. Having advised with my padrone about it, he encouraged it, and said he would give me an ex- act account of that part which I had not seen, and supplied me with paper for that purpose. In order to draw the said draft, I made a wooden pair of compasses and a scale, my ink was made with gunpowder, and my pens with the feathers of Avild fowl ; with these utensils I drew the draft of the bay of Honduras, describing all the islands therein, and the coast of the moschettos, which, with some alteration I have made since, is a pretty good one. " In a day or two after I had finished my draft, our neigh- boring Indians came to pay us a visit, and invited my padrone and myself to an entertainment, to be the next day at their habitations. " When we came there we found the fathers of the families lying on their hammocks, talking to each other : the younger men sitting on mats, and the women attending them; there being two or three families residing together, who made a small society, they being now altogether, made about sixteen or eighteen in number ; some were eating and others drink- ing : they welcomed us, and entertained us with broiled mul- let ; they generally broil their fish and boil their flesh ; some of their favorite wives were sitting by them, and others hand- ing about mishlaw, which is a drink they make with ripe plantains, in the following manner : They take of them a cer- tain number sufficient to make the quantity of liquor they de- sign, and squeezing them into small pieces, put them into a vessel with as much water as is proper for fermenting it ; and after it has remained in the vessel two days it is fit to drink. The women that are appointed to serve the liquor about, dip the caHbash into the vessel, and take it out almost full, and with their hands squeeze the plantains and water together, till it is come to a pulp, the liquor running between their fin- 23 266 LOSS OF A JAMAICA SLOOP. gers, taking out the strings and mixing it well together, till it is of a thinness fit to drink, and then hand it to the people sitting round, which the}^ all drank of, first to the fa- thers of the families, then to the younger men, and so to the favorite wives, and then to the children. They often sat at these drinking bouts a day and a night, if the liquor lasted so long, and drank it till they were intoxicated; it is unpleasant to the taste. They have another drink that they sometimes make, which they call cassave mishlaw ; they first boil the sweet cassave, and then cause it to be chewed by their young women that have the cleanest mouths ; and putting it into a vessel with water, they let it stand two or three days, in which time it ferments, and then drink it in the same m.anner as the plantain mishlaw. The Indians invited me to taste of their mishlaw ; and my padrone assuring me it was of plantains without any mixture of cassave, I was prevailed upon to drink a calabash of it, which I was the rather induced to, that the Indians might not be out of humor for my refusing their civi- lity ; though I must confess I had no great liking to it, seeing how the women managed it. When I had almost emptied my calabash, I found in it some strings of the cassave root; upon which I told my padrone that I believed he had deceived me, and that there was cassave mishlaw mixed with the plan- tain. He laughed, and so did the Indians; and then 1 per- ceived it was plantain and cassave mishlaw mixed together, which made me not very fond of it, and I refused to drink any more. My padrone drank very plentifully of it, though he knew their manner of making it. We staid with them about three hours, and then took our leave ; and in returning home and talking with my padrone about the manner that we might make it, and drink it, he said that it would not fer- ment except it was chewed : however, I prevailed Avith him to try, and having boiled some cassave roots, and bruised them in a mortar, I put them into a jar with a sufficient quantity of water, and let it stand three or four days, but it would not fer- ■ rtcn',, which made me think that the salivial juice, which f'^Aed with the roots while the Indians were chewing it, was 5'*'^ cause of the fermentation. My padrone had a great num- Vft» -)f pumpkins which grew about his house, and his Indian *.t>men used to make pumpkin mishlaw almost every day ^^i>out four o'clock in the afternoon, which served us instead oTtea, and is made in the manner before described. The In- Hlians observe the text in Scripture, they take no care for to- morrow : but when their provisions are all expended, and they LOSS OF A JAMAICA SLOOP. 267 are so hungry that they can fast no longer, they concert mat- ters over night which way they shall hunt the next day, and rise about two or three o'clock in the morning, get into their canoes without saying a word to each other, and paddle so far up the river as they think proper, and are generally in the woods before break of day, that as soon as the daylight ap- pears they may have the better opportunity of securing their game. When they find a drove of warree or piccarie, they throw themselves into a circle and surround them, having dogs with them, and being armed wdth guns and lances, whichever w^ay the game turns some of the Indians meet them, and often kill a great part of the drove; I saw them bring home ten at one time, of which they gave us two. When any of their family are sick, they kill for them guanoes to make them hroth, which they reckon very wholesome, and proper for sick people. If they are tired with eating flesh, they go a fishing, and so from time to time hunt or fish, as they like best ; the whole society take part of what they bring home. The wo- men go sometimes into their plantations, and bring with them such fruit as it affords, or is wanted to dress their provisions ; they also make matts. The men are generally a tall, well- shaped, raw-boned, strong people, nimble and active, long black strait hair, are very ingenious, and friendly to the Eng- lish, and very dexterous at throwing the lance, fishing or har- poon, or any manner of dart, and shoot exceeding well with a bow and arrow, as Avell as with small arms, the last of which they buy of the English. They go ofi" to sea at a cer- tain time of the year with a little fleet of canoes to the miis- ketoe reefs, w^hich are about twelve or fifteen leagues from the coast, to take turtle for the sake of the shell, which they send to Jamaica, to sell or dispose of to the traders that come upon that coast, for guns, powder and shot, hatchets, axes, and iron pots. Some of their boys make it their business to catch parrots and monkeys, w4th w^hich they purchase beads, knives, or such other trifles. Some few of them have sepa- rated from the main body, as those at cape Camerone, our neighbors, and gave this reason for it ; they said that some people who ^vere not of the ancient inhabitants, but new up- starts, were got into the government, and behaved themselves Avith so much pride and insolence that they could not bear it, and therefore had separated from the main body. They re- lated the matter thus : A ship wuth negroes by accident was catet away on the coast, and those who escaped drowning mix- ed among the native mosketoe people, who intermarried with 268 LOSS OF A JAMAICA SXOOP. them and begot a race of mulattoes, which AA^ere the people that society could not bear should have any kind of command amongst them. Captain Hobby, who had his cow killed by our peoplie, was of that race, his mother being a negro. All the difference I observed between them was, the native In- dians had long black hair, and the mulatto race had strong bushy curled hair, a little changed in their skin ; the copper and black mixing made some alteration. I could not learn their manner of worship, or that they had any particular days set apart for that purpose. When I had been at my pa- drone's between two and three months, and heartily tired with this manner of life, one morning, about two o'clock, I heard a sudden noise of the firing of a gun at sea ; and imagining it to be from our consort flooj^^, which I supposed was return- ing again to Jamaica, and believing the captain had heard of our misfortune, he had made it his business to call here : and as Plantain river Avas the most convenient place for anchor- ing, I imagined he had fired a gun to giA^e us notice of his passing by for that place. Upon hearing this, I immediately got up, telling my padrone my thoughts, and my intention to go to Plantain river : he endeavored to persuade me to stay till daylight, to see if any vessel was in sight or not ; and told me probably it might be some old tree that was fallen down, which made the noise we heard. I said that I imagined it to be Captain Gill, and Avas resolved to go for Plantain ri- ver, where I hoped to find him. Having made my best com- pliments to my padrone for all his favors, I took my leave and set out about break of day, in hopes, as it grew lighter, to have seen the sloop 1 expected ; but no vessel appearing in sight, I walked briskly along the shore till I arrived at the In- dian plantation, our neighbors, Avhich was directly in my Avay, There being beyond them a very broad river Avhich I must pass, I desired of the Indians to let one of their young men put me over; which Avas immediately granted, and one of their Avomen gave me a roasted plantain, Avhich Avas all the provision I had for my journey. Going doAA-n the branch which led to the main river, finding it fresh Avater, I ate my plantain Avhile I had drink, being apprehensive I should not meet with any more until my arrival at Plantain river When I landed on the other side I pursued my journey, and AA'as in hopes, as I rounded the cape, to have discovered the sloop ; but to my extreme mortification I saAv no A^essel. I began to think the noise I had heard was occasioned by the fall of an old tree, as my padrone had suggested j but considering Plan- LOSS OF A JAMAICA SLOOP. 269 tain river was a more likely place for vessels to come to than the cape, I chose to proceed, and traveled briskly on. The weather was extremely hot, which made me very thirsty ; but not being able to find any fresh Avater, I made what haste I could in order to reach Plantain river before night; ; and about four o'clock I saw the huts there. By the time I got thither I was very faint, and almost ready to die with thirst, being extremely fatigued, as any one will readily believe, having traveled twenty miles upon the sand in the scorching sun with- out a drop of water. The inhabitants gave me such refresh- ments as their huts aflfbrded, though not sufficient to allay my appetite. When I had rested, and was a little refreshed, I prevailed with one of the people to put me over the river, where most of the white people had their habitations. I told them my reasons for coming thither ; they said I should be welcome to such as they had, till I could get an opportunity of embarking for Jamaica. These people informed me that several of the white men and Indians were gone to Sandy Bay, which is beyond Cape Gracia de Dios, where the chiefs and greatest body of the Mosketoe Indians have their habi' tations, in order to concert measures to' enter upon an expe- dition against the wild Indians ; for so they call those who do not live under the Spanish government, but have fled from their cruelty and taken up their abode in some secure place in the woods. The manner of these expeditions is thus : when they have concluded what number of men is proper for their design, they furnish themselves with a sufficient num- ber of canoes, dories, and pit-pans, which last is like a wort cooler ; they are made long and narrow, will carry two men, and draw not more than four inches of water, which they make use of to go over the shoal places in the rivers ; and be- ring provided with arms, ammunition, provisions, and necessa- ries for such an expedition, they set forward; but first inquire of their sookeys, which are commonly interpreted priests, what success they are like to meet with, and Avill not stir un- till their sookeys assure them of a prosperous voyage. They seldom undertake an expedition of this kind without some in- formation from one of their Indian slaves, in whose fidelity they are satisfied, and know where the wild Indian settlements are ; he undertakes to be their guide, and conducts them to the place, to which they go sometimes fifty or sixty leagues by sea, before they arrive at the river's mouth which, leads up near the settlement they intend to attack. They go into the river with the smallest canoes, leaving the rest at the m'outh of 23* 270 LOSS OF A JAMAICA SLOOP. it, and oftentimes go up it forty or fifty nniles ; and when they draw near the Indian settlements they paddle up the river very softly, and hide themselves under the bushes till night, to avoid being discovered. When they arrive at a proper place, their guide conducts them to the town, which they surround, and seize all the inhabitants, who are all made slaves ; but it some- times happens that the guide misses his w^ay in the night, and they are descried by the inhabitants, who take the alarm. While some are defending themselves others make their es- cape into the woods, so that few are made prisoners, except women and children, who are generally sent to Jamaica and sold for slaves. I have seen many of these poor wretches sold there, which have had so pitiful a look it would soften the most obdurate heart. My padrone's wife was one of these people, and some other white men kept these women as their wives, who live tolerably well. "When the 'Mosketoe people are out on one of these ex- peditions, if they do not return by the time they are expected, their relations and friends grow uneasy, and often consult their sookeys to know where they are, what success they have had, and when they will return. All which questions they pretend to answer, upon consulting some demon or spirit which they are supposed to converse with ; but they return answers in such dubious terms, that will admit of any con- struction, so that they are always in the right. When their sookeys are applied to in a proper manner, that is, with ma- king them a good present, they retire to a little hut in the re- mote part of the woods, which is sacred, and where no one must presume to go but themselves : when they go upon these inquiries, they sometimes remain about three or four hours before they return, and are commonly in a violent sweat when they come out of those huts, and com.municate to the people what they think most proper to the present purpose. These sookeys have gained great credit among the people by their pretending to foretell future events ; there are numbers of these sort of people, as weJl among the negroes as the In- dians, and are more properly conjurers than priests, who have the advantage of living free from care, being supplied with necessaries by the public. We may observe nearer hand, in Popish countries, great numbers of men not much unlike the Indian sookeys, or the negro fitish men, who by their art and cunning have got so much the better of their fellow-creatures, that a good part of the world are their slaves. I was credi- bly informed that a white man from Jamaica, having lived LOSS OF A JAMAICA SLOOP. 271 some years amongst those people, and being a subtle cunning fellow, and observing the sookeys well provided for, set up the trade with as good success as any among them. But to go on: When the Indians return from an expedition, if they have had success, every man has such a share, according to what part he furnished at their setting out. If any of them are killed in the enterprise, he who had the chief direction of that affair must make satisfaction to the deceased relations, by making them presents, in order to pacify them for such loss, and become a continual rent-charge to them. I inquired into the nature of their government, and what number of fighting men they could raise ; and found, by the best information, that they were a kind of monarchy, having a chief whom they call king; though there are several other chiefs that have great power and authority among them ; but no man was compelled to go upon any service, and they are not above eight hundred fighting men. They are of the race of people which the Spaniards found when they conquered that country; and though they have been obliged to lea\'e the more cham- paign country for a lowmorassy one, they have always main- tained their liberty, notwithstanding the Spaniards have made several attempts to destroy them, but as often failed in their designs by the courage and bravery of those people, who have gallantly defended themselves, and killed great numbers of Spaniards, when they have invaded them, and now live in the greatest enmity with them, and kill them wherever they meet with them, which they call hiding them. I am credibly informed that about two years since the Musketoe people had notice that the Spaniards had formed a design against them, and were preparing to invade them; w^hich they were no sooner assured of, but they, like a brave and gallant peo- ple, sent out a fleet of canoes, armed with some hundreds of their best men, in order to intercept them; and proceeded with their fleet toward that part of the coast where the Span- iards were preparing for their expedition, which was near the river Looe ; but not meeting them as they expected, judged they were not ready, and therefore put into a river in order to intercept them as they passed by, and contrived the matter thus : They sent a nimble canoe out of the river as a scout, with orders, as soon as they should discover the enemy, to pad- dle off the shore, in order to draw them from thence, that they might have no opportunity of escaping, having other peo- ple on the look out ashore : and after waiting several weeks, they discovered the Spanish fleet of canoes, who chased their 272 ' LOSS OF A JAMAICA SLOOP. scout; which observing the foregoing directions, paddled off the shore, and the enemy after her: when they saw their plot succeeded according to their wishes, they took their opportu- nity and put all out of the river, and put the Spaniards off from the shore as they designed, and attacked them so furi- ously that they were soon conquered, and killed them, every man, except one negro, who spoke English, that pretended he had been made prisoner by them, and forced on that expedition, to whom they gave quarter ; but soon after they went ashore he made his escape to the Spanish settlements, and gave them an account of what was become of their friends. " The inhabitants of Jamaica had a project of inviting the Musketoe people to live there, and assigning them certain lands as their own possessions, and they should have and en- joy all the liberties of Englishmen ; but whether that project was brought to perfection, or that the people of the Muske- toes did not like to quit their own country, 1 am unacquainted ; but certain it is they are still there. About four or five years since, the government of Jamaica made a law for inviting several hundred of them to that island, in order to take or de- stroy the run-away negroes who did much mischief to the out plantations, and accordingly sloops were sent to invite them ; and there went to Jamaica about two hundred, who were formed into companies, under officers of their own na- tion, and were paid forty shillings per month, and every man shoes. They staid at that island several months, and perform- ed the service they v»^ere employed in very well, and were sent home again well pleased. I being then at Jamaica, had the story from them as follows : When they were out in search of the run-away negroes, and having some white men for their guides who knew the country, one of them seeing a wild hog, shot it: at which the Musketoe Indians were much dis- pleased, telling them, that was not the way to surprise the ne- groes, for if there were any within hearing of that gun they would immediately fly, and they should not be able to take any of them ; and told them, if they wanted any provisioi7« they would kill some with their lances, or bows and arrows, which made no noise. They are excellent hunters and fish- ers, and no people so expert and dexterous at striking fish as they are; so that they look upon it as the greatest ill-luck, if they miss a fish when they have a fair stroke at it. Few of the Jamaica sloops go to sea without one of these Musketoe men, to whom they give good wages, and are treated in the most friendly manner by the commanders, being always their LOSS OF A JAMAICA SLOOP. 273 companions, and called brother. The governor has a particu- lar article in his instructions from the king- of Great Britain, to show kindness and afford them his protection. " As often as a new governor arrives at Jamaica the king, or some one of their chiefs, go up to compliment him on his accession to his government, who are kindly treated by the governor, and sent away with presents. The chief of their fruits which are the most useful, are plantains and bananas ; they have pine-apples in plenty, Indian corn, potatoes, yams, and other roots ; and have also sugar-canes, which the^?^ plant. All along the coast are several kinds of ravenous beasts, a^ tigers, leopards, tiger-cats, snakes, and baboons. The tigers or leopards were so bold at Plantain River, that they fre- quently seized the poultry among the plantations, and were twice among the houses whilst I was there. The baboons at Cape Camerone sometimes made so much noise in the night that we could not sleep. All the rivers swarm with alligators, and there are plenty of guanoes. The shape of the alligator is so well known that I need not describe it. A guanoe is something like a lizard ; I have often killed them five feet long, which we reckon pretty good eating, but their eggs exceed all others in taste, and eat like marrow. There is also the mountain cow, which I have heard described much as Captain Dampier does. I have seen a print of the feet, which I was told was the mountain cow's ; and once at the Grout, by Portobello, I ate part of one, which both looked and tasted like beef. Captain Dampier describes it thus: This beast is as big as a bullock of three years old ; it is shaped like a cow in the body, but her head much bigger ; her nose is short, and the head more compact and round ; she has no horns; her eyes are round, full, and of a prodigious size; she has great lips, but not so thick as the cow's lips. Her eyes are in proportion to the head, rather broader than those of the common cow. Her neck is thick and short; her legs also shorter than ordinary ; she has a pretty long tail, thin of hair, and no bob at the end ; she has coarse thin hair all over her body. Her hide is near two inches thick : her flesh is red, the grain of it very fine ; the fat is white, and it is sweet, wholesome meat. One of them will weigh five or six hun- dred weight. This creature is always found in the woods, near some large river, and feeds on a sort of long thin grass or moss, which grows plentifully on the banks of the rivers, but never feeds on savannahs or pastures of good grass, as all other bullocks do ; when her belly is full she lies down to 274 LOSS OF A JAMAICA SLOOP. sleep by the brink of the river, and at the least noise slips into the water, where sinking down to the bottom, though very deep, she walks as on dry ground. She cannot run fast, there- fore never rambles far from the river, for there she aivvays takes sanduary in case of dangers ; there is no shooting her but when she is asleep. Manatee and turtle are also found on this coast. " When I had been at Plantain River about ten days, we saw a sloop stand in for the shore, which came to an anchor off the river's mouth; she hoisted English colors, and sent her canoe for the shore, but it was overset in the breakers, and all the people put to swimming for their lives ; however, they all came well on shore. We gathered up the oars, and hauled up the canoe ; and I soon learned from the people that their sloop was laden with logwood, came from the Bay of Honduras, and Avas bound to Jamaica; but that they had been looking for that island so long till all their provisions were spent, and could not find it ; and in standing to the south- ward they saw the land, and made it to be Plantain River, which some of them had been at before, and were come hi- ther in hopes of being supplied with provisions. I was ex- ceeding glad to hear they were bound for Jamaica, having now great hopes of getting thither again; for though I fared tolerably Avell for provisions, I had little pleasure in my com- pany, Avho were a rude unpolished crew, and I w^as heartily tired with this Indian manner of living. A white man, that sometimes used to reside in this place, was part owner of the sloop, was then gone to Sandy Bay, in order to go on an ex- pedition against the wild Indians before m.entioned; and the person who had the care of his affairs having some provisions of his, concluded to put on board of the sloop a barrel of beef and one of flour, and send them forward for Jamaica. I was very willing to make use of this opportunity of a passage ; but considering the master of the sloop was incapable of navi- gating her, I consulted with the person who supplied the pro- visions in relation to the conducting the vessel; observing to him that they in the sloop had lost themselves, and by great accident were come thither, or must all have perished by the ignorance of the master; and told him, if the master of the sloop would leave the direction to me, I would venture to go in her, but if not, I had rather wait till another opportunity, for I was apprehensive of being put in the same condition they had so lately been in. He thought this a very reasonable request, it being for the safety of the vessel as well as myself, LOSS OF A JAMAICA SLOOP. 275 and thereupon sent an order to the master to leave the navi- gating the ship to me. Matters being thus concerted, the provisions, water, and wood were put into the canoe, and I went on board with them. The master made some scruples to obey the order, (so loth people are to part with power, though they are never so inca- pable of governing.) I told him he need not to be under any concern, for I had no intention of depriving him of his com- mand ; but what I did was for my own preservation as wsll as theirs, since by experience they had so lately been in such danger for vv^ant of knowledge ; at which the master seemed content, and I took the direction of the vessel upon me. We weighed anchor and set sail for Jamaica. But before we left Plantain river we had provided some ozenbrigs and a sufficient quantity of silk grass which grows in that coun- try, which we made twine of: and Vv^hen it proved little winds or calms, we lowered the sails and mended them, being old and torn in several places, which was our constant custom as often as we had opportunity, being so fortunate as to have fair weather. In about ten or twelve days we made the Grand Caymanos, so called from the number of crocodiles found there when first discovered by the Spaniards, cayman being a Spanish word for crocodile. When we saw the island, the master and a pretended pilot said it was not that island, but the South Keys. He said that he had lived upon the CTrand Caymanos, and had seen it often, and knew the make of the island very well : and that which we saw Avas not it but the South Keys, and vvould have shaped their course accordingly for Jamaica. I now found the precaution I had taken at my going on board the sloop to be of great service, finding the people so very ignorant, and if I had not been with them they never wouTd have reached Jamaica. I knew the island by my latitude and distance, though I had never before seen it, and shaped my course accordingly. The wind being then northerly, in two days after we saw that island, which none of the sloop's crew loiew, nor would any of them believe it to be Jamaica till we came close into the land, and then they were convinced, and acknowledged their ignorance. I took no more upon me as to the direction of the vessel, but left it to the master, and in three or four days more we arrived in Port Royal harbor ; and so ended a most troublesome, fatiguing, and painful voyage. On my arrival at Jamaica, my friends and acquaintance re- joiced to see me, having heard that I was drowned. Th« 276 LOSS OF THE ST. PETER. owner of the sloop at Jamaica ofTered me the command of her ; but I excused myself, choosing to wait for a better com- mand. LOSS OF THE RUSSIAN SHIP ST. PETER, On the coast of Beerings' Island, in the Sea of Kamtschatka, in 1741, and subsequent distresses of the Crew. The Russians, though of all the European nations the most interested in making discoveries in the north, were not, how- ever, roused to any undertaking of that nature till long after the attempts of the English to discover a north-west passage to China and India. The genius of Peter the Great, which in the course of a few years had effected such a mighty change in his empire, was not insensible of the advantages to be derived from exploring the seas eastward of his Asiatic dominions, the islands they contained, and the coasts by which they might be bounded. He accordingly projected an expe- dition for that purpose, and himself drew up the instructions for those who were to conduct it. The result of this enterprise was the discovery of the Ku- rile islands. Encouraged by this success, the same monarch formed the plan of a second expedition, but its execution was prevented by his death on the 8th of February, 1725. It was expected that this event would have completely frustrated tho design ; but Catharine, who made a point of executing all the projects of her illustrious consort, ordered it to be prosecuted the same year. The celebrated Beerings, a native of Denmark, but who had served ever since 1707 in the Russian navy, was appointed to conduct this expedition. Pie Avas an officer who to extensive knowledge united fortitude and great experience. His lieu- tenants were a German, named Martin Span berg, and Tschi- rikoff, a Russian. Beerings and his officers spent almost five years in making the necessary preparations and in the voyage itself. In 1727 they landed in Kamtschatka, surveyed the coast, and wintered in that country. The ensuing year they disco- vered the Island of St. Lawrence, and three smaller ones not far from the east coast of Asia. The approach of winter and THE ESSEX STRUCK BY A WHALE. She dashed her head against the ship's side, and so broke it in th-at the vessel filled rapidly." — p. 398. DISCOVERT OF SKELETONS. Iq one of the caves they found eight human skeletons, in all proba- \>i\iiy the renaains of some mariners." — p. 40\. LOSS OF THE ST. PETER. 277 the fear of being blocked up by the ice, obliged Beerings to think of returning; and on the 18th of September he again reached the river of Kamtschatka. They quitted a second time the inhospitable coast of that country on the 5th of June, 1729, but the wind blew from E. N. E. with such violence that they could not get out farther than sixty-eight leagues from it. As they found no land in that space, they altered their course, doubled the southernmost Cape of Kamtschatka, and cast anchor at Ochotzk. From that place Beerings traveled over land to Irkutzk in Siberia, and proceeded to Petersburgh, where he arrived on the 1st of March, 1730. On his return Beerings declared that, in the course of his navigation, being in the latitude of between 50 and 60 degrees, he had observed signs which seemed to indicate that there was some coast or land toward the east. This declaration was confirmed by the testimony of his lieutenants, Spanberg and Tschirikoff^ and they proposed a second expedition to Kamtschatka, to explore the regions which separated the Asi- atic continent from the north of America. The Russian go- vernment, sensible of the importance of the project, acquiesced in the proposal of Beerings, who was appointed to conduct the new enterprise, with the rank of commodore, while his two lieutenants were nominated captains under him. The academy of sciences immediately received an order to prepare a detail of all that was then known concerning Kamtschatka, as well as the countries and seas by w^hich it is surrounded. The care of digesting this information was en- trusted, by the academy, to M. Delisle, a French astronomer, and brother to the celebrated geographer of that name. That gentleman collected all the intelligence he could procure of Captain Beerings, and the accounts of preceding voyagers, prepared a chart of the seas and coasts which it was intended to explore, and accompanied it with a very extensive memoir. These were transmitted by the academy to the supreme senate, which, together with the college of admiralty and the acade- my, took every possible measure for insuring the success of the enterprise. These various bodies resolved at the same time to profit by the opportunity to try whether the passage by the north, so frequently attempted by the Dutch, was prac- ticable through the Frozen Ocean. For the glory of Russia, it should not be forgotten, that the academy received orders, on this occasion, to nominate two of its members, for the purpose of determining, by astro- aomical observation, the true position of the countries which 24 278 LOSS OF THE ST. PETER. might be discovered, and likewise to enrich natural history with a description of the various subjects relating to that science. On the first report of the voyage, John George Gmelin, and Louis Delisle de la Croyere, both professors of Peters- burgh, one of chemistry and natural history, and the other of astronomy, had offered their services, which were accepted. To these was added, the year following, professor Muller, for the purpose of writing a description of Siberia, and a narra- tive of the voyage. Before the preparations were completed, Messrs. Gmelin and Muller fell sick, and were left in Si- beria; but their places were supplied for the American voyage by professor Steller, likewise a member of the Academy of Sciences. This second expedition to Kamtschatka embraced in its plan two voyages, one by the east and the other by the south. Captain Spanberg was charged with the former, the object of which was Japan. Beerings reserved the other for himself and Captain Tschirikofi^ and their commission was to explore the coasts of the American continent. At the commencement of 1733, Beerings and Spanberg left Petersburg to hasten the preparations for their expedition, but yet these advanced very slowly. After five years, however, of anxious expectation, Spanberg set out on his voyage to Ja- pan. The equipment of his vessel had exhausted the general magazine at Ochotzk, and two years passed away before a fresh supply of stores could be procured. This interval was employed by Beerings in constructing vessels of a greater burthen and stronger than Spanberg's, that they might be able to resist the tempests, and even the ice of those inclement latitudes. One was called the St. Peter, and the other the St. Paul. The commodore having despatched the pilot Jelangin, about the middle of autumn, 1739, to the east coast of Kamtschat- ka, to visit the gulf of Awatschka, and to choose a commo- dious place for wintering and erecting a store-house and hur- bitation ; he soon returned with an account that he had found a bay in the river of Awatschka, very favorably situated for Beerings' purpose. The following spring Messrs. Delisle de la Croyere and Steller repaired to Ochotzk, and by midsum- mer, 1740, all the crews were complete. They resolved to take advantage of the remainder of the season to reach Kamt- schatka, but it was the fourth of September before they set sail. Commodore Beerings went on board the St. Peter, and LOSS OF THE ST. PETER. 279 Captain Tschirikoif took the command of the St. Paul. Two other vessels carried the provisions, and another had on board the academicians and their baggage. On the 27th of September, the squadron having passed the strait which separates the southernmost point of Kamtschatka from the first of the Kurile islands, and w^here the St. Peter was several times on the point of being lost, fortunately entered the port of Awatschka. Here they passed the winter, and the first commodore was so w^ell pleased with the advantages which this situation aftbrded, that he named it the harbor of St. Peter and St. Paul. A few days previous to their departure, Beerings called a council, in which it was resolved, first to go in quest of the land laid down in the chart as having been seen by John de Gama. It w^as likewise agreed that the two academicians should go on board the two principal vessels ; upon which M. Steller removed into the St. Peter, and M. de la Croyere in the St. Paul. On the fourth of June, 1741, the two captains set sail, steer- ing the direction which had been agreed upon till the twelfth of that month, when, being in the latitude of forty-six degrees, they were convinced that Gama's land did not exist, as they had met with none during that run. They immediately put the ships about, and stood to the northward, to the fifteenth de- gree, without making any discovery. They then agreed to steer eastward for the American continent, but on the twen- tieth the ships were separated by a violent storm, succeeded by a thick fog. This disaster was the first which the two ships had met with since their leaving port. The idea of being deprived, during the whole voyage, of the assistance they might mu- tually have afforded each other in an unknown sea, rendered this separation extremely afiiicting. It was, however, only a prelude to the misfortunes w^hich afterward befell them. The commodore neglected no means that could be employed in or- der to rejoin Tschirikoff: he cruised for him between the 50th and 51st degree, firing guns from time to time ; he even re- turned southward as far as the 45th degree. All his solici- tude was in vain, for the two captains never rejoined each other. Nothing of consequence occurred till the 18th of July, when Beerings, still hoping to meet with the St. Paul, and continuing to steer to the northward, perceived the continent of America. By comparing the narratives of the two commanders, it ap- 280 LOSS OF THE ST. PETER. pears that three days hefore, Tschirikoff had made the same coast only about two degrees more to the southward. Beerings, who was in want of water, endeavored to approach this coast, whose lofty snow-clad mountains presented a gloomy aspect. Having only light variable wind, they could not reach it till the 20th, \vhen they came to an anchor near an island of conside- rable magnitude, at no great distance from a continent. A pro- jecting point of land was denominated Cape St. Elias, and another, which was afterward discovered, received the name of St. Hermogene. Between them was a gulf, where they hoped to find shelter, in case the St. Peter should be obliged by circumstances to seek a port. Having cast anchor, the commodore sent ChitrofF, the mas- ter, with a few armed men, to survey the gulf, while another shallop was despatched in quest of water. Steller went on board the latter, and in an island on which they landed he found several empty huts, whence it was conjectured that the natives of the continent visited it for the purpose of fishing. These huts were of wood, wainscotted wdth planks well join- ed together. They here found a box of poplar wood, a hollow ball of earth containing a small pebble, as if to serve for a child's plaything, and a whetstone, on which were visible the marks of copper knives that had recently been whetted on it. Steller made several observations in the huts. He found, among other things, a cellar containing smoked salmon and a sweet herb, ready dressed for eating, in the same manner as vegetables are prepared in Kamtschatka. There were like- wise cords, grindstones, and utensils of various kinds. Ha- ving approached a place w^here the Americans had been din- ing, they betook themselves to flight as soon as they perceived him. He there found a dart, and an instrument for producing fire, of the same form as those made use of in Kamtschatka. It consists of a board perforated in several places i the end of a stick being put into one of these holes, the other extremity is turned backward and forward between the palms of the hands till, with the rapidity of the motion, the board takes fire, on which the sparks are received upon some matter tha* is easily inflamed. At a considerable distance was seen a hill covered with wood, where a fire was observed, and hence it was conjec- tured that the savages had retired thither. To this spot Stel- ler did not think it prudent to venture, but contented himself with collecting plants in the vicinity. Of these he carried on LOSS OF THE ST. PETER. 281 board such a quantity, that it took him much time to describe them. As soon as a sufficient quantity of water was obtain- ed, he was obliged, though reluctantly, to return to the ship. The watering party related that they had passed two places where fires appeared to have been recently made, that they had observed wood which had been cut, and the track of hu- man feet in the grass. They had likewise seen five red foxes, which showed no shyness or timidity on meeting them. They carried nothing with them from the huts but a few smoked fish resembling carp, and which proved very good eating. To convince the natives that they had nothing to fearfrona the strangers who had landed on their coast, the commodore sent on shore a few presents for them, consisting of a piece of green cloth, two iron pots, two knives, twenty gross of glass beads, and a pound of tobacco, which he presumed would prove extremely acceptable to the savages. On the 21st of Jul}^ Beerings resolved to set sail, and as had been agreed upon at Awatschka, to run northward along the coast as high as sixty degrees, if possible. This design he was how^ever prevented from accomplishing, for the land was found to trend away to the south-west, and their course was continually impeded by the islands with which the shores of the continent were lined almost without interruption. The Russians now stood out to sea, and having been several days without seeing land, they, on the 30th of July discovered an island, to which, from the thickness of the weather, they gave the name of Foggy Island. The whole month of August was spent in standing off and on; in the mean time the crew be- gan to be attacked with scurvy, and the commodore himself was in a worse situation than any other. Fresh water beginning to run short, the Russians, on the 29th of August, stood to the north, and soon discovered the continent. The coast in this part is extremely steep, and lined with a multitude of islands, among which the St. Peter came to an anchor. On the 30th the pilot, Andrew Hassel- berg, w^as sent to one of the largest of these islands in quest of fresh water. He soon returned with two specimens taken out of different lakes, which Vv^ere more or less salt. But, as there was no time to be lost, it was judged prudent to take in a quantity of this water rather than to be left completely with- out, as it would serve for cooking, and thus the remaining fresh water might be made to last till they could procure a supply. All the empty casks were accordingly filled with it. To the use of this water Steller attributed the redoubled attacks of 24* 282 LOSS OF THE ST. PETER, the scurvy, which at length proved fatal to a great part of the crew. The vessel did not appear perfectly safe in this situation. She was exposed to all the impetuosity of the south winds, and to the north there was nothing but rocks and breakers. The commodore therefore resolved not to remain long in this station; but an unexpected circumstance detained them lon- ger than they had intended. A fire having one night been perceived in a small island to the N, N. E. Chiimfi] who was the officer on duty, represented the following da)^ that while the larger boat was employed in watering, the other might be sent to discover by whom the fire had been made. The com- modore was then confined to his cabin, and the command of the ship had devolved on Lieutenant Waxel. That officer, in the circumstances under which the Russians then were, would not permit the boat to leave the vessel. He conceived that if the wind should increase, the ship would be obliged to stand out to sea, and in this case it was doubtful whether she would be able to return and take on board the crew of the boat, who, by one or two violent contrary winds, might be prevented from regaining the ship. Chitroff, however, insisting, Waxel referred his proposal to Beerings, who decided that the former should be at liberty to go if he chose, and might likewise se- lect any of the crew to accompany him. ChitrofF, who was a courageous man, was flattered with the permission granted him. He took with him five men well armed and provided with various trifling articles to distribute among the natives whom he might meet with. About noon, on the 30th of August, they landed* on the island, distant, by their calculation, about fourteen miles from the ship. They there found the yet unextinguished embers of the fire which had been made, but not a single human creature. In the af- ternoon Chitrofl' attempted to return to the vessel, but a con- trary wind blowing with great violence, obliged him to seek shelter in another island by the side of the former. The waves threatened every moment to swallow up the boat, or to wash away the men who were on board of her. This must have been their fate, had it not been for a sail which ChitrofF hoisted in the midst of the danger, and with which he ran into the breakers. A tremendous sea had filled the boat, when fortunately another wave came and carried her on shore with all those who were in her. ChitrofF had no sooner gained the shore than he made a great fire, not only to warm himself and his companions, but LOSS OF THE ST. PETER. 283 likewise as a signal to the ship to come to his relief But the wind in the meantime became so violent that the crew were obliged to think only of preserving the vessel. They there- fore weighed anchor, and sought shelter behind another island. Night arrived, and Chitrof!J with his companions, who had seen the ship set sail, without knowing the intention of those on board, was thrown into the utmost perplexity. The storm continued till the 2d of September, when it at length abated. As ChitrofF did not return, Waxel the next day sent the shallop on shore, with orders, if the boat was da- maged, to leave her behind, and return on board with the men. She had been too much injured, when cast on shore by the waves, to keep the sea; she was therefore left in the island, and Chitroff returned in the shallop. The Russians instantly weighed anchor, but the wind being contrary, they could not proceed very fast, and toward night were again obliged to return to the islands. They had the same unfavorable weather on the 4th of September, and were compelled to return to the spot where they had anchored the preceding day. It blew a violent storm during the whole night. In the morning the Russians heard the cries of men on one of the islands, and likewise saw a fire there. Soon after- ward, two Americans, each in a canoe resembling those of the Greenlanders, approached the ship within a certain distance. By their words and gestures these savages invited the Rus- sians to land, and the latter, by signs and presents which they threw toward them, endeavored, but without success, to entice them into the ship. After looking some time at the Russians, they returned to the island. Beerings and his officers resolved to venture to land, and for this purpose the great shallop was hoisted overboard. Lieutenant Waxel, accompanied by Steller and nine men well armed, went into the boat, and proceeded toward the island. They found the shore lined with a range of sharp rocks, and the fear of being dashed against them by the impetuosity of the wind, prevented the Russians from approaching nearer than within three fathoms of the land. The Americans, to the number of nine, appeared on the shore, and were invited by signs to come to the shallop. But, as they could neither be tempted by the signs that were made, nor the presents which were offered them, and still continued to invite the Rus- sians to land, Waxel put on shore three men, among whom was a Tschutski or Koriak interpreter. They moored th^ shallop to one of the rocks, as they had been ordered. 284 LOSS OF THE ST. PETER. These men were kindly received by the savag-es, but being unable to understand each other, they were obliged to con- verse by signs. The Americans, with a view to regale the Russians, presented them with whale's flesh, which was the only provision they had with them. It appeared that their residence here was only for the purpose of catching whales, for on the shore was observed as many boats as men, but no hut, and not a woman among them ; so that, probably they had no permanent habitation but on the continent. They had neither arrows nor any other arms that could give umbrage to the Russians, and at length one of them had the courage to go into the boat to Waxel. He appeared to be the oldest person, and the chief of the party. Waxel presented him with a glass of brandy, but that liquor appeared equally disa- greeable and strange to him. After spitting it out of his mouth, he began to cry out, as if complaining to his country- men that the Russians were using him ill. It was found im- possible to appease him ; needles, glass beads, an iron pot, pipes, were offered him, but he refused them all. He imme- diately returned to the island, and Waxel did not judge it pru- dent to detain him any longer. At the same time he called off the three men who had been put on shore. The Americans at first showed a disposition to detain them all. At length they suffered two of the Russians to return, but kept the interpreter. Some of them even seized the cable by which the shallop was moored, thinking no doubt she was as easily managed as one of their canoes, or hoping to dash her to pieces against the rocks. To prevent their design, Waxel cut the cable. The interpreter meanwhile entreated not to be left behind. The Americans disregarding all the signs that were made them to let him go, Waxel ordered two muskets to be fired, with a view to frighten them only. The success answered his expectation ; the report, re-echoed by a neighboring mountain, terrified the Americans to such a de- gree that they fell do^vn on the ground, and the interpreter imme- diately made his escape. The savages soon recovered from ■ their panic, and, by their cries and gestures, appeared highly irritated. Waxel did not think proper to remain there any longer, as the night was coming on, the sea grew very rough, and the vessel was at the distance of a mile and a half. Leaving the island, the Russians steered to the south, in order to get off the coast. From this time till far in the au- tumn, the wind scarcely varied, excepting between W. S. W and W. N. W. This was a great obstacle to the speedy return LOSS OF THE ST. PETER. 285 of the ship. Beside this, the weather was almost always foggy, " so that they were sometimes two or three weeks without see- ing- either sun or stars, and consequently without being- able to take the altitude or correct their reckoning. It is easy to conceive the inquietude which they must have experienced, wandering in such uncertainty in an unknown sea. " I know not (says one of the officers) if there be a situation in the world more disagreeable than that of navigating an unknown sea. I speak from experience, and I can say with truth, that during the five months of our -voyage I had very few hours of tranquil sleep, being incessantly involved in danger and anx- iety in regions heretofore unknown." The crew struggled with contrary winds and tempests till the 24th of September, when they again came in sight of the land. To one of the lofty mountains which were discovered upon it, they gave the name of St. John the Baptist. A brisk gale from the south rendering it dangerous for them to remain near the coast, they resolved to keep the ship to the wind, which soon turned to the west, increased to a violent storm, and drove the vessel very far to the S. W. This tempest con- tinued seventeen days without intermission, and was so furi- ous, that Andrew Hesselberg, the pilot, acknowledged that, during the forty years in which he had served at sea, in va- rious parts of the world, he had never seen any thing equal to it. They shortened sail as much as possible, that they might not be carried too far ; but, notwithstanding this precaution, they lost much way till the 12th of October, when the tem- pest abated. The disease which already prevailed among the crew be- came worse, and the scurvy extended its ravages more and more. A day seldom passed without a death, and scarcely men enough were left in health to navigate the vessel. In this melancholy situation they were undecided whether to re- turn to Kamtschatka, or to seek some port in which they might winter on the American coast. The lateness of the sea- son, the want of fresh water, and the great distance from Pe- tropawlowska, appeared to render the latter measure indis- pensable. In a council held on board, it was, however, re- solved to attempt the former. A favorable wind springing up, they set sail, steering to the north at first, and after the 15th of October to the west. They passed an island to which they gave the name of St. Macarius, and on the 29th and 30th of October they came in sight of two others, which by their situation, size, and figure, they took to be the two first 286 LOSS OF THE ST. PETER. of the Kurile islands. This opinion caused them to steer to the north, instead of which, if they had continued to run iX) the west two days longer, they would have arrived at the port of Awatschka. This step was attended with the most fatal consequences. In vain they resumed their course to the west ; they were unable to discover the coast of Kamtschatka, and they had no hope of reaching- any port in such an advanced season. The crew, exposed to the most intense, cold and incessant rain, continued to labor without intermission. The scurvy had made such ravages that the man who guided the helm was obliged to be supported in his station by two of his com- rades, who still possessed sufficient strength to keep their legs. When he became unable either to sit up or to steer, another, who was in a situation very little better, took his place. They durst not carry a press of sail, because in case of necessity there was no person to lower those which might be too much. The sails themselves were so worn out that the first gale would have torn them to pieces, and there w^ere not hands sufficient to hoist the spare sails which they had taken out Avith them. The incessant rain, which had fallen till now, was succeeded by hail and snow. The nights grew longer and darker, and their dangers were consequently increased, because they every moment had reason to apprehend that the ship would strike. At the same time their fresh w^ater Avas entirely consumed- The excessive labor became unsupportable to the i'ew hands who still remained in health, and when summoned to their duty, they declared themselves incapable of any farther ex- ertions. They impatiently expected death, which appeared inevitable, to deliver them from their misery. During several days the vessel remained without a steers- man, and as if motionless on the water ; or if she had any movement she received it only from the impulse of the Avinds and Av^aves, to Avhich she Avas consigned. It Avould have been in vain to resort to vigorous measures Avith a creAv driven to despair. In this extremity Waxel adopted a more prudent method, spoke AA^ith kindness to the seamen, exhorting them not to despair entirely of the assistance of the Almighty, and rather to make a last effort for their common deliverance, Avhich Avas perhaps much nearer than they expected. With this kind of language he persuaded them to keep on deck and Avork the ship as long as they AA-ere able. Such Avas the dismal situation of the creAv, AA^hen, on the LOSS OF THE ST. PETER. 287 4th of November, they again began to sail westward, without knowing- either in what latitude they were, or at what distance from Kamtschatka. They knew, however, that it was only by steering west they could hope to reach that country. What was the joy of the Russians, when, about eight in the morning, they discovered land ! At this so-much-wished-for sight the seamen mustered up the little strength they had left. They endeavored to approach it, but it was still at a great distance, for they could only per- ceive the snow-covered summits of the mountains ; and when they had come pretty near it, night arrived. The officers judged it prudent to stand off, in order not to risk the loss of the ship. The next morning the greatest part of the rigging on the starboard side of the vessel w^as found broken to pieces. Nothing more was necessary to render their misfortunes com- plete. Waxel having made his report of this new disaster to the commodore, received orders to assemble all the officers and to consult with them what was best to be done. A council was accordingly held. They considered the danger to which they were all exposed in a crazy ship which it was no longer possible to navigate. They knew that the cordage which re- mained whole w^as as much worn as that which had broken, as the rigging was heard snapping every moment, and even during the time of their deliberation. The water diminished every day, and the sickness grew worse ; they had before suf- fered from the rain, bat they now felt much greater inconve- nience from the cold, which, instead of becoming more mode- rate, grew every day more intense. They determined in con- sequence of all these considerations to disembark on the land which they had discovered, as their lives would at least be safer there, and probably they might find some method of getting the ship into a place of safety. The Russians, conformably to the decision of the council, steered for the land, but only under the small sails, on account of the weak condition of their masts. At five at night they came into twelve fathom of water, where they cast anchor, and veered away three-fourths of the cable. At six the cable gave way, and the waves, which were of prodigious size, drove the ship against' a rock, on which she twice struck, and yet the lead indicated five fathoms of water. At the same time the sea broke with such fury against the sides of the vessel that sh« shook to her very keel. A second anchor was thrown out, but the cable broke even before the anchor appeared to have taken 288 LOSS or the st. peter. hold. Fortunately the remaining one was not in readiness, otherwise in this extremity that also would have been thrown overboard, and thus they would have lost all their anchors. At the moment when they were busily employed in getting ready the third anchor, a prodigious sea took the ship and drove her clear off the rock. The Russians suddenly found themselves in calm water, and anchored in four fathoms and a half, and about three hun- dred fathoms from the shore. The following day they went to reconnoitre the coast. Providence had conducted them al- most miraculousl)^ to a place which, notwithstanding the dan- gers with which it was surrounded, was the only one where they could have saved themselves. The shore every where else was rendered inaccessible by rocks, which projected to a great distance into the sea. Twenty fathoms more to the north- ward or southward, the vessel would have been dashed to pie- ces, and all the crew must have perished. The winter was now rapidly advancing. The first care of the crew was to survey the country round the spot where they had landed, and to choose the most commodious place for fix- ing their quarters. Exhausted with disease and fatigue, they rested till noon, and then hoisted out the boat, but not without great difficulty. On the 6th of November, at one o'clock. Lieutenants Waxel and Steller went on shore, and found the land sterile, and co vered with snow. A stream which issued from the mountains and fell into the sea not far from the spot, was not yet frozen ; its water was limpid and very good. No trees were to be seen, nor even any brush-wood for fuel ; the sea had, however, thrown some upon the beach, but being concealed beneath the snow, it could not easily be found. This account was not cal- «ulated to produce the most favorable impressions. Where were they to procure the materials necessary for constructing habitations ? where could the sick be placed in comfort ? and how could they be preserved from the cold 1 Man, however, should never abandon himself to despair ; for the more forlorn his situation, the more ingenious is he rendered by necessity. Between the sand-hills, bordering the stream above mention* ed, were holes of considerable depth ; these it was propos«d to clean out at the bottom, to cover them with sails, and thus take shelter in them till they could collect a sufficient quan- tity of drift-wood to erect huts. In the evening Waxel and Steller returned to the ship to make their report to the com- modore. GREENLAND AVHALE FISHERY. p. 412. THE UNFORTUNATE PHILANTHROPIST. Woltemad, a Dutchman at the Cape of Good Hope, having saved 14 persons froni the wreck of the Jon^e Thomas^ was dro"\s;ued. ina, \he attempt to rescue more.— p. 433.. LOSS OF THE ST. PETER. 289 Immediately upon their return a council was called, and it was resolved to send on shore, the next day, all those of the crew who were still in health, to prepare some of the holes for the reception of the sick, This being done? on the 8th of November the weakest were carried on shore. Som^ expired as soon as they were exposed to the air, even before they reach- ed the deck, others upon deck, or in the boat, and several after they had reached the land. The country swarmed with*a spe- cies of foxes, called in the Russian language Pestzi. Steller has given a very interesting account of these animals, which the reader will find introduced at the conclusion of this article, in order to prevent the interruption of the narrative. On the 9th of November the commodore, well covered against the external air, was carried on shore by four men, on a kind of litter formed of two poles crossed with cords. A separate hole had been prepared for his reception. The busi- ness of removing the sick continued every day, and not a day- passed without several of them dying. None of those who had kept their beds on board the ship recovered ; they were princi- pallj^ those who, out of indifference to life, or rather pusillani- mity, had suffered the disease to get the upper hand. The sea-scurvy begins with extreme lassitude, which seizes the whole body, renders the man indolent, disgusts him with every thing, entirely dejects his spirits, and gradually forms a kind of asthma, which manifests itself on the slightest move- ment. It usually happens that the patient prefers lying down to walking, and in this case he is inevitably lost. All the mem- bers are soon afflicted with acute pains, the legs swell, the com- plexion becomes yellow, the body is covered with livid spots, the mouth and gums bleed, and the teeth grow loose. The pa- tient then feels no inclination to stir, and it is indifferent to him whether he lives or dies. These different stages of the disease and their effects Avere observed on board. It was likewise re- marked that some of the sick were seized with a panic, and were startled at the least noise, and at every call that was given in the ship. Others ate with a very hearty appetite, and did not imagine themselves in danger. The latter no sooner heard the order given for the removal of the sick, tha-n they quitted their hammocks and dressed themselves, not doubting but that they should speedily, recover. But coming up from below, saturated with humidity, and out of -a corrupted atmos- phere, the fresh air which they inhaled on deck soon put a period to their lives. Those only recovered who were not so far overcome by the 25 290 LOSS OF THE ST. PETER. disease as to be obliged continually to keep their beds, who remained as long as possible on their legs, and in motibn. It was owing to their vivacity and their natural gayety that they were not dejected like the others. A man of this disposition served at the same time for an example, and encouraged by his conversation those who were in the same condition. The good effects of exercise were particularly apparent in the offi- cers, who were constantly employed in giving orders, and obliged to be on deck the greatest part of the time, to keep an eye on what passed. They were always in action, and could not lose their spirits, for they had Steller with them. Steller was a physician of the soul as well as of the body ; cheerful- ness was his constant companion, and he communicated it to all around him. Among the officers the commodore was the only person who sunk beneath the disease ; his age and his constitution rendered him more disposed to rest than to activity. He at length became so suspicious, and was so impressed with the idea that every one was his enemy, that at last even Steller, whom he had before regarded as his best friend, durst not ap- pear in his presence. Waxel and Chitroff remained in tolerable health as long as they were at sea. They remained in the ship till the last, re- solving that all the crew should be put on shore before they re- paired thither themselves. They likewise had better accommo- dations on board. This situation, however, had nearly proved fatal to them, either because they no longer had so much ex- ercise, or were exposed to the noxious vapors which ascended from the hold. In a few days they were taken so ill that they were obliged to be carried from tli»e ship to the shore, and with proper precautions on their removal into the air, they both recovered. Beerings died the 8th of December, 1741, and the island was called after his name. This officer was by birth a Dane. From his early youth he had shown a passionate inclination for long vo^rages. He had just returned from the East and West Indies, when he presented himself to the Czar Peter, who was then employed in creating a naiy. In 1707 he was appointed lieutenant, and in 1710 captain-lieutenant in the fleet of that monarch. Having been from his cradle in the sea service, and in all the maritime expeditions during the war with Sweden, he had acquired great experience beside the skill necessary for a naval officer. He therefore appeared worthy of being selected to command the two expeditionjs to Kamtschatka. But what a wretched end for such a cele- LOSS OF THE ST. PETER. 291 brated man ! It may almost be said that he was buried alive. Having been carried on shore with the greatest precaution, he was placed in the largest and least incommodious hole, and a covering was carefully erected over him in the form of a tent. The sand soon began to fall down from the sides of the hole in which he lay, and every moment covered his feet. It was immediately removed by those who attended him ; but, at last, he would not suffer it to be taken away, thinking he felt some warmth from it, the vital heat having already for- saken the other parts of his body. The sand gradually ac- cumulated, till it covered him up to the belly ; and when he had expired, his people were obliged to dig him out, in order to give him a decent interment. A few days before the death of the commodore, the Rus- sians had the misfortune to lose their vessel, the only resource capable of extricating them from their forlorn situation. She was at anchor, as we have seen above, and exposed to the vio- lence of a tempestuous sea, when, in the night between the 28th and 29th, a furious storm arose, the cable parted, and the vessel was driven ashore, very near the dens of the Rus- sians. She was found in the morning buried in the sand to the depth of eight or ten feet. Upon inspection, the keel and sides were found to be broken to pieces. The water, which entered the ship and ran off below, had washed away or spoiled the greatest part of the remaining provisions, consist- ing of flour, oatmeal, and salt. Situated as the unfortunate mariners were, this loss was extremely afflicting ; but appeared much less when they re- flected that the vessel, though much damaged, had been thrown upon the sand at their feet, and not carried out to sea; they still entertained hopes that even, if she could not be got afloat again, they might with the materials build a bark ca- pable of carrying them to Kamtschatka. The events which had occurred since their shipwreck had diverted the attention of the Russians from two important ob- jects in their situation ; in the first place, to take a survey of the country in which they had landed, and, in the second, to provide for their subsistence. As the latter was the more pressing of the two, they immediately took it into serious con- sideration after the loss of the ship. They were still igno- rant whether they had landed on an island or a continent, whether the country was inhabited, and were unacquainted with its animal and vegetable productions. Having deliberat- ed on these subjects, they resolved to begin with reconnoiter- 292 LOSS OF THE ST. PETER. ing the country, and to send from the east coast on which they had disembarked and settled, a certain number, selected from the most vigorous of the crew, toward the north and south. Having proceeded as far as the rocks which project- ed into the sea would permit them, these men returned, some on the third, and the others on the fourth day after their de- parture. They agreed in their reports, that the}^ had not found the least trace of inhabitants, but had seen on the coast a great number of otters. They had likewise ofeerved, in the interior of the country, a great quantity of blue and black foxes, which did not run away on their approach. From these accounts it was justly concluded that the country was neither frequented nor inhabited by men. However, as the interior had not been sufficiently examined, and they had not yet penetrated to the coast opposite to that on which they had landed, they again sent out some of their number to accomplish those purposes. These men ascended a very lofty mountain, three or four leagues from the shore ; from its summit they discovered the sea to the east and west, which left no doubt but that it was an island on which they had landed. They found no wood, but only a few willow shrubs on the banks of the rivulets. After reconnoitering the island, they proceeded to examine the provision which had been saved from the ship. Having first deducted and stowed away eighteen hundred pounds of flour to serve them on their passage from the island to Kamt- sehatka, the remainder was divided into equal portions. Though these were very scanty, and thirty of their number died during their stay on the island, yet they would not have been sufficient, but for the seasonable supply which the ma- rine animals afforded. The first which served them for food were the otters. Their flesh was hard, but they were obliged to put up with it till they could procure some less disagreeable in its stead. After they had ceased to use them for food, the Russians killed a great number of these animals for the sake of their beautiful skins, nine hundred of which they collected during their residence on the island. In the month of March the otters disappear- ed, and were succeeded by another animal, called the sea-cat, and afterward by seals. Their flesh was exceedingly dis- gusting to the Russians, who fortunately, now and then, sur- prised a young sea-lion. The latter are excellent eating; but they never durst venture to attack them excepting wheia asleep. LOSS OF THE ST. PETER. 293 The sea-cow likewise proved of great utility to the Rus- sians. One of these animals which they took weighed eight thousand pounds, and furnished them with food for a fortnight. Their flesh may be compared to beef, and the fat, with which it is covered to the depth of three or four inches, resembles that of pork. This they melted down and used instead of butter. They likewise salted a considerable quantity of the flesh and filled several casks, which they added to the provi- sion already destined for their voyage to Kamtschatka, Dur- ing their residence on the island two whales were likewise cast on shore, and these furnished them with an abundant supply when other marine animals failed. On the melting of the snow, about the end of March, 1742, the Russians began to think seriously of their return. Being all assembled, to the number of forty-five, they took into con- sideration the means of returning to Kamtschatka. The state of perfect equality in which they had lived since their landing on the island produced a variety of opinions, which were warmly supported by those with whom they originated. Wax- el, to whom the command by right devolved, conducted him- self under these circumstances with great art and prudence. Without giving ofl^ence to the authors of the diflferent plans, he opposed them to each other, and destroyed them by means of a third, w^hich he again overthrew by objections which ap- peared unanswerable. At length he and Chitrofl*, who acted in concert, proposed their opinion, which was to take the ves- sel to pieces, and to construct another of a smaller size, but sufficiently spacious to hold all the crew and the provisions. In discussing the business, they laid great stress on the con- sideration that all those who had sufl^ered together would not be separated ; that none would be left behind ; that if a new misfortune occurred, they would be together, and that none of them would be exempted from it. This opinion being una- nimously approved of, a paper was drawn up to the effect, and signed by all the crew. The favorable weather at the begin- ning of April permitted them to put it in execution. The whole month was employed in breaking up the ship, and the officers, by their diligence, set a laudable example to the rest. On the 6th of May they began to work upon their new vessel, which was forty feet in length and thirteen wide. She had but one mast and one deck, with a cabin at the stern and a kitchen at the head. At the same time they likewise built a boat capable of holding nine or ten persons. The vessel being completed, was launched on the 10th of 25* 294 LOSS OF THE ST. FETERr An gust, and named the St. Peter, after the ship from the re- mains of which she had been constructed. The balls and su- perfluous iron work served for ballast. A calm, w^hich con- tinued six days, enabled them to fix the mast, rudder and sails, and to take on board the provisions. On the 16th they put to sea; and, with the help of oars, got clear of the rocks and shallows near the island. They then set their sails to take advantage of a breeze which sprung up. They had the satisfaction to find that their vessel was an excellent sailer, and might be managed wdth the greatest fa- cility. On the 18th they were overtaken by a contrary wind, which blew with great violence at S. W. Being apprehen- sive of a tempest, they resolved to lighten the vessel, by throw- ing overboard part of their ballast. On the 25th they came in sight of Kamtschatka, and, on the 27th, came to an anchor in the harbor of Petropawlowska. It is scarcely possible to express the transports of the Rus- sians when they again found themselves in the midst of com- fort and abundance. After passing the winter at Petropaw- lowska, they again embarked in the month of May, and arriv- ed at Ochotzk. Waxel repaired to Jakutsk, where he resided during the w^inter. In October, 1744, he arrived at Jeniseisk, at which place he found Captain TschirikofF, who soon after- w^ard received an order from the senate to repair to Peters- burg ; on which Waxel succeeded him in the command of the crews of both vessels. With these he proceeded to the same city, where he arrived in the month of January, 1749, which may be considered as the conclusion of the second expedition to Kamtschatka, after a period of sixteen years from iis com- mencement. The Arctic fox, of which the Russians found such numbers in Beerings' Island, is of a bluish grey color. The hair is very thick, long, and soft, the nose sharp, and the ears short, and almost hid in the fur. The tail is shorter, but more bushy than that of the common fox. The following is the account given by Steller of the habits and manners of this extraor- dinary animal. " During my unfortunate abode on Beerings' Island 1 had opportunities more than enough of studying the nature of this animal, which far exceeds the common fox in impudence, cunning, and, roguery. " They forced themselves into our habitations by night as well as by day, stealing all that they could carry off; even things that were of no use to them, such as knives, sticks, and LOSS OF THE ST. PETER, - 295 clothes. They were so inconceivably ingenious as to roll down our casks of provisions, several poods* in weight, and then steal the meat out of them so ably, that at first we could not bring ourselves to ascribe the theft to them. As Ave have strip- ped an animal of its skin, it has often happened that we could not avoid stabbing two or three foxes, from their rapacity in taking the flesh out of our hands. " If we buried it ever so carefully, and even added stones to the weight of earth that was upon it, they not only found it out, but with their shoulders shoved away the stones, lying under them and helping one another with all their might. If, in or- der to secure it, we put an animal on the top of a high post in the air, they either dug up the earth at the bottom, and thus tumbled the whole down, or one of them clambered up, and with incredible artifice and dexterity threw down what was upon it. " They watched all our motions, and accompanied us in what- ever we were about to do. If the sea threw up an animal of any kind, they devoured it before we could get up to rescue it from them ; if they could not consume the whole of it at once, they dragged it in portions to the mountains, where they buried it under stones before our eyes, running to and fro as long as any thing remained to be conveyed away. While this was doing others stood on guard and watched us. If they saw any thing coming at a distance, the vrhole troop would com- bine at once and begin digging all together in the sand, till a beaver or sea-bear would be so completely buried under the surface that not a trace of it could be seen. In the night, when we were asleep, they came and pulled off our nightcaps, and stole our clothes from under our heads, with the beaver cover- ings and the skins we lay upon. In consequence of this we ahvays slept with our clubs in our hands, so that if they awoke us we might drive them away or knock them down. "When we made a halt to rest by the way, they gathered around us and played a thousand tricks in our view, and when we sat still they approached so near that they gnawed the thongs of our shoes. If we lay down as intending to sleep, they came and smelt at our noses, to try whether Ave AA'ere dead or aliA^e ; if Ave held our breath they gaA'e us such a tug by the nose as if they Avould bite it off. On our first arriA^al they bit off the toes, fingers, and noses of the dead Avhile we Avere pre- paring the grave, and thronged in such a manner about the * The pood is equal to forty Russian pounds, each of which is some- what less than an English pound. 296 SHIPWRECK OF TH£ MEDUSA. infirm and sick, that it was with difficulty we could keep them off "Every morning we saw these audacious animals patrolling ahout among the sea-lions and sea-bears lying on the strand, smelling at such as were asleep, to discover whether some one of them might not be dead ; if that happened to be the case, they proceeded to dissect him immediately, and soon afterward all were at work in dragging the parts away : because the sea- lions in their sleep overlay their young, they every morning examined, as if conscious of this circumstance, the whole herd of them one by one, and immediately dragged away the dead cubs from their dams, "As they would not suffer us to be at rest either by night or day, we became so exasperated at them that we killed young and old, and plagued them in every way we could devise. When we awoke in the morning there always lay two or three that had been knocked on the head in the night ; and I can safely affirm that during my stay in the island I killed above two hundred of these animals with my own hands. On the third day after my arrival I knocked down upward of seven- ty of them with a club, within the space of three hours, and made a covering to my hut of their skins. They were so ra- venous, that with one hand we could hold to them a piece of flesh, and with a stick or ax in the other could knock them on the head. " From all the circum^stances that occurred during our stay, it was evident that these animals could never before have been acquainted with mankind, and that the dread of man is not innate in brutes, but must be grounded on long experience." SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA, On her voyage to Senegal. By Madame Dard, Early on the morning of the 22d of June, 1816, we were on our way to the boats that were to convey us on board the Medusa, which was riding at anchor off the island of Aix, distant about four leagues from Rochefort. We soon arrived at the place of embarkation, where we found some of our fellow passengers, who, like myself, seemed casting a last look to heaven whilst we were yet on the French soil. We SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 297 embarked, however, and left these happy shores. In descend- ing the tortuous course of the Charente, contrary winds so impeded our progress that we did not reach the Medusa till the morrow, having taken twenty-four hours in sailing four leagues. At length we mounted the deck of the Medusa, of painful memory. When we got on board we found our berths not provided for us, consequently were obliged to remain in- discriminately together till next day. Our family, which con- sisted of nine persons, was placed in a berth near the main deck. As the wind was still contrary, we lay at anchor for several days. On the 17th of June, at four in the morning, we set sail, as did the whole expedition, which consisted of the Medusa fri- gate, the Loire store-ship, the Argus brig, and the Echo cor- vette. The wind being very favorable, we soon lost sight of the green fields of 1' Aunis. At six in the morning, however, the island of Rhe still appeared above the horizon. We fixed our eyes upon it with regret, to salute for the last time our dear country. Now, imagine the ship borne aloft, and sur- rounded by huge mountains of water, which at one moment tossed it in the air, and at another plunged it into the profound abyss. The waves, raised by a stormy north-west breeze, came dashing in a horrible manner against the sides of our ship. I know not whether it was a presentiment of the mis- fortune which menaced us that had made me pass the preced- ing night in the most cruel inquietude. In my agitation I sprung upon deck and contemplated with horror the frigate winging its way upon the waters. The winds pressed against the sails with great violence, strained and whistled among the cordage, and the great hulk of wood seemed to split every time the surge broke upon its sides. On looking a little out to sea I perceived, at no great distance on our right, all the other ships of the expedition, which quieted me much. To- ward ten in the morning the wind changed ; immediately an appalling cry was heard, concerning which the passengers, as well as myself, were equally ignorant. The whole crew were in motion. Some climbed the rope ladders, and seemed to perch on the extremities of the yards; others mounted to the highest parts of the masts ; these bellowing and pulling certain cordages in cadence ; those crying, swearing, whist- ling, and filling the air with barbarous and unknown sounds. The officer on duty, in his turn, roared out these words, star- board ! larboard ! hoist ! lufl?*! tack ! which the helmsman re- peated in the same tone. All this hubbub, however, produced 298 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. its effect : the yards were turned on their pivots, the sails set, the cordage tightened, and the unfortunate sea-boys having received their lesson, descended to the deck. Every thing re- mained tranquil, except that the waves still roared, and the masts continued their creaking. However, the sails were swelled, the winds less violent, though favorable, and the ma- riner, while he carolled his song, said he had a noble voyage. During several days we did indeed enjoy a delightful pas- sage. All the ships of the expedition still kept together ; but at length the breeze became changeable, and they all disap- peared. The Echo, however, still kept in sight, and persisted in accompanying us, as if to guide us on our route. The wind becoming more favorable, we held due south, sailing at the rate of sixty-tAvo leagues a day. The sea was so fine, and our journey so rapid, that I began to think it nearly as agree- able to travel by sea as by land ; but my illusion was not of long duration. On the 28th of June, at six in the morning, we discovered the Peak of Teneriffe toward the south, the summit of whose cone seemed lost among the clouds. We were then distant about two leagues, which we made in less than a quarter of an hour. At ten o'clock we brought too before the town of St. Croix. Several officers got leave to go on shore to procure refreshments. While these gentlemen were away, a certain passenger, member of the self-instituted Philanthropic Society of Cape Verd, suggested that it was very dangerous to remain where we were, adding that he was well acquainted with the coun^ try, and had navigated in all these latitudes. M. Le Roy Lachaumareys, captain of the Medusa, believing the pre- tended knowledge of the intrigueing Richefort, gave him the command of the frigate. Various officers of the navy repre- sented to the captain how shameful it was to put such confi- dence in a stranger, and that they would never obey a man who had no character as a commander. The captain despis- ed these wise remonstrances; and using his authority, com- manded the pilots and the crew to obey Richefort ; saying he was king, since the orders of the king were that they should obey him. Immediately the impostor, desirous of dis- playing his great skill in navigation, made them change the route for no purpose but that of showing his skill in manoeuv- ring a ship. Every instant he changed the tack, went, came, and returned, and approached the very reefs, as if to brave them. In short, he beat e^bout so much ihvi,t the sai- SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 299 lors at length refused to obey him, saying boldly that he was a vile impostor. But it was done. The man had gained the cronfidence of Captain Lachaumareys, who, ignorant of navi- gation himself, was doubtless glad to get some one to under- take his duty. But it must be told, and told, too, in the face of all Europe, that this blind and inept confidence was the sole cause of the loss of the Medusa frigate, as well as of all the crimes consequent upon it. Toward three in the afternoon, those officers who had gone on shore in the morning, returned on board loaded with vegetables, fruits and flowers. They laughed heartily at the mancBuvres that had been going on during their absence, which doubtless did not please the captain, who flattered him- self he had already found in this pilot Richefort a good and able seaman; such were his words. At four in the afternoon he took a southerly direction. M. Richefort then beaming with exultation for having, as he said, saved the Medusa from certain shipwreck, continued to give his pernicious counsels to Captain Lachaumareys, persuaded him he had been often employed to explore the shores of Africa, and that he was perfectly well acquainted with the Arguine Bank. The jour- nals of the 29th and 30th afford nothing very remarkable. The hot wind from the desert of Sahara began to be felt, which told us we approached the tropic ; indeed, the sun at noon seemed suspended perpendicularly above our heads, a phenomenon which few of us had ever seen. On the 1st of July we recognized Cape Bojador, and then saw the shores of Sahara. Toward ten in the morning they set about the frivolous ceremony which the sailors have in- vented for the purpose of exacting something from those pas- sengers who have never crossed the line. During the cere- mony the frigate doubled Cape Barbas, hastening to its de- struction. Captain Lachaumareys very good humoredly pre- sided at this species of baptism, while his dear Richefort pro- menaded the forecastle, and looked with indifference upon a shore bristling with danger. However that may be, all pass- ed on well ; nay, it may be even said that the farce was well played off. But the route which we pursued soon made us forget the short-lived happiness we had experienced. Every one began to observe the sudden change which had taken place in the color of the sea, as we ran upon a bank in shal- low water. A general murmur rose among the passengers and officers of the navy — they were far from partaking m the blind confidence of the captain. SOO SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. On the 2d of July, at five in the morning, the captain was persuaded that a large cloud, which was discovered in the di- rection of Cape Blanco, was that cape itself After this pre- tended discovery, they ought to have steered to the west, for about fifty leagues, to have gained sea-room to double with certainty the Arguin Bank ; moreover, they ought to have conformed to the instructions which the Minister of Marine had given to the ships which set out for Senegal. The other part of the expedition, from having followed these instructions, arrived in safety at their destination. During the preceding night the Echo, which had hitherto accompanied the Medu sa, made several signals, but being replied to with contempt, abandoned us. Toward ten in the morning, the danger whici tlireatened us was again represented to the captain, a-nd he was strongly urged, if he wished to avoid the Arguin Bank, to take a westerly course ; but the advice was again neglected, and he despised the predictions. One of the officers of the frigate, from having wished to expose the intriguing Richefort, was put under arrest. My father, who had already twice made the voyage to Senegal, and who with various persons was persuaded they were going right upon the bank, alsc made his observations to the unfortunate pilot. His advice was no better received than those of Messrs. Reynaud, Es pia, Maudet, &c. Richefort, in the sweetest tone, replied. "My dear^ we know our business; attend to yours, and h< quiet. I have already twice passed the Arguin Bank : I havn sailed upon the Red Sea, and you see I am not drowned.' What reply could be made to such a preposterous speech ? My father, seeing it was impossible to get our route changed, resolved to trust to Providence to free us from our danger, and descended to our cabin, where he sought to dissipate his fears in the oblivion of sleep. At noon, on the 2d of July, soundings were taken. IKL Maudet, ensign of the watch, was convinced we were upon the edge of the Arguin Bank. The captain said to him, as well as to every one, that there was no cause of alarm. In the mean while, the wind blowing with great violence, impell- ed us nearer and nearer to the danger which menaced us. A species of stupor overpowered all our spirits, and every one preserved a mournful silence, as if they were persuaded we would soon touch the bank. The color of the water en- tirely changed, a circumstance even remarked by the ladies. About three in the afternoon, being in 19 deg. 30 min. north latitude, and 19 deg. 45 min. west longitude, an universal cry SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 301 was heard upon deck. All declared they saw sand rolling among the ripple of the sea. The captain in an instant or- dered to sound. The line gave eighteen fathoms ; but on a second sounding it only gave six. He at last saw his error, and hesitated no longer on changing his route, but it was too late. A strong concussion told us the frigate had struck. Terror and consternation were instantly depicted on every face. The crew stood motionless ; the passengers in utter despair. In the midst of this general panic, cries of ven- geance were heard against the principal author of our misfor- tunes, wishing to throw him overboard ; but some generous persons interposed, and endeavored to calm their spirits by diverting their attention to the means of our safety. The confusion was already so great, that M. Poinsignon, command- ant of a troop, struck my sister Caroline a severe blow, doubt- less thinking it was one of his soldiers. At this crisis my fa- ther was buried in profound sleep, but he quickly awoke, the cries and the tumult upon deck having informed him of our misfortunes. He poured out a thousand reproaches on those whose ignorance and boasting had been so disastrous to us. However, they set about the means of averting our danger. The officers, with an altered voice, issued their orders, expect- ing every moment to see the ship go in pieces. They strove to lighten her, but the sea was very rough and the current strong. Much time was lost in doing nothing ; they only pursued half measures, and all of them unfortunately failed. When it was discovered that the danger of the Medusa was not so great as was at first supposed, various persons propos- ed to transport the troops to the island of Arguin, which was conjectured to be not far from the place where we lay aground. Others advised to take us all successively to the coast of the desert of Sahara by the means of our boats, and with pro- visions sufficient to form a caravan, to reach the island of St. Louis, at Senegal. The events which afterward ensued proved this plan to have been the best, and which would have been crowned with success ; unfortunately it was not adopt- ed. M. Sehmahz, the governor, suggested the making of a raft of sufficient size to carry two hundred men, with pro- visions : which latter plan was seconded by the tw^o officers of the frigate, and put in execution. The fatal raft was then begun to be constructed, which would, they said, carry provisions for every one. Masts, planks, boards, cordage, were thrown overboard. Two offi- cers were charged with the framing of these together. Large 26 302 SHIPWRECK OF THB MEDUSA. barrels were emptied and placed at the angles of the machine, and the workmen were taught to say that the passenger* would be in greater security there, and more at their ease, than in the boats. However, as it was forgotten to erecl rails, every one supposed, and with reason, that those who had given the plan of the raft, had no design of embarking upon it themselves. When it was completed, the two chief officers of the fri- gate publicly promised, that all the boats would tow it to the shores of the Desert ; and, when there, stores of provisions and fire-arms would be given us to form a caravan to take us all to Senegal. Why was not this plan executed ? Why were these promises, sworn before the French flag, made in vain ? But it is necessary to draw a veil over the past. I will only add, that if these promises had been fulfilled, every one would have been saved, and that, in spite of the detestable egotism of certain personages, humanity would not now have had to deplore the scenes of horror consequent on the wreck of the Medusa ! On the third of July the efforts were renewed to disengage the frigate, but without success. We then prepared to quit her. The sea became very rough, and the wind blew with great violence. Nothing now was heard but the plaintive and confused cries of a multitude, consisting of more than four hundred persons, who, seeing death before their eyes, de- plored their hard fate in bitter lamentations. On the 4th there was a glimpse of hope. At the hour the tide flowed, the frigate, being considerably lightened by all that had been thrown overboard, was found nearly afloat ; and it is very certain, if on that day they had thrown the artillery into the water, the Medusa would have been saved ; but M. Lachaur mareys said he could not thus sacrifice the king's cannon, as if the frigate did not belong to the king also. However, the sea ebbed, and the ship sinking into the sand deeper than ever, made them relinquish that on which depended our last ray of hope. On the approach of night the fury of the winds redoubled, and the sea became very rough. The frigate then received some tremendous concussions, and the water rushed into the hold in the most terrific manner, but the pumps would not work. We had now no akernative but to abandon her for the frail boats, which any single w^ave would overwhelm. Fright- ful gulfs environed us ; mountains of water raised their li- quid summits in the distance. How were we to escape so SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 303 many dangers? Whither could we go ? What hospitable land would receive us on its shores ? My thoughts then reverted to our beloved country. I did not regret Paris, but I could have ^teemed myself happy to have been yet in the marshes on the road to Rochefort. Then starting suddenly from my re- verie, I exclaimed: *' O terrible condition! that black and boundless sea resembles the eternal night which will engulf us ! All those who surround me yet seem tranquil : but that fatal calm will soon be succeeded by the most frightful tor- ments. Fools, what had we to find in Senegal, to make us trust to the most perfidious of elements 7 Did France not af- ford every necessary for our happiness ? Happy ! yes, thrice happy they who never set foot on a foreign soil ! Great God ! succor all these unfortunate beings; save our unhappy fa- mily!" My father perceived my distress, but how could he console me ? What words could calm my fears, and place me above the apprehension of those dangers to which we were exposed ? How, in a word, could I assume a serene appearance, when friends, parents, and all that was most dear to me, were, in all human probability, on the very verge of destruction ? Alas ! *my fears were but too well founded. For I soon perceived that, although we were the only ladies, beside the Misses Schmaltz, who formed a part of the governor's suite, they had the barbarity of intending our family to embark upon the raft, where were only soldiers, sailors, planters of Cape Verd, and some generous officers, who had not the honor (if it could be accounted one) of being considered among the ignorant confidants of MM. Schmaltz and Lachaumareys. My father, indignant at a proceeding so indecorous, swore we would not embark upon the raft, and that, if we were not judged worthy of a place in one of the six boats, he would himselii his wife and children, remain on board the wreck of the fri- gate. The tone in which he spoke these words was that of a man resolute to avenge any insult that might be ofiered to him. The governor of Senegal, doubtless fearing the world would one day reproach him for his inhumanity, decided we should have a place in one of the boats. This having in some measure quieted our fears concerning our unfortunate situa- tion, I was desirous of taking some repose, but the uproar among the crew was so great I could not obtain it. Toward midnight a passenger came to inquire of my fa^ ther if we were disposed to depart; he replied, we had been forbidden to go yet. However we were soon convinced that 304 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. a great part of the crew and various passengers were secretly preparing to set off in the boats. A conduct so perfidious could not fail to alarm us, especially as we perceived among those so eager to embark unknown to us, several who had promised, but a little while before, not to go without us. M. Schmaltz, to prevent that which was going on upon deck, instantly rose to endeavor to quiet their minds ; but the soldiers had already assumed a threatening attitude, and, hold- ing cheap the words of their commander, swore they would fire upon whosoever attempted to depart in a clandestine man- ner. The firmness of these brave men produced the desired effect, and all was restored to order. The governor returned to his cabin, and those who were desirous of departing fur- tively were confused and covered with shame. The gover- nor, however, was ill af ease ; and as he had heard very dis- tinctly certain energetic words which had been addressed to him, he judged it proper to assemble a council. All the officers and passengers being collected, M. Schmaltz there solemnly swore before them not to abandon the raft, and a se- cond time promised that all the boats would tow it to the shore of the desert, where they would all be formed into a caravan. I confess this conduct of the governor greatly sa- tisfied every member of our family; for we never dreamed he would deceive us, nor act in a manner contrary to what he had promised. About three in the morning, some hours after the meeting of the council, a terrible noise was heard in the powder-room ; it was the helm which was broken. All who were sleeping were roused by it. On going on deck every one was more and more convinced that the frigate was lost beyond all re- covery. Alas ! the wreck was, for our family, the commence- ment of a horrible series of misfortunes. The two chief offi- cers then decided, with one accord, that all should embark at six in the morning, and abandon the ship to the mercy of the waves. After this decision followed a scene the most whim- sical, and at the same time the most melancholy that can be well conceived. To have a more distinct idea of it, let the reader transport himself in imagination to the midst of the liquid plains of the ocean ; then let him picture to himself a multitude of all classes, of every age, tossed about at the mercy of the waves upon a dismasted vessel, foundered, and half submerged ; let him not forget these are thinking beings, with the certain prospect before them of having reached the goal of their existence. SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 305 Separated from the rest of the world by a boundless sea, and having no place of refuge but the wreck of a grounded vessel, the multitude addressed at first their vows to Heaven, and forgot, for a moment, all earthly concerns. Then, sud- denly starting from their lethargy, they began to look after their wealth, the merchandise they had in small ventures, ut- terly regardless of the elements that threatened them. The miser, thinking of the gold contained in his coffers, hastened to put it into a place of safety, either by sewing it into the lining of his clothes, or by cutting out for it a place in the waistband of his trowsers. The smuggler was tearing his hair at not being able to save a chest of contraband which he had secretly got on board, and with which he had hoped to have gained two or three hundred per cent. Another, selfish to excess, was throwing overboard all his hidden money, and amusing himself by burning all his efTects. A generous of- ficer was opening his portmanteau, offering caps, stockings, and shirts, to any who would take them. These had scarcely gathered together their various effects, when they learned that they could not take any thing with them; those were search- ing the cabins and store-rooms to carry away every thing that was valuable. Ship-boys were discovering the delicate wines and fine liquors which a wise foresight had placed in reserve. Soldiers and sailors were -penetrating into the spirit-room, broaching casks, staving others, and drinking till they fell ex- hausted. Soon the tumult of the inebriated made us forget the roaring of the sea which threatened to ingulf us. At last the uproar was at its height ; the soldiers no longer lis- tened to the voice of their captain. Some knit their brows and muttered oaths ; but nothing could be done with those whom wine had rendered furious. Next, piercing cries, mix- ed with doleful groans, were heard — this was the signal of departure. At six o'clock on the morning of the fifth, a great part of the military was embarked upon the raft, which was already covered with a large sheet of foam. The soldiers were ex- pressly prohibited from taking their arms. A young officer of infantry, whose brain seemed to be powerfully affected, put his horse beside the barricadoes of the frigate, and then, armed with two pistols, threatened to fire upon any one who refused to go upon the raft. Forty men had scarcely descend- ed when it sunk to the depth of about two feet. To facilitate the embarking of. a greater number, they were obliged to throw over several barrels of provisions which had been pla- 26* 306 SHIPWRECK OF fHE MtBtT^A. ced upon it the day before. In this manner did this furious officer get about one hundred and fifty heaped upon that float- ing tomb ; but he did not think of adding one more to the number by descending himself, as he ought to have done, but went peaceably away, and placed himself in one of the best boats. There should have been sixty sailors upon the raft, and there were but about ten, A list had been made out on the 4th, assigning each his proper place ; but this wise pre-* caution being disregarded, every one pursued the plan he deemed best for his own preservation. The precipitation with which they forced one hundred and fifty unfortunate beings upon the raft was such that they forgot to give them one morsel of biscuit. However, they threw toward them twenty- five pounds in a sack, whilst they were not far from the fri- gate ; but it fell into the sea, and was with difficulty reco- vered. During this disaster, the governor of Senegal, who was busied in the care of his ov/n dear self, effeminately descended in an arm-chair into the barge, where were already various large chests, all kinds of provisions, his dearest friends, his daughter, and his wife. Afterward the captain's boat received twenty-seven persons, amongst whom were twentj^-five sailors, good rowers. The shallop, commanded by M. Espiau, took forty-five passengers and put ofl^. The boat called the Senegal took twenty-five, the pinnace thirty-three, and the yav/l, the smallest of all the boats, took only ten. Almost all the ofncers, the passengers, the mariners, and supernumeraries, vrere already embarked — all but our weep- ing family, who still remained on the boards of the frigate till some charitable souls would kindly receive us into a boat. Surprised at this abandonment, I instantly felt myself roused, and called with all my might to the officers of the boat, be- sought them to take our unbappy family along with them. Soon after, the barge, in which were the governor of Sene- gal and all his family, approached the Medusa, as if still to take some passengers, for there were but few in it. I made a motion to descend, hoping that the Misses Schmaltz, who had, till that day, taken a great interest in our family, would allow us a place in their boat ; but I was mistaken : those la- dies, who had embarked in a mysterious incognito, had al- ready forgotten us ; and M. Lachaumareys, who was still on the frigate, positively told me they would not embark along with us. Nevertheless I ought to tell, what we learned after- ward, that the officer who commanded the pinnace had receiv- SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. S07 ed orders to take us in, but, as he was already a great way from the frigate, we were certain he had abandoned us. My father, however, hailed him, but he persisted on his way to gain the open sea. A short \yhile afterward we perceived a small boat upon the waves, which seemed desirous to approach the Medusa ; it was the yawl. When it was sufficiently near, my father implored the sailors who were in it to take us on board, and to carry us to the pinnace, where our family ought to be placed. They refused. He then seized a firelock, which lay by chance upon deck, and svv^ore he would kill every one of them if they refused to take us into the yawl, adding that it was the property of the king, and that he would have advantage from it as well as another. The sailors murmured, but durst not resist, and received all our family, which con- sisted of nine persons, viz. four children, our stepmother, my cousin, my sister Caroline, my father, and myself. A small box, filled with valuable papers, which we wished to save, some clothes, two bottles of ratafia, which we had endeavored to preserve amidst our misfortunes, were seized and thro^vn overboard by the sailors of the yawl, who told us we would find in the pinnace every thing which we could wish for our voyage. We had then only the clothes which covered us, ne- ver thinking of dressing ourselves in two suits ; but the loss which affected us most was that of several manuscripts, at which my father had been laboring for a long while. Our trunks, our linen, and various chests of merchandise of great value ; in a word, every thing we possessed was left in the Medusa. When we boarded the pinnace the officer who com- manded it began excusing himself for having set ofi* without forewarning us, as he had been ordered, and said a thousand things in his justification. But, without believing half of his fine protestations, we felt very happy in having overtaken him ; for it is most certain that they had no intention of encumber- ing themselves with our unfortunate family. I say encumber, for it is evident that four children, one of whom was yet at the breast, were very indifferent beings to people who were actu- ated by a selfishness beyond all parallel. When we were seated in the long-boat, my father dismissed the sailors with the yawl, telling them he would ever gratefully remember their services. They speedily departed, but little satisfied with the good action they had done. My father hearing their mur- murs and the abuse they poured out against us, said, loud enough for all in the boat to hear, " We are not surprised sailors are destitute of shame, when their officers blush at be- 808 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. ing compelled to do a good action." The commandant of the boat feigned not to understand the reproaches conveyed in these words, and to divert our minds from brooding over our wrongs, endeavored to counterfeit the man of gallantry. All the boats were already far from the Medusa, when they were brought to, to form a chain in order to tow the raft. The barge, in which was the governor of Senegal, took the first tow, then all the other boats in succession joined them- selves to that. M. Lachaumareys embarked, although there yet remained upon the Medusa more than sixty persons. Then the brave and generous M. Espiau, commander of the shallop, quitted the line of boats, and returned to the frigate, with the intention of saving all the wretches who had been abandoned. They all sprang into the shallop ; but as it was very much overloaded, seventeen unfortunates preferred re- maining on board rather than expose themselves as well as their companions to certain death. But, alas ! the greater part afterward fell victims to their fears or their devotion. Fifty- two days after they were abandoned, no more than three of them were alive, and these looked more like skeletons than men.* They told that their miserable companions had gone afloat upon planks and hen-coops, after having waited in vain forty-two days for the succor which had been promised them, and that all had perished. The shallop carrying with difficulty all these she had sav- ed from the Medusa, slowly rejoined the line of boats which towed the raft. M. Espiau earnestly besought the officers of the other boats to take some of them along with them ; but they refused, alledging to the generous officer that he ought to keep them in his own boat, as he had gone for them him- self. M. Espiau, finding it impossible to keep them all with- out exposing them to the utmost peril, steered right for a boat which I will not name. Immediately a sailor sprung from the shallop into the sea, and endeavored to reach it by SAvim- ming; and when he was about to enter it, an officer, who pos- sessed great influence, pushed him back, and drawing his sa- * Two of the three wretches who w^ere saved from the wreck of the Medusa died a few days after their arrival at the colony; and the third, who pretended to know a great many particulars relative to the desertion of the frigate, was assassinated in his bed at Senegal, when he was just upon the eve of setting off for France. The authorities could not discover the murderer, who had taken good care to flee from his victim, after having killed him. SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 309 bre, threatened to cut off his hands if he again made the at- tempt. The poor wretch regained the shallop, which was very near the pinnace, where we were. Various friends of my father supplicated M. Laperere, the officer of our boat, to receive him on board. My father had his arms already out to catch him, when M. Laperere instantly let go the rope which attached us to the oth'er boats, and tugged off with all his force. At the same instant every boat imitated the exe- crable example ; and wishing to shun the approach of the shallop, which sought for assistance, stood off from the raft, abandoning, in the midst of the ocean, and to the fury of the waves, the miserable mortals whom they had sworn to land on the shores of the desert. Scarcely had these cowards broken their oath, when we saw the French flag flying upon the raft. The confidence of these unfortunate persons was so great, that when they saw the first boat, which had the tow, removing from them, they all cried out. The rope is broken! the rope is broken ! But when no attention was paid to their observation, they instant- ly perceived the treachery of the wretches who had left them so basely. Then cries of Vive le Roi arose from the raft, as if the poor fellows were calling to their father for assistance ; or as if they had been persuaded that, at the rallying word, the oflicers of the boats would return, and not abandon their countrymen. The officers repeated the cry of Vive le Roi, without a doubt to insult them ; but more particularly M. Lachaumareys, who, assuming a martial attitude, waved his hat in the air. Alas ! what availed these false professions ? Frenchmen, menaced with the greatest peril, were demand- ing assistance with the cries of Vive le Roi ; yet none were found sufliciently generous, nor sufficiently French, to go to aid them. After a silence of some minutes, horrible cries were heard ; the air resounded with the groans, the lamenta- tions, the imprecations of these wretched beings, and the echo of the sea frequently repeated, Alas ! how cruel you are to abandon us!!! The raft already appeared to be buried un- der the waves, and its unfortunate passengers immersed. The fatal machine was drifted by currents far behind the wreck of the frigate ; without cable, anchor, mast, sail, oars, in a word, without the smallest means of enabling them to save themselves. Each wave that struck it made them stumble in heaps on one another. Their feet getting entan- gled among the cordage, and between the planks, bereaved tnem of the faculty of moving. Maddened by these misfor- 310 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. tunes, suspended, adrift upon the merciless ocean, they were soon tortured betAveen the pieces of wood which formed the scaffold on which they floated. The bones of their feet and their legs were bruised and broken eveiy time the fury of the waves agitated the raft ; their flesh covered with contu- sions and hideous wounds, dissolved, as it were, in the briny waves, whilst the roaring flood around them was colored with their blood. As the raft, when it was abandoned, was nearly two leagues from the frigate, it was impossible these unfortunate persons could reach it ; they were soon after far out at sea. These victims still appeared above their floating tomb ; and stretch- ing out their supplicating hands toward the boats which fled from them, seemed yet to invoke, for the last time, the names of the wretches who had deceived them. O horrid day ! a day of shame and reproach ! Alas ! that the hearts of those who were so well acquainted with misfortune, should have been so inaccessible to pity ! After witnessing that most inhuman scene, and seeing they were insensible to the cries and lamentations of so many un- happy beings, I felt my heart burst with sorrow. It seemed to me that the waves would overwhelm all these wretches, and I could not suppress my tears. My father, exasperated to excess, and bursting with rage at seeing so much coward- ice and inhumanity among the officers of the boats, began to regret that he had not accepted the place which had been as- signed for us upon the raft. " At least," said he, " we would have died with the brave, or we would have returned to the wreck of the Medusa ; and not have had the disgrace of sa- ving ourselves with cowards." Although this produced no effect upon the officers, it proved very fatal to us afterward ; for, on our arrival at Senegal, it was reported to the governor, and very probably was the principal cause of all those evils and vexations which we endured in that colony. Let us now turn our attention to the several situations of all those who were endeavoring to save themselves in the dif- ferent boats, as well as to those left upon the wreck of the Medusa. We have already seen that the frigate was half sunk when it was deserted, presenting nothing but a hulk and a wreck. Nevertheless, seventeen still remained upon it, and had food, which, although damaged, enabled them to support themselves for a considerable time ; whilst the raft was abandoned to float at the mercy of the waves, upon the vast surface of the SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 311 ocean. One hundred and fifty wretches were embarked upon it, sunk to the depth of at least three feet on its fore part, and on its poop immersed even to the middle. What victuals they had were soon consumed, or spoiled by the salt-water ; and perhaps some, as the waves hurried them along", became food for the monsters of the deep. Two only of all the boats which left the Medusa, and these with very few people in them, were provisioned with every necessity ; these struck off with security and despatch. But the condition of those who were in the shallop was but little better than those upon the raft ; their great distance from the shore gave them the most melancholy anticipations of the future Their wor- thy commander, M. Espiau, had no other hope but of reach- ing the shore as soon as possible. The other boats were less filled with people, but they were scarcely better provisioned; and, as by a species of fatality, the pinnace, in which were our family, was destitute of every thing. Our provisions consisted of a barrel of biscuit and a tierce of water ; and, to add to our misfortunes, the biscuit being soaked in the sea, it was almost impossible to swallow one morsel of it. Each passenger in our boat was obliged to sustain his wretched ex- istence with a glass of water, which he could get only once a day. To tell how this happened, how this boat was so poorly supplied, whilst there was abundance left upon the Medusa, is far beyond my power. But it is at least certain that the greater part of the officers, commanding the boats, the shallop, the pinnace, the Senegal boat, and the yawl, were persuaded, when they quitted the frigate, that they Avould not abandon the raft, but that all the expedition would sail together to the coast of Sahara; that when there, the boats would be again sent to the Medusa, to take provisions, arms, and those who were left there; but it appears the chiefs had decided otherwise. After abandoning the raft, although scattered, all the boats formed a little fleet, and followed the same route. All who were sincere hoped to arrive the same day at the coast of the desert, and that every one would get on shore; but MM. Schmaltz and Lachaumareys gave orders to take the route for Senegal. This sudden change in the resolutions of the chiefs was like a thunderbolt to the officers commanding the boats. Having nothing on board but what was barely neces- sary to enable us to allay the cravings of hunger for one day, we were all sensibly affected. The other boats, which, like ourselves, hoped to have got on shore at the nearest point, 312 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. were a little better provisioned than we were ; they had at least a little wine, which supplied the place of other necessa- ries. We then demanded some from them, explaining our situation ; but none would assist us, not even Captain Lachau- mareys, who, drinking to a kept mistress, supported by two sailors, swore he had not one drop on board. We were next desirous of addressing the boat of the governor of Senega], where we were persuaded were plenty of provisions of every kind, such as oranges, biscuits, cakes, comfits, plums, and even the finest liqueurs ; but my father opposed it, so well was he assured we would not obtain any thing. We will now turn to the condition of those on the raft, when the boats left them to themselves. If all the boats had continued dragging the raft forward, favored as we were by the breeze from the sea, we would have been able to have conducted them to the shore in less than two days. But an inconceivable fatality caused the ge- nerous plan to be abandoned. When the raft had lost sight of the boats, a spirit of sedi- tion began to manifest itself in furious cries. They then be- gan to regard one another with ferocious looks, and to thirst for one another^s flesh. Some one had already whispered of having recourse to that monstrous extremity, and of com-^ mencing with the fattest and youngest. A proposition so atro- eious filled the brave Captain Dupont and his worthy lie^ute- nant M. L'Heureux, with horror: and that courage which had so often supported them in the field of glory, now forsook them. Among the first who fell under the hatchets of the assassins was a young woman who had been seen devouring the body of her husband. When her turn was come, she sought a little wine as a last favor, then rose, and without ut- tering one word, threw herself into the sea. Captain Dumont being proscribed for having refused to partake of the sacril^ gious viands on which the monsters were feeding, was saved as by a miracle from the hands of the butchers. Scarcely had they seized him to lead him to the slaughter, when a large pole, which served in place of a mast, fell upon his body ; and believing that his legs were broken, they contented them- selves by throwing him into the sea. The unfortunate cap- tain plunged, disappeared, and they thought him already in another world. Providence, however, revived the strength of the unfortu- nate warrior. He emerged under the beams of the raft, and clinging with all his might, holding his head above water, he SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA, 313 remained between two enormous pieces of wood, whilst tlie rest of his body was hid in the sea. After more than two hours of suffering, Captain Dupont spoke in a low voice to his lieutenant, who by chance was seated near the place of concealment. The brave L'Heureux, his eyes glistening with tears, believed that he heard the voice and saw the shade of his captain, and trembling, was about to quit the place of hor- ror : but, O wonderful ! he saw a head which seemed to draw its last sigh, he recognized it, he embraced it — alas ! it was his dear friend ! Dupont was instantly draw from the water, and L'Heureux obtained for his unfortunate comrade again a place upon the raft. Those Avho had been so inveterate against him, touched at what Providence had done for him in so miraculous a manner, decided, with one accord, to allow him entire liberty upon the raft. The sixty unfortunates who had escaped from the first massacre, were soon reduced to fifty, then to forty, and at last to twenty-eight. The least murmur, or the smallest complaint, at the moment of distributing the provisions, was a crime punished with immediate death. In consequence of such a regulation, it may easily be presumed the raft was soon lightened. In the meanwhile the wine diminished sen- sibly, and the half rations very much displeased a certain chief of the conspiracy. On purpose to avoid being reduced to that extremity, the executive foicer decided it was much wiser to drown thirteen people, and to get full rations, than that twenty-eight should have half rations. Merciful Heaven ! what sharhel After the last catastrophe, the chiefs of the conspiracy, fearing doubtless of being assassinated in their turn, threw all the arms into the sea, and swore an inviolable friendship with the heroes which the hatchet had spared. On the 17th of July, in the morning. Captain Parnajon, com- mandant of the Argus brig, still found fifteen men on the raft. They Avere immediately taken on board, and conducted to Senegal. Four of the fifteen are yet alive, viz. Captain Du- pont, residing in the neighborhood of Maintenon, Lieutenant L'Heureux, since captain at Senegal, Savigny, at Rochefort, and Correard, I know not where. On the 5lh of July, at ten in the morning, one hour after abandoning the raft^ and three after quitting the Medusa, M. Laperere, the officer of our boat, made the first distribution of provisions. Each passenger had a small glass of water and nearly the fourth of a biscuit. Each drank his allow- ance of water at one draught, but it wai "" ' ' • 27 314 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDL'SA. swallow one morsel of our biscuit, it being so impregnated with sea-water. It happened, however, that some was not quite so saturated. Of these Ave ate a small portion, and put back the remainder for a future day. Our voyage would have been sufficiently agreeable, if the beams of the sun had not been so fierce. On the evening we perceived the shores of the Desert; but as the two chiefs (MM. Schmaltz and La- chaumareys) wished to go right to Senegal, notv^rithstanding we were still one hundred leagues from it, we were not allow- ed to land. Several officers remonstrated, both on account of our want of provisions and the crowded condition of the boats for undertaking so dangerous a voyage. Others urged with equal force, that it would be dishonoring the French name if we were to neglect the unfortunate people on the raft, and insisted we should be set on shore, and whilst we waited there, three boats should return to look -after the raft, and three to the wreck of the frigate, to take up the seven- teen who were left there, as well as a sufficient quantity of provisions to enable us to go to Senegal by the way of Bar- bary. But MM. Schmaltz and Lachaumareys, whose boats were sufficiently well provisioned, scouted the advice of their subalterns, and ordered them to cast anchor till the following morning. They were obliged to obey these orders, and to re- linquish their designs. During the night, a certain passenger, who was doubtless no doctor, and who believed in ghosts and witches, was suddenly frightened by the appearance of flames which he tlioaght he saw in the waters of the sea, a little way from where our boats were anchored. My father, and some others, who were aware that the sea is sometimes phosphora- ted, confirmed the poor credulous man in his belief, and added several circumstances which fairly turned his brain. They persuaded him the Arabic sorcerers had fired the sea to pre- vent us from traveling along their deserts. On the morning of the Gth of July, at five o'clock, all the boats were under way on the route to Senegal. The boats of MM. Schmaltz and Lachaumareys took the lead along the coast, and all the expedition followed. About eight, several sailors in our boat, with threats, demanded to be set on shore ; but M. Laperere, not acceding to their requests, the whola wei-e about to revolt and seize the command ; but the firm- ness of this officer quelled the mutineers. In a spring which he made to seize a firelock which a sailor persisted in keep- ing in his possession, he almost tumbled into the sea. My father fortunately was near him, and held him by his clothes, SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 315 but he had instantly to quit him for fear of losing" his hat, which the waves were floating away. A short while after this slight accident, the shallop, which we had lost sight of since the morning, appeared desirous of rejoining us. We plied all hands to avoid her, for we were afraid of one another, and thought that that boat, encumbered with so many people, wish- ed to board us, to oblige us to take some of its passengers, as M. Espiau would not suffer them to be abandoned like those upon the raft. That officer hailed us at a distance, offering to take our family on board, adding, he was anxious to take about sixty people to the Desert. The officer of our boat, thinking that this was a pretence, replied, we preferred suffering where we were. It even appeared to us that M. Espiau had hid some of his people under the benches of the shallop. But, alas ! in the end we deeply deplored being so suspicious, and of having so outraged the devotion of the most generous officer of the Medusa. Our boat began to leak considerably, but we prevented it as well as we could by stuffing the largest holes with oakum, which an old sailor had had the precaution to take before quitting the frigate. At noon the heat became so strong — so intolerable, that several of us believed we had reached our last moments. The hot winds of the Desert even reached us 5 and the fine sand with which they were loaded had complete- ly obscured the clearness of the atmosphere. The sun pre- sented a reddish disk ; the whole surface of the ocean became nebulous, and the air which we breathed, depositing a fine sand, an impalpable powder, penetrated to our lungs, already parched with a burning thirst. In this state of torment we remained till four in the afternoon, when a breeze from the north-west brought us some relief Notwithstanding the pri- vations we felt, and especially the burning thirst which had become intolerable, the cool air which we now began to breathe made us in part forget our sufferings. The heavens began again to resume the usual serenity of those latitudes, and we hoped to have passed a good night. A second distri- bution of provisions was made ; each received a small glass of water and about the eighth part of a biscuit. Notwith- standing our meager fare, every one seemed content, in the persuasion we would reach Senegal by the morrow. But how vain were all our hopes, and what sufferings had we yet to endure ! At half past seven the sky was overcast with stormy clouds. The serenity we had admired a little while before entirely dis- 316 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDFSA. appeared, and gave place to the most gloomy obscurity. The surface of the ocean presented all the signs of a coming tem- pest. The horizon, on the side of the Desart, had the appear- ance of a long hideous chain of mountains piled on one an- other, the summits of which seemed to vomit fire and smoke. Blueish clouds, streaked with a dark copper color, detached themselves from that shapeless heap, and came and joined with those which floated over our heads. In less than half an hour the ocean seemed confounded with the terrible sky which canopied us. The stars were hid. Suddenly a fright- ful noise was heard from the west, and all the waves of the sea rushed to founder our frail bark. A fearful silence suc- ceeded to the general consternation. Every tongue was mute; and none durst communicate to his neighbor the horror with which his mind was impressed. At intervals the cries of the children rent our hearts. At that instant a weeping and ago- nized mother bared her breast to her dying child, but it yield- ed nothing to appease the thirst of the little innocent who pressed it in vain. O night of horrors ! what pen is capable to paint thy terrible picture f How describe the agonizing fears of a father and mother at the sight of their children toss- ed about and expiring of hunger in a small boat, which the winds and waves threatened to ingulf at every instant ! Hav- ing full before our eyes the prospect of inevitable death, we gave ourselves up to our unfortunate condition, and addressed our prayers to Heaven. The winds growled with the utmost fury ; the tempestuous waves arose exasperated. In their ter- rific encounter a mountain of water was precipitated into our boat, carrying away one of the sails and the greater part of the effects which the sailors had saved from the Medusa. Our bark was nearly sunk ; the females and the children lay roll- ing in its bottom, drinking the waters of bitterness ; and their cries, mixed with the roaring of the waves and the furious north wind, increased the horrors of the scene. My unfortu- nate father then experienced the most excruciating agony of mind. The idea of the loss which the shipwreck had occa- sioned to him, and the danger which still menaced all he held dearest in the world, plunged him into a deep swoon. The tenderness of his wife and children recovered him ; but, alas ! his recovery was to still more bitterly deplore the wretched situation of his family. He clasped as to his bosom ; he bathed us with his tears, and seemed as if he was regarding us with his last looks of love. Every soul in the boat was seized with the same perturbs- SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 317 tion, but it manifested itself in different ways. One part of the sailors remained motionless, in a bewildered state ; the other cheered and encouraged one another ; the children, lock- ed in the arms of their parents, wept incessantly. Some de^ manded drink, vomiting the salt water which choked them ; others, in short, embraced as for the last time, entwining their arms and vowing to die together. In the meanwhile the sea became rougher and rougher. The whole surface of the ocean seemed a vast plain furrowed with huge blackish waves fringed with white foam. The thun- der growled around us, and the lightning discovered to our eyes all that our imagination could conceive most horrible. Our boat, beset on all sides by the winds, and at every instant tossed on the summit of mountains of water, was very nearly sunk in spite of our every effort in bailing it, when we dis- covered a large hole in its poop. It was instantly stuffed with every thing we could find ; old clothes, sleeves of shirts, shreds of coats, shawls, useless bonnets, every thing was employed, and secured us as far as it was possible. During the space of six hours we rowed suspended ahernately between hope and fear, between life and death. At last, toward the middle of the night, Heaven, which had seen our resignation, commanded the floods to be still. Instantly the sea became less rough, the veil which covered the sky became less obscure, the stars again shone out, and the tempest seemed to withdraw. A general exclamation of joy and thankfulness issued at one instant from every mouth. The winds calmed, and each of us sought a little sleep whilst our good and generous pilot steered our boat on a still very stormy sea. The day at last, the day so much desired, entirely restored the calm ; but it brought no other consolation. During the night the currents, the waves, and the winds had taken us so far out to sea, that on the dawning of the 7th of July we saw nothing but sky and water, without knowing whither to direct our course ; for our compass had been broken during the tem- pest. In this hopeless condition we continued to steer some- times to the right and sometimes to the left, until the sun arose, and at last showed us the east. On the morning of the 7th of July we again saw the shores of the Desert, notwithstanding we were yet a great distance from it. The sailors renewed their murmurings, wishing to get on shore, with the hope of being able to get some whole- some plants and some more palatable water than that of the »ea ; but as we were afraid of the Moors, their request was 27* 318 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDFSA, opposed. However, M. Laperere proposed to take them as near as he could to the first breakers on the coast, and when there, those who wished to go on shore should throw them- selves into the sea and swim to land. Eleven accepted the proposal ; but when we had reached the first waves, none had the courage to brave the mountains of water which rolled be- tween them and the beach. Our sailors then betook them- selves to their benches and oars, and promised to be more qui- et for the future. A short while after, a third distribution was made since our departure from the Medusa ; and nothing more remained than four pints of water and one half dozen bis- cuits. What steps were we to take in this cruel situation 1 We were desirous of going on shore, but we had such dangers to encounter ! However, we soon came to a decision when we saw a caravan of Moors on the coast. We then stood a little out to sea. According to the calculation of our com- manding officer, we could arrive at Senegal on the morrow. Deceived by the false account, we preferred suffering one day more, rather than to be taken by the Moors of the Desert, or perish among the breakers. We had now no more than a small half glass of water and the seventh of a biscuit. -Ex- posed as we were to the heat of the sun, which darted its rays perpendicularly on our heads, that ration, though small, would have been a great relief to us; but the distribution was delayed to the morrow. Yv^e were then obliged to drink the bitter sea-water, ill as it v/as calculated to quench our thirst. Must I tell it ? thirst had so withered the lungs of our sailors that they drank Salter water than that of the sea I Our numbers diminished daily, and nothing but the hope of arriving at the colony on the following day sustained our frail existence. My young brothers and sisters wept incessantly for water. The little Laura, aged six years, lay dying at the feet of her mother. Her mournful cries so moved the soul of my unfortunate father, that he was on the eve of opening a vein to quench the thirst which consumed his child ; but a wise person opposed his design, observing that all the blood in his body would not prolong the life of his infant child one moment. The freshness of the night-wind procured us some respite. We anchored pretty near to the shore, and, though dymg of famine, each got a tranquil sleep. On the morning of the 8th of July, at break of day, we took the route of Senegal. A short while after the wind fell, and we had a dead calm. We endeavored to row, but our strength was exhausted. A fourth SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 319 and last distribution was made, and, in the twinkling of an eye, our last resources were consumed. We were forty-two people who had to feed upon six biscuits and about /o2^r pints of water, with no hope of a farther supply. Then came the moment for deciding whether we were to perish among the breakers which defended the approach to the shores of the Desert, or to die of famine in continuing our route. The ma- jority preferred the last species of misery. We continued our progress along the shore, painfully pulling our oars. Upon the beach were distinguished several downs of white sand, and some small trees. We Avere thus creeping along the coast, observing a mournful silence, when a sailor suddenly exclaimed, " Behold the Moors !" We did, in fact, see various individuals upon the rising ground, walking at a quick pace, and whom we took to be the Arabs of the Desert. As we were very near the shore, we stood farther out to sea, fearing that these pretended Moors, or Arabs, would throw them- selves into the sea, swim out, and take us. Some hours after, we observed several people upon the eminence, who seemed to make signals to us. We examined them attentively, and soon recognized them to be our companions in misfortune. We replied to them by attaching a white handkerchief to the top of our mast. Then we resolved to land, at the risk of perishing among the breakers, which were very strong to- ward the shore, although the sea was calm. On approach- ing the beach we went toward the right, where the waves seemed less agitated, and endeavored to reach it, with the hope of being able more easily to land. Scarcely had we direct- ed our course to that point, when we perceived a great num- ber of people standing near to a little wood surrounding the sand hills. We recognized them to be the passengers of that boat, who, like ourselves, were deprived of provisions. Meanwhile we approached the shore, and already the foam- ing surge filled us with terror. Each wave that came upon the open sea, each billow that swept beneath our boat, made us bound into the air ; so we were sometimes thrown from the poop to the prow, and from the prow to the poop. Then, if our pilot had missed the sea, we would have been sunk ; the waves would have thrown us aground, and we would have been buried among the breakers. The helm of the boat was again given to the old pilot, who had already so happily steer- ed us through the dangers of the storm. He instantly threw into the sea the mast, the sails, and every thing that could impede our proceedings. When we came to the first landing 320 SHIPWRECK OF TH£ MEDtfsA. point, several of our shipwrecked companions, who had reach- ed the shore, ran and hid themselves behind the hills, not to see us perish ; others made signs not to approach at that place ; some covered their eyes with their hands : others, at last, despising the danger, precipitated themselves into the waves to receive us into their arms. We then saw a specta- cle that made us shudder. We had already doubled two ran- ges of breakers ; but those which we had still to cross raised their foaming waves to a prodigious height, then sunk with a hollow and monstrous sound, sweeping along a long line of the coast. Our boat, sometimes greatly elevated, and sometimes ingulfed between the waves, seemed now given up to utter ruin. Bruised, battered, tossed about on all hands, it turned of itself, and refused to obey the kind hand which directed it. At that instant a huge wave rushed from the open sea and dashed against the poop : the boat plunged, disappeared, and we were all among the waves. Our sailors, whose strength had returned at the presence of danger, redoubled their ef- forts, uttering mournful sounds. Our bark groaned, the oars were broken ; it was thought aground, but it was stranded ; it was upon its side. The last sea rushed upon us with the impetuosity of a torrent. We were up to the neck in water ; the bitter sea-froth choked us. The grapnel was thrown out. The sailors threw themselves into the sea ; they took the children in their arms ; returned, and took us upon their shoulders ; and I found myself seated upon the sand on the shore, by the side of my step-mother, my brothers and sisters, almost dead. Every one was upon the beach except my fa- ther and some sailors ; but that good man arrived at last, to mingle his tears with those of his family and friends. Instantly our hearts joined in addressing our prayers and praises to God. I raised my hands to heaven, and remained some time immovable upon the beach. Every one also hast- ened to testify his gratitude to our old pilot, who, next to God, justly merited the title of our preserver. M. Dumege, a naval surgeon, gave him an elegant gold watch, the only thing he had saved from the Medusa. Let the reader now recollect all the perils to which we had been exposed in escaping from the wreck of our frigate to the shores of the Desert — all that we had suffered during our four days' voyage — and he will perhaps have a just notion of the rarious sensations we felt on getting on shore on that strange and savage land. Doubtless the joy we experienced at hav- ing escaped, as by a miracle, the fury of the floods, was very SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 321 great ; but how much was it lessened by the feelings of our horrible situation ! Without water, without provisions, and the majority of us nearly naked, was it to be wondered at that we should be seized with terror on thinking of the obstacles which we had to surmount, the fatigues, the privations, the pains, and the sufferings Ave had to endure, with the dangers we had to encounter in the immense and frightful desert we had to traverse before we could arrive at our destination ? Al- mighty Providence ! it was in Thee alone I put my trust. After we had a little recovered from the fainting and ia- tigue of our getting on shore, our fellow-sufferers told us they had landed in the forenoon, and had cleared the breakers by the strength of their oars and sails ; but they had not all been so lucky as we were. One imfortunate person, too desirous of getting quickly on shore, had his legs broken under the shallop, and was taken and laid on the beach, and left to the care of Providence. M. Espiau, commander of the shallop, reproached us for having doubted him when he wished to board us to take our family along with him. It was most true he had landed sixty-three people that day. A short while after our refusal, he took the passengers of the yawl, who would infallibly have perished in the stormy night of the 6th and 7th. The boat named the Senegal, commanded by M. Maudet, had made the shore at the same time with M. Es- piau. The boats of MM. Schmaltz and Lachaumareys were the only ones which continued the route for Senegal, whilst nine-tenths of the Frenchmen intrusted to these gentlemen were butchering each other on the raft, or dying of hunger on the burning sands of Sahara. About seven in the morning a caravan was formed to pene- trate into the interior, for the purpose of finding some fresh water. We did accordingly find some at a little distance from the sea, by digging among the sand. Every one in- stantly flocked round the little wells, which furnished enough to quench our thirst. This brackish water was found to be delicious, although it had a sulphurous taste : its color was that of whey. As all our clothes were wet and in tatters, and as we had nothing to change them, some generous offi- cers offered theirs. My step-mother, my cousin, and my sis- ter were dressed in them ; for myself, I preferred keeping my own. We remained nearly an hour beside our beneficient fountain, then took the route for Senegal ; that is, a southerly direction, for Ave did not knoAv exactly where that country lay. It was agreed that the females and children should walk b^- 322 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. fore the caravan, that they might not be left behind. The sailors voluntarily carried the youngest on their shoulders, and every one took the route along the coast. Notwithstand- ing it was nearly seven o'clock, the sand was quite burning, and we suffered severely, walking without shoes, having lost them whilst landing. As soon as we arrived on the shore, we went to walk on the wet sand, to cool us a little. Thus we traveled during all the night, without encountering any thing but shells, which wounded our feet. On the morning of the 9th we saw an antelope on the top of a little hill, which instantly disappeared, before we had time to shoot it. The desert seemed to our view one im- mense plain of sand, on which was seen not one blade of ver- dure. However, we still found water by digging in the sand. In the forenoon, two officers of marine complained that our family incommoded the progress of the caravan. It is true, the females and the children could not walk so quickly as the men. We walked as fast as it was possible for us, neverthe- less, we often fell behind, which obliged them to halt till we came up. These officers, joined with other individuals, con- sidered among themselves whether they would wait for us, or abandon us in the desert. I will be bold to say, however, that but few were of the latter opinion. My father being in- formed of what was plotting against us, stepped up to the chiefs of the conspiracy and reproached them in the bitterest terms for their selfishness and brutality. The dispute waxed hot. Those who were desirous of leaving us drew their swords, and my father put his hand upon a poignard, with which he had provided himself on quitting the frigate. At this scene we threw ourselves in between them, conjuring him rather to remain in the desert with his family, than seek the assistance of those who were, perhaps, less humane than the Moors themselves. Several people took our part, parti- cularly M. Bregnere, captain of infantry, who quieted the dis- pute by saying to his soldiers, " My friends, you are French- men, and I have the honor of being your commander ; let us never abandon an unfortunate family in the desert, so long as we are able to be of use to them." This brief, but energetic speech, caused those to blush Avho wished to leave us. All then joined with the old captain, saying they would not leave us, on condition we would walk quicker. M. Bregnere and his soldiers replied, they did not wish to impose conditions on those to whom they were desirous of doing a favor ; and the unfortunate family of Picard were a^ain on the road with the SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 323 whole caravan. Some time after this dispute M. Rogery, mem- ber of the Philanthropic Society of Cape Verd, secretly left the caravan, striking into the middle of the Desert, without knowing very Avell what he sought. He wished perhaps to explore the ancient country of the Numidians and Getulians, and to give himself a slave to the great Emperor of Morocco. What would it aA^ail to acquire such celebrity ? That intrepid traveler had not time to find that after which he searched ; for a few days after he was captured by the Moors, and taken to Senegal, where the governor paid his ransom. About noon hunger was feh so powerfully among us that it was agreed upon to go to the small hills of sand, which were near the coast, to see if any herbs could be found fit for eating ; but we only got poisonous plants, among which were various kinds of euphorbium. Convol vu] uses of a bright green carpeted the downs ; but on tasting their leaves we found them as bitter as gall. The caravan rested in this place, whilst se- veral officers went farther into the interior. They came back in about an hour, loaded with wild purslain, which they dis- tributed to each of us. Every one instantly devoured his bunch of herbage without leaving the smallest branch ; but as our hunger was far from being satisfied with this small allowance, the soldiers and sailors betook themselves to look for more. They soon brought back a sufficient quantity, which was equal- ly distributed, and devoured upon the spot, so delicious had hun- ger made that food to us. For myself, I declared I never ate any thing with so much appetite in all my life. Water Ava« also found in this place, but it was of an abominable taste. After this truly frugal repast we continued our route. The heat was insupportable in the last degree. The sands on which we trod were burning ; nevertheless, several of us walk- ed on these scorching coals without shoes ; and the females had nothing but their hair for a cap. When we reached the sea-shore we all ran and lay down among the waves. After remaining there some time, we took our route along the west beach. On our journey we met with several large crabs, which were of considerable service to us. Every now and then we endeavored to slake our thirst by sucking their crooked claws. About nine at night we halted between two pretty high sand hills. After a short talk concerning our misfortunes, all seem- ed desirous of passing the night in this place, notwithstanding we heard on every side the roaring of leopards. We delibe- rated on the means of securing ourselves, but sleep soon put an end to our fears. Scarcely had we slumbered a few hours 324 SHIPWRECK or the medusa. when a terrible roaring of wild beasts awoke us, and made us stand on our defence. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and, in spite of my fears and the horrible aspect of the place, nature never appeared so sublime to me before. Instantly something was announced that resembled a lion. This information was listened to with the greatest emotion. Every one being de- sirous of verifying the truth, fixed upon something he thought to be the object ; one believed he saw the long teeth of the king of the forest ; another was convinced his mouth was already open to devour us ; several, armed with m^uskets, aim- ed at the animal, and advancing a few steps, discovered the pretended lion to be nothing more than a shrub fluctuating in the breeze. However, the bowlings of ferocious beasts had so frightened us, being yet heard at intervals, that we again sought the sea-shore, on purpose to continue our route toward the south. Our situation had been thus perilous during the night ; ne^ rertheless at break of day we had the satisfaction of finding none miseing. About sunrise we held a little to the east to get farther into the interior to find fresh water, and lost much time in a vain search. The country which we now traversed was a little less arid than that which we had passed the preceding day. The hills, the valleys, and a vast plain of sand were strewed Avith mimosa, or sensitive plants, presenting to our sight a scene we had never before seen in the desert. The country is bounded as it Avere by a chain of mountains or high downs of sand, in the direction of north and south, Avith- out the slightest trace of cultivation. Toward ten in the morning some of our companions \YBre desirous of making observations in the interior, and they did not go in vain. They instantly returned and told us they had seen two Arab tents upon a slight rising ground. We in- stantly directed our steps thither. We had to pass great downs of sand, very slippery, and arrived in a large plain, streaked here and therewith verdure; but the turf was so hard and piercing we could scarcely walk over it without wounding our feet. Our presence in these frightful solitudes put to flight three or four Moorish shepherds, who herded a small flock of sheep and goats in an oasis. At last we arrived at the tents after which Ave Avere searching, and found in them three Mooresses and two little children, who did not seem in the least frightened by our visit. A negro servant, belonging to an officer of marine, interpreted between us and the good Avomen, Avho, Avhen they had heard of our mis- SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 325 fortunes, ofTered us millet and water for payment. We bought a little of that grain at the rate of thirty pence a handful ; the water was got for three francs a glass ; it was very good, and none grudged the money it cost. As a glass of water, with a handful of millet, was but a poor dinner for famished people, my father bought two kids, which they would not give him under twenty piasters. We immediately killed them, and our Mooresses boiled them in a large kettle. Whilst our re- past was preparing, my father, who could not afford the whole of the expense, got others to contribute to it ; but an old offi- cer of marine, who was to have been captain of the port of Senegal, was the only person who refused, notwithstanding he had about him nearly three thousand francs, which he boasted of in the end. Several soldiers and sailors had seen him count it in round pieces of gold, on coming ashore on the desert, and reproached him for his sordid avarice ; but he seemed insensible to their reproaches, nor ate the less of his portion of kid with his companions in misfortune. When about to resume our journey, we saw several Moors approaching to us armed with lances. Our people instantly seized their arms, and put themselves in readiness to defend us, in case of an attack. Two officers, followed by several soldiers and sailors, with our interpreter, advanced to discover their intentions. They instantly returned Avilh the Moqrs, who said, that, far from wishing to do us harm, they had come to offer us their assistance, and to conduct us to Sene- gal. This offer being accepted of with gratitude by all of us, the Moors, of whom we had been so afraid, became our pro- tectors and friends, verifying the old proverb, there are good people every inhere! As the camp of the Moors was at som,e considerable distance from where we were, we set off alto- gether to reach it before night. After having walked about two leagues through the burning sands, we found ourselves again upon the shore. Toward night our conductors made ms strike again into the interior, saying we were very near their camp, which is called, in their language, Berkelet. But the short distance of the Moors was found very long by the females and the children, on account of the downs of sand which we had to ascend and descend every instant, also of prickly shrubs over which we were frequently obliged to walk. Those who were barefooted felt most severely at this time the want of their shoes. I m.yself lost among the bushes va- rious shreds of my dress, and my feet and legs were all streaming with blood. At length, after two long hours of 23 326 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. walking and suffering, we arrived at the camp of that tribe to which belonged our Arab conductors. We had scarcely got into the camp, when the dogs, the children, and the Moorish women began to annoy us. Some of them threw sand in our eyes, others amused themselves by snatching at our hair, on pretence of wishing to examine it. This pinched us, that spit upon us ; the dogs bit our legs, whilst the old harpies cut the buttons from the officers' coats, or endeavored to take away the lace. Our conductors, however, had pity on us, and chased away the dogs and the curious crowd, who had already made us suffer as much as the thorns which had torn our feet. The chiefs of the camp, our guides, and some good women, at last set about getting us some supper. Water in abundance was given us without payment, and they sold us fish dried in the sun, and some bowlfuls of sour milk, all at a reasonable price. We found a Moor in the camp who had previously known my father in Senegal, and who spoke a little French. As soon as he recognized him, he cried, " Tiens toi, Picard ! ni a pas connaitre moi Amet ? (Hark ye, Picard, know you not Amet ?) We were all struck with astonishment at these French words coming from the mouth of a Moor. My father recol- lected having employed, long ago, a young goldsmith at Sene- gal, and discovering the Moor Amet to be the same person, shook him by the hand. After that good fellow had been made acquainted with our shipwreck, and to what extremities our unfortunate family had been reduced, he could not refrain from tears ; and this was perhaps the first time a Mussulman had ever wept over the misfortunes of a Christian! Amet was not satisfied with deploring our hard fate ; he was desi- rous of proving that he was generous and humane, and in- stantly distributed among us a large quantity of milk and wa- ter, free of any charge. He also raised for our fimily a large tent of the skins of camels, cattle and sheep, because his re- ligion would not allow him to lodge with Christians under the same roof The place appeared very dark, and the obscurity made us uneasy. Amet and our conductors lighted a large fire to quiet us ; and at last bidding us good night, and retir- ing to his tent, said: "Sleep iii peace; the God of the Christians is also the God of the Mussulmans." V/e had resolved to quit this truly hospitable place early in the morning, but, during the night, some people, who had probably too much money, imagined the Moors had taken us to their camp to plunder us. They communicated their fears SaiPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 327 to others, and pretending- that the Moors, who walked up and down among their flocks, and cried from time to time, to keep away the ferocious beasts, had already given the signal for pursuing and murdering us. Instantly a general panic seized all our people, and they wished to set off forthwith. My fa- ther, although he knew well the perfidy of the inhabitants of the Desert, endeavored to assure them we had nothing to fear, because the Arabs were too much frightened by the people of Senegal, who would not fail to avenge us if we were in- sulted; but nothing could quiet their apprehensions, and we had to take the route during the middle of the night. The Moors being soon acquainted with our fears, made us all kinds of protestations ; and seeing we persisted in quitting the camp, offered us asses to carry us as far as the Senegal. These beasts of burden were hired at the rate of twelve francs a day, for each head, and we took our departure under the guidance of those Moors who had before conducted us to the camp. Amet's wife being unwell, he could not accompany us, but re- commended us strongly to our guides. My father was able to hire only two asses for the whole of our family ; and as it was numerous, my sister Caroline, my cousin, and myself, were obliged to crawl along, whilst my unfortunate father fol- lowed in the suite of the caravan, which in truth went much quicker than we did. A short distance from the camp, the brave and compassion- ate Captain Begnere, seeing we still walked, obliged us to ac- cept of the ass he had hired for himself, saying he would not ride when young ladies, exhausted with fatigue, followed on foot. The king afterward honorably recompensed this wor- thy officer, who ceased not to regard our unfortunate family with a care and attention I shall never forget. During the remainder of the night we traveled in a man- ner sufficiently agreeable, mounting alternately the ass of Captain Begnere. At five in the morning of the 11th of July we regained the sea-shore. Our asses, fatigued with the long journey among the sands, ran instantly and lay down among the breakers, in spite of our utmost exertions to prevent them. This caused several of us to take a bath we wished not: I was myself held under one of the asses in the water, and had great diffi- culty in saving one of my young brothers who was floating away. But, in the end, as this incident had no unfortunate is- sue, we laughed, and continued our route, some on foot, and some on the capricious asses. Toward ten o'clock, perceiv- 828 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. ing a ship out at sea, we attached a white handkerchief to the muzzle of a gun, waving it in the air, and soon had the satis- faction of seeing it was noticed. The ship having approach- ed sufficiently near the coast, the Moors who were with us threw themselves into the sea and swam to it. It must be said we had wrongfully supposed that these people had a de- sign against us, for their devotion could not appear greater than when five of them darted through the waves to endeavor to communicate between us and the ship ; notwithstanding, it was still a good quarter of a league distant from where we stood on the beach. In about half an hour we saw these good Moors returning, making float before them three small bar- rels. Arrived on shore, one of them gave a letter to M. Es- piau from M. Parnajon. This gentleman was the captain of the Argus brig, sent to seek after the raft, and to give us pro- visions. This letter announced a small barrel of biscuit, a tierce of wine, a half tierce of brandy, and a Dutch cheese. O fortunate event ! We were very desirous of testifying our gratitude to the generous commander of the brig, but he in- stantly set out and left us. We staved the barrels which held our small stock of provisions, and made a distribution. Each of us had a biscuit, about a glass of wine, a half glass of brandy, and a small morsel of cheese. Each drank his al- lowance of wine at one gulp; the brandy was not even despis- ed by the ladies. I however preferred quantity to quality, and exchanged my ration of brandy for that of wine. To de- scribe our joy, whilst taking this repast, is impossible. Ex- posed to the fierce rays of a vertical sun; exhausted by a long train of suffering ; deprived for a long while of the use of any kind of spiritous liquors ; when our portions of water, wine, and brandy mingled in our stomachs, we became like insane people. Life, which had lately been a great burden, now be- came precious to us. Foreheads, lowering and sulky, began to unwrinkle ; enemies became most brotherly ; the avaricious endeavored to forget their selfishness and cupidity ; the chil- dren smiled for the first time since our shipwreck ; in a word, every one seemed to be born again from a condition melancho- ly and dejected. I even believe the sailors sung the praises of their mistresses. This journey was the most fortunate for us. Some short while afte^ our delicious meal, we saw several Moors ap- proaching, who brought milk and butter, so that we had re- freshments in abundance. It is true we paid a little dear for them ; a glass of milk cost not less than three francs. Af- SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 329 ter reposing about three hours, our caravan proceeded on its route. About six in the evening, my father, finding himself ex- tremely fatigued, wished to rest himself. We allowed the caravan to move on, whilst my step-mother and myself re- mained near him, and the rest of the family followed with their asses. We all three fell asleep. When we awoke we were astonished at not seeing our companions. The sun was sinking in the west. We saw several Moors approaching us, mounted on camels ; and my father reproached himself for having slept so long. Their appearance gave us great un- easiness, and we wished much to escape from them, but my step-mother and myself fell quite exhausted. The Moors, with long beards, having come quite close to us, one of them alight- ed and addressed us in the following words : "Be comforted, ladies ; under the costume of an Arab you see an Englishman, who is desirous of serving j^ou. Having heard at Senegal that Frenchmen were thrown ashore on these deserts, I thought my presence might be of some service to them, as I was ac- quainted with several of the princes of this arid country." These noble words from the mouth of a man we had at first taken to be a Moor, instantly quieted our fears. Recovering from our fright, we rose and expressed to the philanthropic Englishman the gratitude we felt. Mr. Garnet,* the name of the generous Briton, told us that our caravan, Vv^hich he had met, waited for us at about the distance of two leagues. He then gave us some biscuit, which we ate ; and we then set off together to join our companions. Mr. Garnet wished us to mount his camels, but my step-mother and myself, being un- able to persuade ourselves we could sit securely on their hairy haunches; continued to walk on the moist sand, whilst my fa- ther, Mr. Garnet, and the Moors who accompanied him, pro- ceeded on the camels. We soon reached a little river, called, in the country, Marigot des Maringoins. We wished to drink * In the work of MM. Correard and Savigny, this gentleman is made mention of in substance as follows: "On the evening of the 11th they met with more of the natives, and an Irishman, captain of a merchantman, who, of his own accord, had left St. Louis with the intention of assisting the sufferers. He spoke the language of the coun- try, and was dressed in the Moorish costume. We are sorry we cannot recollect the name of this foreign officer, which we would have a real pleasure in publishing ; but, since time has effaced it from our memo- ries, we will at least publish his zeal and his noble efforts, titles well worthy the gratitude of every feeling heait," 28* 380 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDtTiJA. of it, but found it as salt as the sea. Mr. Garnet desired us to have patience and we should find some at the place where our caravan waited. We forded that river knee-deep. At last, having walked about an hour, we rejoined our companions, who had found several wells of fresh water. It was resolved to pass the night in this place, which seemed less arid than any we saw near us. The soldiers being requested to go and seek wood to light a fire for the purpose of frightening the fe- rocious beasts which were heard roaring around us, refused ; but Mr. Garnet assured us that the Moors Avho were with him knew well how to keep all such intruders from our camp. In truth, during the whole of the night, these good Arabs promenaded round our caravan, uttering cries at inter- vals like those which we had heard in the camp of the gene- rous Amet. We passed a very good night, and at four in the morning continued our route along the shore. Mr. Garnet left us to endeavor to procure some provisions. Till then our asses had been quite docile ; but, annoyed with their riders so long upon their backs, they refused to go forward. A fit took pos- session of them, and all at the same instant threw their riders on the ground or among the bushes. The Moors, however, who accompanied us, assisted to catch our capricious ani- mals, who had nearl}^ scampered off, and replaced us on the hard backs of these head-strong creatures. At noon, the heat became so violent that even the Moors themselves bore it with difficulty. We then determined on finding some shade behind the high mounds of sand Avhich appeared in the inte- rior ; but how were we to reach them ? The sands could not be hotter. We had been obliged to leave our asses on the shore, for they would neither advance nor recede. The great- er part of us had neither shoes nor hats; notwithstanding, we were obliged to go forward almost a long league to find a lit- tle shade. The heat reflected by the sands of the desert could be compared to nothing but the mouth of an oven at the mo- ment of drawing out the bread; nevertheless, we endured it, but not without cursing those who had been the occasion of all our misfortunes. Arrived behind the heights for which we searched, we stretched ourselves under the mimosa gum- tree (the acacia of the Desert:) several broke branches from the asclepias (swallow-wort) and made themselves a shade. But, whether from want of air, or the heat of the ground on which we Avere seated, we were nearly all suffocated. I thought my last hour was come. Already my eyes SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 331 saw nothrng- but a dark cloud, when a person by the name of Borner, who was to have been a smith at Senegal, gave me a boot containing some muddy water, which he had the pre- caution to keep. I seized the elastic vase, and hastened to swallow the liquid in large draughts. One of my compa- nions equally tormented with thirst, envious of the pivasure I seemed to feel, and which I felt effectually, drew the foot from the boot and seized it in his turn, but it availed him nothing, the water which remained was so disgusting that he could not drink it, and spilled it on the ground. Captain Begnere, Avho was present, judging by the water which fell, how loath- some must that have been which I had drank, offered me some crumbs of biscuit which he had kept most carefully in his pocket. I chevv'ed that mixture of bread, dust, and tobacco, but I could not swallow it, and gave it, all masticated, to one of my younger brothers, who had fallen from inanition. We were about to quit this furnace, when we saw our gene- rous Englishman approaching, v/ho brought us provisions. At this sight I felt my strength revive, ar.d ceased to desire death, v^^hich I had before called on, to release me from my suffer- ings. Several Moors accompanied Mr. Garnet, and every one was loaded. On their arrival we had Avater, with rice and dried fish in abundance. Every one drank his allowance of water, but had not ability to eat, although the rice was excel- lent. We were all anxious to return to the sea, that we might bathe ourselves, and the caravan put itself on the road to the breakers of Sahara. After an hour's march of great suffering, we regained the shore, as well as our asses, who Vv^ere lying in the water. We rushed among the waves, and after a bath of half an hour, we reposed ourselves upon the beach. My cousin and I went to stretch ourselves upon a small rising ground, where we were shaded with some old clothes which we had with us. My cousin was cJad in an ofiicer's uniform, the lace of which strongly attracted the eyes of Mr. Garnet's Moors. Scarcely had we lain down, when one of them, thinking we were asleep, came to endeavor to steal it ; but seeing we were awake, contented himself by looking at us very steadfastly. Such is the slight incident which it had pleased MM. Gorre- ard and Savigny to relate, in their account of the shipwreck of the Medusa, in a totally different manner. Believing doubt- less to make it more interesting or amusing, they say that one of the Moors who were our guides, either through curio- sity or a stronger sentiment, approached Miss Picard whilst 332 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. asleep, and, after having examined her form, raised the cover- ing- which concealed her bosom, gazing awhile like one aston- ished, at length dreAv near, but durst not touch her. Then, after having looked a long while, he replaced the covering, and, returning to his companions, related in a joyous manner what he had seen. Several Frenchmen having observed the proceedings of the Moor, told M. Picard, who, after the obli- ging offers of the officers, decided in clothing the rest of the ladies in the military dress, on purpose to prevent their being annoyed by the attentions of the inhabitants of the desert. Mighty well ! I beg pardon of MM. Correard and Savigny, but there is not one word of tiTith in all this. How could these gentlemen see from the raft, that which passed during the 12th of July, on the shores of the desert of Sahara? And supposing that this was reported to them by some one of our caravan, and inserted in their work, which contains va- rious inaccuracies, I have to inform them they have been de- ceived. About three in the morning, a north-west wind having sprung up, and a little refreshed us, our caravan continued its route, our generous Englishman again taking the task of procuring us provisions. At four o'clock the sky became overcast, and we heard thunder in the distance. We all ex- pected a great tempest, which happily did not take place. Near seven we reached the spot where we were to wait for Mr. Garnet, who came to us with a bullock he had purchased. Then quitting the shore, we went into the interior to seek a place to cook our supper. We fixed our camp beside a small wood of acacias, near to v/hich were several wells or cisterns of fresh water. Our ox was instantly killed, skinned, cut to pieces, and distributed. A large fire was kindled, and each was occupied in dressing his meal. At this time 1 caught a smart fever; notwithstanding, I could not help laughing at see- ing every one seated round a large fire holding his piece of beef on the point of a bayonet, a sabre, or some sharp-point- ed stick. The flickering of the flames on the different faces, sunburned and covered with long beards, rendered more visi- ble by the darkness of the night, joined to the noise of the waves and the roaring of ferocious beasts which we heard in the distance, presented a spectacle at once laughable and im- posing. If a David or a Girodet had seen us, said I to my- self, we would soon have been represented on canvass, in the galleries of the Louvre, as real cannibals ; and the Parisian youth, who know not what pleasure it is to devour a handful SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 333 of wild purslain, to drink muddy water from a boot, to eat a roast cooked in smoke — who know not, in a word, how com- fortable it is to have it in one's power to satisfy one's appetite when hungry, in the burning deserts of Africa, would never have believed that among these half savages were several born on the banks of the Seine. Whilst these thoughts were passing across my mind, sleep overpowered my senses. Being awaked in the middle of the night, I found my portion of beef in the shoes which an old sailor had lent me for walking among the thorns. Although it was a little burned, and smelled strongly of the dish in which it was contained, I ate a good part of it, and gave the rest to my friend the sailor. That seaman, seeing I was ill, offered to exchange my meat for some which he had the ad- dress to boil in a small tin box. I prayed him to give me a little Avater, if he had any; and he instantly went and fetched some in his hat. My thirst was so great that I drank it out of this nasty cap without the slightest repugnance. A short while after, every one awoke, and again took the route for Senegal at an early hour. Toward ^even in the morning, having fallen a little behind the caravan, I saw se- veral Moors coming toward me, armed with lances. A young sailor boy, aged about twelve years, who sometimes walked with me, stopped and cried in great terror, " Ah ! my God, lady, see, the Moors are coming, and the caravan is already a great way before us ; if they should carry us away?" I told him to fear nothing, although I was really more fright- ened than he was. These Arabs of the desert soon came up to us. One of them advanced with a threatening air, and stopping my ass, addressed to me, in his barbarous language, some words which he pronounced with menacing gestures. My little ship-boy having made his escape, I began to weep ; for the Moor always prevented my ass from going forward, who was, perhaps, as well contented at resting a little. Flow- ever, from the gestures which he made, I supposed he wished to know whither I was going, and I cried as loud as I could, *'Ndar! Ndar T (Senegal! Senegal!) the only African words I then knew. At this the Moor let go the bridle of my ass, and also assisted me by making him feel the full weight of the pole of his lance, and then ran off to his companions, who were roaring and laughing. I was well content at being freed from my fears; and what with the word ndar, and the famous thump of his spear, which was doubtless intended for my ass, I soon rejoined the caravan. I told my parents of my 334 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. adventure, who were ignorant of what had detained me ; they reprimanded me as they ought, and 1 promised faithfully never to quit them again. At nine o'clock we met upon the shore a large flock herded by young Moors. These shepherds sold us milk, and one of them offered to lend my father an ass for a knife which he had seen him take from his pocket. My father having ac- cepted the proposal, the Moor left his companions to accom- pany us as far as the river Senegal, from which we were yet two good leagues. There happened a circumstance in th& forenoon which had, like to have proved troublesome, but it turned out pleasantly. The steersman of the Medusa was sleeping upon the sand, when a Moor found means to steal his sabre. The French- man awoke, and as soon as he saw the thief escaping with his booty, rose and pursued him with horrid oaths. The Arab, seeing himself followed by a furious European, return- ed, fell upon his knees, and laid at the feet of the steersman the sabre which he had stolen ; who, in his turn, touched with this mark of confidence or repentance, voluntarily gave it to him to keep. During this scene we frequently stopped tg see how it would terminate, whilst the caravan continued its route. Suddenly we left the shore. Our companions appear- ing quite transported with joy, some of us ran forward, and having gained a slight rising ground, discovered the Senegal at no great distance from them. We hastened our march, and for the first time since our shipwreck, a smiling picture pre- sented itself to our view. The trees always green, with which that noble river is shaded, the humming birds, the red birds, the paroquets, the promerops, &c. who flitted among the long yielding branches, caused in us emotions difficult to express. We could not satiate our eyes with gazing on the beauties of this place, verdure being so enchanting to the sight, especially after having traveled through the desert. Before reaching the river, we had to descend a little hill co- vered with thorny bushes. My ass stumbling, threw me into the midst of one, and I tore myself in several places : but was easily consoled, when I at length found myself on the banks of a river of fresh water. Every one having quenched his thirst, we stretched ourselves under the shade of a small grove, whilst the beneficent Mr. Garnet and two of our offi- cers set forward to Senegal, to announce our arrival, and to get us boats. In the meanwhile some took a little repose, and others were engaged in dressing the wounds with which they were covered. SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 335 At two in the afternoon we saw a small boat beating against the current of the stream with oars. It soon reached the spot where we were. Two Europeans landed, saluted our cara- van, and inquired for my father. One of them said he came on the part of MM. Artigue and Laboure, inhabitants of Se- negal, to offer assistance to the boats which were getting rea- dy for our family; the other added, that he had not waited for us at the island of St. Louis, knowing too well what would be our need. We were desirous of thanking them, but they in- stantly ran off to the boat and brought us provisions which my father's old friends had sent him. They placed before us large baskets containing several loaves, cheese, a bottle of Ma- deira, a bottle of filtered water, and dresses for my father. Every one, who, during our journey, had taken any interest in our unfortunate family, and especially the brave Captain Begnere, had a share of our provisions. We experienced a real satisfaction in partaking with them, and giving them this small mark of our gratitude. A young aspirant of marine, who had refused us a glass of water in the desert, pressed with hunger, begged of us some bread; he got it, also a small glass of Madeira. It was four o'clock before the boats of the government ar- rived, and we all embarked. Biscuit and wine were found in aach of them, and all were refreshed. That in which our family were was commanded by M. Ar- tigue, captain of the port, and one of those who had sent us provisions. My father and he embraced as two old friends who had not seen one another for eight years, and congratula- ted themselves that they had been permitted to meet once more before they died. We had already made a league upon the river, when a young navy clerk (M. Mollien) was sudden- ly taken ill. We put him ashore, and left him to the care of a negro, to conduct him to Senegal when he should recover. Immediately the town of St. Louis presented itself to our view. At the distance its appearance is fine; but in propor- tion as it is approached the illusion vanishes, and it looks as it iieally is — dirty, very ill built, poor, and filled with straw huts black with smoke. At six in the evening we arrived at the port of St. Louis. It would be in vain for me to paint the va- rious emotions of my mind at that delicious moment. I am bold to saj^ all the colony, if wq except MM. Schmaltz and Lachaumareys, were at the port to receive us from our boats. M. Artigue going on shore first to acquaint the English go- vernor of our arrival, met him comino^ to us on horeseback, 336 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. followed by our generous conductor, Mr. Garnet, and several superior officers. We went on shore carrying our brothers and sisters in our arms. My father presented us to the Eng- lish governor, who had alighted : he appeared to be sensibly affected with our misfortunes, the females and children chiefly exciting his commiseration. And the native inhabitants and Europeans tenderly shook the hands of the unfortunate peo- ple ; the negro slaves even seemed to deplore our disastrous fate. The governor placed the most sickly of our companions in an hospital : various inhabitants of the colony received others in their houses ; M. Artigue obligingly took charge of our family. Arriving at his house, we there found his wife, two iadies, and an English lady, who begged to be allowed to as- sist us. Taking my sister Caroline and myself, she conduct- ed us to her house, and presented us to her husband, who re- ceived us in the most a.fFable manner ; after which she led us to her dressing-room, where we were combed, cleaned and dressed by the dom^estic negresses, and were most obligingl}'- furnished with linen from her own wardrobe, the whiteness of which Vv^as strongly contrasted with our sable countenances. In the midst of my misfortunes my soul had preserved all its strength ; but this sudden change of situation affected me so much that I thought my intellectual faculties were forsaking me. When I had a little recovered from my faintness, our generous hostess conducted us to the saloon, where we found her husband and several English officers sitting at table. These gentlemen invited us to partake of their repast ; but we took nothing but tea and some pastry. Among these English was a yeung Frenchman, who, speaking sufficiently well their language, served to interpret between us. Inviting us to re- cite to them the story of our shipwreck and all our misfor- tunes, which we did in few words, they were astonished how females and children had been able to endure so much fa- tigue and misery. We were so confused by our agitation that we scarcely heard the questions which were put t-o us, having constantly before our eyes the foaming waves and the immense tract of' sand over which we had passed. As they saw we had need of repose, they all retired, and our worthy Englishman put us to bed, where we were not long before we fell into a profound sleep. At nine o'clock next morning after our arrival we felt quite free from our fatigues. We arose, and, as soon as we were dressed went to thank our generous host and hostess, Mr. SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 337 and Mrs. Kingsley ; then went to see our parents ; and after- ward returned to our benefactors, who were waitmg break- fast for us. Our conversation was frequently interrupted dur- ing- our meals, as they were but little acquainted with the French language, and we knew nothing of English. After breakfast we learned that the English governor had not receiv- ed any orders for giving up the colony to the French; and until that took place the whole of the French expedition would be obliged to go to the peninsula of Cape Verd, distant from Senegal about fifty leagues. This information distressed us much, but our affliction was at its height when my father came and told that the French governor, M. Schmaltz, had ordered him to quit Senegal with all his family, and go and stay at Cape. Verd until ferther orders. Mr. and Mrs. Kings- ley, sensibly affected with the misfortunes we had already experienced, assured us they would not part with us, and that they would endeavor to obtain the permission of the English governor. In fact, on the following day, that gentleman in- formed us by his aid-de camp that, having seen the wretched condition in which our family were, he had allowed us to re- main at Senegal, and that he had permitted all the officers of the Medusa to stay. This renewed instance of the benevo- lence of the English governor tranquilized us. We remained comfortably at the house of our benefactors; but a great part of our unhappy companions in misfortune, fearing, if they stay- ed at Senegal, they would disobey the French governor, set off for Cape Yerd, where hunger and death awaited them. Our family lived nearly twenty days with our benevolent hosts, MM. Artigue and Kingsl.y; but my father, fearing we were too great abui'den for the extraordinary expenses which they made each day for us, hued a small apartment, and on the first of August we took possession of it, to the great re- gret of our generous friends, who wished us to stay with them till the surrc-nder of the colony. When we were settled in our new habitation, my father sent a petition to M. Schmaltz, for the purpose of obtaining provisions from the general ma- gazine of the French administration; but, angry with the re- ception we had met with from the English, he replied he could not give him any thing. Nevertheless, S3veral French offi- cers, who, like ourselves, had remained at Senegal, each day received their rations, or, which was better, were admitto^l to the table of M. D , with v<'hom also the governor, his family and staff, messed. It may be remarked here, that this same M. D advanced to the governor of the forts, m 29 338 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. provisions and money, to the amount of 50,000 francs ; and it was the general opinion, found means to charge cent, per cent, on those advances, as a small perquisite to himself; moreover, he received, at the request of the governor, the de- coration of the Legion of Honor. But I return to that which concerns myself. My father being unable to obtain any thing either from the governor or M. D , was obliged to bor- row money to enable us to subsist. We were reduced to feed on negro's food, for our means would not allow us to purchase bread at 15 sous the pound, and wine at 3 francs the bottle. However, we were content, and perfectly resigned to our fate; when an English officer, Major Peddie, came and visit- ed us precisely at the moment we were at dinner. That gen- tleman, astonished at seeing an officer of the French adminis- tration dining upon a dish of Kouskou, said to my father : " How, Mr. Picard ! you being in the employment of your government, and living so meanly?" Mortified that a stran- ger should have seen his misery, my father felt his tears flow- ing : but, instantly collecting himself, said in a calm yet firm tone, " Know, sir, that I blush not for my poverty, and that you have Avronged me by upbraiding me. It is true I have not food like the other Europeans in the colony ; but I do not consider myself the more unfortunate. I have requested the man who represents my sovereign in this country, to give me the rations to which I have a right ; but he has had the inhu- manity to refuse. But v/hat of that? I know how to submit, and my family also." Major Peddie, at these words, touched with our misfortunes, and vexed, doubtless, at having mortified us, though that certainly was not his intention, bade us good bye, and retired. Early on the morning of the next day we received a visit from M. Dubois, mayor of the town of St. Louis, in Senegal. That good and virtuous magistrate told us he had come, at the instance of the English governor, to offer us assistance; viz. an officer's allowance, which con- sisted of bread, wine, meat, sugar, coffee, &c. As my father had not been able to procure any thing from governor Sclnnaitz, he thought it his duty to accept that which the English governor had so generously offered. We thanked M. Dubois ; and in a few hours afterward we had plenty of provisions sent to us. If my father had made himself some enemies amiong the authors of the shipwreck of the Medusa and the abandoning the raft, he was recompensed by real good friends among the old inhabitants of Senegal, who, with himself, deplored SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 339 the fate of tlie unfortunate beings who were left in the midst of the ocean. Among the numerous friends my father had, I ought particularly to mention the families of Pellegrin, Dar- nedlle, Lemotte, Dubois, Artigue, Feuilletaine, Laboure, Va- lentin, Debonnet, Waterman, &c. ; and in truth all the inha- bitants of Senegal, if we except one family, were disposed to befriend us. Even the poor negroes of the interior, after hear- ing of our misfortunes, came and offered us a small share of their crop. Some gave us beans, others brought us milk, eggs, &c. ; in a word, every one offered us some assistance after they heard to what misery our shipwreck had reduced us. About a month after our arrival at Senegal we went to look at the islands of Babaguey and Safal, situated about two leagues from the town of St. Louis. The first of these islands had been given to M. Artigue, who had cultivated it; the other had been given to my father in 1807, and he had plant- ed in it about one hundred thousand cotton plants, when the capture of Senegal by the English in 1809, obliged him to abandon his project and return to France. Those who have seen the countries of Europe, and admir- ed the fine soil of France, need not expect to enjoy the same scene at Senegal. Every where nature shows a savage and arid aspect ; every where the dregs of a desert and parched soil presents itself to the view; and it is only by care and un- remitting toil it can be made to produce any thing. All the cotton which my father had planted in the island of Safal had been devoured by the cattle during his absence ; he found not a plant. He then proposed to begin again his first operations. After having walked round the island of Safal, we went to dine with M. Artigue in the island of Babaguey, where we spent the remainder of the day, and in the evening returned to the town of Senegal. Some days after this jaunt, my fa- ther endeavored to find whether the plants with which the island was covered would be useful in making potash. He arranged with a person in Senegal to hire for him some ne- groes, and a canoe to gather the ashes of the plants after they were burned. A covered gallery which we had in the small house we inhabited, seemed convenient to hold the apparatus of our manufacture. Here we placed our coppers. We then commenced the making of potash, waiting for the surrender of the colony. The first essay we made gave us hopes. Our ashes produced a potash of fine color, and we did not doubt of succeeding when we should have sent a sample of it to France, We made about four barrels, and my father sent a 340 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. box of it to a friend at Paris to analyze. Whilst waiting the reply of the chemist, he hired three negroes to begin the cul- tivation of the island of Safal. He went himself to direct their operations, but he fell ill of fatigue. Fortunately his illness was not of long continuance, and in the month of December he was perfectly recovered. At this period an English expe- dition went from Senegal into the interior of Africa, com- manded by Major Peddie, the gentleman who had given so great assistance to the unfortunates of the Medusa. That worthy philanthropic Englishman died soon after his depar- ture; we sincerely lamented him. On the first of January, 1817, the colony of Senegal was surrendered to the French. The English left it: some for Great Britain, others for Sierra Leone and the Cape of Good Hope ; and France entered into all her possessions on the west coast of Africa. We remained yet a month in our first house ; at last we procured one much larger. My father then commenced his functions of attorney, and we at last began to receive provisions from the French government. The hbuise in which we lived was very large ; but the employment which my father followed was very incompatible with the tranquillity we desired. To remove us from the noise and tumultuous conversations of the people who perpetually came to the office, we had a small hut of reeds constructed for us in the midst of our garden, which was very large. Here my sister, my cousin, and myself, passed the greater part of the day. From that time we began to see a little of the world, and to return unavoidable visits. Every Sunday the family went to the island of Safal, where we very agreeably spent the day ; for that day seemed as short in the country as the six other days in the week were long and listless in Sene- gal. That country was so little calculated for people of our age, that we continually teased our father to return with us to France. But as he had great expectations from the manu- facture of potash, he made us stay, as we would be of great service to him in the end, for superintending the works of that manufacture. It is now time to give a brief description of Senegal and its environs, to enable the reader better to appreciate that which I have to say in the sequel. Travelers who have written about Africa, have given too magnificent a picture of that country known by the name of Senegal. Apparently, after the fatigues of a long and tedioup journey, they have been charmed with the first fresh spo* SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 341 where they could repose. That first impression has all the force of reality to the superficial observer ; but if he remain any time, the illusion vanishes and Senegal appears what it really is — a parched and barren country, destitute of the most necessary vegetables for the nourishment and preservation of the health of man. The town of St. Louis, which is also called Senegal, be- cause it is the head-quarters of the French establishments on that coast, is built upon a small island, or a bank of sand, formed in the midst of the river Senegal, at about two leagues from its mouth. It is two thousand toises in length, and three hundred in breadth. The native inhabitants of the country call it Ndar, and Ba-Fing, or Black River, the river which waters it. The last name corresponds to thut of Niger, v.hich ancient geographers have given to that river. The population of St. Louis is about ten thousand souls, five hundred of whom are Europeans, two thousand negroes or free mulattoes, and nearly seven thousand five hundred slaves. There are about one hundred and fifty houses in St. Louis inhabited by Europeans ; the remainder consists of sim- ple squares, or huts of straw, which a slight flame would cause to vanish in a moment, as well as all the houses of brick which are near them. The streets are spacious, but not paved. The greater part are so completely filled with sand, which the winds and hurricanes bring from the deserts of Sahara, that it is near- ly impossible to walk along them when the winds are blowing. That fine and burning sand so impregnates the air that it is in- haled and swallowed with the food ; in short, it penetrates eve- ry thing. The narrow and little-frequented streets are often blocked up. Some of the houses are fine enough; they have but one story. Son^e have covered galleries ; but in general the roofs are in the oriental fashion, in the form of a terrace. The gardens of Senegal, though their plants have been much praised, are nevertheless few in number, and in very bad condition. The whole of their cultivation is limited to some bad cabbages, devoured by the insects, a plot of bitter radishes, and two or three beds of salad, withered before it is fit for use; but these vegetables, it must be said, are very ex- quisite, because there are none better. The governor's gar- den, however, is stocked with various plants, such as cucum- bers, melons, carrots, Indian pinks, some plants of barren ananas, and some marigolds. There are also in the garden three young date trees, a small vine arbor, and some young American and Indian plants. But these do not thrive, as much 29* 342 STKIP WRECK OF TITE MEDUSA, on account of the poverty of the soil as the hot winds of the Desert, which wither them. Some, nevertheless, are vigo- rous, from being sheltered by walls and frequently watered. Five or six trees, somewhat bush)^ (island fig-trees,) are planted here and there in the streets, where may be seen also four or five baobabs, the leaves of which are devoured by the negroes before !hey are fully blown, and a palm of the species of Ronn, which serves as a signal-post for ships at sea. A league and a half from the island of St. Louis is situated the island of Babaguey. It is almost entirely cultivated^ bat the soil is so arid that it will scarcely grow any thing but cotton. There is a military station on this island, and a sig- nal-post, MM. Artigue and Gansfort each have a small dwelling here. The house, built in the European manner, which is there seen, serves to hold the soldiers and to accom- modate the officers of Senegal on their parties of pleasure. The island of Safal is situated to the east of Babaguey, and is separated from it by an arm of the sea. This was the asylum which we chose in the end to withdrav^- from misery, as will be seen in the sequel. To the east of the island of Safal is situated the large isl- and of Bokos, the fertility of which is very superior to the three preceding. Here are seen large fields of millet, maize, cotton and indigo, of the best quality. The negroes have es- tablished large villages here, the inhabitants of which live in happy ease- To the north of these islands, and to the east of Senegal, is the island of Sor, where resides a kind of black prince, called by the French, Jean Bart. The general aspect of this island is arid, but there are places susceptible of being made into large plantations. M. Valentin, merchant at St. Louis, has already planted several thousand feet of cotton, which is in a thriving condition. But that island being very much exposed to the incursions of the Moors of the desert, it would perhaps be imprudent to live in it. A multitude of other islands, formed by the encroachments of the riyer upon the main land, border on those of which I have already spokcii, several leagues distant to the north and east. The}' are principally covered with marshes, which it would be difficult to drain. In these isLnds grows the patri- arch of vegetables described by the celebrated Adanson, un- der the name of Baobab, (calibash tree,) the circumference of which is often found to be above one hundred feet. SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 343 Several other islands, more or less extended than the pre- ceding, rise above the river near to St. Louis, as far as Po- dor; the greater part of which are not inhabited, although their soil is as fertile as those near Senegal. This indiffer- ence of the negroes in cultivating these' islands, is explained by the influence which the Moors of the Desert of Sahara are permitted to have over all the country bordeiing upon Senegal, the inhabitants of which they carry off to sell to the slave merchants of the island of St. Louis. It is not to be doubted that the abolition of the slave trade, and the acquisition which the French have made in the countiy of Dagama, will soon destroy the preponderance of the barbarians of the Desert upon the banks of the Senegal ; and that things being placed on their former footino-, the negroes established in the French colonies will be permitted to enjoy in peace the fields which they have planted. Among all the islands, Tolde, which is about two leagues in circumference, seems to be the most convenient for a mili- tary and agricultural station. Near to the village of Dagama, up the river, is the island of Morfil, which is not less than fifty leagues from east to west, and about eight or len in breadth. The negroes of the republic of Peules cultivate great quantities of millet, maize, indigo, cotton, and tobacco. The country of the Peules ne- groes extends about one hundred and twenty leagues, by thirty in breadth. It is a portion of the ancient empire of the negro AVolofs, Avhich, in former times, comprehended all the countries situated between the rivers Senegal and Gam- bia. The countr}?- of the Peules is watered by a branch of the Senegal, which thej^ call Morfil ; and, like Lower Egypt, owes irs extreme fertility to its annual overflowing. The sur- prising abundance of their harvests, which are twice a year, makes it considered as the granary of Senegal. Here are to be seen immense fields finely cultivated, extensive forests producing the rarest and finest kinds of trees, and a prodi- gious diversity of plants and shrubs fit for dyeing and medi- cine. To the east of the Peules is the country of Gklam, or Ka- yaga, situated two hundred leagues from the island of St. Louis. The French have an establishment in the village of Baquel. The eountr}^, from its being a little elevated, enjoys at all times a temperature sufficiently cool and healthful. Its soil is considered susceptible of every species of cultivation : the mines of gold and silver, which border upon it, promise 344 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. one day to rival the richest in the possession of Spain in the New World. This conjecture is sufficiently justified by the reports sent to Europe by the agents of the African and In- dian Companies, and particularly by M. de Buffon, who, in a MS. deposited in the archives of the colonies, thus expresses himself: — " It is certain that there are found in the sand of the rivers (in the country of Galam) various precious stones, such as rubies, topazes, sapphires, and perhaps some diamonds; and there are in the mountains veins of gold and silver," Two productions, not less estimable perhaps than gold and silver, are indigenous to this fine country, and increase in the most prodigious manner there ; viz. the Lotus, or bread-tree, of the ancients, spoken of by Pliny ; and the Shea, or butter- tree, of which the English traveler Mungo Park has given a description. We w^ere happy enough, at least content, at Senegal, until the sickness of my step-mother broke in upon the repose we enjoyed. Toward the middle of July, 1817, she fell dange- rously ill; all the symptoms of a malignant fever appeared in her ; and in spite of all the assistance of art and the care we bestowed upon her, she died in the beginning of November of the same year. Her loss plunged us all into the deepest af- fliction. My father was inconsolable. From that melancholy period there was no happiness for our unfortunate family; chagrin, sickness, enemies, all seemed to conspire against us. A short while after her death my father received a letter from the chemist at Paris, informing him that the sam.ple of potash which he had sent to France was nothing but marine salt and some particles of potash and salt-petre. This news, although disagreeable, did not affect us, because Ave had still greater misfortunes to deplore. About the end of the year, my father, finding his employment would scarcely enable him to support his numerous family, turned his attention to commerce, hoping thus to do some good, as he intended to send me to look after the family, and to take charge of the new improvem.ents in the island, which had become very dear to him from the time he had deposited in it the mortal remains of his wife and his jj'oungest child. For the better success of his project, he went into copartnership with a certain personage in the colo- ny; but instead of benefiting his speculations, as he had flat- tered himself, ^it proved nothing but loss. Beside, he was cheated in an unworthy manner by the people in whom he had placed his confidence ; and as he was prohibited by the French authorities from trafficing, he could not plead his own de- SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 345 fense, nor get an account of the merchandise of which they had defrauded him. Some time after he had sustained this loss, he bought a large boat, which he refitted at a considera- ble expense. He made the purchase in the hope of being able to traffic with the Portugese of the island of Cape Verd, but in vain ; the governor of the colony prohibited him from all communication with these islands. Such were the first misfortunes which we experienced at Senegal, and which were only the precursors of still greater to come. Beside all these, my father had much trouble and vexation to endure in the employment he followed. The bad state of the affairs of the colony, the poverty of the greater part of its inhabitants, occasioned to him all sorts of contradictions and disagreements. Debts Avere not paid, the ready-money sales did not go ofT; processes multiplied in a frightful man- ner; every day creditors came to the office soliciting actions against their debtors ; in a word, he was in a state of perpe- tual torment, either with his own personal matters, or with those of others. However, as he hoped soon to be at the head of the agricultural establishment projected at Senegal, he supported his difficulties with great courage. In the expedition which was to have taken place in 1815, the Count Trigant de Beaumont, whom the king had appointed governor of Senegal, had promised my father to reinstate him in the rank of captain of infantry, which he had held before the Revolution, and after that to appoint him to the command of the counting-house of Galam, dependent upon the govern- ment of Senegal. In 1816, my father again left Paris with that hope, for the employment of attorney did not suit his dis- position, which was peaceable and honest. He had the first gift of the documents concerning the countries where they were to found the agricultural establishments in Africa, and had proposed plans which were accepted of at the time by the President of the Council of State, and by the Minister of Marine, for the colonization' of Senegal ; but the unfortunate event of 1815 having overturned every thing, another gover- nor was nominated for that colony in place of Count Trigant de Beaumont. All his plans and proposed projects were in- stantly altered for the purpose of giving them the appearance of novelty; and my father found himself in a situation to ap- ply these lines of Virgil to himself: " Hos ego versiculos feci, tulit alter honores." These lines I made, another has the praise. 346 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. At first the new governor (M. Schmaltz) was almost dispos- ed to employ my father in the direction of the agricultural establishment of Senegal ; but he allowed himself to be cir- cumvented by certain people to whom my father had perhaps spoken too much truth. He thought no more of him, and we were set up as a mark of every kind of obloquy. Finding then that he could no longer reckon upon the pro- mises which had been made to him on the subject of the plans which he had proposed for the colony of Senegal, my father turned his attention to the island of Safal, which seemed to promise a little fortune for himself and family. He doubled the number of his laboring negroes, and appointed a black overseer for superintending his work. In the beginning of 1818 we believed our cotton crop would make us amends for the loss which we had sustained at various times. All our plants were in the most thriving condition, and promised an abundant harvest. We had also sown maize, millet, and some country beans, which looked equally well. At this period M. Schmaltz was recalled to France. M. Flauriau succeeded him ; but the nomination of the new go- vernor did not alleviate our condition. Every Sunday my fa- ther went to visit his plantation, and to give directions for the labors of the week. He had built a large hut for the over- seer, upon the top of a little hill, which was almost exactly in the centre of the island. It was a little distance from the small house which he had raised as a tomb to receive the re- mains of his wife and child, whom he had at first buried in a place to the south of the cotton field. He surrounded the monument of his sorrow with a kind of evergreen bean-tree, which soon crept over the grave, and entirely concealed it from view. This little grove of verdure, attracted, by the freshness of its foliage, a multitude of birds, and served them for a retreat. My father never left this place but he was more tranquil and less affected with his misfortunes. Toward the middle of April, seeing his plants had produ- ced less cotton than he had expected, and that the hot wind and grasshoppers had made great havoc in his plantations, my father decided to leave upon it but one old negro, for superin- tending the day-laborers, whom he had reduced to four. In the meantime we learned that some merchants, settled at Senegal, had written to France against my father. They complained that he had not employed sufficient severity against some unfortunate persons who had not been able to pay their SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 347 debts ; and they exclaimed against some miserable specula- tions which we had made in the country of Fouta Toro, for procuring grain necessary for the support of his negroes. The expedition to Galam making preparations for its de- parture,* my father, in spite of the insinuations of some mer- chants of the colony, was desirous also of trying his fortune. He associated himself with a person who was to make the voyage; he bought European goods, and refitted his boat, which again occasioned him loss. Toward the middle of August, 1818, the expedition set off A month after its de- parture, my cousin, whom the country had considerably af- fected, returned to France, to our great regret. My sister and myself found ourselves the only society to enable us to support oar sorrows; however, as we hoped to return to France in a few years, we overcame our disappointment. We had already in some degree recovered our tranquility, in spite of all our misfortunes and the solitude in which we lived, when my father received a letter from the governor of the colony, announcing to him, that, by the decision of the minister of marine, a new attorney had come to Senegal, and enjoining him at the same time to place the papers of the office in the hands of his successor. Such a circum.sta-nce could not fail to affect us very much ; for the few resources we possessed made us anticipate an event almost as horrible as the shipwreck which exposed our flimily to all the horrors of want in the boundless deserts of Sahara. My father, however, having nothing with which he could reproach himself, courageously supported this new mis- fortune, hopinof, sooner or later, to be able to unmask those who had urged his ruin. He wrote a letter to his excellen- cy the Minister of Marine, in which he detailed the affairs of the office of the colony, the regularity of the accounts, the unfortunate condition to v/hich his numerous family were re- duced by the loss of his employment, and concluded with these words: — "Broken without being heard, at the end of twenty-nine years of faithful service, but too proud to make me afraid of a disgrace which cannot but be honorable to me, * The voyage from Senegal to the country of Galam is made but once a year, because it is necessary to take advantage of the over- flowing of the river, either in coming or going. The merchant boats which are destined to make the voyage look like a fleet, and depart in the middle of August, under escort of a king's ship, commissioned tx) pay the droits and oustoms to the negro princes of the interior, vvith whom that colony is connected. 348 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. especially as it has its source in those philanthropic principles which I manifested in the abandoning of the raft of the Medu- sa, I resign myself in silence to my destiny." This letter, full of energy, although a little too firm, failed not to affect the feeling heart of the Minister of Marine, who wrote to the governor of Senegal to give my father some employment in the administration of the colony. But that order had either remained too long in the office of the minis- ter, or the governor of Senegal had judged it proper not to communicate the good news to us, as we did not hear of the order of the minister till after the death of my father, nearly fifteen months after its date. When my father had rendered his accounts, and installed his successor into the colony's office, he told me it would be quite necessary to think of returning into his island of Safal, to cultivate it ourselves. He persuaded me that our planta- tion suffered sorely from the want of our personal care, and that the happiness and tranquility of a country life would soon make us forget our enemies and our sufferings. It was then decided that I should set off on the morrow, with two of ray brothers, to go and cultivate the cotton at the plantation. We took our little shallop and two negro sailors, and by daybreak were upon the river, leaving at Senegal my fiither, my sister Caroline, and the youngest of our brothers and sisters. For the space of two m'onths I endured, as did my little brothers, the beams of a burning sun, the irritations of insects and thoi^ns, and the want of that food to which we had been accustomed. I suffered during all the day from a severe headache : but I collected from the ground which belonged to us the cotton, on which were founded all our hopes. At night my tAvo young brothers and myself retired into the cot- tage which Ave used in the island : the working negroes brought the cotton which we had collected during the day; after which I set about preparing supper. The children, ac- companied by the old negro Etienne, (the keeper of the plan- tation,) went and picked up some branches of dry wood. We lighted a large fire in the middle of the hut, and I kneaded the cakes of millet flour which were to be our supper, as Avell as what was to supply us the next day. My paste being prepar- ed, I laid each cake upon the fire which the children had lighted. Often, and especially when we were very hungry, I placed them on a shovel of iron, which I set upon the fire. This quick mode of proceeding procured us millet bread in less than half an hour : but it jnust be confessed that this SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 349 species of wafers or cakes, though well enough prepared and baked, was far from having the taste of those we eat at Paris. However, to make them more palatable, I added butter when I had it, or we ate them with some sour milk. With the first dish Avas served up at the same time the dessert, which stood in place of dainties, of roast meat and salad ; it generally con- sisted of boiled beans, or roasted pistachio nuts. On festival days, being those when my father came to see us, we forgot our bad fare in eating the sweet bread he brought with him from Senegal. In the month of December, 1818, having gone one morning with my brothers to take a walk among the woods behind our cottage, I found a tree covered with blossoms as white as snow, and wdiich had a delicious smell. We gathered a great quantity of them, which we carried home ; but these flowers, as we afterward found by sad experience, contained a delete- rious poison Their strong and pungent odor caused vio- lent pains in the head, forerunners of a malignant fever, which brought us within two steps of the grave. Two days after my young brothers were seized; fortunately my father arrived on the foiiovring day and removed them to Senegal Nov/ then I was alone with my old negro Etienne in the island of Safal, far from my family, isolated in the midst of a desert island, in which the birds, the wolves, and the tigers, composed the sole population. I gave free course to my tears and sorrows. The civilized vrorld, said I to mj-self, is far from me, an immense river separates me from my friends. Alas ! what comfort can 1 find in this frightful solitude ? What can I do upon this VvTetched earth? Eat although I said I v.-as unfortunate, was I not necessary to my unhappy father? Had I not promist-d to assist him in the education of his chil- dren, v.'hom cruel death had deprived of their mother ? Yes ! yes ! I vvas too sensible my life was yet necessar5\ Engaged in these melancholy reflections, I fell into a depression of mind which it wojild be diflicult to describe. Next morning the tumult of my thoughts led me to the banks of the river, where, the preceding evening, I had seen the canoe carry aw^ay my father and my young brothers. There I fixed my humid eyes upon the expanse of water without seeing any thing but a horrible immensity ; then, as recovered from my sorrow, I turned to the neighboring fields to greet the flowers and plants which the sun was just beginning to gild. They were my friends, m.y companions ; they alone could yet alleviate ray melancholy, and render my loneliness supportable. At last 30 350 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. the star of day arising above the horizon, admonished me to resume my labors. Having- returned to the cottage, I went to the harvest with Etienne. For the space of two days I continued at my ac- customed occupations, but on the morning of the third, on re- turning from the plantation to the house, I felt myself sudden- ly seized with a violent pain in my head. As soon as I reached home I lay down. On the morning I found mysel/ unable to rise out of bed ; a burning fever had manifested itself during the night, and even deprived me of the h6pe 0/ being able to return to Senegal. I was incapable of doing any thing. The good Etienne, touched with my condition, took his fowling-piece and went into the neighboring woods, to endeavor to shoot me some game. An old vulture was the only produce of the chase. He brought it to me, and, in spite of the repugnance I express- ed for that species of birds, he persisted in boiling some of it for me. In about an hour afterward he presented me with a bowlof that African broth: but I found it so bitter I could not swallow it. I felt myself -getting worse, and every mo- ment seemed to be the last of life. At last, about noon, hav- ing collected all my remaining strength, I wrote to my father the distressed state I was in ; Etienne took the charge of car- rying my letter, and left me alone in the midst of our island. At night I experienced a great increase of fever ; my strength abandoned me entirely; I was unable to shut the door of the house in which I la}^ 1 w^as far from my family ; no human being dwelt in the island ; no person witnessed my sufferings. I fell into a state of utter unconsciousness, and I knew not what I did during the remainder of the night. On the follow- ing morning, having recovered from my insensibility, I heard some person near me utter sorrowful cries ; it was my good sister Caroline. I opened my eyes, and to my astonishment found myself at Senegal, surrounded by an afflicted family. I felt as if I had returned from the other world. My father had set off on the instant he had received my letter,^ with Eti- enne, to the island, and finding me delirious, took me to Se- negal without my being conscious of it. Recovering by de- grees from my confusion, I was desirous of seeing my bro- thers, who had been attacked the same way as myself Our house looked like an hospital. Here a dying child wished them to take away the monster he imagined he saw before his bed; there another demanded something to drink, then re- fusing to take the medicines which were offered to him, filled SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 351 the house with his groans ; at a distance my feeble voice was heard asking- something to quench the thirst which con- sumed me. However, the unremitting care we received, as well as the generous medicine of M. Gluincey, with the tender concern of my father and my sister Caroline, soon placed us out of dan- ger. I then understood that the flowers I had had the im- prudence to collect in the wood of Safal had been the princi- pal cause of my illness, as well as that of my brothers. In the meanwhile my father built two new huts in the island, with the intention of going and living there with all his family. But as his affairs kept him some days at Senegal, he was prevented from returning to Safal with the children, to con- tinue the collecting of cotton. On the morrow we all set ofT. When we had arrived upon the Marigot, in the island of Ba- bagney, we hailed the keeper of our island to come and take us over in his canoe. In the meantime I amused myself in looking at our habitation, which seemed very much embel- lished since my departure, as it had been augmented with two new cottages. I discovered the country to be much greener since I last saw it ; in a word, all nature seemed smiling and beautiful. At last Etienne, to whom we had been calling for a quarter of an hour, arrived with his canoe, into which we stepped, and soon were again in the island of Safal. Arrived at my cottage, I began to examine all the changes my father had made during my illness. The small cottage situated to the west, I chose as my sleeping apartment. It was well made with straw and reeds, yet green, and the win- dow, whence was seen the cotton field, was of the greatest advantage to me. I began to clean the floor of my apart- ments, which Avas nothing else than sand, among which were various roots and blades of grass. After that I went to visit the little poultry yard, where I found two ducks and some hens placed there a short while before. I was very glad of these little arrangements ; and returned to the principal cot- tage to prepare breakfast. After this we betook ourselves to the business of cotton gathering. Eight days had already elapsed since our return to the isl- and of Safal, when one morning Ave perceived our shallop up- on the river, which we always knew by a signal placed upon the mast head. It was my father, who brought twelve ne- groes with him, which he had hired at Senegal, for assisting him in the cultivation of his island. The men were instantly set to brefik up the soil ; the women and children assisted us 352 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA, in gathering cotton. My father then dismissed the negroes who worked by the day, as he had to come and go to Senegal, where the urgency of his business yet required his presence. I remained a long while without seeing him ; but at the end of eight days I was agreeably surprised at finding our boat in the little bay of the Babaguey. I ran with the family negroes to disembark our effects, and I soon had the pleasure of holding my sister Caroline in my arms. My father came on shore afterward with the youngest children, and all the family found themselves united under the roof of the African cottage, in the island of Safal. " You see, my child," said my father to me on entering our huts, " you see all our rich- es ! we have neither movables nor house at Senegal : every thing we can claim as our own is here." I embraced my fa- ther, and my brothers and sisters, and then went to unload our boat. Our house was soon filled. It served at once for a cellar, granary, store-house, a parlor, and bed-chamber. However, we found a place for every thing : next day vv^e be- gan to fit them up more commodiously. My sister and my- self lived in the small house to the west ; my father took up his residence in that toward the east ; and the large hut in the centre was the place where the children slept. Round about the last we suspendp.d some boards by cords, to hold our dishes and various kitchen utensils. A table, two bench- es, and some chairs, a large couch, some old barrels, a mill to grind the cotton, and implements of husbandry, constituted the iurniture of that cottage. Nevertheless, in spite of its hum- bleness, the sun came and gilded our roofs of straw and reeds. My father then fitted up his cottage as a study. Here were boards suspended by small cords, upon which his books and papers were arranged with the greatest order ; there a fir board, supported by four feet driven into the ground, served as a desk ; at a distance stood his gun, his pistols, his sword» his clarionet, and some mathematical instruments. A chair, a small couch, a pitcher, and a cup, formed his little furniture. Our cottage was situated on the top of a little hill of gentle ascent. Forests of mangrove trees, gum-trees, tamarind- trees, sheltered us on the west, the north, and the east. To the south was situated the plantation Avhich we called South- field. This field was already covered with about three hun- dred thousand feet of cotton, a third of which had nearly be- gun to be productive. Upon the banks of the river, and to the west of the cotton field, was situated our garden ; finally, to the south of the plain were our fields of maize, beans, and millet. SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 353 Our little republic, to which my father gave laws, was go- verned in the following manner : — We usually rose about day- break, and met altogether in the large cottage. After having embraced our father, we fell upon oim knees to return thanks to the Supreme Being, for the gift of another day. That fin- ished, my father led the negroes to their work, during which my sister and myself arranged the family affairs, and prepar- ed breakfast, when, about eight o'clock, we returned to the cottage. Breakfast being over, each took his little bag and went and gathered cotton. About noon, as the heat became insupportable, all returned to the cottage, and worked at dif- ferent employments. I was principally charged with the edu- cation of my young brothers and sisters, and the young ne- groes of the family. Round my little hut were suspended various pictures for study, upon which I taught them to read, according to the method of mutual assistance. A bed of sand, smoothed upon a small bench, served the younger ones to trace and understand the letters of the alphabet ; the others wrote upon slates. We bestowed nearly two hours upon each exercise, and then my scholars amused themselves at different games. At three o'clock all returned to the cotton field, and remained till five. Dinner, which we usually had at six, was followed by a little family conversation, in which the children were interrogated concerning w^hat they had been taught during the day. When I was well pleased with them I promised them a story, or a fable, in the evening. Some- times after dinner we went to take a short walk on the banks of the river ; then returned to the cottage, where Etienne had the care of lighting a large fire, the heat of which forced the musketoes and gnats to yield their place to the little cir- cle which our family made round the hearth. Then my sis- ter Caroline and myself related some fables to the children, or read them a lesson from the Evangelists or the Bible ; whilst my father smoked his pipe, amusing himself by con- templating all his family around him. The hour of going to bed being arrived, we made a common prayer, after which all retired to their separate huts to sleep. Thus our days glided away amid the occupations of the fields and the recreations of the family. On Sundays our labors were suspended. Sometimes, to spend the day more agreeably, and avoid the molestations of the hunters, who of- ten came to our island, we went to the island of Bokos, situ- ated to the east of Safal. On reaching it, we seated ourselves under a large baobab, which was more than thirty feet in eir- 30* 554 saiPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA, cumference. After having finished our humhle repast under the, umbrage of that wonderful tree, my father would go and amuse himself with the chase; my sister Caroline and my- self went to search for rare plants to assist our studies in botany ; whilst the children hunted butterflies and other in- sects. Charles, the eldest of the boys, swam like a fish ; and when my father shot a duck or aigreite upon the water, he would instantly throw himself in and fetch the game. At other times he would climb the top of the trees to rob the birds, QT bury himself in the midst of bushes to gather the fruits of the countrj^ then run, all breathless and delighted, to present us with his discovery. We would remain in the isl- and till nearly four in the afternoon, then return to our boat, and our negi'oes rowed us to our island. During the time of the greatest heats, for we could not long endure the rays of the sun, we passed a part of the Sun- day under a very bushy tamarind tree, which stood at a little distance from our cottage. Thus, in the good times, did the lords, barons, and marquises gather themselves under the old elms of the village, to discuss the concerns of their vassals^ in like manner did my father collect us under the tamarind tree, to regulate the afiairs of his republic, and also to enjoy the landscapes which our island afibrded. We sometimes took our meals there, and on those occasions the ground serv- ed us at once for table, table-cloth, and seat. The children gamboled on the grass, and played a thousand tricks to amuse ms. We now began to discover that ever}^ condition of life has its own peculiar enjoyments. If the labors of the week seemed long and laborious, the Sabbath recompensed us by our country recreations. Vv^e lived thus for some time in the greatest tranquillity. Shut up in a desert island from ajl so- ciety, we ventured to think we had discovered the condition of real happiness. Every Wednesday we sent two negroes to the village of Gandiolle, to purchase provisions, such as butter, milk, eggs, &c. One day, however, my father resolved to purchase a cow and thirty fowls, that we might have in our island all the little necessaries used by a family. Our poultry yard being thus augmented, we looked upon ourselves as great as the richest princes in Africa ; and in truth, since we had a cot- tage, milk, butter, eggs, maize, millet, cotton, tranquillity and health, what more was necessary to our comfort ? Whilst we were thus enjoying, in peace, our little good for- tone, my father received a letter desiring him to repair to Se- SHIPWRECK OF THE 5IEDUSA. 355 negal with all possible speed. He went, and left me at the head of our establishment, but a great misfortune happened, which we could not prevent ; — six of our laboring negroes whom we had hired, deserted during the night, and took our small boat with them. I was extremely distressed, and in- stantly made Etienne swim the river and go and beg of the President at Babaguey to take him to my father, who was still at Senegal, to tell him the melancholy news. That good ne- gro was soon on the other side of the water, and went to M. Lerouge ,(the name of the President,) who gave him his ca- noe. A.t night, we saw him returning without my father, who went into the country to search for the fugitive negroes. He spent three whole days in the countries of Gandiolle and Touby, v\'hich lie in the neighborhood of our island, but ail his labor was in vain. The deserting negroes had already gained the forest of the interior ; and my father, exhausted with fatigue, returned to Safal. I confess, though I was deep- ly distressed at the desertion of these slaves, who were so necessary to us for realizing our agricultural projects, my heart could not blame these unfortunate creatures, who only sought to recover that freedom from Avhich they had been torn. At this date, that is, about the 1st of March, 1819, we learned that M. Schmaltz had returned from France, and was in the Bay of St. Louis ; and that the Minister of Marine had approved of all the projects relative to the agricultural esta- blishment at Senegal. This news revived my father's hopes. As this establishment had been originally proposed by him, he flattered himself they would do him justice in the end. In this expectation, he went to meet with Governor Schmaltz, who hxad to pass our house on the morrow : but he would not speak with him. On the following day my father wrote to him from the hotel at St. Louis ; four days after which we were assured that the governor was very far from wishing us well, and still farther from doing justice to my father. How- ever, some of his friends encouraged him to make fresh en- deavors, and persuaded him he would obtain a premium of encouragement for having first set the example of cultivating cotton at Senegal : they assured him also that funds had been sent to M. Schmaltz for that purpose. Vain hope ! every dlaim was rejected, we had not even the satisfaction of know- ing whether the premium which my father sought was due to him or not ; we got no reply. My father wishing to make a last attempt to ward off the misery which menaced us, went to supplicate the governor to allow us either money to pur- 356 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. chase food, or rations. This last petition was not more suc- cessful than the former. We were abandoned to our unhap- py fate, whilst more than twenty persons, who had never done any service to the government, received, gratis, rations every day from the magazines of the colony. "Very well!" said my father to me when he found he Avas refused that assistance which M. Schmaltz had ordered to the other unfortunate per- sons in the colony, " let the governor be happy if he can, I will not envy his felicity. Behold, my child, behold this roof of thatch which covers us: see these hurdles of reeds which molder into dust, this bed of rushes, my body already impaired by-years, and my children weeping around me for bread! You see a perfect picture of poverty! Nevertheless, there are yet beings upon the earth more unfortunate than we are !" — " Alas I" said I to him, " our misery is great; but I can support it, and even greater, VA'ithout complaining, if I saw you exposed to less harassing cares. All your children are young, and of a good constitution ; we can endure mis- fortune, and even habituate ourselves to it ; but we have cause to fear that the want of wholesome and sufficient food will make you fall, and then we shall be deprived of the only stay we have upon earth." — " O my dear child," cried my fa- ther, " you have penetrated into the secrets of my soul, you know all my fears, and I will no longer endeavor to conceal the sorrow which has weighed for a longtime upon my heart. However, my death may perhaps be a blessing to my family ; my bitter enemies will then doubtless cease to persecute you." — " My father," replied I, " break not my heart ; how can you, forgetting your children, their tender affection, the assistance which you ought to give them, and which they have a right to expect from you, wish us to believe your death will be a benefit to us ?" He was moved with these words, and his tears flowed in abundance ; then, pressing me to his bo- som, he cried, " No, no, my dear children, I will not die, but will live to procure for you an existence more comfortable tlsan that you have experienced since we came to Senegal. From this moment I break every tie which binds me to the government of this colony ; I will go and procure for you a new abode in the interior of the country of the negroes ; yes, my dear children, we will find more humanity among the sa- vage hordes that live in our neighborhood, than among the greater part of these Europeans who compose the adminis- tration of this colony." In fact, some time after, my father obtained from the negro prince of the province of Cayor, a SHIPWRECK OF THK MEDUSA. 357 grant on his estates, and we were to take possession of it af- ter the rainy season : but heaven had decided otherwise. From this time my father, always indignant at the manner in which the governor had acted toward us, resolved to re- tire ahogether lo his island, and to have as little intercourse with the Europeans of the colony as he could. Nevertheless, he received with pleasure the friends who from time to time came to visit us, and who sometimes carried him to St. Louis, where they disputed among themselves the pleasure of enter- taining him, and of making him forget his misfortunes by the favors which they heaped upon him ; but the mortifications he had experienced in that town made him always impatient till he returned to his island. One day as he returned from Senegal, after having spent tw^o days at the house of his friends, they lent him a negro mason to build an oven for us ; for till then v^^e had always baked our bread upon the embers. With this oven we were no longer obliged to eat our millet- bread with the cinders which so plenteously stuck to it. One morning as he was preparing to take the negroes to their labor, he perceived his dog did not follow him as usual. He called, but in vain. Then he thought his faithful com- pavuion had crossed the river to Babaguey, as he used to do sometimes. Arrived at the cotton field, my father remarked large foot-prints upon the sand, which seemed to be those of a tiger, and beside them several drops of blood, and doubted not that his poor Sultan had been devoured. He immediately returned to the cottage to acquaint us with the fate of his dog, which we greatly regretted. From that day the children were prohibited from going any distance from home ; my sis- ter and myself durst no more walk among the woods as we used to do. Four days after the loss of the faithful Sultan, as we were going to bed, we heard behind our cottage mewings like those of a cat, but much louder. My father instantly rose, and in spite of our entreaties and fears, went out armed with his sword and gun, in the hope of meeting with the animal whose frightful cries had filled us wdth dread ; but the ferocious beast, having heard a noise near the little hill where it was, made a leap over his head and disappeared in the woods. He returned a little frightened at the boldness and agility of the creature, and gave up the pursuit till the following day ; he caused some negroes to come from the island of Babaguey; whom he joined with his own, and putting himself at their head, he thought he would soon return with the skin of the ti- 358 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. ger. But the carnivorous animal did not appear during all that night; he contented himself with uttering dismal howl- ings in the midst of the woods. My father being called to Senegal by some of his friends, left us on the morrow. Be- fore going, he strictly enjoined us to keep fast the doors of the house, and to secure ourselves against ferocious beasts. At night we barricadoed every avenue to our cottage, and shut up the dog with us, which a friend of my father had brought to him from the town, to supply the place of that which we had lost. But my sister and myself were but ill at ease ; for our huts being already decayed, we were afraid the tiger would get in and devour the successor of poor Sul- tan. However, Etienne came and quieted our fears a little, by saying he would make the round of the huts during the night. We then lay down, having left our lamp burning. Toward the middle of the night I was awoke by a hollow noise which issued from the extremity of our large chamber. I listened attentively ; and the noise increasing, 1 heard our dog growling, and also a kind of roaring like that of a lioriw Seized with the greatest terror, I awoke my sister Caroline, who, as well as myself, thought a ferocious beast had got into the cottage. In an instant our dog raised the most terrible barking ; the other animal replied by a hollow, but hideous growl. AH this uproar passed in my father's chamber. Our minds were paralyzed ; the children awoke and came and precipitated themselves in our arms ; but none durst call Etienne to our assistance. At last my sister and myself de- cided we should go and see what occasioned all this noise. Caroline took the lamp in one hand and a stick in the other, and I armed myself with a long lance. Arrived at the mid- dle of the large cottage, we discovered, at the end of my fa- ther's study, our dog, who had seized a large animal covered with yellowish hair. The fears which perplexed us left no doubt but that it was either a lion, or at least a tiger. We durst neither advance nor retreat, and our weapons fell from our hands. In a moment these two furious creatures darted into the hut where we were ; the air was rent with their cries ; our legs bent under us ; we fell upon the floor in a faint ; the lamp was extinguished, and we believed we were devoured. Etienne at length awoke, knocked at the door, then burst it open, ran up to us, lighi-ed the lamp, and showed us our mis- take. The supposed lion was nothing else than a large dog, from the island of Babaguey, fighting with ours. Etienne separated them with a stick ; and the furious animal, which SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 359 had frightened us so much, escaped through the same hole by which he had entered our house. We stopped up the opening and retired to bed, but were not able to sleep. My father having arrived next morning from Senegal, we recount- ed to him the fright we had during the night, and he instantly set about repairing the wails of our cottage. It was now the beginning of May : our cotton harvest was completely finished, but it was not so productive as we had hoped. The rains had not been abundant the preceding year, which caused the deficiency in our crop. We now became more economical than ever, to be able to pass the bad season which had set in. We now lived entirely on the food of the negroes ; we also put on clothing more suitable to our situa- tion than that we had hitherto worn. A piece of coarse cotton, wrought by the negroes, served to make us dresses, and clothes for the children ; my father was habited in coarse blue silk. On purpose to ameliorate our condition, he sent on Sundays, to Senegal, a negro, to purchase two or three loaves of white bread. It was, in our melancholy condition, the finest repast we could procure. One Sunday evening, as all the family were seated rounrl a large fire eating some small loaves which had been brought from Senegal, a negro from the main land gave my father a letter ; it was from N. Renaud, Surgeon-Major at Bakal, in Galam, announcing to us, to complete the sum of our misfor- tunes, that the merchandise he had sent to Galam, the prece- ding year, had been entirely consumed by fire. " Now," cried my unhappy father, '.' my ruin is complete ! Nothing more wretched can touch us. You see, my dear children, that Fortune has not ceased persecuting us. We have nothing more to expect from her, since the only resource which re- mamed has been destroyed." This new misfortune, which we little expected, plunged all our family into the deepest distress. " What misfortunes ! what mortifications !" cried I ; "it is time to quit this land of wretchedness ! Leave it then ; return to France ; there only we will be able to forget all our misfortunes. And you, cruel enemies of my father, whom we have to reproach for all the misery we have experienced in these lands, ma}^ you, in pun- ishment for all the evil you have done us, be tortured with the keenest remorse!" It cost all the philosophy of my father to quiet our minds after the fatal event. He comforted us by saying that Heaven alone was just, and that it was our duty to rely upon it. Some 360 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA, days after our friends from Senegal came to pay us a visit, and testified for us the greatest sorrow. They agreed among them- selves to engage all the Europeans in the colony in a voluntarj'- subscription in our behalf; but my father opposed it by say- ing he could not receive assistance from those who were so truly his friends. The generous M. Dard, director of the French school, was not the last nor least who took an interest in us. As soon as he heard of the unfortunate news, he cor- dially offered my father all the money he had, and endeavored to get provisions for us from the government stores, but he failed. After the visits of my father's friends we were not so unhappy, and yet enjoyed some tranquillity in our humble cottage. He brought a barrel of wine and two of flour, to support us during the rainy season, or winter, a period so fatal to Europeans Avho inhabit the torrid zone. It was yet but about the beginning of June, 1819, and al- ready the humid winds of the south announced the approach of the bad season, or winter. The whirlwinds of the north no longer brought the hot sands of the desert : but instead of them came the south-east, bringing clouds of locusts, muske- toes and gnats. We could no longer spend our twilights at the cottage, it was so filled with these insects. We fled every morning to escape their stings, and did not return home till overcome vrith sleep. One night, on entering the hut, after a long day's work at the cotton field, we perceived an animal stealing among the bushes at a soft slow pace: but having heard us, it leaped a very high hedge, and disappeared. From its agility, we discovered it to be a tiger-cat, which had been prowling about our poultry-yard, in the hope of catching some chickens, of which these animals are very fond. The same night my sister and mj^self were awoke with a hollow noise, which we heard near our bed. Our thoughts instantl}' returned to the tiger-cat ; we believed that it was it we heard, and springing up, we awoke my father. Being all three armed, we began by looking under my bed, as the noise seemed to proceed from the bottom of a large hole, deep under ground. We were then convinced it was caused by a serpent, but found it impossible to get at It. The song of this reptile so fright- ened us that we could sleep no longer ; however, we soon be- came accustomed to its invisible music, for at short intervals we heard it all the night. Some time after the discover}'- of the den of this reptile songster, my sister, going to feed five or six pigeons which she had in a little hut, perceived a large serpent, who seemxed to have a wing on each side of its ICEBERGS. These bodies of ice in the Arctic regions, are the creation of age«, annually increasing by snow and rain. — p. 434. THE MAELSTROM. This dreadful whirlpool is so violent that every thing which comes near it, is drawn in and dashed to pieces. — p. 430. SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 361 mouth. She instantly called my father, who quickly ran to her with his gun, but the wings which the creature seemed to have had already disappeared. As his belly was prodigious- ly- swelled, my father made the negroes open it, and, to our great surprise, found four of the pigeons of our dove-cote. The serpent was nearly nine feet in length, and about nine inches in circumference in the middle. After it was skinned, we gave it to the negroes, who regaled themselves upon it. This was not the one, however, which we had heard during the night, for in the evening on which it was killed we heard the whistlings of its companions. We then resolved to look for a more comfortable place to plant our cottage, and to abandon the rising ground to the serpents, and the woods to the tigers. We chose a spot on the south side of our island, pretty near to the banks of the river. When this new ground was prepared my father surrounded it with a hurdle of reeds, and then transported our cottage thither. This manner of removing from one place to another is very expeditious ; in less than three days we were fairly seated in our new abode. However, as we had not time to carry away our poultry, we left them, upon the hill till the place we had appropriated for them was completed. It was fenced on all sides, and covered with a large net, to prevent the birds of prey taking away our little chickens, and we had no fear in leaving them during the night. On the evening of the next day, my sister, accompanied with the children, went to feed the various inhabitants of the poultry-yard; but on approaching it she saw the frame of reeds half fallen, the net rent, and feathers scattered here and there upon the road. Having reached the site of our former cottage, heaps of wor- ried ducks and chickens were the only objects which present- ed themselves. She instantly sent one of the children to ac- quaint us with the disaster, and my father and myself hai^en- ed to the scene of carnage, but it was too late to take any pre- cautions — all our poultry were destroyed ! Two hens and a duck only had escaped the massacre, by having squatted in the bottom of an old barrel. We counted the dead which were left in the yard, and found that the ferocious beasts had eaten the half: about two hundred eggs of ducks and hens, nearly hatched, were destroyed at the same time. This was a great loss to us, especially as we counted as much upon our poultry-yard as upon our plantation. We were obliged to resign ourselves to our fate ; for to what pur- pose would sorrow serve? The evil was done, and it only re- 31 362 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. maiiied for us to guard against the recurrence of a like mis- fortune. The poultry-yard was instantly transported to our new habitation, and we took care to surround it with thorns, to keep off the w^olves, the foxes, and the tigers. Our two hens and the duck were placed in it till we could purchase others. Our new cottage was, as I have already said, situated on the banks of the river. A small wood of mangrove trees and acacias grew to the left, presenting a scene sufficiently agreeable. But the marshy wood sent forth such clouds of musketoes, that from the first day we were so persecuted as scarcely to be able to inhabit our cottage during the night. We were forced to betake ourselves to our canoe, and sail up and down the river ; but we were not more sheltered from the stings of the insects than upon land. Sometimes, after a long course, we would return to the hut, where, in spite of the heat, we would envelope ourselves in thick woolen blank- ets, to pass the night ; then, after being half suffocated, we would fill the house full of smoke, or go and plunge ourselves in the river. I am bold to say, we were the most miserable creatures that ever existed on the face of the earth. The thoughts of passing all the bad season in this state of torture, made us re- gret a hundred times we had not perished in the shipwreck. How, thought I, how is it possible to endure the want of sleep, the stings of myriads of insects, the putrid exhalations of marshes, the heat of the climate, the smoke of our huts, the chagrin which consumes us, and the want of the most neces- sary articles of life, without being overcome ! My father, however, to prevent us seeing the melancholy which weighed upon him, assumed a serene air when his soul was a prey to the most horrible anguish ; but through this pretended pla- cidity it was easy to see the various sentiments by which his heart was affected. Often would that good man say to us, " My children, I am not unhappy, but I suffer to see you buried in the deserts. If 1 could gather a sufficient sum to convey you to France, I would at least have the satisfaction of think- ing you there enjoyed life, and that your youth did not pass in these solitudes, far from human society." — " How, my father," replied I to him, " how can you think we would be happy in France, when we knew you were in misery in Africa ! O, af- flict us not. You know, and we have said so a hundred times, that our sole desire is to remain near you, to assist you to bring up our young brothers and sisters, and to endeavor by SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 363 our care to make them worthy of all your tenderness." The g-ood man would then fold us in his arms ; and the tears which trickled down his cheeks for a while soothed his sufferings* Often, to divert our thoughts from the misery we endured, would we read some of the works of our best authors. My father was usually on these occasions the reader, whilst Ca- roline and myself listened. Sometimes w^e would amuse our- selves with shooting the bow, and chasing the wild ducks and fowls which went about our house. In this manner we en- deavored to dissipate in part our ennui during the day. As our cottage was situated close to the banks of the river, we amused ourselves in fishing whilst the heat and the muske- toes would permit us. Caroline and our young brothers were chiefly charged with fishing for crabs, and they always caught sufficient to afford supper to all the family. But sometimes we had to forego this evening's repast, for the musketoes at that hour were in such prodigious numbers that it was im- possible to remain more than an instant in one place, unless we were enveloped in our coverings of wool. But the chil- dren not having so much sense, would not allow themselves to be thus suffocated ; they could not rest in any place, and every instant their doleful groans forced our tears of pity. O cruel remembrance ! thou makest me yet weep as I write these lines. Toward the beginning of July the rains showed us it was seed time. We began by sowing the cotton, then the fields of millet, maize, and beans. Early in the morning the family went to work : some digged, others sowed, till the fierceness of the sun forced us to retire to the cottage, where we ex- pected a plate of kouskous, of fish, and a little rest. At three o'clock we all returned to the fields, and did not leave off working till the approach of night: then we all went home, and each occupied himself in fishing or hunting. Whilst we were thus busied in providing our supper and provisions for the morrow, we sometimes would receive a visit from the sportsmen who were returning to Senegal. Some would feel for our misery, but many made us w^eep with their vulgar af- fronts. On these occasions Caroline and myself would fly from these disgusting beings, as from the wild beasts who prowled about us. Sometimes, to make us forget the insults and mortifications we experienced from the negro merchants who live at Senegal, and whom curiosity brought to our isl- and, my father would say to us, " Wherefore, my dears, are you distressed with the impertinences of these beings ? Only 864 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. think that, in spite of our wretchedness, you are a hundred times hetter than they who are nothing more than vile traffick- ers in human flesh, sons of soldiers without manners, rich sailors, or free-hooters, without education and without coun- try." One day a French negro merchant, whom I will not name, having crossed the Senegal to the station of Babaguey, and seeing our cottage in the distance, inquired to whom it be- longed. He was told it was the father of a family whom mis- fortune had forced to seek a refuge in that island. I wish I could see them, said the merchant, it will be very drole. In fact, a short while after we had a visit from this curieux, who, after he had said all manner of impertinences to us, went to hunt in our plantation, where he killed the only duck which we had left, and which he had the audacity to carry away in spite of our entreaties. Fortunately for the insolent thief, my father was absent, else he would have avenged the death of the duck which even the tigers had spared in the massacre of our poultry-yard. Since the commencement of winter we had had but little rain, when one night we were roused by a loud peal of thun- der. A horrible tempest swept over us, and the hurricane bent the trees of the fields. The lightning tore up the ground, the sound of the thunder redoubled, and torrents of water were precipitated upon our cottage. 'The winds roared with the utmost fury, our roofs were swept away, our huts were blown down, and all the waters of heaven rushed in upon us. A flood penetrated our habitation ; all our family drenched, confounded, sought refuge under the wrecks of our walls of straw and reeds. All our eflects were floating, and hurried off by the floods which surrounded us. The whole heavens were in a blaze ; the thunderbolt burst, fell, and burnt the mainmast of the French brig Nantaise, which was anchored at a little distance from our island. After this horrible deto- nation, calm was insensibly restored, whilst the hissing of ser- pents and howlings of the wild beasts were the only sounds heard around us. The insects and reptiles, creeping out of the earth, dispersed themselves through all the places of our cottage which water had not covered. Large beetles went buzzing on all sides, and attached themselves to our clothes, whilst the millepedes, lizards, and crabs, of an immense size, crawled over the wrecks of our huts. At last, about ten o'clock, nature resumed her usual tranquillity, the thunder ceased to be heard, the winds instantly fell, and the air re- mained calm and dull. SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 365 After the tempest had eeased, we endeavored to mend our huts a little, but we could not effect it, and were obliged to remain all day under the wrecks of our cottage. Such, how- ever, was the manner in which we spent nearly all our days and nights. In reading this recital, the reader has but a feeble idea of the privations, the sufferings, and the evils, to which the unfortunate Picard family were exposed during their stay in the island of Safal. About this time my father was obliged to go to Senegal. During his absence, the children discovered that the negroes who remained with us had formed a scheme of deserting dur- ing the night. Caroline and myself were much embarrassed and undecided what course to pursue to prevent their escape ; at last, having well considered the matter, we thought, as Etienne would be in the plot, we had no other means of pre- venting their escape but by each of us arming ourselves with a pistol, and thus pass the night in watching them. We bound our canoe firmly with a chain, and seated ourselves, the better to observe their motions. About nine in the evening the two negroes came to the banks of the river, but having discovered us, they feigned to fish, really holding in their hands a small line ; but on coming nearer to them, I saw they had no hooks. I desired them to go to bed, and return on the morrow^ to fish. One of them came close to our canoe, and threw himself into it, thinking he could instantly put off; but when he found it chained, he left it quite ashamed, and went and lay down with his comrade. I set off to look for Etienne, whom we sus- pected to have been in the plot, and told him of the design of the two negroes, and prayed him to assist us in watching them during the night. He instantly rose, and taking my father's gun, bade us sleep in quiet, whilst he alone would be sufficient to overcome them ; however, they made no farther attempt that night, hoping, doubtless, to be more fortunate another time. Next day I wrote to my father to return to Safal be- fore night, for that we were on the eve of losing the remain- der of our negroes. He returned in the evening, resolving never again to quit our cottage. He interrogated the negroes concerning their design of desertion, and asked them what excuse they had to plead. " We are comfortable here," re- plied one of them, " but we are not in our native country : our parents and friends are far from us. We have been deprived of our liberty, and we have made, and will make still farther efforts for its recovery." He added, addressing himself to my father, " If thou, Picard, my master, wert arrested when 31* 366 SHIPWRECK OF tHE MtD^SA. cultivating thy fields, and carried far, far from thy family, wouldst thou not endeavor to rejoin them, and recover thy li- berty?" My father promptly replied, "I would!" "Very well," continued Nakamou, " I am in the same situation as thyself; I am the father of a numerous family; I have yet a mother and some uncles ; I love my v^ife and children, and dost thou think it wonderful I should wish to rejoin them?" My unfortunate father, melted to tears with this speech, resolved to send them to the person from whom he had hired them, for fear he should lose them. If he had thought like the colo- nists, he would have put them in irons, and treated them like rebels ; but he was too kind-hearted to resort to such mea- sures. Some days after, the person to whom the negroes were sent brought us two others ; but they were so indolent we found it impossible to make them work. We however continued sowing ; and more than twenty thousand feet of cotton had already been added to the planta- tion, when our labors were stopped by war suddenly breaking out between the colony and the Moors. We learned that a part of their troops were in the island of Bokos, situated a short distance from our own. It was said that the Arab mer- chants and the Marabouts (priests of the Mussulmans) M-ho usually travel to Senegal on aifairs of commerce, had been arrested by the French soldiers. In the fear that the Moors would come to our island and make us prisoners, we resolved to go to the head-quarters of the colony, and stay there till the war had ceased. My father caused all his effects to be trans- ported to the house of the resident at Babaguey, after which we left our cottage and the island of Safal. Whilst Etienne slowly rowed the canoe which contained our family, 1 ran my eye over the places we were leaving, as if wishing them an eternal adieu. In contemplating our poor cottage, which we had built with such difficulty, I could not suppress my tears. All our plantations, thought I, will be ravaged during our ab- sence ; our home will be burned, and we will lose in an in- stant that which cost us two years of pain and fatigue. I was diverted from these reflections by our canoe striking against the shore of Babaguey. We landed there, and in stantly set off to the residence of M. Lerouge; but he was already at Senegal. We found his house filled with soldiers, which the governor had sent to defend that position against the Moors. My father then borrowed a little shallop to take us to Senegal. Whilst the boat was preparing we ate a mor- sel of millet bread I had had the precaution to make before StttPWRECK OF tHE MEDtTSA. 367 we left Safal ; at last, at six in the evening we embarked for St. Louis, leaving our negroes at Babaguey. My father pro- mised to Etienne to go and rejoin him, to continue the work, if it was possible, as soon as we were in safety. It was very late before we reached Senegal. As we had no lodgings, a friend of my father (M. Thomas) admitted us, his worthy wife loading us with kindness. During our stay in the island of Safal, my father had made various trips to Senegal ; but as my sister and myself had not quitted it for a long time, we found ourselves in another world. The iso- lated manner in which we had lived, and the misfortunes we had endured, contributed in no small degree to give us a sa- vage and embarrassed appearance. Caroline especially had become so timid, she could not be persuaded to appear in company. It is true the nakedness to which we were re- duced, a good deal caused the repugnance we felt at seeing company. Having no cap but our hair, no clothes but a half- worn robe of coarse silk, without stockings and shoes, we felt much distressed in appearing thus habited before a society among whom we had formerly held a certain rank. The good lady Thomas, seeing our embarrassment, kindly dispensed with our appearance at table, as they had strangers in the house. She caused supper to be brought to our chamber, un- der the pretext that we were indisposed. In this manner we escaped the curious and imprudent regards of various young people who had not yet been tutored by the hand of misfor- tune. We learned that we were known at Senegal by diffe- rent names, some calling us The Hermits of the Isle of Safal, others, The Exiles in Africa,. On the morrov/ my father hired an apartment in the house of one of his old friends (M. Valentin.) After breakfast we thanked our hosts, and went to our new lodging. It consisted of a large chamber, the Vv-indovvs of which were under ground, filled with broken panes : thus, in the first night, Ave had such a quantity of musketoes that we thought we were yet in the island of Safal. On the following day my father was desi- rous of returning to his plantation. We in vain represented to him the dangers to which he exposed himself; nothing would divert him from his design. He promised, however, to go to Safal only during the day, and to sleep at the house of the resident at JBabaguey. He told us that it was not the war with the Moors alone which caused him to bring us to Sene- gal, but also the state of sufl^ering in which the whole family was. It is true, our strength was considerably diminished ; 368 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDTJSA. the youngest of my brothers had been for several days at- tacked with a strong fever ; and we were all slightly seized with the same disease. My father, taking our oldest brother with him, left us for the isle of Safal, promising to come and see us every Sunday. I went with him to the court-gate, con- juring him, above all things, not to expose himself, and to take care of his health, which was so precious to us. That worthy man embraced me, and bade me fear nothing on that head, for he too well felt how necessary his life was to his children, to expose it imprudently. " For my health," added he, " I hope to preserve it long, unless Heaven has decided otherwise." With these words he bid me adieu, and went away ; I returned to the house and gave free vent to my tears. I know not what presentiment then seized me, for I felt as if I had seen my fa- ther for the last time ; and it Avas only at the end of the third day, on receiving a letter written with his own hand, that I could divest myself of these gloomy ideas. He told us he was very well, and that all was quiet at Safal. On the same day I wrote to inform him of the condition of our young brother, who was a little better during the evening ; I sent him at the same time some loaves of new bread and three bottles of wine, which a generous person had the goodness to give us. On the follow- ing Sunday we sat waiting his arrival, but a frightful tempest that raged during all the day, deprived us of that pleasure ; we, however, received accounts from him every two days, which were always satisfactory. About the 1st of August, 1819, the best friend of my fa- ther, M. Dard, v/ho, from the commencement of our misfor- tunes had not withheld his helping hand from us, came to an- nounce his approaching departure for France, and to bid us farewell. We congratulated him on the happiness of leaving so melancholy a place as Senegal. After we had talked some time about our unfortunate situation, and of the little hope we had of ever getting out of it, that sensible man, feeling his tears beginning to flow, took leave of us, promising to visit my father in passing Babaguey. Some days after, our young sister became dangerously ill ; the fever attacked me also ; and in less than forty-eight hours all our family were seized with the same disease. Caroline, however, had still suffi- cient strength to take care of us ; and but for her assistance, we would all perhaps have become a prey to the malady which oppressed us. That good sister durst not acquaint my father with the deplorable condition in which we all were : but, alas ! she was soon obliged to tell him the melancholy SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 369 news. I know not what passed during two days after my sis- ter had written my father, having been seized with delirium. When the fit had somewhat abated, and I had recovered my senses a little, I began to recognize the people who were about me, and I saw my father weeping near my bed. His presence revived the little strength I had still left. I wished to speak, but my ideas were so confused that I could only arti- culate a few unconnected words. I then learned, that after my father was acquainted with our dangerous condition, he had hastened to Senegal with my oldest brother, who also had been attacked. My father seemed to be no better than we were : but, to quiet our fears, he told us that he attributed his indispo- sition to a cold he had caught from sleeping on a bank of sand at Safal. We soon perceived that his disease was more of the mind than of the body. I often observed him thought- ful, with a wild and disquieted look. This good man, who had resisted with such courage all his indignities and misfortunes, wept like a child at the sight of his dying family. Meanwhile the sickness increased every day in our femily ; my young sister was worst. Dr. Gluincey saw her, and pre- scribed every remedy he thought necessary to soothe her suf- ferings. During the middle of the night she complained of great pain in her abdomen, but, after taking the medicine or- dered her, she fell quiet, and we believed she was asleep. Caroline, who watched us during the night in spite of her weakness, took advantage of this supposed slumber to take a little repose. A short while after, wishing to see if little Laura still slept, she raised the quilt which covered her, and uttered a piercing shriek. I awoke, and heard her say in a tremulous voice, Alas ! Laura is dead. Our weeping soon awoke our unhappy father. He rose, and seeing the face of the dead child, cried in wild despair : " It is then all over ; my cruel enemies have gained their victory ! They have taken from me the bread which I earned with the sweat of my brow to support my children ; they have sacrificed my family to their implacable hate ; let them now come and enjoy the fruit of their malice with the sight of the victim they have inmiolated ! Let them come to satiate their fury with the scene of misery in which they have plunged us ! O cruel S , thy barbarous heart cannot be that of a French- man !" On uttering these words, he rushed out and seated himself under a gallery which was at the door of the house in which we lived. He there remained a long while buried in profound meditation, during which time we could not get 370 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. him to utter one word. At last, about six o'clock in the morning the physician came, and was surprised on hearing of the death of Laura ; then went to my father, Avho seemed to be insensible to every thing around him, and inquired of him concerning his healtli. " I am well," replied he, " and I am going to return to Safal ; for I always find myself best there." The doctor told him his own condition, as well as that of his family, would not allow him to leave Senegal; but he remain- ed inflexible. Seeing nothing would induce him to remain at St. Louis, I arose, weak as I was, and went to search for a negro and- canoe to carry us to Safal. In the meanvvhile a friend of ours took charge of burying the body of my sister; but my father wished to inter it beside the others in his island, and determined to take it thither along with us. Not to have, however, such a melancholy sight before our eyes during our journey, I hired a second canoe to carry the. corpse of poor Laura ; and attaching it to the one in which we were, we took our young brothers in our arms and set off. Having arrived opposite the house possessed by M. Thomas, my father felt himself greatly indisposed. I profited by the circumstance, by getting him to go to the house of his friend ; hoping we would persuade him against going to Safal. He consented without difficulty; but we had scarcely entered the house when he was again taken very ill. We instantly called a physician, who found in him the seeds of a most malignant fever. We laid him down, and all the family wept around his bed, whilst the canoe which carried the remains of our young sister proceeded to Safal. M. Thomas undertook to procure us a house more healthy than that we had quitted ; but the condition of my father was such that he found it im- possible to walk, and we had to put him in a litter to take him to our new habitation. All the worthy people of Senegal could not contain their indignation against Governor S , whose inhuman conduct toward our family had been the prin- cipal cause of all our misfortunes. They went to his house, and boldly told him it was a shame for the chief of the colony thus to allow an unfortunate family entirely to perish. JVI. S , either touched with these reproaches, or at last being moved by more friendly feelings toward us, caused provisions secretly to be sent to our house. We received them under the persuasion they had been sent by some friend of my fa- ther ; but having at last learned they had come from the go- vernor, my father bid me return them to him. I knew not what to do, for a part of the provisions had already been con- SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 371 sumed ; and beside, the distressed condition to which we were reduced made me flatter myself with the thought that the governor wished at last to make amends for the wrongs he had done us. But, alas ! his assistance was too late ; the fatal moment was fast approaching, when my father had to bend under the pressure of his intolerable sufferings. The day after we had taken possession of our new abode, my father sent me to the Isle of Babaguey to bring back the things which were left at the house of the Resident. As I found myself considerably better during the last few days, I hired a canoe and went, leaving the sick to the care of Caro- line. I soon reached the place of my destination, and finish- ing my business, I was upon the point of returning to Sene- gal, when a wish came into my head of seeing Safal. Hav- ing made two negroes take me to the other side of the river, I walked along the side of the plantation, then visited our cot- tage, which I found just as we had left it. At last I bent my steps toward the tomb of my step-mother, in which were de- posited the remains of my little sister. I seated myself under the shrubs which shaded the place of their repose, and re- mained a long while wrapped in the most melancholy reflec- tions. All the misfortunes we had experienced since our ship- wreck came across my mind, and I asked myself how I had been able to endure them 1 I thought that at this instant a secret voice said to me, you will yet have greater to deplore. Terrified by this melancholy presentiment, I strove to rise, but my strength failing me, I fell on my knees upon the grave. After having addressed my prayers to the Eternal, I felt a lit- tle more tranquil ; and, quitting this melancholy spot, old Etienne led me back to Babaguey, where my canoe waited for me. The heat was excessive ; however, I endured it, rather than wait for the coolness of evening to return to my father. On my arrival at St. Louis I found him in a violent passion at a certain personage of the colony, w-ho, without any regard to his condition, had said the most humiliating things to him. This scene had contributed in no small degree to ag- gravate his illness ; for on the evening of the same day the fever returned, and a terrible delirium darkened all his facul- ties. We spent a horrible night, expecting every moment to be his last. The following day found little change in his con- dition, except a small glimmering of reason at intervals. In one of these moments, when we hoped he would recover his health, M. Dard, whom we thought already far from Senegal, entered our house. My father instantly recognized him, and 372 SHIPWRECK OF THB MEDUSA. making him sit near his bed, took his hand and said, '• My last hour is come ; Heaven, to whose decrees I humbly submit, will soon remove me from this world ; but one consolation remains with me — the thought that you will not abandon my children. I recommend to you my oldest daughter ; you are dear to her, doubt not ; would she were your wife, and that you were to her, as you have always been to me, a sincere friend." On saying these words he took my hands and pressed them to his burning lips. Tears suffocated my voice, but I pressed him tenderly in my arms ; and as he saw I was ex- tremely affected with his situation, he quickly said to me, "My daughter, I have need of rest." 1 instantly quitted him, and was joined by M. Dard, when we retired to another room, where we found Caroline and the good Madame Thomas. This worthy friend seeing the deplorable condition to which we were reduced, endeavored to console us, and to give us hope, saying, that having heard of my father's illness on board the brig Vigilant, in which he had embarked at the port of St. Louis, he had obtained leave to come on shore, and to go and offer us some assistance : after which he left us, promising to return on the morrow. Toward the middle of the night of the 1 5th of August, 1819, it struck me that rny father wished to speak with me. I drew near him, and seeing him pale, and his eyes wild, I turned away my head to conceal the tears which I could not sup- press ; but having perceived my distress, he said to me in a mournful voice, "Why are you so much afflioted, my child? My last hour approaches, I cannot escape it ; then summon all the strength of your soul to bear it with courage. My conscience is pure, I have nothing with which to reproach myself: I will die in peace, if you promise to protect the chil- dren whom I will soon leave. Tell also to feeling hearts ths long train of unintern.ipted misfortunes which have assailed me : tell the abandoned condition in which we have lived : and tell at last, that in dying I forgave my enemies all the evils they had made me and my family endure !" At these words I fell upon his bed, and cried, " Yes, dear father, I promise to do all you require of me." I was yet speaking when Caro- line entered the chamber, and throwing herself upon his bed, tenderly embraced him, whilst he held me by the hand. We gazed on one another in profound silence, which was only in- terrupted by our sighs. During this heart-rending scene my iather again said to me, " My good Charlotte, 1 thank you for all the care you have bestowed on me ; I die, but I leave you WRECK OF THE ALBION PACKET. Lost on the coast of Ireland, April 2-2nd, 1822. Of the crew and pas- sengers, there were but nine saved. — p. 447. EXPLOSION or THE HELEN MAC GREGOR, A steam boat lying at the wharf at Memphis, with between four and five hundred persons on board. — p. 453. SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 373 to the protection of friends who will not abandon you. Never forget the obligations you already owe M. Dard. Heaven assist you I Farewell, I go before you to a better world." These words, pronounced with difficulty, were the last he ut- tered. He instantly became much convulsed. All the phy- sicians of the colony were called, but the medicine they pre- scribed produced no effect. In this condition he remained for more than six hours, during which time we stood suspended between hope and despair. O horrible night ! night of sorrow and desolation ! w^ho can describe all which the unfortunate family of Picard suffered during thy terrible reign ! But the fatal period approached ; the physician who prescribed went out ; I followed, and, still seeking for some illusion in the mis- fortune which menaced us, I tremblingly interrogated him. The worthy man would not dissemble : he took me by the hand and said. My dear lady, the moment is arrived when you have need to arm yourself w^ith courage ; it is all over with M. Picard ; you must submit to the will of God. These words were a thunderbolt to me. I instantly returned, bathed in tears ; but alas ! my father was no more. Such an irreparable misfortune plunged us into a condition worse than death. Without ceasing, I besought them to put a period to my deplorable life. The friends about me used every endeavor to calm me, but my soul was in the depth of affiiction, and their consolations reached it not. " O God !" cried I, "how is it possible thou canst yet let me live ? Oug^it not the misery I feel to make me follow my father lo the grave ?" It was necessary to employ force to keep me from that plan of horror and dismay. Mad. Thomas took us to her Jiouse whilst our friends prepared for the funeral of my un- happy father. I remained insensible a long while; and when somewhat recovered, my first care was to pray the people with whom we lived to carry the body of my father to the isle of Safal, to be deposited, agreeably to his request, near the re- mains of his wife. Our friends accompanied it. Some hour:; after the departure of the funeral procession. Governor S , doubtless reproaching himself with the helpless condition in which we had been left for so long a time, gave orders to take care of the remainder of our unfortunate family. He himself came to the house of M. Thomas. His presence made such an impression on me that I swooned away. We did not, how- ever, refuse the assistance he offered us, convinced, as we were, that it was less to the governor of Senegal we were indebted 32 374 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA, than to the French government, whose intentions he was only fulfilling. Several days passed before I could moderate my sorrow ; but at last our friends represented to me the duties 1 owed to the orphans who were left with us, and to whom I had pro- mised to hold the place of mother. Then rousing myself from my lethargy, and recollecting the obligations I had to fulfill, I bestoAved all my affections on the innocent beings whom my father had confided to me in his dying moments. Nevertheless, I was not at rest ; the desire of seeing the place where reposed the mortal remains of my worthy father tor- mented me. They wished to dissuade me; but when they saw I had been frequently weeping in private, thej" no longer withheld me. I went alone to Safal, leaving Caroline to take charge of the children, two of \a hom were still in a dangerous condition. What changes did I find at our cottage ! The person from whom we had hired our negroes had secretly removed them ; rank Aveeds sprung up every Avhere : the cotton withered for want of cultivation ; the fields of millet, maize, and beans, had been devoured by the herds of cattle from the colony; our house was half plundered: the bocks and papers of my father taken away. Old Etienne still re- mained ; I found him cultivating cotton. As soon as he saw me he drew near ; and having inquired if he wished to remain at the plantation, he replied, "I could stay here all ray life; my good master is no more, but he is still here ; I wish to work for the support of his children." I promised in m^^^ turn to take care of him during my stay in Africa. At last I bent my steps toward my father's grave. The shrubs Avhich sur- rounded it were covered with the most beautiful verdure ; their thorny branches hung over it as if to shield it from the rays of the sun. The silence which reigned around this soli- tary place was only interrupted by the songs of the birds and the rustling of the foliage agitated by a faint breeze. At the sight of this sacred retreat I suddenly felt myself penetrated by a religious sentiment, and falling on my knees upon the grass, and resting my head upon the humid stone, remained a long while in deep meditation. Then starting up, I cried, " Dear remains of the best of fathers ! I come not hither to disturb your repose ; but I come to ask of Him who is omni- potent, resignation to his august decrees. I come to promise also to the worthy author of my existence, to give all my care to the orphans whom he has left on earth. 1 also promise to make known to feeling hearts all the misfortunes he experi- SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 375 enced before being- driven to the tomb." After a short prayer, I arose and returned to the cottage. To consecrate a monu- ment to the memory of my father, I took two cocoa-nuts, which he had planted some time previous to his death, and replanted them beside the grave ; I then gave my orders to Etienne, and returned to the family at Senegal. Next day M. Dard came to see us at the house of M. Tho- mas. This worthy friend of my father told us he would not abandon in Senegal the orphans whom he had promised to assist. I come, added he, to return to the governor the leave he had given me to pass six months in France, and I charge myself with providing for all your wants till I can conyej'- you to Paris. Such generous devotion affected me to tears ; I tlianked our worthy benefactor, and he went into Madame Thomas's room. When he had gone, Madame Thomas took me aside, and said that M. Dard's intention was not only to adopt the wrecks of our family, but he wished also to offer me his hand as soon as our grief had subsided. This confi- dence, I own, displeased me not ; for it was delightful for me to think that so excellent a man, who had already given us such substantial assistance in our distress, did not think him- self degraded by uniting his fate with that of a poor orphan. I recollected what my father had said to me during one of our greatest misfortunes. " M. Dard," said that worthy man, "is an estimable youth, whose attachment for us has never dimi- nished, in spite of our wretchedness : and I am certain he pre- fers virtue in a wife above all other riches." Some days after, our benefactor came to tell us he had dis- embarked all his effects, and that he had resumed his func- tions as director of the French school at Senegal. We talked a long while together concerning my father's affairs, and he then left us. However, as one of my brothers was very ill, he returned in the evening to see how he was. He found us in tears ; for the innocent creature had expired in my arms. M. Dard and M. Thomas instantly buried him, for his body had already become putrid. We took great care to conceal his death from his brother, who, having a mind superior to his age, would doubtless have been greatly affected. Never- theless, on the following day, poor Charles inquired where his brother Gustavus was ; M. Dard, who was sitting near his bed, told him he was at school; but he discovered the cheat, and cried, weeping, that he wished a hat to go to school and see if Gustavus was really living. M. Dard had the kindness to go and purchase him one to quiet him, which, when he saw. 376 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. he was satisfied, and waited till the morrow to go and see if his brother was at school. This young victim to misery drag- ged out his melancholy existence during two months ; and about the end of October we had the misfortune of losing him also. This last blow plunged me into a gloomy melancholy. I was indifferent to every thing. I had seen in three months nearly all my relations die, A young orphan, (Alphonso Fleury,) our cousin, aged five years, to whom my father was tutor, and whom he had always considered as his own cPiild^ my sister Caroline, and myself, were all that remained of the unfortunate Picard family, who, on setting out for Africa, con- sisted of nine. We, too, had nearly followed our dear parents to the grave. Our friends, however, by their great care and attention, got us by degrees to recover our composure, and chased from our thoughts the cruel recollections which afflict- ed us. We recovered our tranquillity, and dared at last to che- rish the hope of seeing more fortunate days. That hope was not delusive. Our benefactor, M. Dard, since then having become my husband, gathered together the wrecks of our wretched family, and has proved himself worthy of being a father to us. My sister Caroline afterward married M. Richard, agricultural botanist, attached to the agricultural establish- ment of the colony. Leaving Senegal with my husband and the young Alphonso Fleury, my cousin, on board his majesty's ship Menagere, on the 18th of November, 1820, we safely arrived at L' Orient on the 31st December following. A few days after our land- ing we went to Paris, where we remained two months. At last we reached my husband's native place, at Bligny-so^is- Beaune, in the department of the Cote d'Or, where I have had the happiness of finding new relations, whose tender friend- ship consoles me in part for the loss of those of whom cruel death deprived me in Africa. The following is the substance, abridged from MM. Cor- reard and Savigny, of what took place on the raft during thirteen days before the sufferers were taken up by the Ar- gus brig. After the boats had disappeared, the consternation became extreme. All the horrors of thirst and famine passed before our imaginations ; beside, we had to contend with a treache- rous element, which already covered the half of our bodies. The deep stupor of the soldiers and sailors instantly changed SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 377 to despair. All saw their inevitable destination, and express- ed by their moans the dark thoughts which brooded in their minds. Our wcrds were at first unavailing to quiet their fears, ^vhich we participated with them, but which a greater strength of mind enabled us to dissemble. At last, an unmo- ved countenance and our proffered consolations quieted them by degrees, but could not entirely dissipate the terror with which they were seized. When tranquillity w^as a little restored, we began to search about .the raft for the charts, the compass, and the anchor, which we presumed had been placed upon it, after what we had been told at the time of quitting the frigate.* These things, of the first importance, had not been placed upon our machine. Above all, the want of a compass the most alarm- ed us, and we gave vent to our rage and vengeance. M. Correard then remembered he had seen one in the hands of one of the principal workmen under his command ; he spoke to the man, who replied, " Yes, yes, I have it with me." This information transported us with joy, and we believed that our safety depended upon this futile resource ; it was about the size of a cro^Ti-piece, and very incorrect. Those who have not been in situations in w^hich their existence was exposed to extreme peril, can have but a faint knowledge of the price one attaches to the simplest objects — with what avi- dity one seizes the slighest means capable of mitigating that fate against which they contend. The compass was given to the commander of the raft, but an accident deprived us of it for ever : it fell, and disappeared between the pieces of wood which formed our machine. We had kept it but a few hours, and, after its loss, had nothing to guide us but the rising and setting of the sun. We had all gone afloat without taking any food. Hunger beginning to be imperiously felt, we mixed our paste of sea- biscuit (which had fallen into the sea, and was with difficulty recovered) with a little wine, and distributed it thus prepared. Such was our first meal, and the best we had during our stay upon the raft. * M. Correard, fearing that on the event of their being separated from the boats by any unforeseen accident, called from the raft to an officer on board the frigate, " Are we in a condition to take the route 1 — ^have we instruments and charts V got the following reply : " Yes, yes, I have provided for you every necessary." M. Correard a^ain called to him, " Who was to be their commander V when the same officer said: " Tis I; I will be with you in an instant;" but he in- stantly went and seated himself in one of the boats ! — Trans. 32* 378 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. An order, according to our numbers, was established for the distribution of our miserable provisions. The ration of wine was fixed at three quarters a day.* We will speak no more of the biscuit, it having been entirely consumed at the first distribution. The day passed away sufficiently tranquil. We talked of the means by which we would save ourselves ; we spoke of it as a certain circumstance, which reanimated our courage ; and we sustained that of the soldiers, by cherishing in them the hope of being able, in a short while, to revenge themselves on those who had so basely abandoned us. This hope of vengeance, it must be avowed, equally animated us all ; and we poured out a thousand imprecations against those who had left us a prey to so much misery and danger. The officer who commanded the raft being unable to move, M. Savigny took upon himself the duty of erecting the mast. He caused them to cut in two one of the poles of the frigate's masts, and fixed it with the rope which had served to tow us, and of which we made stays and shrowds. It was placed on tlie anterior third of the raft. We put up for a sail the main- top-gallant, which trimmed very well, but was of very little use, except when the wind served from behind ; and to keep the raft in this course, we w^ere obliged to trim the sail as if the breeze blew athwart us. In the evening, our hearts and our prayers, by a feeling natural to the unfortunate, were turned towards Heaven. Sutrounded by inevitable dangers, we addressed that invisible Being who has established, and who maintains the order of the universe. Our vows were fervent, and we experienced from our prayers the cheering influence of hope. It is ne- cessary -^to have been in similar situations, before one can rightly imagine what a charm it is to the heart of the sufferer, the sublime idea of God protecting the unfortunate ! One consoling thought still soothed our imagination. We persuaded ourselves that the little division had gone to the isle of Arguin, and that, after it had set a part of its people on shore, the rest would return to our assistance; we endea- vored to impress this idea on our soldiers and sailors, which quieted them. The night came without our hope being reali- zed ; the wind freshened, and the sea was considerably swell- ed. What a horrible night ! The thought of seeing the boats on the morrow a little consoled our men, the greater part of whom, being unaccustomed with the sea, fell on one * The original French is trots quarts, which certainly cannot mean ikree quarts ; in all probability it is three pints.— Trxnss. SHIPWRECK or THE MEDtSA. 379 another at each movement of the raft. M. Savigny, second- ed by some people who still preserved their presence of mind amidst the disorder, stretched cords across the raft, by which the men held, and were better able to resist the swell of the sea ; some were even obliged to fasten themselves. In the middle of the night the weather was very rough ; huge waves burst upon us, sometimes overturning us with great violence. The cries of the men mingled with the roaring of the flood, whilst the terrible sea raised us at every instant from the raft, and threatened to sweep us away. This scene was rendered still more terrible by the horrors inspired by the darkness of the night. Suddenly we believed we saw fires in the distance, at intervals. We had the precaution to hang at the top of the mast, the gunpowder and pistols which we had brought from the frigate. We made signals by burning a large quan- tity of cartridges ; we even fired some pistols ; but it seems the fire we saw was nothing but an error of vision, or, per- haps, nothing more than the sparkling of the waves. We struggled w4th death during the whole of the night, holding firmly by the ropes, which were made very secure. Tossed by the waves from the back to the front, and from the front to the back, and sometimes precipitated into the sea ; floating between life and death, mourning our misfortunes, certain of perishing ; we disputed, nevertheless, the remain- der of our existence with that cruel element which threaten- ed to ingulf us. Such was our condition till day-break. At every instant we heard the lamentable cries of the soldiers and sailors; they prepared for death, bidding farewell to one another, imploring the protection of Heaven, and addressing fervent prayers to God. Every one made vows to him, in spite of the certainty of never being able to accomplish them. Frightful situation ! How is it possible to have any idea of it, which will not fall short of the reality ! Toward seven in the morning the sea fell a little, the wind blew with less fury ; but what a scene presented itself to our view ! Ten or twelve unfortunates, having their inferior ex- tremities fixed in the openings between the pieces of the raft, had perished by being unable to disengage themselves ; seve- ral others were swept away by the violence of the sea. At the hour of repast we took the numbers anew ; we had lost twenty men. We will not afiirm that this was the exact number: for we perceived some soldiei's who, to have more than their share, took rations for two, and even three ; we were so huddled together that we found it absolutely impos- sible to prevent this abuse. 380 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. In the midst of these horrors a touching scene of filial piety drew our tears. Two young men raised and recognized their father, who had fallen, and was lying insensible among the feet of the people. They believed him, at first, dead, and their despair was express-ed in the most afflicting manner. It was perceived, however, that he still breathed, and every assist- ance was rendered for his recovery in our power. He slowly revived, and was restored to life, and to the prayers of his sons, who supported him, closely folded in their arms. Whilst our hearts were softened by this aftecting episode in our me- lancholy adventures, we had soon to witness the sad spectacle of a dark contrast. Two ship-boys and a baker feared not to seek death, and threw themselves into the sea, after having bid farewell to their companions in misfortune. Already the minds of our people were singularly altered ; some believed they saw land, others, ships which were coming to save us ; all talked aloud of their fallacious visions. We lamented the loss of our unfortunate companions. At this moment we were far from anticipating the still more ter- rible scene which took place on the following night ; far from that, we enjoyed a positive satisfaction, so well were we per- suaded that the boats would return to our assistance. The day was fine, and the most perfect tranquillity reigned all the while on our raft. The evening came, and no boats appear- ed. Despondency began to seize our men, and then a spirit of insubordination manifested itself in cries of rage. The voice of the officers was entirely disregarded. Night fell rapidly in, the sky was obscured by dark clouds ; the wind, which, during the whole of the day, had blown rather violent- ly, feecame furious and swelled the sea, which in an instant, became very rough. The preceding night had been frightful, but this was still more so. Mountains of water covered us at every instant, and burst with fury into the midst of us. Yerj fortunately we had the wind from behind, and the strength of the sea was a little broken by the rapidity with which we were driven before it. We were impelled toward the land. The men, from the violence of the sea, were hurried from the back to the front ; we were obliged to keep to the centre, the firmest part of the raft, and those who could not get there, almost all perished. Before and behind the waves dashed impetuouslj'- and swept away the men in spite of all their resistance. At the centre the pressure was such that some unfortunates were suffocated by the weight of their comrades, who fell upon SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 381 them at every instant. The officers kept by the foot of the little mast, and were obliged every moment to call to those around them to go to the one or the other side to avoid the wave ; for the sea coming nearly athwart us, gave our raft nearly a perpendicular position, to counteract which they were forced to throw themselves upon the side raised by the sea. The soldiers and sailors, frightened by the presence of al- most inevitable danger, doubted not that they had reached their last hour. Firmly believing they were lost, they resolved to soothe their last moments by drinking till they lost their rea- son. We had no power to oppose this disorder. They seiz- ed a cask which was in the centre of the raft, made a hole in the end of it, and with small tin cups took each a pretty large quantity : but they were obliged to cease, for the sea-water rushed into the hole they had made. The fumes of the wine failed not to disorder their brains, already weakened by the presence of danger and want of food. Thus excited, these men became deaf to the voice of reason. They wished to involve in one common ruin all their companions in misfor- tune. They avowedly expressed their intention of freeing themselves from their officers, who, they said, wished to op- pose their design, and then to destroy the raft, by cutting the ropes which united its different parts. Immediately after they resolved to put their plans in execution. One of them advanced upon the side of the raft with a boarding-ax, and began to cut the cords. This was the signal of revolt. We stepped forward to prevent these insane mortals, and he who was armed with a hatchet, with which he even threatened an officer, fell the first victim : a stroke of the sabre terminated his existence. This man was an Asiatic, and a soldier in a colonial regi- ment. Of a coilossal stature, short hair, a nose extremely large, an enormous mouth, dark complexion, he made a most hideous appearance. At first he placed himself in the mid- dle of the raft, and at each blow of his fist knocked down every one who opposed him ; he inspired the greatest terror, and none durst approach him. Had there been six such, our destruction would have been certain. Some men, anxious to prolong their existence, armed and united themselves with those who wished to preserve the raft ; among this number were some subaltern officers and many passengers. The rebels drew their sabres, and those who had none armed themselves with knives. They advanced 382 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA, in a determined manner upon us ; we stood on our defence ; the attack commenced. Animated by despair, one of them aimed a strok«! at an officer ; the rebel instantly fell, pierced with wounds. This firmness awed them for an instant, but diminished nothing of their rage. They ceased to advance, and withdrew, presenting to us a front bristling with sabres and bayonets, to the back part of the raft, to execute their plan. One of them feigned to rest himself on the small rail- ings on the sides of the raft, and with a knife began cutting the cords. Being told by a servant, one of us sprung upon him. A soldier, wishing to defend him, struck at the officer with his knife, which only pierced his coat ; the officer wheel- ed round, seized his adversary, and threw both him and his comrade into the sea. There had been as yet but partial affairs: the combat now became general. Some one cried to lower the sail ; a crowd of infuriated mortals threw themselves in an instant upon the haulyards, and shrouds, and cut them. The fall of the mast almost broke the thigh of a captain of infantry, who fell in- sensible. He was seized by the soldiers, who threw him into the sea. We saved him and placed him on a barrel, whence he was taken by the rebels, who wished to put out his eyes with a penknife. Exasperated by so much brutality, we no longer restrained ourselves, but rushed in upon them, and charged them with fury. Sword in hand, we traversed the line which the soldiers formed, and many paid with their lives the errors of their revolt. Various passengers, during these cruel moments, evinced the greatest courage and coolness. M. Correard fell into a sort of swoon ; but hearing at eve- ry instant the cries, To arms I with us, comrades ; we are lost ! joined with the groans and imprecations of the wounded and dying, was soon roused from his lethargy. All this hor- rible tumult speedily made him comprehend how necessary it was to be upon his guard. Armed with his sabre, he gath- ered together some of his workmen on the front of the raft, and there charged them to hurt no one, unless they were at- tacked. He almost always remained with them ; and sev- eral times they had to defend themselves against the rebels, who, swimming round to the point of the raft, placed M. Cor- reard and his little troop between two dangers, and made their position very difficult to defend. At every instant he was op- posed to men armed with knives, sabres, and bayonets. Ma- ny had carabines, which they wielded as clubs. Every effort was made to stop them, by holding them off at the point of SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 383 their swords ; which, in spite of the repugnance they experi' enced in fighting with their wretched countrymen, they were compelled to use without mercy. Many of the mutineers at- tacked with fury, and they were obliged to repel them in the -^me manner. Some of the laborers received severe wounds in this action. Their commander could show a great num- ber received in the different campaigns. At last their united efforts prevailed in dispersing this mass w^ho had attacked them with such fury. During this combat, M. Correard was told by one of his workmen who remained faithful, that one of their comrades, named Dominique, had gone over to the rebels, and that they had seized and thrown him into the sea. Immediately for- getting the fault and treason of this man, he threw himself in at the place whence the voice of the wretch was heard calling for assistance, seized him by the hair, and had the good for- tune to restore him on board. Dominique had got several sabre wounds in a charge, one of which had laid open his head. In spite of the darkness, we found out the wound, which seemed very large. One of the workmen gave his handkerchief to bind and stop the blood. Our care recovered the wretch; but when he had collected strength, the ungrate- ful Dominique, forgetting at once his duty and the signal ser- vice which we had rendered him, went and rejoined the re- bels. So much baseness and insanit}'- did not go unrevenged ; and soon after he found, in a fresh assault, that death from which he was not worthy to be saved, but which he might in all probability have avoided, if, true to honor and gratitude, he had remained among us Just at the moment we finished dressing the wounds of Do- minique, another voice was heard. It was that of the unfor- tunate female who was with us on the raft, and whom the infuriated beings had thrown into the sea, as well as her hus- band, who had defended her with courage. M. Correard, in despair at seeing two unfortunates perish, whose pitiful cries, especially the woman's, pierced his heart, seized a large rope which he found on the front of the raft, which he fastened round his middle, and throwing himself a second time into the sea, was again so fortunate as to save the woman, who invo- ked, with all her might, the assistance of our Lady of Land. Her husband w^as rescued at the same time by the head work- man, Lavilette. We laid these unfortunates upon the deaol bodies, supporting their backs with a barrel. In a short while they recovered their senses. The first thing the woman did 384 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. was to acquaint herself with the name of the person who sa- ved her, and to express to him her liveliest gratitude. Find- ing, doubtless, that her words but ill expressed her feelings, she recollected she had in her pocket a little snuff, and in- stantly offered it to him — it was all she possessed. Touch- ed with the gift, but unable to use it, M. Correard gave it to a poor sailor, which served him for three or four days. But it is impossible for us to describe a still more affecting scene — the joy this unfortunate couple testified, when they had suf- ficiently recovered their senses, at finding they were both saved. The rebels being repulsed, as it has been stated above, left us a little repose. The moon lighted with her melancholy rays this disastrous raft, this narrow space, on which we found united so many torturing anxieties, so many cruel misfortunes, a madness so insensate, a courage so heroic, and the most ge- nerous, the most amiable sentiments of nature and humanity. The man and wife, who had been but a little before stab- bed with swords and bayonets and thrown both together into a stormy sea, could scarcely credit their senses when they found themselves in one another's arms. The woman was a native of the Upper Alps, which place she had left twenty- four years before, and during which time she had followed the French armies in the campaigns in Italy, and other pla- ces, as a sutler. " Therefore preserve my life," said she to M. Correard, " you see I am an useful woman. Ah ! if you knew how often I had ventured upon the field of battle, and braved death to carry assistance to our gallant men ' Whe- ther they had money or not, I always let them have my goods. Sometimes a battle would deprive me of my poor debtors ; but, after the victory, others would pay me double or triple for what they had consumed before the engagement. Thus I came in for a share of their victories." Unfortunate woman ! she little knew what a horrible fate awaited her among us ! They felt, they expressed so vividly that happiness which they, alas ! so shortly enjoyed, that it would have drawn tears from the most obdurate heart. But in that horrible moment when we scarcely breathed from the most furious attack — when we were obliged to be continually on our guard, not only against the violence of the men, but a most boisterous sea, few among us had time to attend to scenes of conjugal affection. After this second check, the rage of the soldiers was sud- denly^appeased, and gave place to the most abject cowardice. SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 385 Several threw themselves at our feet and implored our par- don, which was instantly granted. Thinking that order was re-established, we returned to our station on the centre of the raft, only taking the precaution of keeping our arms. We, however, had soon to prove the impossibility of counting on the permanence of any honest sentiment in the hearts of these beings. It was nearly midnight ; and, after an hour of apparent tran- quillity, the soldiers rose afresh. Their mind was entirely gone ; they ran upon us in despair, with knives and sabres in their hands. As they yet had all their physical strength, and beside were armed, we were obliged again to stand on our defence. Their revolt became still more dangerous, as, in their delirium, they were entirely deaf to the voice of reason. They attacked us, we charged them in our turn, and immedi- ately the raft was strewed with their dead bodies. Those of our adversaries who had no weapons, endeavored to tear us with their sharp teeth. Many of us were cruelly bitten. M. Savigny was torn on the legs and shoulder; he also received a wound on the right arm, which deprived him of the use of his fourth and little finger for a long while. Many others were wounded ; and many cuts were found in our clothes, from knives and sabres. One of our Vv'orkmen was also seized by four of the rebels, who wished to throw him into the sea. One of them had laid hold of his right leg, and had bit most unmercifully the ten- don above the heel ; others were striking him with great slashes of their sabres, and with the but end of their guns, when his cries made us hasten to his assistance. In this af- fair the brave Lavilette, ex-serjeant of the foot artillery of the Old Guard, behaved with a courage worthy of the greatest praise. He rushed upon the infuriated beings in the manner of M. Correard, and soon snatched the workman from the danger which menaced him. Some short while after, in a fresh attack of the rebels, Sub-lieutenant Lozach fell into their hands. In their delirium they had taken him for Lieute- nant Danglas, of whom we have formely spoken, and who had abandoned the raft at the moment when we were quitting the frigate. The troop, to a man, eagerly sought this officer, who had seen Uttle service, and whom they reproached for having used them ill during the time they garrisoned the Isle of Rhe. We believed this officer lost, but hearing his voice, we soon found it still possible to save him. Immediately MM. Clairet, Savigny, L'Heureux, Lavilette, Coudin, Correard, 33 386 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. and some other workmen, formed themselves into small pla- toons, and rushed upon the insurgents with great impetuosity, overturning every one in their way, and retook M. Lozach, and placed him on the centre of the raft. The preservation of this officer cost us infinite difficulty. Every moment the soldiers demanded he should be delivered to them, designating him always by the name of Danglas. We endeavored to make them comprehend their mistake, and told them that they themselves had seen the person for whom they sought, return on board the frigate. They were insensi- ble to every thing Ave said ; every thing before them was Danglas; they saw him perpetually, and furiously and un* ceasingly demanded his head. It was only by force of arms we succeeded in repressing their rage and quieting their cries of death. Horrible night ! thou shrouded with thy gloomy veil these frightful combats, over w^hich presided the cruel demon of despair. We had also to tremble for the life of M. Coudin. Wound- ed and fatigued by the attacks which he had sustained with us, and in which he had shown a courage superior to every thing, he was resting himself on a barrel, holding in his arms a young sailor boy of twelve years of age, to whom he had attached himself The mutineers seized him with his barrel and threw him into the sea with the boy, whom he still held fast. In spite of his burden, he had the presence of mind to lay hold of the raft, and to save himself from extreme peril. We cannot yet comprehend how a handful of men should have been able to resist such a number so monstrously insane. We are sure we were not more than twenty to combat all these madmen. Let it not, however, be imagined that in the midst of all these dangers we had preserved our reason en- tire. Fear, anxiety, and the most cruel privations, had great- ly changed our intellectual faculties. But being somewhat less insane than the unfortunate soldiers, we energetically op- posed their determination of cutting the cords of the raft. Permit us now to make some observations concerning the dif- ferent sensations with which we were affected. During the first day, M. Griffin entirely lost his senses. He threw himself into the sea, but M. Savigny saved him with his own hands. His words were vague and unconnect- ed. A second time he threw himself in, but, by a sort of in- stinct, kept hold of the cross pieces of the rafl, and was again saved. SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 387 The following is what M. Savigny experienced in the beginning of the night. His eyes closed in spite of him- self, and he felt a general drowsiness. In this condition the most delightful visions flitted across his imagination. He saw around him a country covered with the most beautiful planta- tions, and found himself in the midst of objects delightful to his senses. Nevertheless, he reasoned concerning his condi- tion, and felt that courage alone could withdraw him from this species of non-existence. He demanded some wine from the master gunner, who got it for him, and he recovered a lit- tle from this state of stupor. If the unfortunates who were assailed with these primary symptoms had not strength to withstand them, their death was certain. Some became furi- ous ; others threw themselves into the sea, bidding farewell to their comrades with the utmost coolness. Some said — " Fear nothing ; I am going to get you assistance, and will return, in a short while." In the midst of this general mad- ness some wretches w^ere seen rushing upon their compan- ions, sword in hand, demanding a wing of a chicken and some bread to appease the hunger which consumed them ; others asked for their hammocks, to go, they said, between the decks of the frigate to take a little repose. Many believed they were still on the decks of the Medusa, surrounded by the same objects they there saw daily. Some saw ships, and called to them for assistance, or a fine harbor, in the distance of which was an elegant city. M. Correard thought he was traveling through the beautiful fields of Italy. An officer said to him — " I recollect we have been abandoned by the boats ; but fear nothing. I am going to write to the gover- nor, and in a few hours we shall be saved." M. Correard re- plied in the same tone, and as if he had been in his ordinary condition — " Have you a pigeon to carry your orders with such celerity ?" The cries and the confusion soon aroused us from this languor ; but when tranquillity was somewhat restored, we again fell into the same drowsy condition. On the morrow we felt as if we had awoke from a painful dream, and asked our companions if, during their sleep, they had not seen combats and heard cries of despair. Some replied that the same visions had continually tormented them, and that they were exhausted with fatigue. Every one believed he vv'as deceived by the illusions of a horrible dream. After these diflferent combats, overcome with toil, with want of food and sleep, we laid ourselves down and reposed till the morrow dawned and showed us the horror of the scene. A 388 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. gfreat number in their delirium had thrown themselves into the sea. We found that sixty or sixty-five had perished dur- ing the night. A fourth part at least, we supposed, had drowned themselves in despair. We only lost two of our number, neither of whom were officers. The deepest dejec- tion was painted on every face ; each, having recovered him- self, could now feel the horrors of his situation ; and some of us, shedding tears of despair, bitterly deplored the rigor of our fate. A new misfortune w^as now revealed to us. During the tu- mult, the rebels had thrown into the sea two barrels of wane, and the only two casks of water Avhich w^e had upon the raft. The casks of wine had been consumed the day before, and only one was left. We were more than sixty in number, and we were obliged to put ourselves on half rations. At break of day the sea calmed, which permitted us again to erect our mast. When it was replaced, we made a distri- bution of wine. The unhappy soldiers murmured and blamed us for privations which w^e equally endured with them. They fell exhausted. We had taken nothing for forty-eight hours, and we had been obliged to struggle continually against a strong sea. We could, like them, hardly support ourselves ; courage alone made us still act. We resolved to employ eve- ry possible means to catch fish, and collecting all the hooks and eyes from the soldiers, made fish-hooks of them, but all was of no avail. The currents carried our lines under the raft, where they got entangled. We bent a bayonet to catch sharks ; one bit at it, and straightened it, and we abandoned our project. Something was absolutely necessary to sustain our miserable existence, and we tremble with horror at being obliged to tell that of which we made use. We feel our pen fall from our hands ; a mortal cold congeals all our members, and our hair bristles erect on our foreheads. Reader ! we implore you, feel not indignant toward men already loaded with misery. Pity their condition, and shed a tear of sorrow for their deplorable fate. • The wretches whom death had spared during the disastrous night we have described, seized upon the dead bodies with which the raft was covered, cutting them up by blices, which some even instantly devoured. Many nevertheless refrained. Almost all the officers were of this number. Seeing that this monstrous food had revived the strength of those who had used it, it was proposed to dry it to make it a little more palat- able. Those who had firmness to abstain from it, took an SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 389 additional quantity of wine. We endeavored to eat shoulder- belts and cartouch-boxes, and contrived to swallow some small bits of them. Some ate linen; others, the leathers of the hats, on which was a little grease, or rather dirt. We had recourse to many expedients to prolong our miserable existence, to re- count which would only disgust the heart of humanity. The day was c^lm and beautiful. A ray of hope beamed for a moment to quiet our agitation. We still expected to see the boats or some ships, and addressed our prayers to the Eternal, on whom we placed our trust. The half of our men were extremely feeble, and bore upon their faces the stamp. of approaching dissolution. The evening arrived, and we found no help. The darkness of the third night augmented our fears, but the wind was still, and the sea less agitated. The sun of the fourth morning since our departure shone upon our disaster, and showed us ten or twelve of our companions stretched lifeless upon the raft. This sight struck us most forcibly, as it told us we would be soon extended in the same -manner in the same place. We gave their bodies to the sea for a grave, reserving only one to feed those who, but the day before, had held his trembling hands, and sworn to him eter- nal friendship. This day was beautiful. Oar souls, anxious for more delightful sensations, were in harmony with the as- pect of the heavens, and got again a new ray of hope. To- ward four in the afternoon an unlooked for event happened, which gave us some consolation. A shoal of flying fish passed under our raft, and as there was an infinite number of open- ings between the pieces that composed it, the fish were entan- gled in great quantities. We threw ourselves upon them, and captured a considerable number. We took about two hundred and put them in an empty barrel ; we opened them as we caught them, and took out what is called their milt. This food seemed delicious ; but one man would have required a thousand. Our first emotion was to give God renewed thanks for this unhoped for favor. An ounce of gunpowder having been found in the morning, was dried in the sun during the day, which was very fine ; a steel, gun-flints, and tinder made also a part of the same par- cel. After a good deal of difficulty we set fire to some frag- ments of dry linen. We made a large opening in the side of an empty cask, and placed at the bottom of it several wet things, and upon this kind of scaffolding we set our fire ; all of which we placed on a barrel, that the sea might not extin- 33* 390 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. guish it. We cooked some fish and ate them with extreme avidity ; but our hunger was such, and our portion so small, that we added to it some of the sacrilegious viands, which the cooking rendered less revolting. This some of the oflicers touched for the first time. From this day we continued to eat it; but we could no longer dress it, the means of making a fire having been entirely lost ; the barrel having caught fire, we extinguished it, without being able to preserve any thing to rekindle it on the morrow. The powder and tinder were entirely done. This meal gave us all additional strength to support our fatigues. The night was tolerable, and would have been happy, had it not been signalized by a new massacre. Some Spaniards, Italians, and negroes, had formed a plot to throw us all into the sea. The negroes had told them that they w^ere very near the shore, and that, when there, they would enable them to traverse Africa without danger. We had to take to our arms again, the sailors, who had remained faithful to us, pointing out to us the conspirators. The first signal for battle was given by a Spaniard, who, placing him- self behind the mast, holding fast by it, made the sign of the cross with one hand, invoking the name of God, and with the other held a knife. The sailors seized him and threw him into the sea. An Italian, servant to an officer of the troops, who was in the plot, seeing all was discovered, armed him- self with the only boarding-ax left on the raft, made his re- treat to the front, enveloped himself in a piece of drapery he wore across his breast, and of his own accord threw himself into the sea. The rebels rushed forward to avenge their com- rades; a terrible conflict again commenced: both sides fought with desperate fury; and soon the fatal raft was strewed with dead bodies and blood, which should have been shed by other hands, and in another cause. In this tumult we heard them again demanding, with horrid rage, the head of Lieutenant Danglas ! In this assault the unfortunate sutler was again thrown into the sea. M. Coudin, assisted by some workmen, saved her, to prolong for a while her torments and her existence. In this terrible night Lavillette failed not to give proofs of the rarest intrepidity. It was to him and some of those who have survived the sequel of our misfortunes, that we owed our safety. At last, after unheard of efl^orts, the rebels were once more repulsed, and quiet restored. Having escaped this new danger, we endeavored to get some repose. The day at SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDFSA. 391 length dawned upon us for the fifth time. We were now no more than thirty in number. We had lost four or five of our faithful sailors, and those who survived were in the most de- plorable condition. The sea-water had almost entirely exco- riated the skin of our lower extremities ; we were covered with contusions or wounds, which, irritated by the salt water, ex- torted from us the most piercing cries. About twenty of us only were capable of standing upright or walking. Almost all our fish was exhausted ; we had but four days' supply of wine : in four days, said we, nothing will be left, and death will be inevitable. Thus came the seventh day of our aban- donment. In the course of the day two soldiers had glided behind the only barrel of wine that was left, pierced it, and were drinking by means of a reed. We had sworn that those who used such means should be punished with death ; which law was instantly put in execution, and the two transgressors were thrown into the sea. The same day saw the close of the life of. a child named Leon, aged twelve years. He died like a lamp which ceases to burn for want of aliment. All spoke in favor of this young and amiable creature, who merited a better fate. His angelic form, his musical voice, the interest of an age so tender, in- creased still more by the courage he had shown and the ser- vices he had performed, for he had already made in the pre- ceding year a campaign in the East-Indies, inspired us all "with the greatest pity for this young victim, devoted to so hor- rible and premature a death. Our old soldiers and all our peo- ple in general did every thing they could to prolong his ex- istence, but all was in vain. Neither the wine which they gave him without regret, nor all the means they employed, could arrest his melancholy doom, and he expired in the arms of M. Coudin, who had not ceased to give him the most un- wearied attention. Whilst he had strength to move he ran incessantly from one side to the other, loudly calling for his unhappy mother, for water and food. He trod indiscriminate- ly on the feet and legs of his companions in misfortune, who, in their turn, uttered sorrowful cries, but these were very rarely accompanied with menaces ; they pardoned all which the poor boy had made them suffer. He was not in his senses, consequently could not be expected to behave as if he had the use of his reason. There now remained but twenty-seven of us. Fifteen of that number seemed able to live yet some days ; the rest, co- vered with large wounds, had almost entirely lost the use of 392 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. their reason. They still, however, shared in the distributions, and would, before they died, consume thirty or forty bottles of wine, which to us were inestimable. We deliberated, that by putting the sick on half allowance was but putting them to death by halves ; but after a council, at which presided the most dreadful despair, it was decided they should be thrown into the sea. This means, however repugnant, however hor- rible it appeared to us, procured the survivors six days' wine. But after the decision was made, who durst execute it ? The habit of seeing death ready to devour us ; the certainty of our infallible destruction without this monstrous expedient: all, in short, had hardened our hearts to every feeling but that of self-preservation. Three sailors and a soldier took charge of this cruel business. We looked aside and shed tears of blood at the fate of these unfortunates. Among them were the wretched sutler and her husband. Both had been grievously wounded in the different combats. The woman had a thigh broken between the beams of the raft, and a stroke of a sabre had made a deep wound in the head of her husband. Every thing announced their approaching end. We console our- selves with the belief that our cruel resolution shortened but a brief space the term of their existence. Ye who shudder at the cry of outraged humanity, recollect that it was other men, fellow-countrymen, comrades, who had placed us in this aw- ful situation ! This horrible expedient saved the fifteen who remained : for when we were found by the Argus brig, we had very little wane left, and it was the sixth day after the cruel sacrifice we have described. The victims, we repeat, had not more than forty-eight hours to live, and by keeping them on the raft we would have been absolutely destitute of the means of exist- ence two days before we were found. Weak as we were, we considered it as a certain thing, that it would have been im- possible for us to have lived only twenty-four hours more, without taking some food. After this catastrophe we threw our arms into the sea ; they inspired us with a horror we could not overcome.- We only kept one sabre, in case we had to cut some cordage or some pieces of wood. A new event, for every thing was an event io wretches to whom the world was reduced to the narrow space of a few toises, and for whom the winds and waves contended in their fury as they floated above the abyss ; an event happened which diverted our niinds from the horrors of our situation. All on a s.adden a white butterfly, of a species common in SHIPWPvECK OF THE MEDUSA. 393 ' France, came fluttering above our heads and settled on our sail. The first thought this little creature suggested was that it was the harbinger of approaching land, and we clung to the hope with a delirium of joy. It was the ninth day we had been xipon the raft ; the torments of hunger consumed our entrails ; and the soldiers and sailors already devoured with haggard eyes this wretched prey, and seemed to dispute about it. Others looking upon it as a messenger from Heaven, declared that they took it under their protection, and would suffer none to do it harm. It is certain we could not be far from land, for the butterflies continued to come on the following days and flutter about our sail. We had also, on the same day, another indication not less positive, by a Goeland which flew around our raft. This second visiter left us not a doubt that we were fast approaching the African soil, and we persuaded ourselves we would be speedily thrown upon the coast by the force of the currents. This same day a new care employed us. Seeing we were reduced to so small a number, we collected all the little strength we had left, detached some planks on the front of the raft, and with some pretty long pieces of wood, raised on the centre a kind of platform, on which we reposed. All the ef- fects we could collect were placed upon it, and rendered to make it less hard ; which also prevented the sea from pass- ing with such facility through the spaces between the differ- ent planks ; but the waves came across, and sometimes covered us completely. On this new theatre we resolved to meet death in a man- ner becoming Frenchmen, and with perfect resignation. Our time was almost wholly spent in speaking of our happy country. All our wishes, our last prayers, were for the pros- perity of France. Thus passed the last days of our abode upon the raft. Soon after our abandonment, we bore with comparative ease the immersions during the nights, which are very cold in these countries ; but latterly, every time the waves washed over us we felt a most painful sensation, and we uttered plaintive cries. We employed every means to avoid it. Some support- ed their heads on pieces of wood, and made with what they could find a sort of little parapet to screen them from the force of the waves ; others sheltered themselves behind two empty casks. But these means were very insufficient ; it was only when the sea was calm that it did not break over us. 394 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. An ardent thirst, redoubled in the day by the beams of a burning sun, consumed us. An officer of the army found by chance a small lemon, and it may be easily imagined how valuable such a fruit would be to him. His comrades, in spite of the most urgent entreaties, could not get a bit of it from him. Signs of rage were already manifested, and had he not partly listened to the solicitations of those around him, they would have taken it by force, and he would ha\^e perish- ed the victim of his own selfishness. We also disputed about thirty cloves of garlic which were found in the bottom of a sack. These disputes were for the most part accompanied with violent menaces, and if they had been prolonged, we might have come to the last extremities. There were also found two small phials, in which was a spirituous liquid for cleaning the teeth. He who possessed them kept them with care, and gave with reluctance one or two drops in the palm of the hand. This, liquor, which, we think, was a tincture of guaiacum, cinnamon, and other aromatic substances, produced on our tongues an agreeable feeling, and for a short while removed the thirst which destroyed us. Some of us found some small pieces of powder, which made, when put into the mouth, a kind of coolness. One plan generally employed was, to put into a hat a quantity of sea- water, with which we washed our faces for a while, repeating it at intervals. We also bathed our hair, and held our hands in the water. Mis- fortune made us ingenious, and each thought of a thousand means to alleviate his sufferings. Emaciated by the most cruel privations, the least agreeable feeling was to us a hap- piness supreme. Thus we sought with avidity a small empty phial which one of us possessed, and in which had once been some essence of roses ; and every, one as he got hold of it, respired with delight the odor it exhaled, which imparted to his senses the most soothing impressions. Many of us kept our ration of wine in a small tin cup, and sucked it out with a quill. This manner of taking it was of great benefit to us, and allayed our thirst much better than if we had gulped it off at once. Three days passed in inexpressible anguish. So much did we despise life, that many of us feared not to bathe in sight of the sharks which surrounded our raft ; others placed them- selves naked upon the front of our machine, which was under water. These expedients diminished a little the ardor of our thirst. A kind of mollusca, known to seamen by the name of gatere, was sometimes driven in great numbers on our raft ; SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 395 and when their long arms rested on our naked bodies, they occasioned us the most cruel sufferings. Will it be believed that, amidst these terrible scenes, struggling with inevitable death, some uttered pleasantries which made us yet smile, in vspite of the horrors of our situation? One, beside others, said jestingly, " If the brig is sent to search for us; pray God it has the eyes of Argus," in allusion to the name of the ves- sel we presumed would be sent to our assistance. This con- solatory idea never left us an instant, and we spoke of it fre- quently. On the 16th, reckoning we were very near the land, eight of the most determined among us resolved to endeavor to gain the coast. Accordingly a second raft, of smaller di- mensions, was formed for transporting them thither; but it was found insufficient, and they at length determined to await death in their present situation. Meanwhile night came on, and its sombre veil revived in our minds the most afflicting thoughts. We were certain there were not above a dozen or fifteen bottles of wine in our barrel. We began to have an invincible disgust at the flesh which had till then scarcely supported us; and we may say, that the sight of it inspired us with feelings of horror, doubtless produced by the idea of approaching destruction. On the morning of the 17th the sun appeared free from clouds. After having addressed our prayers to the Eternal, we divided among us a part of our wine. Each with delight was taking his small portion, when a captain of infantry, casting his eyes on the horizon, perceiv- ed a ship, and announced it to us by an exclamation of joy. We knew it to be a brig, but it was at a great distance ; we could only distinguish the masts. The sight of this vessel re- vived in us emotions difficult to describe. Each believed his deliverance sure, and we gave a thousand thanks to God. Fears, however, mingjed with our hopes. We straightened some hoops of casks, to the ends of which we fixed handker- chiefs of difl^erent colors. A man, with our united assistance, mounted to the top of the mast and waved these little flags. For more than half an hour we were tossed between hope and fear. Some thought the vessel grew larger, and others were convinced its course was from us. These last were the only ones whose eyes were not blinded by hope, for the ship disappeared. From this delirium of joy we passed to that of despon- dency and sorrow. We envied the fate of those whom we had seen perish at our sides; and we said to ourselves, "When we shall be in want of every thing, and when our strength 396 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. begins to forsake us, we will wrap ourselves up as well as we can, and will stretch ourselves on this platform, the witness of the most cruel sufferings, and there await death with resigna- tion." At length, to calm our despair, we sought for consola- tion in the arms of sleep. The day before we had been scorch- ed by the beams of a burning sun ; to-day, to avoid the fierce- ness of his rays, we made a tent with the main -sail of the frigate. As soon as it was finished, Ave laid ourselves under it; thus all that was passing without was hid from our eyes. We proposed then to write upon a plank an abridgment of our adventures, and to add our names at the bottom of the re- cital, and fix it to the upper part of our mast, in the hope that it would reach the government and our families. After having passed two hours, a prey to the most cruel re- flections, the master gunner of the frigate, wishing to go to the front of the raft, went out from below the tent. Scarcely had he put out his head when he turned to us uttering a piercing cry. Joy was painted upon his face: his bancs were stretched toward the sea; he breathed with difficulty. All he was able to say was : Saved ! see the brig upon us ! and in fact it was not more than half a league distant, having every sail set, and steering right upon us. We rushed (ror.i our tent; even those whom enormous wounds in their infcii- or extremities had confined for many days, dragged them- selves to the back of the raft, to enjoy a sight of the ship which had come to save us from certain death. We embrac- ed one another with a transport which looked much like madness, and tears of joy trickled down our cheeks, withered by the most cruel privations. Each seized handkerchiefs, or some pieces of linen, to make signals to the brig, which was rapidly approaching us. Some fell on their knees and fer- vently retu:;ned thanks to Providence for this miraculou.'; pre- servation of their lives. Our joy redoubled when we saw at the top of the foremast a large white flag, and we cried, " It is then to Frenchmen we will owe our deliverance." We in- stantly recognized the brig to be the Argus; it was then about two gunshots from us. We were terribly impatient to see her reef her sails, which at last she did, and fresh cries of joy arose from our raft. The Argus came and lay to on our starboard, about a half pistol shot from us. The crew, rang- ed upon the deck and on the shrouds, announced to us, by the waving of their hands and hats, the pleasure they felt at coming to the assistance of their unfortunate countrymen. In a short time we were all transported on board the brig, SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 397 where we found the lieutenant of the frigate and some others who had been wrecked with us. Compassion was painted on every face, and pity drew tears from every eye Avhich be- held us. We found some excellent broth on board the brig, which they had prepared, and when they had perceived us they added to it some wine, and thus restored our nearly ex- hausted strength. They bestowed on us the most generous care and attention; our wounds were dressed, and on the morrow many of our sick began to revive. Some, however, still suffered much, for they were placed between decks, very near the kitchen, which augmented the almost insupportable heat of these latitudes. This want of space arose from the small size of the vessel. The number of the shipwrecked was indeed very considerable. Those who did not belong to the navy were laid upon cables, wrapped in flags, and placed under the fire of the kitchen. Here they had almost perished during the course of the night, fire having broken out be- tween decks about ten in the evening ; but timely assistance being rendered, we were saved for the second time. We had scarcely escaped when some became again delirious. An officer of infantry wished to throw himself into the sea to look for his pocket-book, and would have done it had he not been prevented. Others were seized in a manner not less frenzied. The commander and officers of the brig watched over ■as, and kindly anticipated our wants. They snatched us from death, by saving us from the raft; their unremitted care revived within us the spark of life. The surgeon of the ship, M. Re- u-aud, distinguished himself for his indefatigable zeal. He was obliged to spend the whole of the day in dressing our wounds j and during the two days we were on board the brig he be- stowed on us all the aid of his art, with an attention and gen- tleness which merit our eternal gratitude. In truth, it was time we should find an end of our suffer- ings; they had lasted thirteen days in the most cruel manner. The strongest among us might have lived forty-eight hours, or so, longer. M. Correard felt that he must die in the course of the day ; he had, however, a presentiment that we would be saved. He said, that a series of events so unheard of would not be buried in oblivion ; that Providence would at least pre- serve some of us to tell the world the melancholy story of our misfortunes. Such is the faithful history of those who were left upon the memorable raft. Of one hundred and fifty, fifteen only 34 398 DESTRUCTION OF THE ESSEX. were saved. Five of that number never recovered of their fatigue, and died at St. Louis. Those who yet live are co- vered with scars ; and the cruel sufferings to which they have been exposed, have materially shaken their constitutions. DESTRUCTION OF THE ESSEX BY A WHALE. As related by her commander, Captain George Pollard, My first shipwreck was in open sea, on the 20th of No- vember, 1820, near the equator, about 118 deg. W. longitude. The vessel, a South Sea whaler, was called the Essex. On that day, as we were on the look out for sperm whales, and had actually struck two, which the boats' crews were follow- ing to secure, I perceived a very large one — it might be eighty or ninety feet long — rushing with great swiftness through the water right toward the ship. We hoped that she would turn aside and dive under, when she perceived such a balk in her way. But no ! the animal came full force against our stern- port : had any quarter less firm been struck, the vessel must have been burst ; as it was, every plank and timber trembled throughout her whole bulk. The whale, as though hurt by a severe and unexpected con- cussion, shook its enormous head and sheered off to so con- siderable a distance that for some time we had lost sight of her from the starboard quarter; of which we were very glad, hoping that the worst was over. Nearly an hour afterward we saw the same fish — we had no doubt of this, from her size and the direction in which she came — making again toward us. We were at once aware of our danger, but escape was impossible. She dashed her head this time against the ship's side, and so broke it in that the vessel filled rapidly, and soon became water-logged. At the second shock, expect- ing her to go down, we lowered our three boats with the utmost expedition, and all hands, twenty in the whole, got into them ; seven, and seven, and six. In a little while, as she did not sink, we ventured on board again, and, by scuttling the deck, were enabled to get out some biscuit, beef, water, rum, two sextants, a quadrant, and three compasses. These, together with some rigging, a few muskets, powder, &c. we brought away; and, dividing the stores among our three small crews, DESTRUCTION OF THE ESSEX. 399 rigged the boats as well as we could ; there being a compass for each, and a sextant for two, and a quadrant for one, but neither sextant nor quadrant for the third. Then, instead of pushing away for some port, so amazed and bewildered were we, that we continued sitting in our places, gazing upon the ship as though she had been an object of the tenderest affec- tion. Our eyes could not leave her, till, at the end of many hours, she gave a slight reel, then down she sank. No words can tell our feelings. We looked at each other — we looked at the place where she had so lately been afloat — and we did not cease to look till the terrible conviction of our abandoned and perilous situation roused us to exertion, if deliverance were yet possible. We now consulted about the course which it might be best to take — westward to India, eastward to South America, or south-westward to the Society Isles. We knew that we were at no great distance from Tahiti, but were so ignorant of the state and temper of the inhabitants that we feared we should be devoured by cannibals if we cast ourselves on their mercy. It was determined therefore to make for South America, which we computed to be more than two thousand miles distant. Ac- cordingly we steered eastward, and though for several days harassed with squalls, we contrived to keep together. It was not lG,2g before we found that one of the boats had started a plank, which was no wonder, for whale boats are all clinker built, and very slight, being made of half-inch plank only, before planing. To remedy this alarming defect we all turn- ed to, and having emptied the damaged boat into the two oth- ers, we raised her side as well as we could, and succeeded in restoring the plank at the bottom. Through this accident some of our biscuit had become injured by the salt water. This was equally divided among the several boats' crews. Food and water, meanwhile, with our utmost economy, rapidly failed. Our strength was exhausted, not by abstinence only, but by the labors which we were obliged to employ to keep our little vessels afloat aiviidst the storms which repeatedly assailed us. One night we were parted in rough weather; but though the next day we fell in with one of our com- panion-boats, we never saw or heard any more of the other, which probably perished at sea, being without either sextant or quadrant. When Ave were reduced to the last pinch, and out of every thing, having been more than three weeks abroad, we were cheered with the sight of a low uninhabited island, which we 400 DESTRUCTION OF THE ESSEX. reached in hope, but were bitterly disappointed. There were some barren bushes and many rocks on this forlorn spot. The only provisions that we could procure were a few birds and their eggs : this supply was soon reduced ; the sea-fowls appeared to have been frightened away, and their nests were left empty after we had once or twice plundered them. What distressed us most was the utter want of fresh water ; we could not find a drop any where, till, at the extreme verge of ebb tide, a small spring was discovered in the sand ; but even that was too scanty to afford us sufficient to quench our thirst before it was covered by the waves at their turn. There being no prospect but that of starvation here, we de- termined to put to sea again. Three of our comrades, how- ever, chose to remain, and we pledged ourselves to send a vessel to bring them off, if we ourselves should ever escape to a Christian port. With a very small quantity of biscuit for each, and a little water, we again ventured out on the wide ocean. In the course of a few days our provisions were con- sumed. Two men died; we had no other alternative than to live on their remains. These Avere roasted to dryness by means of fires kindled on the ballast-sand at the bottom of the boats. When this supply was spent, what could we do ? We looked at each other with horrid thoughts in our minds, but we held our tongues. I am sure that we loved one an- other as brothers all the time ; and yet our looks told plainly what must be done. We cast lots, and the fatal one fell on my poor cabin boy. 1 started forward instantly, and cried out, " My lad, my lad, if you donU like your lot, I'll shoot the first man that touches you." The poor emaciated boy hesitated a moment or two ; then, quietly laying his head down upon the gunnel of the boat, he said, " / like it as well as any other. ''^ He was soon despatched, and nothing of him left. I think, then an- other man died of himself, and him too we ate. But I can tell you no more — my head is on fire at the recollection ; I hardly know what I say. I forgot to say that Ave parted company Avith the second boat before now. After some more days of horror and despair, Avhen some Avere lying doAvn at the bottom of the boat, not able to rise, and scarcely one of us could move a limb, a vessel hove in sight We were taken on board and treated with extreme kindness. The second boat Avas also picked up at sea, and the survivors saA'^ed. A ship afterAA^ard sailed in search of our companions on the desolate island, and brought them away. DESTRUCTION OF THE ESSEX. 401 The following particulars respecting the three men left on the island, are extracted from a tract issued by the London Tract Society, in Paternoster Row. On the 26th of December the boats left the island : this was, indeed, a trying moment to all ; they separated with mu- tual prayers and good wishes, seventeen venturing to sea with almost certain death before them, while three remained on a rocky isle, destitute of water, and affording hardly any thing to support life. The prospects of these three poor men were gloomy ; they again tried to dig a well, but without success, and all hope seemed at an end, when providentially they were relieved by a shower of rain. They were thus deliver- ed from the immediate apprehension of perishing by thirst. Their next care ^^as to procure food, and their difficulties herein were also very great ; their principal resource was small birds, about the size of a blackbird, which they caught while at roost. Every night they climbed the trees in search of them, and obtained, by severe exertions, a scanty supply, hardly enough to support life. Some of the trees bore a small beny, which gave them a little relief; but these they found only in small quantities. Shell-fish they searched for in vain : and although from the rocks they saw at times a number of sharks, and also other sorts of fish, they were unable to catch any, as they had no fishing tackle. Once they saw several turtles, and succeeded in taking five, but they were then with- out water; at those times they had little inclination to eat, and before one of them was quite finished, the others were become unfit for food. Their sufferings from the want of water were the most se- vere, their only supply being from Avhat remained in holes among the rocks after the showers which fell at intervals ; and sometimes they were five or six days without any ; on these occasions they were compelled to suck the blood of the birds they caught, which allayed their thirst in some degree ; but they did so very unwillingly, as they found themselves much disordered thereby. Among the rocks were several caves formed by nature, which afforded a shelter from the wind and rain. In one of these caves they found eight human skeletons, in all probabi- lity the remains of some poor mariners who had been ship- wrecked on the isle, and perished for want of food and water. They were side by side, as if they had laid down and died to- gether ! This sight deeply affected the mate and his com- panions ; their case was similar, and they had every reason 34* 402 LOSS OF THE PRESIDENT. to expect, ere long, the same end ; for many times tliey lay down at night, with their tongues swollen and their lips parch- ed with thirst, scarcely hoping to see the morning sun ; and it is impossible to form an- idea of their feelings when the morning dawned, and they found their prayers had been heard and answered by a providential supply of rain. In this state they continued till the Sth of April following, On the morning of that day they were in the woods as usual, searching for food and water as well as their weakness per- mitted, when their attention was aroused by a sound which they thought was distant thunder ; but looking toward the sea, they saw a ship in the offing, which had just fired a gun. Their joy at this sight may be more easily imagined than de- scribed; they immediately fell on their knees and thanked God for his goodness in thus sending deliverance when least expected ; then hastening to the shore, they saw a boat com- ing toward them. As the boat could not approach the shore without great danger, the mate, being a good swimmer, and stronger than his companions, plunged into the sea, and pro- videntially escaped a watery grave at the moment when deli- verance was at hand. His companions crawled out farther on the rocks, and by the great exertions of the crew, were taken into the boat, and soon found themselves on board the Surrey, commanded by Captain Raine, by whom they were treated in the kindest manner, and their health and strength were speedily restored. WRECK OF THE SHIP PRESIDENT, CHARLESTON LINE PACKET. The wreck of the ship President, Captain Wilson, on the east bank of the Romer breakers, on Sunday night, December 4th, 1831, was accompanied with circumstances truly of an appalling nature. The wind had been, and was blowing vio- lently from the north-west, and although every precautioh was used by the pilot (who was taken on board in the after- noon) to get a sure and safe anchorage, the violence of the tempest increased to that degree by three o'clock on Monday morning, that she drifted with two anchors for some distance, and then first struck. The night was remarkably cold and LOSS OF THE PRESIDENT. 403 dark, and the deck, rigging, spars and sails, were entirely co- vered with ice. At about four o'clock the water burst the bottom, and in the space of half an hour the cabin was filled to the sky-lights, and every individual on board (twenty in number) were driven to find safety on deck, and seek protec- tion from the inclemency of the weather under the roof over the stern part of the ship. By this time the main, mizen, and foremasts had been cut away ; they had fallen with a crash^ the effect of which, at a period so perilous and awful, cannot possibly be described, and at which the stoutest heart would have trembled. The wind continued unabated ; the deck was one complete sheet of ice ; the spars and rigging that remain- ed increased the bulk tenfold by the thick incrustation by w^hich the severity of the w^eather had loaded them, and near- ly every individual benumbed with cold, standing statue-like, with clothes entirely frozen, and covered with sleet and ice, under the roof upon the quarter-deck, anxiously gazing to- ward the eastern horizon, and ready to catch the first light of morning. The light of the rising sun w^as never more ardent- ly and sincerely anticipated: for it was ardently hoped that a discovery of the wreck early in the morning w^ould bring im- mediate relief. The only remaining hope, under Providence, during this period of intense anxiety, w^as the substantial character of the ship, and that she w^ould not part until all on board could be rescued. Thank heaven, the hope was realized. Although the wind had rather increased than diminished, and wave af- ter wave had tumultuously rolled over the ship for several hours, plunging her more and more upon the breakers, and with a violence that seemed to force even the timbers from their places, she still kept together, but her sides were break- ing in on her larboard and starboard quarters. The situation of the individuals on board at this time w'as truly awful. The violence of the wind ; the darkness of the night ; ihe occa- sional crashing of spars ; the continual sw^eeping of the sea over the whole length of tke ship, and that indescribable moan- ing sound of the wind as it swept through the ice-bound rig- ging, can only be appreciated by those who have experienced similar situations. When daylight broke, the reality was in- deed realized ; the danger could now be conceived ; the wreck was truly such an one that, with less than the miraculous in- terposition of a kind Providence, all must inevitably have perished. At about ten o'clock, A. M. the jolly boat was got ready, 404 LOSS OF THE PRESIDENT. and a party of seven embarked and made for the land, which, fortunately, they reached. It was perilous, but equally so to remain on the wreck. In the boat were Captain Wilson, Mr. Chisholm, passenger, and several of the crew. It is due to Captain Wilson to state, that his sole object in leaving the ship, and I can add, a praiseworthy object, was to hasten to New- York, should the boat succeed in reaching the shore, and to despatch, with all possible speed, some efficient means to res- cue those remaining on the wreck. The conduct of Captain Wilson was throughout every way commendable, and actuated by a deep sense of the responsibility that devolved upon him during this critical period. The situation of those remaining on board becam.e every moment more perilous : the wind increased, the sea was in- cessantly dashing violently over the ship, and the weather was becoming, if possible, more cold and severe. The only hope that could reasonably be entertained was relief from the city. This state of feeling continued until nearly two o'clock, P. M. and until nearly hope itself could no longer be sustained. When it is considered how much was suffered under the se- veral trying circumstances of the wreck from its commence- ment, it could hardly be expected that much physical or men- tal energy could be exercised. As the " last fond hope was glimmering to its final extinguishment," a sail was disco- vered bearing down for the wreck from Staten Island. The effect was electric ; a moment before almost every one seemed more ready to yield, to fall without a struggle, than make one effort to be saved. The havoc and tumult around had been gazed upon with a peculiar apathy. But now every thing ap- peared to renew life and animation. At about three o'clock P. M. the schooner anchored Avithin three quarters of a mile of the ship, as near as she could possibly venture among the breakers and shoals. By one of those extraordinary efforts that in trying times can sometimes be accomplished, the long- boat was launched at nearly the same time the schooner cast her anchor. In the morning, with all assistance on board, it could not have been accomplished. Every individual was soon embarked in the boat, and with continual bailing out the water, she was enabled to reach the schooner at about five o'clock P. M. To Mr. Neale, the mate of the ship, and who was the last to leave the wreck, much is due for his perseverance, cool- ness, and judgment, during the most hopeless period of the disaster. A. TRAGICAL TALE OF THE SEA. 405 The schooner that came to the relief of the shipwrecked, at such a propitious moment, was the Major G. Howard, Captain Sylvis, accompanied by Captain Seaman, of Staten Island, who, with a generous humanity that cannot be too highly appreciated, and under circumstances that would have intimidated many from such an attempt, rescued, at their own hazard, a number of their fellow beings from a watery grave. Gratitude for such acts of disinterested humanity and kind- ness is lasting. Every individual who has thus been rescued from a death which would have been inevitable in a few more hours, but for such benevolent and generous exertions, is deeply impressed with a sense of the obligation they owe to their deliverers. The individuals rescued from the wreck by the exertions of Captains Sylvis and Seaman, are — The pilot ; Mr. Neale, the mate ; Lieutenant John Pickell, U. S. a passenger ; J. W. Wilkinson, Charleston, S. C. do. ; J. Lewell, New-Brunswick, do. ; J. Carr, do. ; the steward, and nine of the crew of the ship. The passengers and crew were all safely landed at the foot of Roosevelt-street wharf. New- York, in the steam-boat Bellona, which was met on her way to the wreck, at 8 o'clock en Monday night. A TRAGICAL TALE OF THE SEA. The following dreadful tragedy is related in the SeamerCs Magazine, and Church of England Guardian. I COMMANDED the , WO Sailed from , intending to call at , in order to take in passengers, and then proceed to . We arrived at , as designed, and I went ashore immediately, in order to make arrangements with the parties that desired to go with us to . A gentleman and his lady, and another gentleman in an exceedingly weak state, slowly recovering from a malignant fever, composed the party ; and being informed that the former had boxes of dollars, and plate to the amount of thousand pounds, which were to be ta- ken on board, I made every necessary arrangement, and re- turned to my ship. I had on board a mate, and men ; and deeming it ex- pedient, I called my mate privately into my cabin, and in- formed him of the large quantity of money and plate about 406 A TRAGICAL TALE OF THE SEA. to be committed to our charge with the passengers ; and to avoid even the possibility of danger from the crew, I desired him to use any means he thought best to induce them to re- main ashore that night, in order that we might convey the property on board, and stow it safely away, without their knowing any thing of the circumstances. He immediately assented, and accordingly got rid of the men. I reposed en- tire confidence in him, and he appeared to deserve it ; the men, however, were kept ashore all night, while we, with per- fect secrecy and safety, as we thought, had the property con- veyed to the ship, and securely stowed away. In the morn- ing the men came on board, and every thing being taken in, we got under weigh with a fair wind in the evening. The first night, and the succeeding day and night, passed without any remarkable occurrence, and the wind continuing fair, we were at the close of the second day two hundred miles from land. My crew Avere most of them Irishmen, not such men, certainly, as I should have chosen, but I was ob- liged to take them as I found them. Indeed, one of the Irish- men, to whom I shall again refer more particularly, was not a seaman. Every thing had proceeded in an even and regular course, until the close of the third evening, if I except an undue fa- miliarity between the mate and the crew ; which, although I observed, I had not even mentioned. On this evening, how- ever, I was oppressed with a kind of uneasiness I cannot de- scribe, but fearing it might be a prelude to sickness, I left the mate in charge, and retired to my berth much earlier than usual. I tried to sleep, but in vain. I rose, took some grog, and lay down again. I tried to compose myself, but found it impossible. I several times dozed a little, but almost instant- ly started under gloomy impressions, or from frightful dreams. As this was quite unusual with me, having scarcely known a solitary instance of my rest being disturbed, I spent my hours under great despondency, and anxiously wished for the dawn of the day ; I continued thus until nearly two o'clock ; even my dozing might have been interrupted by the slightest move- ment, so far was I from enjoying any thing like repose. About two I heard a footstep cautiously approaching. I listened — and a man came close to my berth and muttered, "Captain!" I called out, "Who's there?" No answer being returned, I jumped out, and was instantly accosted by the Irish- man above referred to, in the most abrupt and callous man- ner, with " By J s it's all over with you — the mate has w. A TRAGICAL TALE OF THE SEA. 407 told the crew about the mouey — they have taken the ship, and your throat will be cut at three o'clock." I was momen- tarily deprived of the power of utterance, and before I recov- ered from the shock the fellow was gone. I, however, soon became collected, and slipping on my trowsers and waistcoat, I immediately stepped into the gentleman's cabin to whom this treasure belonged. But he having overheard the dismal an- nouncement, had most imprudently communicated it to his wife, who instantly swooned. She, when I entered, was per- fectly insensible, and he, with clasped hands, exclaimed in deep despair — " O my wife ! O my children ! I shall never see you more !" Finding he knew the worst, I coolly said, " Well, sir, will you arm with me and resist ?" He said he could not, it was useless. I said, " Remember, sir, the property is yours — that your wife and children are at stake ; — i/ou ought, therefore, to be ready to resist to the very last extremity. I too have a wife and children, and will, therefore, resist to the last for them, for my employers, and for pou.^^ Finding, how- ever, that he was literally sunk in despair, I returned to my cabin. Any attempt to describe the state of my mind would be en- tirely useless. I think I stood for a few moments utterly at a loss what step to take, when somehow my hand got into my waistcoat pocket and enclosed my knife. Without premedi- tation or design I opened it. I now recollected the sick gen- tleman, but I thought it best to let him remain in ignorance. I knew not what to do ; however, not knowing what might be- fall me, or what course I should take, I rushed toward the deck, but my hand accidentally striking against something which I found to be an American ax, I seized it, and the next moment was on the deck, where I saw the helm deserted, and the mate with the whole crew sitting together drinking in the forepart of the ship. With the open knife in my left hand and the uplifted ax in my right, I sprang in among them ; and as my eye met the mate's, with one blow of the ax I clave his head asunder. The men simultaneously rose and fled in dif- ferent directions ; I followed the nearest instantly, and just as he was in the act of going aloft, I buried the ax in his loins, and he fell overboard. One now turned and tried to grapple with me ; but I in a moment drove the ax into his breast, and he fell at my feet. So deeply had the ax sunk into his body that I was in imminent danger of being overpoAvered : but, placing my foot on his chest, I by one vigorous effort succeeded in extricating it. I now looked round, and observ- 408 A TRAGICAL TALE OF THE SEA. ing no one near me, I went aft ; but seeingf here some one standing, I had again lifted my ax, when a voice exclaiming, "For God's sake, captain," convinced me it was the sick gen- tleman. I could only say, " Go in, sir." Roused by my strik- ing my hand against the ax and unhanging it, he had come out, and having witnessed my actions, without knowing any thing of the cause, he concluded me laboring under a direful paroxysm of madness, and instantly obeyed, thankful that he had not shared the fate of those who had fallen before his eyes. I found the men had all fled to the rigging, and were still aloft. The moon shone brightly, and I called to the nearest man to come down, but he would neither answer nor move. I went into my cabin, fetched out my foAvling-piece, and insist- ed on his coming down, or I would fire at him. At length he came down, and fell on his knees at my feet. I asked him what he had to say of their blood-thirsty villany : he replied, the mate had drawn them into it, and he was obliged to agree. "Strip!" said I : he did so. I then put .my gun and ax behind me, and cutting eighteen inches of rope, I gave him a severe floggmg^ to this I subjected every one of them, and they submitted with- out offering the least resistance ; the passengers, during the whole period, almost petrified, looked on. It only now occurred to me that there was no one at the helm ; I therefore took my gun and ax, and as there was no alternative, I was compelled to occupy that post at once. The passengers all came to me, but I cc^ld only beg them to leave me. They still halted, however, while I called the men before me, and told them I had now done wdth them ; their conduct would determine my future steps : at the same time conclude ing by saying 1 would still kill the first man that manifested a mutinous disposition, or that dared to cross a given line on the deck before me, without my express command. I then or- dered them to throw the two bodies overboard, and return Xo their respective duties. Beginning now to reflect on what I had done — -remember- ing that my life, my ship, my passengers, their property, and the cargo, were at least so far preserved — remembering at the same time that I had accomplished it only by the sacrifice of three men — that their blood had been shed by me — and seeing it upon me when morning dawned — my feelings over- came me, and I burst into tears. The danger was still by no means over. 1 had days' sail to , no mate, two men less than before, and every A TRAGICAL TALE OP THE SEA. 409 reason to believe that the crew would still watch for, and seize any opportunity to murder me now, if for no other pur- pose than that of securing their own lives. I therefore made up my mind to keep my post at the helm, day and night, that I might at least have all my enemies before me ; — but how I should liieep my post, do without sleep, or venture to sleep at it, even for a moment, were questions on which I feared to dwell/ Whatever my fears and feelings were, I still manifested the same determined and fearless line of conduct by which I had hitherto succeeded. I kept my ax close to my side, in full view of the crew. The gentlei^an who owned the property, but who, in anticipation of the dismal event, gave himself up to despait, certainly did now offer any assistance in his power ; but I had too much at stake to venture for a moment to trust him. From the Irishman I obtained a full detail of the plot, the manner in which they intended to murder me and the pas- sengers, and their intention of carrying the vessel to . This man I also generally employed near me ; the passen- gers too used him as far as they deemed prudent, though all Avere sensible that no confidence ought to be placed in him. Thirteen days at length thus elapsed, during which we had contrary weather — had fallen in with no vessel — and as to myself, although I was still uninjured, and aware of no at- tempt against me by the men, my strength and spirits were nearly exhausted. On the morning of the fourteenth day, however, I certainly started from something like sound sleep, in consequence of an idea of a glare or excess of light ; and I am unable to ex- press my utter astonishment, and the overwhelming emotions of gratitude thr'.. instantly filled my heart, at beholding the sun shining most, brilliantly, and in full view the flag flying on the battery of . I immediately ordered guns to be fired ; and in a short time a boat, with a pilot, came along- side. We lay to, while they returned with my command for soldiers to take my crew into custody. I need not add, that they were all condemned to die, excepting the Irishman be- fore alluded to, whose sentence was commuted to perpetual banishment. I begged their lives might be spared, and used all my influence to save them, but in vain. Before their exe- cution I saw them all, and they were informed, in my pre- sence, of the means I had used to save them, and of their also proving utterly unavailing. They appeared so far satisfied 35 410 THE WHALE. that I had not acted from mere vindictive feeling : — confessed their guilt, but attributed their untimely end, and indeed the origin of the whole to the mate alone," The conduct of this brave Scot, in his singularly critical situation, has been, and will be variously judged of: though all attempts to ruin him, by false p^d absurd insinuations, so completely failed that all the quarters, and parties capable of forming a just opinion of the whole case, justified his conduct by the strongest expressions of unqualified approbation, and by the most liberal rewards. While the man, (we state the fact and leave it,) who sunk under the mere apprehension in the awful moments of the inn.ending danger, had afterward so great a dread of public opinion — so keen a sense of shame — so little regard for the dictates of religion, for himself, and for his wife and children, as almost immediately to blow out his own brains. THE WHALE. Among the cetaceous tribes, the chief place is due to the v^hale, of all animals " mightiest that swim the ocean stream." Enormous as his bulk is, rumor and the love of the marvel- lous have represented it as being at one time much greater, and the existing race as only the degenerate remnant of mightier ancestors. Mr. Scoresby, however, by collecting various good authorities, has proved that sixty feet was always nearly the utmost length of the mysticetus, or great Greenland whale. Of 332 individuals, in the capture of which that gen- tleman was concerned, none occurred of a length exceeding 58 feet ; and he gives no credence to any rumor of a speci- men Avhich exceeded 70 feet. Even 60 feet implies a weight of 70 tons, being nearly that of three hundred fat oxen. Of this vast mass, the oil in a rich whale composes about thirty tons ; and when, as was the case some years ago, that arti- cle brought 55Z. or 60Z. per ton, we may form some idea of the great value of the capture ; the bones of the head, fins, and tail, weigh 8 or 10; the carcass, 30 or 32 tons. The oleaginous substance, or blubber, the most valuable part of the animal, forms a complete wrapper round the whole body, of the thickness of from 8 to 2(J inches. The head is dispro- portionally large, forming about a third of the entire bulk. THE WHALE. 411 The basis consists of the crown-bone, from each side of which descend those immense jaw-bones which are sometimes pre- sented to our wondering eyes, and which the whalers place on deck as trophies of their success, and in order that the fine oil contained in them ma.j ooze from their lower extremities. These jaw-bones are from 16 to 20 feet in length, and extend along the mouth in a curved line, till they meet and form a species of crescent. The lips, nearly 20 feet long, display, when open, a cavity capable of receiving a ship's jolly-boat with her crew. The whale has no external ear ; but, when the skin is removed, a small aperture is discerned for the ad- mission of sound. This sense accordingly is very imperfect : yet the animal, by a quick perception of all movements made on the Avater, discovers danger at a great distance. The eyes are proportionably small, though the sense of seeing is acute : more so, however, through clear water than through an aeri- al medium. But the most unique feature in the structure of this animal consists in the spiracles or blow-holes, placed nearly on the crown of the head. These have been compared to natural jets d^eau throwing up water to the height of 40 or 50 feet ; but the more careful scrutiny of Mr. Scoresby ascer- tained that they emit only a moist vapor, and are neither more nor less than huge nostrils. When, however, this vehement breathing or blowing is performed under the surface, a consi- derable quantity of water is thrown up into the air. The sound thus occasioned is th« only thing like a voice emitted by the animal, and, in case of a violent respiration, it resembles the discharge of a cannon. The tail is the most active limb of this mighty animal, and the chief instrument of his motion. It does not rise vertical- ly like that of most fishes, being flat and horizontal, only four or five feet long, but more than twenty feet broad. It con- sists of two beds of muscles connected with an extensive layer surrounding the body, and inclosed by a thin cover- ing of blubber. Its power is tremendous. A single stroke throws a large boat Avith all its crew into the air. Sometimes the whale places himself in a perpencVcular position, with the head downward, and, rearing his tail on high, beats the wa- ter wnth aAvful violence. On these occasions the sea foams, and vapors darken the air; the lashing is heard several miles off^ like the roar of a distant tempest. Sometimes he makes an immense spring, and rears his whole body above the waves, to the admiration of the experienced whaler, but to the terror of those who see, for the first time, this astonishing 412 THE GREENLAND WHALE FISHERY. spectacle. Other motions, equally expressive of his boundless strength, attract the attention of the navigator at the distance of miles. The fins, called by the French nagtolres, and by Dr. Fle- ming *' swimming paAvs," are placed immediately behind the eyes. They are nine feet long, inclosed by very elastic membranes, and provided with bones similar in form and number to those of the human hand. Such is the spring and vitality of the parts, that, if we may believe Dr. Reste, they continue to move for some time after being separated from the body. According to Mr. Scoresby, however, while the whale swims, these organs lie flat on the surface of the wa- ter, and are not at all instrumental in producing his motion, which arises entirely from the tail. The fins merely direct and steady the movement, and thus serve rather as a helm than as oars. The period of gestation in the whale is nine or ten months, and the female brings forth in February or March. She is viviparous ; that is, the young come forth alive, not inclosed in an egg ; and there is usually only one at a time. These delicate nurslings, only about fourteen feet long, and weigh- ing little more than a ton, are watched over by the mother with the most tender care. The whalers strike these suckers, as they are called, not on account of their own value, but un- der the assurance that the mother will start forth in their de- fence. Then ensues a contest hard and perilous, but commonly attended with a prosperous issue, for she never seeks safety in flight. She rushes upon the boat, drags the line with ex- traordinary force, tosses to and fro with extreme agony, and suffers herself to be struck by repeated harpoons without at- tempting tO' escape; while the good-natured captain has his triumphant feelings damped by the consideration that his prize has fallen the victim to such an ardor of maternal tenderness. According to indications afforded by notches in the whale- bone, which seem not, however, very fully established, the whale does not attain his full growth under twenty-five years, and is said to reach a very great age. THE GREENLAND WHALE FISHERY. 1830. From a file of English papers, published at Newcastle-upon- Tyne, 1830, it appears that the Greenland Whale Fishery is THE GREENLAND WHALE FISHERY. 413 extremely depressed. The whales have become exceedingly scarce, so that the last vessels have returned home utterly destitute, and those who have been depending on these returns for support, are thrown into necessitous circumstances. A liberal subscription has been opened for these suffering mari- ners at Newcastle, and a numerous public meeting was held at North Shields, which raised a handsome sum. It was stat- ed at the meeting, that above 120 seamen belonging to North Shields had returned without success, and at least thirty had suffered shipwreck. In addition to the total want of success in the fishery, it seems the Greenland Whalemen have been subjected also to storms and shipwrecks to an unprecedented degree. The T3'ne Mercury, of November 2, contains the following extract of a letter from a young gentleman Avho acted as surgeon on board one of the whalers in Davis's Straits. "The remembrance of every other transaction is lost when I begin to think of the awful scenes and most disastrous events which have lately occurred. On Friday forenoon the sky was clear, but about two P. M. it became suddenly overcast, and blew a strong gale from the SSW. accompanied by a thick sleet and snow. This awakened our apprehensions, and, indeed, it was not long before they were realized. At nearly four o'clock our dock — sawn with extreme labor, and upon which all our hopes centred — gave way. This was the general signal for getting our 'traps' on the ice. After each had got what belonged to himself in safety on the ice, provisions were then hoisted up — for, in the first instance, no- thing but self-interest Avas attended to. The pressure of the ice seemed to be going regularly along ; it now passed on to several vessels to the eastward of us ; about three hundred yards in that direction lay the Resolution, of Peterhead ; the Laurel, of Hull ; and the Letitia, of Aberdeen, in one dock ; the latter vessel, unable to withstand the tremendous pressure of the ice, was soon upon her beam-ends, and in a short time afterward her masts went by the board, and she became a to- tal Avreck. The Princess of Wales, of Aberdeen, was next crushed to pieces ; and the ice continuing to press the whole of the night, but in a more gradual manner, many of the ves- sel^ were on their beam-ends, but again righted ; several were crushed many feet above the ice a-stern, and others a-head. We were lying in dock, yet often did we hear our vessel crack, and at one time having heard a crash, though we were ignorant which of the vessels it was, simultaneously rush- 35* 414 THE POLAR BEAR. ed on the ice : a hollow on our starboard bow, produced by the pressure of the two vessels, was the cause of this. All Saturday the gale continued ; but though the ice seemed to be brought up, out of the sixteen vessels lying Avithin short spaces of each other, all were more or less damaged, except the Cumbrian, of Hull, and a Dutch vessel. On Wednesday, the 30th of June, a melancholy accident occurred at one of the wrecks, while endeavoring to get out a cable. A man belonging to the Triad, of Kirkaldy, had one of his feet tore off above the ancle. The leg was afterward amputated below the knee. This forenoon the Resolution was set on fire, and burned to the water's edge." The master of one of the lost vessels, in a letter dated Ex- eter Bay, 15th Sept. writes as follows. " On the 2d July our vessel, along with several others, was caught by the ice, which came with such overwhelm- ing force against her, that it fairly lifted her out of the water on the surface of the ice, as if to give us the last look of her before she parted. She made a most majestic appearance, standing as upright as if she had been docked. It was not before the water had reached her cabin sole that I abandoned her, to take my seat on my chest that was standing on the ice, there to witness the last struggles of our gallant bark. I am unable to depict the magnificent scene that pre- sented itself to my view, but it was one which would have suited either poet or painter. The first symptoms of de- struction appeared among the half-deck planks ; then the standing rigging and stays became slackened, and nothing was heard but the crashing of the hull as she went to pieces. Her masts meantime slowly bent toward each other, as if to take their final adieu ; and when they came in collision, they seemed to say, " and must we part." They then fell with a tremendous crash ; and the hull was buried for ever beneath a floe of ice six feet in thickness. It was an appalling — a heart- rending spectacle." THE POLAR BEAR. In the caves of the rocks, or in the hollows of the ice, dwells the most formidable of arctic quadrupeds, the Greenland or polar bear. This fierce tyrant of the cliffs and snows of the THE POLAR BEAU. 415 north unites the strength of the lion with the untamable fierceness of the hyena. A long shaggy covering of white soft hair, and a copious supply of fat, enable feim to defy the winter of this rigorous climate. Under the heat of Britain he suffers the most painful sensations : Pennant saw one, over whom it was neceessary from time to time to pour large pailfuls of water. Another, kept for some years by Professor Jameson, evidently suffered severel}'- from the heat of an Edin- burgh summer. The haunt of the bear is on the dreary arctic shores, or on mountains of ice, sometimes two hundred miles from land ; yet he is not, strictly speaking, amphibious. He cannot remain under water above a few moments, and he reaches his maritime stations only by swimming from one icy fragment to another. Mr. Scoresby limits the swimming reach to three or four miles ; yet Parry found one in the cen- tre of Barrow's Strait, where it was forty miles across. This bear prowls continually for his prey, which consists chiefly of the smaller cecacia, and of seals, which, unable to contend with him, shun their fate by keeping strict watch, and plunging into the depths of the waters. With the walrus he holds dreadful and doubtful encounters ; and that powerful animal, with his enormous tusks, frequently beats him off with great damage. The whale he dares not attack, but watches anx- iously for the huge carcass in a dead state, which affords him a prolonged and delicious feast : he scents it at the distance of miles. All these sources of supply being precarious, he is sometimes left for weeks without food, and the fury of his hunger then becomes tremendous. At such periods, man, viewed by him always as his prey, is attacked with peculiar fierceness. The annals of the north are filled with accounts of the most perilous and fatal conflicts of the polar bear. The first, and one of the most tragical, was sustained by Barantz and Heems- kerke, in 1596, during their voyage for the discovery of the north-east passage. Having anchored at an island near the strait of Waygatz, two of the sailors landed, and were Avalk- ing on shore, when one of them felt himself closely hugged from behind. Thinking this a frolic of one of his compan- ions, he called out in a corresponding tone, " Who's there ? pray stand off." His comrade looked, and screamed out, " A bear ! a bear !" then running to the ship, alarmed the crew with loud cries. The sailors ran to the spot armed with pikes and muskets. On their approach the bear very coolly quitted the mangled corpse, sprang upon another sailor, car- 416 THE POLAR BEAR. ried him off! and, plunging his teeth into his body, began drinking his blood in long draughts. Hereupon the Avhole of that stout crew, struck with 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 prowess. Three then stood forth, undertaking to avenge the fate of their countrymen, and to secure for them the rites of burial. They advanced, and fired at first from so respectful a distance that they all missed. The purser then courageously proceeded in front of his companions, and tak- ing a close aim, pierced the monster's skull immediately be- low the eye. The bear, however, merely lifted 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 sepulture on the mangled limbs of their comrades, while the skin of the ani- mal, 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 re- markable 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 a spring from the distance of twen- ty-four feet upon the captain, who, taken completely by sur- prise, lost hold of the lance and fell beneath the assailant, who, placing both paws on his breast, opened two rows of tre- mendous teeth, and paused for a moment, as if to show him all the horrors of his situation. At this critical instant a sail- or, rushing forward with only a scoop, succeeded in alarmmg the monster, who made off, leaving the captaiu without the slightest injury. In 1788, Captain Cook, of the Archangel, when near the coast of Spitzbergen, found himself suddenly between the paws of a bear. He instantly called on the surgeon, who ac- companied him, to fire, which the latter did with such admi- rable promptitude and precision, that he shot the beast through the head, and delivered the captain. Mr. Hawkins, of the Ever- thorpe, in July, 1818, having pursued and twice struck a largo bear, had raised his lance for a third blow, when the animal sprang forward, seized him by the thigh, and threw him over THE POLAR BEAR. 417 its head into the water. Fortunately it used this advantage only to effect its own escape. Captain Scoresby mentions a boat's crew which attacked a bear in the Spitzbergen sea ; but the animal having succeeded in climbing the sides of the boat, all the sailors threw themselves for safety into the wa- ter, where they hung by the gunwale. The victor entered triumphantly and took possession of the barge, where it sat quietly till it was shot by another party. The same writer mentions the ingenious contrivance of a sailor, who being pursued by one of these creatures, threw down successively his hat, jacket, handkerchief, and every other article in his possession, 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 bear is such that he has been known to feed on his own species, yet maternal tenderness is as conspicuous in the female as in other inhabitants of the frozen regions. There is no exertion she will not make for the supply of her progeny. A she bear with her two cubs, being pursued by some sailors across a field of ice, and find- ing that neither by example nor by a peculiar voice and ac- tion she could urge them to the requisite speed, applied her paws and pitched them alternately forward. The little crea- tures themselves, as she came up, threw themselves before her to receive the impulse, and thus both she and they effected their escape. Bears are by no means devoid of intelligence. Their schemes for entrapping seals, and other animals on which they feed, often display considerable ingenuity. The manner in which the polar bear surprises his victim is thus described by Captain Lyon : — On seeing his intended prey, he gets qui- etly into the water and swims to a leeward position, from whence, by frequent short dives, he silently makes his ap- proaches, and so arranges his distance that, at the last dive, he comes to the spot where the seal is lying. If the poor ani- mal attempts to escape by rolling into the water, he falls into the paws of the bear ; if, on the contrary, he lies still, his de- stroyer makes a powerful spring, kills him on the ice, and de- vours him at leisure. Some sailors, endeavoring to catch a bear, placed the noose of a rope under the snow, baited with a piece of whale's flesh. The bear, however, contrived three successive times to push the noose aside, and to carry off" the bait unhurt. Captain Scoresby had half-tamed two cubs, which used even to walk the deck ; but they showed themselves al- 418 LOSS OF THE PHOENIX. ways restless under this confinement, and finally eflfected their escape. According to Pennant and other writers, the hear forms chambers in the great ice-mountains, where he sleeps the long winter night, undisturbed by the roar of the northern tempest ; but this regular hibernation is doubted by many recent observ- ers. The fact seems to be, that the males roam about all -win- ter in search of prey, not being under the same necessity of submitting to the torpid state as the black bear of America, which feeds chiefly on vegetable food ; but the females, who are usually pregnant during the more rigorous season of the year, seclude themselves for nearly the entire winter in their dens. LOSS OF HIS MAJESTY'S SHIP PHOENIXi Off the Island of Cuba, in the Year 1780. By Lieutenant Archer. The Phoenix, of 44 guns. Captain Sir Hyde Parker, waa lost in a hurricane, off Cuba, in the year 1780. The same hurricane destroyed the Thunderer, 74; Sterling Castle, 64; La Blanche, 42 ; Laurel, 28 ; Andromeda, 28 ; Deal Castle, 24; Scarborough, 20; Beaver's Prize, 16; Barbadoes, 14; Cameleon, 14; Endeavor, 14; and Victor, 10 guns. Lieu- ifenant Archer was first lieutenant of the Phoenix at the time she was lost. His narrative, in a letter to his mother, con- tains a most correct and animated account of one of the most awful events in the service. It is so simple and natural as to make the reader feel himself on board the Phoenix. Every circumstance is detailed with feeling, and powerful appeals are continually made to the heart. It must likewise afford considerable pleasure to observe the devout spirit of a seaman frequently bursting forth and imparting sublimity to the re- lation. At sea, June 30, 1780. My Dearest Madam, — I am now going to give you an account of our last cruise in the Phoenix ; and must premise that, should any one see it beside yourself, they must put this construction on it — that it was originally intended for the eyes of a mother, and a mother only — as upon that supposition LOSS OF THE PHOENIX. 4l0 my feelings may be tolerated. You will also meet with a number of sea terms, which, if you do not understand, why, I cannot help you, as I am unable to give a sea description in any other words. To begin then: — On the 2d of April, 1780, we weighed and sailed from Port Royal, bound for Pensacola, having two store-ships under convoy, and to see safe in ; then cruise off the Havanna, and the gulf of Mexico, for six weeks. In a few days we made the two sandy islands that look as if they had just risen out of the sea, or fallen from the sky ; inhabit- ed, nevertheless, by upward of three hundred Englishmen, who get their bread by catching turtles and parrots, and rais- ing vegetables, which they exchange with ships that pass, for clothing, and a few of the luxuries of life. About the 12th we arrived at Pensacola, without any thing remarkable happening, except our catching a vast quantity of iish, sharks, dolphins, and bonettos. On the 13th sailed sin- gly, and on the 1 4th had a very heavy gale of wind at north, right off the land, so that we soon left the sweet place, Pen- sacola, a distance astern. We then looked into the Havanna, saw a number of ships there, and knowing that some of them, were bound round the bay, we cruised in the track : a fort- night, however, passed, and not a single ship hove in sight to cheer our spirits. We then took a turn or two round the gulf, but not near enough to be seen from the shore. Vera Cruz we expected would have made us happy, but the same luck still continued ; day follow^ed day, and no sail. The dollar bag began to grow a little bulky, for every one had lost two or three times, and no one had won : (this was a small gambling party entered into by Sir Hyde and ourselves ; every one put a dollar into a bag, and fixed on a day when we should see a sail, but no two persons were to name the same day, and whoever guessed right first was to have the Being now tired of our situation, and glad the cruise vras almost out, for we found the navigation very dangerous, ow- ing to unaccountable currents, we shaped our course for Cape Antonio. The next day the man at the mast head, at about one o'clock in the afternoon, called out, " A sail upon the weather bow ! Ha ! ha ! Mr. Spaniard, I think we have you at last. Turn out all hands ! make sail ! All hands give chase !" There was scarcely any occasion for this order, for the sound of a sail being in sight flew like wuldfire through the ship, and every sail was set in an instant, almost before 420 LOSS OF THE PHOENIX. the orders were g-iven. A lieutenant at the mast head, with a spy-glass, " What is she ?" " A large ship studding athwart right hefore he wind. P-o-r-t ! Keep her away ! set the stud- ding sails ready!" Up comes the little doctor, rubbing his hands ; " Ha ! ha ! I have won the bag." " The devil take you and the bag ; look, what's ahead will fill all our bags." Mast-head again : " Two more sail on the larboard beam !" " Archer, go up and see what you can make of them." " Upon deck there ; I see a whole fleet of twenty sail coming right before the wind." " Confound the luck of it, this is some convoy or other ; but we must try if we can pick some of them out." " Haul down the studding sails ! Luff! brmg her to the wind! Let us see what we can make of them." About five we got pretty near them, and found them to be twenty-six sail of Spanish merchantmen, under convoy of three line of battle ships, one of which chased us ; but when she found we were playing with her (for the old Phoenix had heels) she left chase and joined the convoy ; which they drew up into a lump, and placed themselves at the outside ; but we still kept smelling about till after dark. O for the Hector, the Albion, and a frigate, and we should take the whole fleet and convoy, worth some millions ! About eight o'clock per- ceived three sail at some distance from the fleet ; dashed in between them and gave chase, and were happy to find they steered from the fleet. About twelve, came up with a large ship of twenty-six guns. " Archer, every man to his quar- ters ! run the lower deck guns out, and light the ship up : show this fellow our force ; it may prevent his firing into us and killing a man or two." No sooner said than done. " Hoa, the ship ahoy ! lower your sails and bring to instantly, or I'll sink you." Clatter clatter went the blocks, and away flew all their sails in proper confusion. " What ship is that ?" " The Polly." " Whence came you ?" " From Ja- maica." " Where are you bound ?" " To New- York." " What ship is that ?" " The Phoenix." Huzza, three times by the whole ship's company. An old grum fellow of a sailor standing close by me : " O d — n your three cheers, we took you to be something else." Upon examination we found it to be as he reported, and that they had fallen in with the Spanish fleet that morning, and were chased the whole day, and that nothing saved them but our stepping in between ; for the Spaniards took us for three consorts, and the Polly took the Phcenix for a Spanish frigate, till we hailed them. The other vessels in company were likewise bound to New-York. Thus LOSS OF THE PHOENIX. 421 was I, from being worth thousands in idea, reduced to the old 4s. 6d. per day again; for the little doctor made the most prize money of us all that day, by winning th^ oag, which contained between thirty and forty dollars ; but this is nothing to what we sailors undergo. After parting company, we steered S. S. E. to go round Antonio, and so to Jamaica, (our cruise being out,) with our fingers in our mouths, and all of us as green as you please. It happened to be my middle Avatch, and about three o'clock, when the man upon the forecastle bawls out, " Breakers ahead, and land upon the lee bow!" I looked out, and it was so, sure enough. " Ready about ! Put the helm down ! Helm a lee !" Sir Hyde hearing me put the ship about, jumped upon deck. " Archer, what's the matter 1 you are putting the ship about without my orders!" Sir, 'tis time to go about; the ship is almost ashore ; there is the land. " Good God, so it is ! AVill the ship stay?" Yes, sir, I believe she will, if we don't make any confusion ; she is all aback — forward now ? " Well, (says he,) work the ship ; I will not speak a single word." The ship stayed very well. Then heave the lead ! see what water we have ! " Three fathom." Keep the ship away, W. N. W. " By the mark three." " This won't do. Archer." No, sir, we had belter haul more to the northward ; we c^^'^e S. S. E. and had better steer N. N. W. "Steady, and a quarter three." This may do, as we deepen a little. " By the deep four." Very well, my lad, heave quick. " Five fathom." That's a fine fellow ! another cast nimbly. " Quar- ter less eight." That will do ; come, we shall get clear by and by. " Mark under water five." What's that ? " Only- five fathom, sir." Turn all hands up; bring the ship to an anchor, boy! Are the anchors clear? "In a moment, sir — all clear." What water have you in the chains now ? " Eight, half nine." Keep fast the anchors till I call you. " Ay, ay, sir, all fast." " I have nO ground with this line." How many fathoms have you out ? pass along the deep-sea line ! "Ay, ay, sir." Heave away — watch! watch! bear away, veer away. " No ground, sir, with a hundred fathom." That's clever! Come, Madam Phcenix, there is another squeak in you yet. All down but the watch; secure the anchors again ; heave the maintop-sail to the mast ; luff, and bring her to the wind ! I told you, Madam, you should have a little sea jargon ; if yOu can understand half of what is already said, I wonder at it, though it is nothing to what is to come yet, when the old 36 422 LOSS OF THE PHOENIX. hurricane begins. As soon as the ship was a little to rights, and all quiet again, Sir Hyde came to me in the most friendly- manner, the tears almost starting from his eyes — " Archer, ws ought all to be much obliged to you for the safety of the ship, and perhaps of ourselves. I am particularly so; noth- ing but that instantaneous presence of mind and calmness saved her; another ship's length, and we should have been fast on shore ; had you been the least diffident, or made the least confusion, so as to make the ship haulk in her stays, she must have been inevitably lost." Sir, you are very good, but I have done nothing that I suppose any body else would not have done in the same situation. 1 did not turn atl the hands up, knowing the watch able to work the ship: beside, had it spread immediately about the ship that she was almost ashore, it might have created a confusion that was better avoided. " Well," says he, " 'tis well indeed." At daylight we found that the current had set us between the Colladora rocks and Cape Antonio, and that we could not have got out any other w^ay than w^e did ; there was a chance, but Providence is the best pilot. We had sunset that day twenty leagues to the S. E. of our reckoning by the current. After getting clear of this scrape, we thought ourselves for- tunate, and made sail for Jamaica ; but misfortune seemed to follow misfortune. The next night, my watch upon deck too, we were overtaken by a squall, like a hurricane while it last- ed ; for though I saw it coming, and prepared for it, yet, when it took the ship, it roared and laid her down so, that I thought she would never get up again. However, by keeping her away, and clueing up every thing, she righted. The remain- der of the night we had very heavy squalls, and in the morn- ing found the main-mast sprung half the way through : one hundred and twenty-three leagues to the leeward of Jamaica, the hurricane months coming on, the head of the main-mast almost off, and at a short allowance ; well, we must make the best of it. The main-mast was well finished, but we were obliged to be very tender of carrying the sail. Nothing remarkable happened for ten days afterward, when we chased a Yankee man of war for six hours, but could not get near enough to her before it was dark to keep sight of her ; so that we lost her because unable to carry any sail on the main-mast. In about twelve days more made the island of Jamaica, having weathered all the squalls, and put into Montego Bay for water ; so that we had a strong party for kicking up a dust on shore, having found three men of war LOSS OF THE PHOENIX. 423 lying there. Dancing, &c. &c. till two o'clock every morn- ing ; little thinking what was to happen in four days' time : for out of the four men of war that were there, not one was in being at the end of that time, and not a soul aliv^e but those left of our crevv. Many of the houses where we had been so merry, were so completely destroyed that scarcely a vestige remained to mark where they stood. Thy works are won- derful, O God ! praised be thy holy name 1^ September the oOth, weighed ; bound for Port Royal, round the eastward of the island; the Barbadoes and Victor had sailed the day before, and the Scarborough was to sail the next. Moderate weather until October the 2d. Spoke to the Barbadoes, off Port Antonio, in the evening. At eleven at night it began to snuffle, with a monstrous heavy bill from the eastward. Close reefed the top sails. Sir Hyde sent for me: " What sort of weather have we, Archer ?" It blows a little, and has a very ug]y look ; if in any other quarter but this, I should say we were going to have a gale of wind. " Ay, it looks so very often here when there is no wind at all; however, don't hoist the top sails till it clears a little, there is no trusting any country." At twelve I was relieved ; the weather had the same rough look : however, they made sail upon her, but had a very dirty night. At eight in the morning I came up again, found it blowing hard from the E. N. E. with close reeled top sails upon the ship, and heavy squalls at times. Sir Hyde came upon deck : " Well, Archer, what do you think of it?" O, Sir, 'tis only a touch of the times ; we shall have an observation at twelve o'clock ; the clouds are beginning to break ; it will clear up at noon, or else blow very hard afterward. " I wish it would clear up, but I doubt it much. I was once in a hurricane in the East Indies, and the beginning of it had much the same appear- ance as this. So take in the top sails, we have plenty of sea- room." At twelve, the gale still increasing, wore ship, to keep as near mid channel between Jamaica and Cuba as possible; at one the gale increasing still; at two harder! Reefed the courses, and furled them ; brought to under a foul mizen stay- sail, head to the northward. In the evening no sign of the weather taking off, but every appearance of the storm in- creasing, prepared for a proper gale of wind : secured all the sails with spare gaskets ; good rolling tackles upon the yards ; squared the booms ; saw the boats all made fast ; new lashed the guns ; double breeched the lower deckers ; saw that the 424 LOSS OF THE PHOENIX. carpenters had the tarpaulins and batins all ready for hatch- ways j got the top-gallant mast down upon the deck ; jib- boom and sprit-sail-yard fore and aft ; in fact every thing we could think of to make a snug ship. The poor devils of birds now began to find the uproar in the elements, for numbers, both of sea and land kinds, came on board of us. I took notice of some, which happening to be to leeward, turned to windward like a ship, tack and tack : for they could not fly against it. When they came over the ship they dashed themselves down upon the deck, without at- tempting to stir till picked up ; and when let go again, they would not leave the ship, but endeavored to hide themselves from the wind. At eight o'clock a hurricane ; the sea roaring, but the wind still steady to a point ; did not ship a spoonful of water. However, got the hatchways all secured, expecting what would be the consequence should the wind shift ; placed the carpenters by the main mast, with broad axes, knowing from experience, that at the moment you may want to cut it away to save the ship, an ax may not be found. Went to supper : bread, cheese, and porter. The purser frightened out of his wits about his bread-bags ; the two marine officers as white as sheets, not understanding the ship's working so much, and the noise of the lower deck guns ; which, by this time, made a pretty screeching to the people not used to it ; it seemed as if the whole ship's side was going at each roll. Wooden, our carpenter, was all this time smoking his pipe and laughing at the doctor ; the second lieutenant upon deck, and the third in his hammock. At ten o'clock I thought to get a little sleep : came to look into my cot ; it was full of water ; for every seam, by the straining of the ship, had begun to leak. Stretched myself, therefore, upon deck between two chests, and left orders to be called, should the least thing happen. At twelve a midship- man came to me : " Mr. Archer, we are just going to wear ship. Sir!" O, very well, I'll be up directly; what sort of weather have you got? " It blows a hurricane." Went upon deck, found Sir Hyde there. " It blows hard, Archer." It does indeed. Sir. " I don't know that I ever remember its blowing so hard before ; but the ship makes a very good weath- er of it upon this tack, as she bows the sea ; but we must wear her, as the wind has shifted to the S. E. and we were drawing right upon Cuba ; so do you go forward, and have some hands stand by ; loose the lee yard-arm of the fore-sail, LOSS OF THE PHOENIX. 425 and when she is right before the wind, whip the clue garnet close up and roll up the sail." Sir, there is no canvass can stand against this a moment: if we attempt to loose him he will fly into ribbands in an instant, and we may lose three or four of our people ; she'll wear by manning the fore shrouds. " O, I don't think she will." I'll answer for it, sir ; I have seen it tried several times on the coast of America with suc- cess. " Well, try it ; if she does not wear, we can only loose the fore-sail afterward," This was a great condescension from such a man as Sir Hyde, However, by sending about two hundred people into the fore-rigging, after a hard struggle she wore ; found she did not make so good w^eather on this tack as on the other ; for as the sea began to run across, she had not time to rise from one sea before another dashed against her. Began to think we should lose our masts, as the ship lay very much along by the pressure of the wind constantly upon the yards and masts alone : for the poor mizen-stay-sail had gone in shreds long before, and the sails began to fly from the yards through the gaskets into coach whips. My God! to think that the wind could have such force ! Sir Hyde now sent me to see what was the matter between decks, as there was a good deal of noise. As soon as I was below, one of the marine officers calls out, " Good God ! Mr. Archer, we are sinking : the water is up to the bottom of my cot." Pooh, pooh ! as long as it is not over your mouth you are Avell off; what the d 1 do you make so much noise for ? I found there was some water between decks, but nothing to be alarmed at ; we scuttled the deck and run it into the well ; found she made a good deal of water through the sides and decks ; turned the watch below to the pumps, though only two feet of water in the well ; but expected to be kept constantly at work now, as the ship labored much, with scarcely a part of hex above water but the quarter-deck, and that but seldom. Come, pump away, my boys. Carpenters, get the weather chain-pump rigged. "All ready, sir." Then man it, and keep both pumps going. At two o'clock the chain-pump being choked, we set the carpenters at work to clear it ; the two head pumps at work upon deck ; the water gained upon us while our chain-pumps were idle ; in a quarter of an hour they were at work again, and we began to gain upon it. While I was standing at the pumps cheering the people, the carpenter's mate came run- ning to me with a face as long as my arm : O, sir ! the ship 36* 426 LOSS OF THE PHOENlX. has sprung a leak in the gunner's room. Go, then, and tell the carpenter to come to me, but do not speak a word to any- one else. Mr. Goodinoh, I am told there is a leak in the gun- ner's room ; go and see what is the matter, but do not alarm any body, and come and make your report privately to me. In a short time he returned ; " Sir, there is nothing there : it is only the Avater washing up between the timbers that this booby has taken for a leak." O, very well ; go upon deck and see if you can keep any of the water from washing down be- low. " Sir, I have had four people constantly keeping the hatch- ways secure, but there is such a weight of water upon the deck that nobody can stand when the ship rolls." The gun- ner soon afterward came to me, saying, " Mr. Archer, I should be glad to have you step this way into the magazine for a moment. I thought some d d thing was the matter, and ran directly. Well, what is the matter here ? He answered, " The ground tier of the powder is spoiled, and I want to show you that it is not out of carelessness in me in stowing it, for no powder in the world could be better stowed. Now, sir, what am I to do ? If you do not speak to Sir Hyde, he will be an- gry with me." I could not forbear smiling to see how easy he took the danger of the ship, and said to him, Let us shake off this gale of wind first, and talk of the damaged powder afterward. At four we had gained upon the ship a little, and I went upon deck, it being my watch. The second lieutenant re- lieved me at the pumps. Who can attempt to describe the appearance of things upon deck ? If I was to write for ever, I could not give you an idea of it — a total darkness all above : the sea on fire, running as if it were in the Alps, or Peaks of T^neriffe; (mountains are too common an idea;) the wind roaring louder than thunder, (absolutely no flight of imagina- tion,) the whole made more terrible, if possible, by a very un- common kind of blue lightning; the poor ship very much pressed, yet doing what she could, shaking her sides and groaning at- every stroke. Sir Hyde upon deck lashed to windward ! I soon lashed myself along side of him, and told him the situation of things below, saying the ship did not make more water than might be expected in such weather, and that I was only afraid of a gun breaking loose. "I am not in the least afraid of that ; I have commanded her six years, and have had many a gale of wind in her ; so that her iron work, which always gives way first, is pretty well tried. Hold fest ! that was an ugly sea ; we must lower the yards, I t LOSS OF THE PHOENIX. 427 believe, Archer; the ship is much pressed." If we attempt it, Sir, we shall lose them, for a man can do nothing ; beside, their being down would ease the ship very little ; the main- mast is a sprung mast ; I wish it was overboard without car- rying any thing else along with it ; but that can soon be done, the gale cannot last for ever ; 'twill soon be daylight now. Found by the master's watch that it was five o'clock, though but a little after four by ours ; I was glad it was so near day- light, and looked for it with much anxiety. Cuba, thou art much in our way ! Another ugly sea : sent a midshipman to bring news from the pumps ; the ship was gaining on them very much, for they had broken one of their chains, but it was almost mended again. News from the pump again. " She still gains I a heavy lee !'' Back-water from leeward, half way up the quarter deck ; filled one of the cutters upon the booms, and tore her all to pieces : the ship lying almost on her beam ends, and not attempting to right again. Word from below that the ship still gained on them, as they could not stand to the pumps, she lay so much along. I said to Sir Hyde : This is no time, Sir, to think of saving the masts, shall we cut the mainmast away? " Ay! as fast as you can." I accordingly went into the weather-chains with a pole-ax, to cut away the lanyards ; the boatswain went to leeward, and the carpenters stood by the masts. We were all ready, when a very violent sea broke right on board of us, carried everything upon deck away, filled the ship with water, the m.ain and mizen-masts went, the ship righted, but was in the last struggle of sinking under us. As soon as we could shake our heads above water, Sir Hyde exclaimed : " We are gone, at last, Archer ! foundered at sea!" Yes, Sir, farewell, and the Lord have mercy upon us I I then turned about to look at the ship, and thought she was struggling to get rid of some of the water ; but all in vain, she was almost fall below. " Almighty God ! I thank thee, that now I am leaving this world, which I have always con- sidered as only a passage to a better, I die with a full hope of thy mercies through the merits of Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Savior I" I then felt sorry that I could swim, as by that means I might be a quarter of an hour longer dying than a man who could not, and it is impossible to divest ourselves of a wish to preserve life. At the end of these reflections I thought I heard the ship thump and grinding under our feet ; it was so. Sir, the ship is ashore ! " What do you say?" The ship is 428 LOSS OF THE PHOENIX. ashore, and we may save ourselves yet ! By this time the quarter deck is full of men who had come up from below ; and the " Lord have mercy upon us," flying about from all quar- ters. The ship now made every body sensible that she was ashore, for every stroke threatened a total dissolution of her whole frame ; we found she was stern ashore, and the bow broke the sea a good deal, though it was washing clean over at every stroke. Sir Hyde cried out, " Keep to the quarter deck, my lads ; when she goes to pieces it is your best chance!" Providentially got the foremast cut away, that she might not pay round broad side. Lost five in cutting away the foremast, by the breaking of a sea on board just as the mast went. That was nothing; every one expected it would be his own fate next ; looked for daybreak with the greatest impatience. At last it came ; but what a scene did it show us ! The ship upon a bed of rocks, mountains of them on one side, and Cordille- ras of water on the other; our poor ship grinding and crying out at every stroke between them ; going away by piece-meal. However, to show the unaccountable workings of Providence, that which often appears to be the greatest evil, proves to be the greatest good ! That unmerciful sea lifted and beat us up so high among the rocks, that at last the ship scarcely moved. She was very strong, and did not go to pieces at the first thumping, though her decks tumbled in. We found after- ward that she had beat over a ledge of rocks almost a quarter of a mile in extent beyond us, where, if she had struck, every soul of us must have perished. I now began to think of getting on shore, so I stripped off my coat and shoes for a swim, and looked for a line to carry the end with me. Luckily I could not find one, which gave me time for recollection : " This won't do for me, to be the first man out of the ship, and first lieutenant ; we may get to England again, and people may think I paid a great deal of attention to myself, and did not care for any body else. No, that won't do ; instead of being the first, I'll see every man, sick and well, out of her before me." I now thought there was no probability of the ship's soon going to pieces, therefore had not a thought of instant death : took a look round with a kind of philosophic eye, to see how the same situation affected my companions, and Avas surprised to find the most swaggering, swearing bullies in fine wea- ther, now the most pitiful wretches on earth, when death appeared before them. However, two got safe; by which means, with a line, we got a hawser on shore, and made fast LOSS OF THE PHOENIX. 429 to the rocks, upon which many ventured and arrived safe. There \yere some sick and w^ounded on board, who could not avail themselves of this method ; we therefore got a spare top-sail yard from the chains and placed one end ashore and the other on the cabin window, so that most of the sick got ashore this way. As I had determined, so I was the last man out of the ship ; this was about ten o'clock. The gale now began to break. Sir Hyde came to me, aud taking me by the hand, was so affected that he was scarcely able to speak. " Archer, I am happy beyond expression to see you on the shore, but look at our poor Phoenix !" I turned about, but could not say a single word, being too full ; my mind had been too intensely occupied before ; but every thing now rushed upon me at once, so that I could not contain myself, and I indulged for a full quarter of an hour. By twelve it was pretty moderate ; got some nails on shore and made tents ; we found great quantities of fish driven up by the sea into holes of the rocks : knocked up a fire and had a most comfortable dinner. In the afternoon we made a stage from the cabin windows to the rocks, and got out some pro- yisions and water, lest the ship should go to pieces, in which case we must all have perished of hunger and thirst ; for we were upon a desolate part of the coast, and under a rocky mountain that could not supply us with a single drop of water. Slept comfortably this night, and the next day the idea of death vanishing by degrees, the prospect of being prisoners, during the war, at the Havana, and walking three hundred miles to it through the woods, was rather unpleasant. How- ever, to save life for the present, we employed this day in get- ting more provisions and water on shore, which was not an easy matter, on account of decks, guns, and rubbish, and ten feet of water that lay over them. In the evening I proposed to Sir Hyde to repair the remains of the only boat left, and to venture in her to Jamaica myself; and in case I arrived safe, to bring vessels to take them all off; a proposal worthy of consideration. It was next day agreed to ; therefore we got the cutter on shore, and set the carpenters to work on her ; in two days she was ready, and at four o'clock in the after- noon I embarked with four volunteers and a fortnight's provi- sion ; hoisted English colors as we put off from shore, and received three cheers from the lads left behind, and set sail with a light heart : having not the least doubt that, with God's 430 LOSS OF THE PHOENIX. assistance, we should come and bring them all off. Had a very squally night, and a very leaky boat, so as to keep two buckets constantly bailing. Steered her myself the whole night by the stars, and in the morning saw the coast of Ja- maica, distant twelve leagues. At eight in the evening arriv- ed at Montego Bay. I must now begin to leave off, particularly as I have but half an hour to conclude; else my pretty Ltile short letter will lose its passage, which I should not like, after being ten days, at different times, writing it, beating up with the convoy to the northward, which is a reason that this epistle will never read well ; for I never sat down with a proper disposition to go on with it ; but as I knew something of the kind would please you, I was resolved to finish it ; yet it will not bear an overhaul ; so do not expose your son's nonsense. But to proceed — I instantly sent off an express to the Ad- miral, another to the Porcupine man of war, and went myself to Martha Bray to get vessels ; for all their vessels here, as well as many of their houses, were gone to Moco. Got three small vessels, and set out back again to Cuba, where I arrived the fourth day after leaving my companions. I thought the ship's crew would have devoured me on my landing ; they presently whisked me up on their shoulders and carried me to the tent wh,ere Sir Hyde was. I must omit many little concurrences that happened on shore, for want of time ; but I shall have a number of stories to tell when I get along side of you ; and the next time I visit you I shall not be in such a hurry to quit you as I was the last, for then I hoped my nest would have been pretty well feathered : — But my tale is forgotten. I found the Porcupine had arrived that day, and the lads had built a boat almost ready for launching that would hold fifty of them, which was intended for another trial, in case I had foundered. Next day embarked all our people that were left, amounting to two hundred and fifty ; for some had died of the wounds they received in getting on shore ; others of drink- ing rum, and others had straggled into the country. All our vessels were so full of people that we could not take away the few clothes that were saved from the wreck ; but that Avas a trifle, since we had preserved our lives and liberty. To make short my story, we all arrived safe at Montego Bay, and shortly after at Port Royal, in the Janus, which was sent on purpose for us, and were all honorably acquitted for the loss of the ship. I was made admiral's aid-de-camp, and a little SHIPWRECK OF THE JONGE THOMAS, 431 time afterward sent down to St. Juan as captain of the Re- source, to bring what were left of the poor devils to Blue Fields, on the Musquito shore, and then to Jamaica, where they arrived after three months absence, and without a prize, though I looked out hard off Porto Bello and Carthagena. Found that in my absence I had been appointed captain of the Tobago, where I remain his Majesty's most true and faith- ful servant, and my dear mother's most dutiful son. ARCHER. SHIPWRECK OF THE JONGE THOMAS, A Dutch East-Indiaman, at the Cape of Good Hope, June 2d, 1773. On the 1st of June, 1773, being Whit-Monday, there aros« at the Cape a very high north-west wind, with violent hurri- canes and showers of rain. At night, in this storm, the Jonge Thomas, one of the four ships belonging to the company that were still in the road, having lost all her anchors, one after the other, was driven on the sands near the shore at Zoul Ri- ver, and, in consequence of her heavy lading, parted into pie- ces in the middle. The surge rose to an amazing height on the shore, and Zoul River was so swollen as to be almost im- passable. It is true, that from the middle of May to the middle of August, the company's ships were prohibited from lying in the road ; yet it sometimes happened that the governor permitted it, in order to avoid the inconveniences of victual- ing and lading the ship in False Bay. Independently of the loss sustained by the company, as well in ships as merchan- dise, a number of the crew likewise unfortunately perished on this occasion. They were lost for want of assistance, and met A\dth a deplorable death very near the land. Only sixty- three men escaped : one hundred and forty-nine being unhap- pily drowned. The ship had scarcely struck, which happened just at day- break, when the most efficacious measures were employed to save as much as possible of the company's property that might chance to be cast on shore ; though not the least care was taken to deliver a single soul of the crew from their forlorn and miserable situation. Thirty men were instantly ordered 432 SHIPWRECK OF THE JONGE THOMAS. out, with a stripling of a lieutenant, from the citadel, to take the places where the ship lay, in order to keep a strict look out, and prevent any of the company's effects from being sto- len. A gibbet was erected, and an edict issued at the same time, importing that whoever should come near the spot, should be hanged immediately, without trial, or sentence be- ing passed upon them. On this account, the compassionate inhabitants, who had gone out on horseback to the assistance of the wretched sufferers, were obliged to return, without be- ing able to do them the least service ; but, on the contrary, witnessed the brutality and want of feeling evinced on this occasion by certain persons, who did not bestow a thought on affording the least assistance or relief to their fellow-crea- tures upon the wreck, perishing with cold, hunger, and thirst, and almost in the arms of death. Another circumstance tended to render this otherwise dis- tressing scene still more afflicting. Among the few lucky enough to save their lives by swimming from the wreck, was the gunner, who stripped himself quite naked, in order that he might swim the easier, and had the good luck to come alive to shore, Avhich was not the case with every one who could swim, for many were either dashed to pieces against the rocks, or, by the violence of the surf, carried again into the sea. When he arrived on shore he found his chest landed before him ; but just as he was going to open it and take out his great coat, the lieutenant who commanded the party drove him away from it, and though he earnestly begged for leave to take out the clothes necessary for covering his naked and shivering body, and could also prove by the key, fastened, ac- cording to the sailor's custom, to his waist, as well as by his name cut on the lid of his chest, that it was actually his pro- perty, he was, nevertheless, forced to retreat without effecting his purpose, by this merciless hero, who gave him several smart blows with his cane on his bare back. After he had passed the whole day naked and hungry, and exposed to the piercing winds, and was going to be taken, in the evening, to town along with others who had been saved from the wreck, he again asked leave to take a coat out of his chest to cover himself with ; but this, having been previously plundered, he found empty. On entering the town, where he arrived stark naked, he met with a burgher, who took compassion on him and lent him his great coat. Afterward he, as well as the other unfortunate wretches, were obliged to run about the town, several days together, begging victuals, clothes and SHIPWRECK OF THE JONGE THOMAS. 433 money, till at length they received support at the compa- ny's expense, and were again taken into its service. Another action, honorable to humanity, deserves the more to be recorded, as it shows that at all times, and in all places, there are both good and considerate people, as well as those who have nothing human but the shape. An old man of the name of Woltemad, by birth an European, who was at this time the keeper of the beasts at the menagerie, near the gar- den, had a son in the citadel, who was a corporal, and among the first who had been ordered out to Paarden Island, (Horse Island,) where a guard was to be placed for the wrecked goods. This worthy veteran borrowed a horse and rode out in the morning with a bottle of wine and a loaf of bread for his son's breakfast. This happened so early that the gibbet had not yet been erected, nor the edict posted up, to point out to the traveler the nearest road to eternity. The hoary sire had no sooner delivered to his son the refreshments he had brought him, and heard the lamentations of the distressed crew from the wreck, than he resolved to ride his horse, which was a good swimmer, to the wreck, with a view of sa- ving some of them. He returned safe with two of the unfor- tiinate sufferers, and repeated this dangerous trip six times, each time bringing with him two men, and thus saved, in all, fourteen persons. The horse was by this time so much fa- tigued that he did not think it prudent to venture out again .; but the cries and entreaties of the poor sufferers on the wreck increasing, he ventured one trip more, which proved so unfor- tunate that he lost his own life, as on this occasion too many rushed upon him at once, some catching hold of the horse's tail, and others of the bridle, by which means the horse, wea- i-ied out and too heavy laden, turned heels over head, and all drowned together. This noble and heroic action of a superannuated old man shows that a great number of lives might probably have been saved, if a strong rope had been fastened by one end to the wreck, and by the other to the shore. When the storms and waves had subsided, the ship was found to lie at so small a distance from the land that one might almost have leaped from her upon the shore. On receiving intelligence of the above event, the East-In- dia Directors in Holland ordered one of their ships to be call- ed the Woltemad, and the story of his humanity to be paint- ed on the stern ; they farther enjoined the regency of the Cape to provide for his descendants. 37 434 POLAR ICE. Unfortunately,' in the southern hemisphere, all were not im pressed with the same sentiments of gratitude. The young* corporal Woltemad, who had been an unavailing witness of his father having sacrificed himself in the service of the com- pany and of mankind, wished in vain to be gratified with his father's place, humble as it was. Stung with the disappoint- inent, he left that ungrateful country and went to Batavia, where he died before the news of such a great and unexpect- ed recommendation could reach him. POLAR ICE. The ice which obstructs the navigation of the arctic seas consists of two different kinds; the one produced by the con- gelation of fresh, and the other by that of salt water. In those unhospitable tracts, the snow which annually falls on the isl- ands or continents, being again dissolved by the progress of the summer's heat, pours forth numerous rills and limpid streams, which are collected along the indented shores, and in the deep bays enclosed by precipitous rocks. There, this clear and gelid water soon freezes, and every successive year sup- plies an additional investing crust, till, after the lapse perhaps of several centuries, the icy mass rises at last to the size and aspect of a mountain commensurate with the elevation of the adjoining cliffs. The melting of the snovv', which is after- ward deposited on such enormous blocks, likewise contributes to their growth; and, by filling up the accidental holes or crevices, it renders the whole structure compact and uniform. Meanwhile, the principle of destruction has already begun iis operations. The ceaseless agitation of the sea gradually wears and undermines the base of the icy mountain, till at length, by the action of its own accumulated weight, when it has perhaps attained an altitude of a thousand, or even two thousand feet, it is torn from its frozen chains, and precipita- ted, with tremendous plunge, into the abyss below. This mighty launch now floats like a lofty island on the ocean ; till, driven southward by winds and currents, it insensibly wastes and dissolves away in the wide Atlantic. Such is conceived to be the real origin of the icy moun- tains or icebergs, entirely similar in their formation to the g/a- ciers which occur on the flanks of the Alps and the Pyrenees. POLAR ICE. 435 They consist of a clear, compact, and solid ice, which has the fine green tint, verging to blue, which ice or water, when very pure and of a sufficient depth, always assumes. From the cavities of these icebergs the crews of the northern wha- lers are accustomed, by means of a hose, or flexible tube of canvass, to fill their casks easily with the finest and softest water. Of the same species of ice, the fragments which are picked up as they float on the surface of the ocean yield the adventurous navin-atoi the most refreshins: beveraa^e. It was long disputed among the learned, whether the waters of the ocean are capable of being congealed; and many fri- volous and absurd arguments, of course, were advanced to prove the impossibility of the fact. But the question is now completely resolved ; and the freezing of sea-water is esta- blished both by observation and experiment. The product, however, is an imperfect sort of ice, easily distinguishable from the result of a regular crystalization ; it is porous, in- compact, and imperfectly diaphanous. It consists of spicular shoots, or thin flakes, which detain within their interstices the strongest brine ; and its granular spongy texture has, in fact, the appearance of congealed syrup, or what the confectioners call water-ice. This saline ice can, therefore, never yield pure water ; yet if the strong brine imprisoned in it be first suffered to drain off slowly, the loose mass that remains will melt into a brackish liquid, which in some cases may be deemed potable. To congeal sea-water of the ordinary saltness, or contain- ing nearly the thirtieth part of its weight of saline matter, it requires not an extreme cold ; this process takes effect about the 27th degree of Fahrenheit's scale, or only five degrees below the freezing point of fresh water. Within the arctic circle, therefore, the surface of the ocean being never much warmer, is, in the decline of the summer, soon cooled do^vn to the limit at which congelation commences. About the end of July, or the beginning of August, a sheet of ice, perhaps an inch thick, is formed in the space of a single night. The frost now maintains ascendancy, and shoots its increasing en- ergy in all directions, till it has covered the whole extent of those seas with a solid vault to the depth of several feet. But, on the return of spring, the penetrating rays of the sun gra- dually melt or soften that icy floor, and render its substance friable and easily disrupted. The first strong wind, creating a swell in the ocean, then breaks up the vast continent into large fields, which are afterward shivered into fragments by 436 POLAR ICE. their mutual collision. This generally happens early in the month of June ; and a few weeks are commonly sufficient to disperse and dissolve the floating ice. The sea is at last open, for a short and dubious interval, to the pursuits of the adventurous mariner. While icebergs are thus the slow growth of ages, the fields or shoals of saline ice are annually formed and destroyed. The ice generated from melted snow is hard, pellucid, and often swells to enormous height and dimensions. But the concretion of salt water wants solidity, clearness, and strength, and never rises to any considerable thickness. It seldom floats during more than part of the year ; though, in some cold season, the scattered fragments may be surprised by the early frost, and preserved till the following summer. The whale fishers enumerate several varieties of the salt- water ice. A very wide expanse of it they call a field, and one of smaller dimensions ^floe. When a field is dissevered by a subaqueous or grown swell, it breaks into numerous pieces, seldom exceeding forty or fifty yards in diameter, which, taken collectively, are termed a pack. This pack again, when of a broad shape, is called a patch ; and when much elongated, a stream. The packs of ice are crowded and heap- ed together by violent winds ; but they again separate and spread asunder in calm weather. If a ship can sail freely through the floating pieces of ice, it is called drift-ice ; and the ice itself is said to loose or open. When, from the effect of abrasion, the larger blocks of ice are crumbled into minute fragments, this collection is called hrash-ice. A portion of ice rising above the common level is termed a hummock, being produced by the squeezing of one piece over another. These hummocks or protuberances break the uniform surface of the ice, and give it a most diversified and fantastic appearance. They are numerous in the heavy packs, and along the edges of ice-fields, reaching to the height of thirty feet. The term sludge is applied by the sailors to the soft and incoherent crys- tals which the frost forms when it first attacks the ruffled sur- face of the ocean. As these increase, they have some eflfect, like oil, to still the secondary waves ; but they are prevented from coalescing into a continuous sheet, by the agitation which still prevails ; and they form small discs, rounded by continual attrition, and scarcely three inches in diameter, call- ed pan-cakes. Sometimes these again unite into circular pie- ces perhaps a foot thick and many yards in circumference. The fields and other collections of floating ice are often POLAR ICE. 437 discovered at a great distance, by that singular appearance on the verge of the horizon which the Dutch seamen have termed ice-blink. It is a stratum of lucid whiteness, occasioned evi- dently by the glare of light reflected obliquely from the sur- face of the ice against the opposite atmosphere. This shining streak, which looks always brightest in clear weather, indi- cates to the experienced navigator, twenty or thirty miles be- yond the limits of direct vision, not only the extent and figure, but even the quality of the ice. The blink from packs of ice appears of a pure white, while that which is occasioned by snow-fields has some tinge of yellow. The mountains of hard and perfect ice are the gradual pro- duction, perhaps, of many centuries. Along the western coast of Greenland, prolonged into Davis's Strait, they form an im- mense rampart, which presents to the mariner a sublime spec- tacle, resembling, at a distance, whole groups of churches, mantling castles, or fleets under full sail. Every year, but especially in hot seasons, they are partially detached from their seats and whelmed into the deep sea. In Davis's Strait those icebergs appear the most frequent ; and about Disco Bay, where the soundings exceed 300 fathoms, masses of such enormous dimensions are met with that the Dutch sea- men compare them to cities, and often bestow on them the familiar names of Amsterdam and Flaerlem. They are car- ried toward the Atlantic by the current which generally flows from the north-east, and after they reach the warmer water of the lower latitudes they readily dissolve, and finally disap- pear, probably in the space of a few months. The blocks of fresh-water ice appear black as they float ; but show a fine emerald or beryl hue when brought up on the deck. Though perfectly transparent like crystal, they some- times enclose threads or streamlets of air-bubbles, extricated in the act of congelation. This pure ice, being only a fif- teenth part lighter than fresh water, must consequently project about one-tenth as it swims on the sea. An iceberg of 2000 feet in height would therefore, after it floated, still rise 200 above the surface of the water. Such, perhaps, may be con- sidered as nearly the extreme dimensions. Those mountains of ice may even acquire more elevation at a distance from land, both from the snow which falls on them, and from the copious vapors which precipitate and congeal on their sur- face. But in general they are carried forward by the cur- rent which sets from the north-east into the Atlantic, where, bathed in w^armer fluid, they rapidly waste and dissolve. It 37* 438 POLAR ICE. may be shown by experiment, that if the water in which they float had only the temperature of 42 deg. the mass of ice would lose the thickness of an inch every hour, or two feet in a day. Supposing the surface of the sea to be at 52 deg. the daily diminution of thickness would be doubled, and would therefore amount to four feet. An iceberg having 600 feet of total elevation, would hence, on this probable estimate, require 150 days for its dissolution. But the melting of the ice would be greatly accelerated if the mass were impelled through the water by the action of winds. A velocity of only a mile in an hour would triple the ordinary effect. Hence, though large bodies of ice are often found near the banks of Newfoundland, they seldom advance farther, or pass beyond the 48th degree of latitude. Within the arctic regions those stupendous blocks remain, by their mere inertia, so fixed on the water as com- monly to serve for the mooring of vessels employed in the whale-fishery. In some cases, however, it is a necessary pre- caution to lengthen the cables and ride at some distance from the frozen cliffs ; because the fragments of ice, which the sea- men term calves, are frequently detached from the under part of the mass, and, darting upward, acquire such a velocity in their ascent that they would infallibly strike holes into the ship's bottom. The ice produced from salt water is whitish, porous, and almost opaque. It is so dense, from the quantity of strong brine enclosed in its substance, that, when floating in the sea, it projects only one-fiftieth part above the surface. The po- rous saline ice has a variable thickness, yet seldom exceeding six feet. But this same ice which, during the greater part of the year, covers. the arctic seas, is annually formed and de- stroyed ; a small portion of it only, and at certain seasons, es- caping the general wreck. The thaw commonly lasts about three months ; and during that time the heat of the solar rays, which, though oblique, yet act with unceasing energy, whe- ther applied directly or through the intervention of the air or the water, is sufficient for the dissolution of all the ice pro- duced in the course of the autumn, the winter and the spring. It may be proved, by experiment, that under the pole itself, the power of the sun at the solstice could, in the space of a week, melt a stratum of five inches of ice. We may hence fairly compute the annual effect to be sufficient for thawing to the depth of forty inches. It should likewise be observed that, owing to the prevailing haziness of the atmosphere in the northern latitudes, those singular cold emanations which al- THE MAELSTROM. 439 island Ver, and betwixt these two runs that large and dreadful ways dart from an azure sky, and in the more temperate cli- mates diminish the calorific action of the sun often by one- fifth part, can scarcely exist. On this account, perhaps the estimate of the annual destruction of polar ice may be swelled to a thickness of four feet. THE MAELSTROM ^'^ ^^ ' The Maelstrom, a very dangerous whirlpool on the coast of Norway, in the 68th degree of latitude, in the province of Nordland, and the district of Lofoden, and near the island of Moskoe, from whence it also takes the name of Moskoe-strom., Its violence and roarings exceed that of a cataract, being heard to a great distance, and without any intermission ex- cept a quarter every sixth hour, that is, at the turn of high and low water, when its impetuosity seems at a stand, which short interval is the only time the fisherman can venture in ; but this motion soon returns, and however calm the sea may be, gradually increases with such a draught and vortex as ab- sorb whatever comes within their sphere of action, and keep under water for some hours, when the fragments, shivered by the rocks, appear again. This circumstance, among others, makes strongly against Kircher and others, who imagine that there is here an abyss penetrating the globe, and issuing in some very remote parts, which Kircher is so particular as to assign, for he names the gulf of Bothinia. But after the most exact researches which the circumstances will admit, this is but a conjecture without foundation : for this and three other vortices among the Ferroe islands, but smaller, have no other cause than the collision of waves, rising and falling at the flux and reflux, against a ridge of rocks and shelves which confine the water so that it precipitates itself like a cataract ; and thus the higher the flood rises the deeper must the fall be ; and the natural result of this is a whirlpool or vortex, the prodigious suction whereof is sufficiently known by lesser experiments. But what has been thus absorbed re- mains no longer at the bottom than the ebb lasts ; for the suc- tion then ceases, and the flood removes all attractions, and permits whatever had been sunk to make its appearance again. Of the situation of this amazing Moskoe-strom we have the following account from M. Jonas Ramus : " The mountain of Helseggen, in Lofoden, lies a league from the 440 THE MAELSTROM. Stream called Moskoe-strom, from the island Moskoe, which is in the middle of it, together with several circumjacent isles, as Amhaaren, half a quarter of a league northward, Iflesen, Hocholm, Kieldholm, Suarven, and Buckholm. Moskoe lies about half a quarter of a mile south of the island of Ver, and betwixt them these small islands, Otterholm, Flimen, Sand- flesen, Stockholm. Betwixt Losoden and Moskoe the depth of the water is between thirty-six and forty fathoms ; but on the other side, toward Ver, the depth decreases, so as not to afford a convenient passage for a vessel without the risk of splitting on the rocks, which happens even in the calmest weather ; when it is flood the stream runs up the country be- tween Losoden and Moskoe with a boisterous rapidity : but the roar of its impetuous ebb to the sea is scarce equalled by the loudest and most dreadful cataracts : the noise being heard seve- ral leagues off, and the vortices or pits are of such an extent and depth that if a ship comes within its attraction it is inevitably ab- sorbed and carried down to the bottom, and there beat to pieces against the rocks ; and when the water relaxes, the fragments thereof are thrown up again. But these intervals of tranquillity are only at the turn of the ebb and flood, and calm weather : and last but a quarter of an hour, its violence gradually return- ing. When the stream is most boisterous, and its fury height- ened by a storm, it is dangerous to oome within a Norway mile of it ; boats, ships, and ^^achts having been carried away by not guarding against it before they were within its reach. It likewise happens frequently that whales come too near the stream and are overpowered by its violence ; and then it is im- possible to describe their bowlings and bellowings in their fruitless struggles to disengage themselves. A bear once at- tempting to swim from Losoden to Moskoe, with a design, of preying upon the sheep at pasture in the island, afforded the like spectacle to the people ; the stream caught him and bore him down, whilst he roared terribly, so as to be heard on shore. Large stocks of firs and pine trees, after being absorb- ed by the current, rise again, broken and torn to such a degree as if bristles grew on them. This plainly shows the bottom to consist of craggy rocks, among which they are whirled to and fro. This stream is regulated by the flux and reflux of the sea ; it being constantly high and low water every six hours. In the year 1645, early in the morning of Sexagesima Sunday, it raged with such noise and impetuosity that on the island of Moskoe the very stones of the houses fell to the ground." THE MAELSTROM. 441 An American captain gives the following description of this celebrated phenomenon. " I had occasion some years since to navigate a ship from the North Cape to Drontheim, nearly all the way between the islands or rocks and the main. On inquiring of my Norwegian pilot about the practicability of running near the whirpool, he told me that with a good breeze it could be approached near enough for examination without danger, and I at once determined to satisfy myself We began to near it about 10 A. M. in the month of Septem- ber, with a fine leading wind northwest. Two good seamen were placed at the helm, the mate on the quarter-deck, all hands at their station for working ship, and the pilot standing on the bowsprit between the night-heads. I went on the main- topsail yard with a good glass. I had been seated but a few moments, when my ship entered the dish of the whirlpool. The velocity of the water altered her course three points to- ward the centre, although she was going three knots through the water. This alarmed me extremely for a moment. I thought destruction was inevitable. She, however, answered her helm sweetly, and we ran along the edge, the waters foam- ing round us in every form, while she was dancing gayly over them. The sensations I experienced are difficult to des- cribe. Imagine to yourselves an immense circle running round, of a diameter of one and a half miles, the velocity in- creasing as it approximated toward the centre, and gradually changing its dark blue color to white — foaming, tumbling, rushing to its vortex, very much concave, as much so as the water in a tunnel when half run out ; the noise too, hissing, roaring, dashing, all pressing on the mind at once, presented the most awful, grand, and solemn sight I ever experienced. We were near it about 18 minutes, and in sight of it two hours. It is evidently a subterranean passage. From its magnitude, I should not doubt that instant destruction would be the fate of a dozen of our largest ships, were they dra\\ii in at the same moment. The pilot says that several vessels have been sucked down, and that whales have also been de- stroyed. 442 CAPTAIN Ross's ARCTIC EXPEDITION. CAPTAIN ROSS'S NARRATIVE OF HIS LATE ARCTIC EXPEDITION. The following letters addressed by the gallant navigator to the Admiralty, will 'put the reader in possession of all the Ad- ventures and Discoveries of this memorable expedition. O71 board the Isabella, of Hull, ) Baffin's Bay, Sept. 1833. \ Sir, — Knowing how deeply my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty are interested in the advancement of nautical knowledge, and particularly in the improvement of geogra- phy, I have to acquaint you, for the information of their lordships, that the expedition, the main object of which is to solve, if possible, the question of a north-west passage from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean, particularly by Prince Regent's Inlet, and which sailed from England in May, 1827, notwith- standing the loss of the foremast and other untoward circum- stances, which obliged the vessel to refit in Greenland, reach- ed the beach on Avhich his Majesty's late ship Fury's stores were landed on the 13th of August. We found the boats, provisions, &c. in excellent condition, but no vestige of the wreck. After completing in fuel and other necessaries, we sailed on the 14th, and on the following morning rounded Cape Garry, where our new discoveries commenced, and keeping the western shore close on board, ran down the coast in a S. W. and W. course, in from 10 to 20 fathoms, until we had passed the latitude of 72 north in longitude 94 west ; here we found a considerable inlet leading to the westward, the examination of which occupied two days ; at this place we were first seriously obstructed by ice, which was now seen to extend from the south cape of the in- let, in a solid mass, round by S. and E. to E. N. E. ; owing to this circumstance, the shallowness of the water, the rapidity of the tides, the tempestuous weather, the irregularity of the coast, and the numerous inlets and rocks for which it is re- markable, our progress was no less dangerous than tedious, yet we succeeded in penetrating below the latitude of 70 north in longitude 92 west, where the land, after having car- ried us as far east as 90, took a decided westerly direction, while land at the distance of 40 miles to southward was seen extending east and west. At this extreme point our progress was arrested on the 1st of October by an impenetrable barri- CAPTAIN Ross's ARCTIC EXPEDITION. 443 er of ice. We, however, found an excellent wintering port, which we named Felix Harbor. - Early in January, 1830, we had the good fortune to estab lish a friendly intercourse Avith a most interesting consocia- tion of natives, who, being insulated by nature, had never be- fore communicated with strangers ; from them we gradually obtained the important information that we had already seen the continent of America : that about 40 miles to the S. W. there were two great seas, one to the west, w^hich was divided from that to the east by a narrow strait or neck of land. The verification of this intelligence either way, on which our fu- ture operations so materially depended, devolved on Com- mander Ross, who volunteered his sendee early in April, and accompanied by one of the mates, and guided by two of the natives, proceeded to the spot, and found that the north land was connected to the south by two ridges of high land, 15 miles in breadth, but, taking into account a chain of fresh wa- ter lakes which occupied the valleys between the dry land which actually separates the two oceans, is only five miles. This extraordinary isthmus was subsequently visited by my- self, when Commander Ross proceeded minutely to survey the sea-coast to the southward of the isthmus leading to the westward, which he succeeded in tracing to the 99th degree, or to 150 miles of Cape Turnagain of Franklin, to which point the land, after leading him into the 70th degree of north latitude, trended directly ; during the same journey he also surveyed 30 miles of the adjacent coast, or that to the north of the isthmus, which, by also taking a westerly direction, forming the termination of the western sea into a gulf The rest of this season was employed in tracing the sea-coast south of the isthmus leading to the eastward, which was done so as to leave no doubt that it joined, as the natives had previously in- formed us, to Ockullee, and the land forming Repulse Bay. It was also determined that there was no passage to the west- ward for 30 miles to the northward of our position. This summer, like that of 1818, was beautifully fine, but extremely unfavorable for navigation, and our object being now to try a more northern latitude, Ave waited with anxiety for the disruption of the ice, but in vain, and our utmost en- deavors did not succeed in retracing our steps more than four miles, and it was not until the middle of November that we succeedv^d in cutting the vessel into a place of security, which we named " Sheriff's Harbor." I may here mention that we named the newly discovered continent to the south- 444 CAPTAIN Ross's ARCTIC EXPEDITION. ward, " Boothia," as also the isthmus, the peninsula to the north and the eastern sea, after my worthy friend Felix Booth, Esq. the truly patriotic citizen of London, who, in the most disinterested manner, enabled me to equip this expedition in a superior style. The last winter was in temperature nearly equal to the means of what had been experienced on the four preceding voyages, but the winters of 1830 and 1831 set in with a de- gree of violence hitherto beyond record — the thermometer sunk to 92 degrees below the freezing point, and the average of the year was 10 degrees below the preceding ; but not- withstanding the severity of the summer, we traveled across the country to the west sea by a chain of lakes, 30 miles north of the isthmus, when Commander Ross succeeded in surveying 50 miles more of the coast leading to the north- west, and by tracing the shore to the northward of our por- tion, it was also fully proved that there could be no passage below the 71st degree. This autumn we succeeded in getting the vessel only 14 miles to the northward ; as we had not doubled the Eastern Cape, all hope of saving the ship was at an end, and put quite beyond possibility by another very severe winter ; and having only provisions to last us to the 1st June, 1833, dispositions were accordingly made to leave the ship in present port, which (after her) was named Victory Harbor. Provisions and fuel being carried forward in the spring, we left the ship on the 28th May, 1832, for Fury Beach, being the only chance left of saving our lives ; owing to the very rugged nature of the ice we were obliged to keep either upon or close to the land, making the circuit of every bay, thus in- creasing our distance 200 miles by nearly one half; and it was not until the 1st of July that we reached the beach, com- pletely exhausted with hunger and fatigue. A hut was speedily constructed, and the boats, three of which had been washed off the beach, but providentially driv- en on shore again, were repaired during this month ; and the unusual heavy appearance of the ice afforded us no cheering prospect until the 1st of August, when in three boats we reached the ill-fated spot where the Fury was first driven on shore, and it was not until the first of September we reached Leopold South Island, now established to be the N. E. point of America, in latitude 73, 56, and longitude 90 west. From the summit of the lofty mountain on the promontory we could see Prince Regent's Inlet, Barrow's Strait, and Lancaster WRECK OF THE FULTON, A steam frigate, at the Navy Yard, at Brooklyn, N. Y., after the explo- sion of June 4th, 1829.— p. 464. CAPTURE OF THE GUERRIERE. The United States frigate Constitution captured the British frigate Guerriere, Aug. 19, 1812.— p. 479. CAPTAIN Ross's ARCTIC EXPEDITION. 445 Sound, which presented one impenetrable mass of ice, just as I had seen it in 1818. Here we remained in a state of anxiety and suspense which may be easier imagined than described. Al] our attempts to push through were vain ; at length, being forced by want of provisions and the approach of a very se- vere winter to return to Fury Beach, where alone there re- mained wherew^ith to sustain life, there we arrived on the 7th of October, after a most fatiguing and laborious march, hav- ing been obliged to leave our boats at Batty Bay. Our habitation, w^hich consisted of a frame of spars, 32 feet by 16, covered with canvass, was, during the month of November, enclosed, and the roof covered with snow from 4 to 7 feet thick, which being saturated with water when the temperature was 15 degrees below zero, immediately took the consistency of ice, and thus we actually became the inhabitants of an iceberg during one of the most severe winters hitherto recorded ; our sufferings, aggravated by want of bedding, clothing, and animal food, need not be dwelt upon. Mr. C. Thomas, the carpenter, was the only man who perished at this beach, but three others, beside one who had lost his foot, were reduced to the last stage of debility, and only twelve out of our number w^ere able to carry provisions, in seven jour- neys, of 62 miles each, to Batty Bay. We left Fury Beach on the 8th of July, carrying wdth us three sick men, who w^ere unable to w^alk, and in six days we reached the boats, where the sick daily recovered. Al- though the spring was mild, it was not until the 15th of Au- gust that we had any cheering prospect. A gale from the westward having suddenly opened a lake of water along the shore, in two days we reached our former position, and from the mountain w^e had the satisfaction of seeing clear water across Prince Regent's Inlet, Avhich we crossed on the 17th, and took shelter from a storm twelve miles to the eastward of Cape York. The next day, when the gale abated, we crossed Admiralty Inlet, and were detained six days on the coast by a strong N. E. vAnd. On the 25th we crossed the Navy Board Inlet, and on the following morning, to our inexpressi- ble joy, we descried a ship in the offing, becalmed, which proved to be the Isabella, of Hull, the same ship which I com- manded in 1818. At noon we reached her, when her enter- prizing commander, who had in vain searched for us in Prince Regent's Inlet, after giving us three cheers, received us with every demonstration of kindness and hospitality which hu- raanity could dictate. I ought to mention also that Mr. Hum- 38 446 CAPTAIN ROSs's ARCTIC EXPEDITIOIf. phreys, by landing me at Possession Bay, and subsequently on the west coast of Baffin's Bay, afforded me an excellent op- portunity of concluding my surveys and of verifying my for- mer chart of that coast. I now have the pleasing duty of calling the attention of their lordships to the merit of Commander Ross, who was se- cond in the direction of this expedition. The labors of this officer, who had the departments of astronomy, natural his- tory and surveying, will speak for themselves in language be- yond the ability of my pen ; but they will be duly apprecia- ted by their lordships, and the learned bodies of which he is a member, and who are already well acquainted with his ac- quirements. My steady and faithful friend, Mr. William Thom, of the royal navy, who was formerly with me in the Isabella, beside his duty as third in command, took charge of the m.eteorolo- gical journal, the distribution and economy of provisions, and to his judicious plans and suggestions must be attributed the uncommon degree of health which our crew enjoyed ; and as two out of the three who died in the four years and a half were cut off early in the voyage by diseases not peculiar to the climate, only one man can be said to have perished. Mr. M'Diarmid, the surgeon, who had been several voyages to these regions, did justice to the high recommendation I re- ceived of him ; he was useful in every amputation and opera- tion which he performed, and wonderfully so in his treatment of the sick ; and I have no hesitation in adding that he would be an ornament to his Majesty's service. Commander Ross, Mr. Thom, and myself, have indeed been serving without pay ; but, in common with the creAv, have lost our all, which Tregret the more, because it puts it totally out of my power adequately to remunerate my fellow- sufferers, whose case I cannot but recommend for their lord- ship's considerations. We have, however, the consolation that the results of this expedition have been conclusive, and to science highly important, and may be briefly comprehended in the following words. The discovery of the Gulf of Boo- thia, the continent and isthmus of Boothia Felix, and a vast number of islands, rivers, and lakes ; the undeniable estab- lishment that the north-east point of America extends to the 74th degree of north latitude; valuable observations of every kind, but particularly on the magnet ; and to crown all, have the honor of placing the illustrious name of our most gra- cious Sovereign, William IV. on the true position of the mag- netic pole. SHIPWRECK OF THE ALBION. 447 1 cannot conclude this letter, sir, without acknowledging the important advantages we obtained from the valuable pub- lications of Sir Edward Parry and Sir John Franklin, and the communications kindly made to us by those distinguished of- ficers before our departure from England. But the glory of this enterprise is entirely due to Him whose divine favor has been most especially manifested toward us, who guided and directed all our steps ; who mercifully provided, in w^hat we had deemed a calamity, his effectual means of our preserva- tion ; and who, even after the devices and inventions of man had utterly failed, crowned our humble endeavors with com- plete success. I am, &c. JOHN ROSS, Captain R. N. To Captain the Hon. George Elliot, 6fc, Secretary Admiralty. SHIPWRECK OF THE ALBION PACKET. Few instances have occurred of a shipwreck more distress- ing in its circumstances, and more calamitous in its destruc- tion of valuable lives and property, than that of the Albion. It will long be remembered, even in history, from the melan- choly fate of two distinguished men among its passengers, Lefebvre-Desnouettes, one of Napoleon's generals, and Pro- fessor Fisher, of Yale College, who, though young in age, had already accc«mplished much in science, and gave large promise of future eminence. The following statements, pub- lished at the time in the Liverpool papers, will furnish the reader a full account of the sad event. This fine ship sailed from New- York on the 1st of April, 1822, with a crew of 24 men and about 28 passengers. On the 22d she was entirely lost on the coast of Ireland, ofFGar- retstown, near the old Point of Kinsale. Only two of the passengers and seven of the crew were saved. All the par- ticulars of this melancholy shipwreck which we have receiv- ed in town up to the hour that we are writing, (April 27,) are contained in two letters published in the Mercury yester- day, and which we give beneath; the one from Jacob Mark,^ U. S. Consul at Kinsale, to Messrs. Cropper, Benson, & Co, Liverpool, the other from an eye-witness of the scene, a Mr. Purcell, agent of the gentleman to whom this is addressed 448 SHIPWRECK OF THE ALBION. and which has been forwarded here by the gentleman, for the information of those interested. Kinsale, Aih Month, 22, 1822. On my arrival at tnis place early this morning, I was in- formed of the melancholy fate of the ship Albion, Captain Williams, one of the line of packet ships from New- York to your port ; she was cast away before daylight this morning, to the westward of the Old Head, near a place called Garrets- town, and I grieve to say, poor Captain Williams is no more. There were 22 passengers on board in the cabin, 15 men and 7 women, all of whom have met a watery grave, with the ex- ception of a young man from Boston, I understand ; and he is so exhausted, he could not give the names of the others, or 8tny particulars ; seven of the crew are saved, one of the mates and six men. I am informed that there was a conside- rable sum in specie on board ; part of the deck only floated ashore. Last night was very tempestuous ; and it seems the ship lost her masts about ten o'clock, carrying a press of sail off the land, wind S. S. E. which was the cause of the misfor- tune; it was about three o'clock this morning that she struck on a ledge of rocks, and went to pieces. I understand a few bales of cotton have come on shore. It is my intention to go to the spot and render any service in my power to the unfor- tunate survivors : and if any thing particular comes to my knowledge relative to this truly awful and melancholy catas- trophe, I shall drop you a line. In haste, your sincere friend, JACOB MARK. To Messrs. Cropper, Benson, Sf Co. ■ Garretstown, 22d April, 1832. Honored Sir, — At some time before 4 o'clock this morn- ing I was informed that a ship was cast on the rocks at the bottom of your dairy farms, to which place I immediately re- paired ; and at about the centre of the two farms found a ves- sel on the rocks, under a very high cliff. At this time, as it blew a dreadful gale, Avitha spring-tide and approaching high water, the sea ran mountains high ; however, I descended with some men as far down the cliff as the dashing of the waves would permit us to go with safety, and there we had the horrid spectacle of viewing five dead bodies stretched on the deck, and four other fellow creatures distractedly calling for assistance, which we were unable to afford them, as certain death would have attended the attempt to render them any. SHIPWRECK OF THE ALBION. 449 Of those in this perilous situation, one was a female, whom, though it was impossible, from the roaring of the sea, to hear her, yet, from her gestures and the stretching out of her hands, w-e judged to be calling and imploring for our assistance. At this time the greater part of the vessel lay on the rock, and part of her stern, where this poor woman lay, projected over a narrow creek that divides this rock from another. Here the sea ran over her with the greatest fury, yet she kept a firm hold, which it much astonished me that she could do ; but we soon perceived that the vessel was broke across where she projected over the rock, and after many waves dashing against her, this part of the vessel rolled into the waves, and we had the heart-rending scene of seeing the wo- man perish. Three men lay toward the stern of the vessel, one of whom stuck to a mast which projected toward the cliffy to whom, after many attempts, we succeeded in throwing a rope, and brought him safe ashore. Another we also saved ; but the constant dashing of the waves put an end to the suf- ferings of the others. This vessel proves to be the Albion, of New- York, packet. Captain Williams, Avhich place she left on the 1st inst. for Liverpool, with a cargo of cotton, raw turpentifie, rice, «fec. and with about 28 passengers. Her crew consisted of 24, and of the whole there have been saved only nine, making the sufferers amount to 43. Out of the pas- sengers there have been saved two. The bodies of five men and two women have been picked up. After doing every thing possible for these poor creatures, I exerted myself with Mr. Gibbons in saving the private property of the poor sai- lors and passengers, and succeeded in saving some of their trunks. I have brought four of these poor creatures here. Mr. Gibbons has taken three, and two more remain at the dairy-men's houses ; from whence they were too weak to be removed. Captain \Villiams is among the sufferers. As I knew your feelings toward those thus situated, I have taken the liberty of preparing some thin boards to make coffins for these seven. She is now completely gone to pieces. She was, I think, as fine a vessel of her description as could be seen. My situation does not allow me to say more at present, as I was never more fatigued, and remain, Honored Sir, Your ever-grateful and obedient servant, (Signed) JOHN PURCELL. To Thomas Rochford, Esq. 38* 450 SHIPWRECK OF THE ALBION. ^ T Kinsale, 4th Month, 26, 1822. On my arrival here on the 22(i I wrote you a hasty letter, apprising you of the melancholy fate of the ship Albion. 1 went over the fatal spot, and I cannot describe the scene that presented itself to my view, nor am I disposed to dwell on the heart-rending scene. I shall be as brief as possible. Henry Cammyer, the first mate, is saved, and six of the crew. The whole company on board, including passengers, amounted to fifty-six, of whom forty-five perished, and nine atte saved. The log-book being lost, the mate could not give me a list of the passengers ; but, from memory, he has given me the names of eighteen, which are annexed. As the bo- dies that were found lay on the shore, the mate pointed out to me their respective names, which Were put on paper and placed on each body, and I gave directions that the graves should be numbered, and a list made out, which I expected to get this day, by which it can easily be ascertained where each body lies in the grave-yard. A clergyman attended the me- lancholy procession. This may be some consolation to the afflicted relatives of the dead. Very little of the wreck re- mains, and the country people are carrying it off in ,^11 direc- tions, in small pieces. I have desired the remnant to be* put up at auction and sold. I inquired of the mate about the spe- cie ; there were two boxes for you, two for Professor Fisher, a passenger, beside a package of dollars belonging to the only cabin passenger saved, Mr. Everhart, of Pennsylvania, who is very ill in bed. The mate thought I had not the least chance of recovering a dollar. I however thought otherwise. I accordingly took aside a confidential man, John Purcell, who is in the employment, and enjoys the unlimited confi- dence of my worthy and respectable friend, Thomas Rochfort, Esq. of GarretstowTi, who owns all the land in the neighbor- hood. I told him to employ a few men, on whose honesty he could depend, and set them to work to examine the spot where I received the mate's report the money might be, and that I would give him a good commission (I think I said five per cent.) if he could prevent plunder, and save the property. Late .last night I received the inclosed by express, and am now on the point of returning to the wreck. The box was broken, and plunder attempted. Yours truly, JACOB MARK. Cropper, Benson, ^ Co. Garretstown, Thursday eve. April 25, 1822. Sir,— I Mve only time to inform you that we found, near SHIPWRECK OF THE ALBION. 451 where the wreck of the Albion lay, this day, different gold coins in a small box, in all, by a rough calculation, amount- ing to upward of 3000Z. The coins being many of them fo- reign, and of different sizes, prevents me from being able to ascertain the exact sum, but it has all been brought up here safe, and counted in the presence of Mr. Pratt, the officer of Customs, Mr. Lemon, and myself. I hasten to acquaint you of this pleasing circumstance. I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient and humble servant, JOHN PURCELL. To Jacob Mark, Esq. From the Cork Southern Reporter of Saturday. The Albion, whose loss at Garretstown Bay we first men- tioned in our paper of Tuesday, was one of the first class of ships between Liverpool and New- York, and was 500 tons burthen. We have since learned some further particulars, by which it appears that her loss was attended with circumstan- ces of a peculiarly afiiicting nature. She had lived out the tremendous gale of the entire day on Sunday, and Captain Williams consoled his passengers, at 8 o'clock in the evening, with the hope of being able to reach Liverpool on the day but one after, which cheering expectation induced most of the passengers, particularly the females, to retire to rest. In some short time, however, a violent squall came on, which in a mo- ment carried away the masts, and there being no possibility of disengaging them from the rigging, they so encumbered the hull that she became unmanageable, and drifted at the mercy of the waves, till the light-house at Old Head was dis- covered, the wreck still nearing in, when the captain told the sad news to the passengers that there was no longer any hope, and soon after she struck. From thenceforward all was dis- tress and confusion. The vessel soon went to pieces, and of the crew and passengers, only six of the former, and one of the latter, were saved. The mate is among the preserved, and that preservation was almostnniraculous. He was thrown on a cliff by a wave, and had succeeded in climbing to the top of it, when another took him off. He was thus thrown back again, and was more fortunate ; but his appearance bespeaks the sufferings he endured from the beating of his body against the rocks. He is dreadfully bruised. The number of passengers, we believe, is twenty-five. Of these, as we have already stated, one only was saved, a gen- 452 SHIPWRECK OF THE ALBION. tleman of Boston, who traded with Liverpool. He had arriv- ed at New- York almost as the Albion was on the point of sailing, and had not time to get hills for a large sum of specie which he had. It was therefore shipped and lost. Several of the bodies have been washed ashore, and Jacob Mark, Esq. the American Consul at this port, having repair- ed to the scene where the wreck took place, immediately on learning the melancholy intelligence, has done every thing be- fitting his situation and a man of humanity, under these cir- cumstances. He has provided coffins for the bodies, and caus- ed them to be interred with their respective names affixed, having first had the mate to point them out, in order that if the families of them should wish hereafter to have the bodies removed, they may be enabled to do so. It appears from a comparison of the several accounts which have been published of the loss of the Albion, that, for the first twenty days after leaving New- York, the weather was moderate and favorable; and that about one o'clock on the afternoon of Sunday the 21st, the ship made the south of Ire- land. Soon after a gale commenced, which blew the remain- der of the day with great violence. About half past 8 o'clock in the evening the Albion shipped a heavy sea, which threw her on her beam ends, and took the mainmast by the deck, the head of the mizenmast, and fore topmast, and swept the decks clear of every thing, including boats, compasses, &c. and stove in all the hatches, state-rooms, and bulwarks in the cabin, which was nearly filled with water. At the same time, six of the crew, and one cabin passenger, Mr. Converse, of N. York, were swept overboard. The axes being lost, no means remained of clearing the wreck, and the ship was un- manageable. About three o'clock the ship struck on a reef of rocks about one hundred yards from the main land. This, as afterward appeared, was in Courtmacherry-Bay, about three miles west of the Old Head of Kinsale. In about half an hour the ship went to pieces; and all the cabin passengers, except Mr. W. Everhart, of Chester, Pennsylvania, were lost. It is understood that Prof Fisher, as well as some others, was considerably injured when the masts were carried away; and at the time the other passengers went on deck, after the captain had informed them of their imminent danger, he re- mained below in his berth. Whether he afterward came up, and what were the particular circumstances of his death, is unknown. 453 EXPLOSION OF THE STEAM-BOAT HELEN M'GREGOR, At Memphis, Tennessee, Feb. 24, 1830. The following interesting narrative was written by a gen- tleman, passenger on board the Helen M'Gregor. On the morning of the 24th of February the Helen M'Gre- gor stopped at Memphis, to deliver freight and land a num- ber of passengers who resided in that section of Tennessee. The time occupied in so doing could not have exceeded three quarters of an hour. When the boat landed I went ashore to see a gentleman with whom I had some business. I found him on the beach, and after a short conversation returned to the boat. I recollect looking at my watch as I passed the gangway. It was half past eight o'clock. A great number of persons were standing on what is called the boiler-deck, being that part of the upper deck situated immediately over the boilers. It was crowded to excess, and presented one dense mass of human bodies. In a few minutes we sat down to break- fast in the cabin. The table, although extending the whole length of the cabin, was completely filled, there being upward of sixty cabin passengers, among whom were several ladies and children. The number of passengers on board, deck and cabin united, was between four and five hundred. I had almost finished my breakfast when the pilot rung his bell for the en- gineer to put the machinery in motion. The boat having just shoved off, I was in the act of raising my cup to my lip, the tingling of the pilot bell yet on my ear, when I heard an ex- plosion resembling the discharge of a small piece of artillery — the report was perhaps louder than usual in such cases — for an exclamation was half uttered by me that the gun was well loaded, when the rushing sound of steam, and the rattling of glass in some of the cabin windows checked my speech and told too well what had occurred. I almost involuntarily bent my head and body down to the floor — a vague idea seemed to shoot across my mind that more than one boiler might burst, and that, by assuming this posture, the destroying matter would pass over without touching me. The general cry cf "a boiler has burst," resounded from one end of the table to the other ; and, as if by a simultaneous movement, all started on their feet. Then commenced a gen- 454 eral race to the ladies' cabin, which lay more toward the stern of the boat. All regard to order or deference to sex seemed to be lost in the struggle for which should be first and furthest removed from the dreaded boilers. The danger had already- passed away ! I remained standing by the chair on which I had been previously sitting. Only one person or two staid in the cabin with me. As yet not more than half a minute had elapsed since the explosion; but in that brief space how had the scene changed! In that "drop of time" what confusion, distress, and dismay ! An instant before, and all were in the quiet repose of security — another, and they were overwhelmed with alarm and consternation. It is but justice to say that in this scene of terror the ladies exhibited a degree of firmness worthy of all praise. No screaming, no fainting ; their fears, when uttered, were for their husbands and children, not for themselves. I advanced from my position to one of the cabin doors for the purpose of inquiring who were injured, when, just as I reached it, a man entered at the opposite one, both his hands covering his face, and exclaiming, " O God, O God ! I am lost ! I am ruined !" He immediately began to tear off his clothes. When stripped, he presented a most shocking and afflicting spectacle: his face was entirely black; his body without a particle of skin. He had been flayed alive. He gave me his name and place of abode — then sunk in a state of exhaustion and agony on the floor. I assisted in placing him on a mattress taken from one of the berths, and covered him with blankets. He complained of heat and cold as at once oppressing him. He bore his torments with a manly fortitude, yet a convulsive shriek would occasionally burst from him. His wife, his children, were his constant theme: it was hard to die without seeing them : " it was hard to go without bidding them one farewell !" Oil and cotton were ap- plied to his wounds : but he soon became insensible to earthly misery. Before I had done attending to him, the whole floor of the cabin was covered with unfortunate sufierers. Some bore up under the horrors of their situation with a degree ot resolution amounting to heroism. Others were wholly over- come by the sense of pain, the suddenness of the fatal disas- ter, and the near approach of death, which even to them was evident — whose pangs they already felt. Some implored us, as an act of humanity, to complete the work of destruction, and free them from present sufl^ering. One entreated the presence of a clergyman to pray for him, declaring he was EXPLOSION OF THE HELEN m'gREGOR. 455 not fit to die. I inquired : none could be had. On every side were to be heard groans and mingled exclamations of grief and despair. To add to the confusion, persons were every moment run- ning about to learn the fate of their friends and relatives : fa- thers, sons, brothers : for, in this scene of unmixed calamity, it was impossible to say who were saved, or who had perish- ed. The countenances of many were so much disfigured as to be past recognition. My attention, after some time, was parti- cularly drawn toward a poor fellow who lay unnoticed on the floor, without uttering a single word of complaint. He was at a little distance removed from the rest. He was not much scalded, but one of his thighs was broken, and a principal ar- tery had been severed, from which the blood was gushing rapidly. He betrayed no displeasure at the apparent neglect with Avhich he was treated — he was perfectly calm. I spoke to him; he said " he was very weak ; he felt himself going — It would be soon over." A gentleman ran for one of the phy- sicians ; he came, and declared that, if expedition were used, he might be preserved by amputating the limb : but that, to efiect this, it would be necessary to remove him from the boat. Unfortunately the boat was not sufficiently near to run a plank ashore. We were obliged to wait until it could be close hauled. I stood by him calling for help; we placed him on a matress, and bore him to the guards ; there we were de- fined some time, from the cause I have mentioned. Never did any thing appear to me so slow as the movements of those engaged in hauling the boat. I knew, and he knew, that delay was death — that life was fast ebbing. I could not take my gaze from his face — there was all coolness and resignation. No word or gesture indi- cative of impatience escaped him. He perceived by my loud and, perhaps, angry tone of voice, how mu@h I was excited by what I thought the barbarous slowness of those around : he begged me not to take so much trouble ; that they were doing their best. At length we got him on shore — it was too late : he was too much exhausted, and died immediately after the amputation. So soon as I was relieved from attending on those in the cabin, I went to examine that part of the boat where the boil- er had burst. It was a complete wreck — a picture of destruc- tion. It bore ample testimony of the tremendous force of that power which the ingenuity of man has brought to his aid. The steam had given every thing a whitish hue — the boilers 456 EXPLOSION OF THE HELEN m'gREGOR. were displaced — the deck had fallen down — the machinery was broken and disordered. Bricks, dirt, and rubbish were scattered about. Close by the bowsprit was a large rent through which, I was told, the boiler, after exploding, had passed out, carrying one or two men in its mouth. Several dead bodies were lying around ; their fate had been an en- viable one compared with that of others — they could scarcely have been conscious of a pang ere they had ceased to be. On the starboard wheel-house lay a human body, in which life was not yet extinct, though apparentl}^ there was no sen- sibility remaining. The body must have been thrown from the boiler-deck, a distance of thirty feet. The whole of the forehead had been blown away : the brains were still beating. Tufts of hair, shreds of clothing, and splotches of blood might be seen in every direction. A piece of skin was picked up by a gentleman on board, which appeared to have been peeled off by the force of steam ; it extended from the middle of the arm down to the tip of the fingers, the nails adhering to it. So dreadful had been the force that not a particle of the flesh ad- hered to it ; the most skillful operator could scarcely have ef- fected such a result. Several died from inhaling the steam or gas, whose skin was almost uninjured. The number of lives lost will, in all probability, never be distinctly known. Many were seen flung into the river, most of whom sunk to rise no more. Could the survivors have been kept together until the list of passengers was called, the pre- cise loss would have been ascertained ; that however, though it had been attempted, would, under the circumstances, have been impossible. Judging from the crowd which I saw on the boiler-deck immediately before the explosion, and the statement which T received as to the number of those who succeeded in swim- ming out after they were cast into the river, I am inclined to believe that between forty and fifty must have perished. The cabin passengers escaped, owing to the peculiar con- struction of the boat. Just behind the boilers were several large iron posts, supporting, I think, the boiler-deck : across each post was a large circular plate of iron of between one and two inches in thickness. One of those posts was placed exactly opposite the head of the boiler which burst, being the second one on the starboard side. Against this plate the head struck and penetrated to the depth of an inch, then broke and flew off at an angle, entering a cotton bale to the depth of a foot. The boiler head was in point blank range with the BATTLE OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN. On the 11th of Sept., 1814, Commodore Macdonough, captured the Bxitish fleet on Lake Champlain.— p. 491. DIGGING FOR KIDD's MONEY. Capt. Kidd is sugposed to have buried large sums of money. Many attempts hare been made to recover it.— p. 496 EXPLOSION OF TIIE ^TNA. 457 breakfast-table in the cabin, and had it not been obstructed by the iron post, must have made a clear sweep of those who were seated at the table. To render any satisfactory account of the cause which pro- duced the explosion can hardly be expected from one who possesses no scientific or practical knowledge on the subject, and who, previously thereto, ^vas paying no attention to the management of the boat. The Captain appeared to be very active and diligent in attending to his duty. He was on the boiler-deck when the explosion occurred ; was materially m- jured by that event, and must have been ignorant of the mis- management, if any there w^as. From the engineer alone could the true explanation be af- forded ; and, if indeed it was really attributable to negligence, it can scarcely be supposed he wall lay the blame on himself. If I might venture a suggestion in relation thereto, I would assign the following causes : — That the water in the starboard boilers had become low in consequence of that side of the boat resting upon the ground during our stay at Memphis ; that the fires were kept up some time before we shoved ofi'; that the head which burst had been cracked for a con- siderable time ; that the boiler was extremely heated, and the water, thrown in when the boat was again in motion, was at once converted into steam, and the flues not being suffi- ciently lar^e to carry it off as quickly as it was generated, nor the boiler head of a strength capable of resisting its action, the explosion was a natural result. I assume this proposition to be correct — that, in every case where a boiler bursts, it is fair to infer that it proceeded from neglect, until the contrary shall be proved. EXPLOSION OF THE STEAM-BOAT iETNA, IN NEW-YORK HARBOR, MAY 15, 1824. The following account was published on Monday the 17th. On Saturday evening, about 7 o'clock, as the steam-boat ^tna, Captain Robinson, was on the way to this city, from Washington, N. J. with the passengers from Philadelphia by what is called the " Citizens' Line," and a number of way passengers, when in sight of, and about 4 1-2 miles from the city, in the neighborhood of Gibbet Island, the boiler gave way, and blew up with a tremendous and deadly explosion. The 39 458 EXPLOSION OF THE ^TNA. interior of the boat was rendered a complete wreck, the im- mensely heavy iron-work having been broken into fragments, and the heavy timbers and lighter work of the two after-cabins literally shivered to pieces. But this is of little consequence in comparison with the awful destruction which attended the melancholy event, and which has spread a cloud of gloom over the city, deeper, if possible, than was witnessed in the la- mented case of the Albion. The whole number of persons on board was 34, viz. six passengers by the Philadelphia coach, named on the way-bill, Pearce, Arnell, Braden, Heacock, Eckfelt, and Mrs. Strout : five from Amboy, Messrs. Davis, Morrison and Baker, and two others, names not known ; six taken on board at Elizabeth- town Point, names not known, among them one or two wo- men ; one woman and a girl taken on board at the Blazing Star Ferry, New-Jersey, and the officers and crew and ser- vants of the boat, consisting of fifteen. Killed in the cabin by the explosion, Mrs. Job Furman, Mrs. Abm. Merserole, her daughter, Caroline Furman, daugh- ter of the late Waters Furman, and a sister of Mrs. Furman, all of one family, who had been to Elizabethtown to aftend the funeral of a near relative. [Those were all interred from one house. Their remains were attended to the grave by thousands of sympathizing friends.l Miss Mary Bates, daughter of Captain Andrew Bates, living in Provost-street, was also killed. She was in charge of Miss Ann Dough- erty, a native of Auburn, New- York, and who, together with Mrs. Taylor, (wife of John Taylor, of New-Jersey,) were taken to the hospital, where they died in the most frightful agony before morning. The steward, Victor Grasse, a French- man, jumped overboard from the forward cabin window, and was drowned. Another person, name unknown, also jumped out of the forward cabin, and was drowned. Mr. Charles C. Hollingshead, of Princeton, New-Jersey, who Avas in the forward cabin, jumped overboard through a window, and was saved by seizing a bench that was thrown over, and afterward picked up by the ^Etna's boat. After the boat had been towed up, the body of a man was found among the ruins, whose name cannot be ascertained, but whose shirt is marked •' M. P." He had fine black broadcloth pantaloons, a new Marseilles vest, and a blue broadcloth coat, about half worni, with yellow gilt buttons. He had neither money nor papers about him, excepting a memorandum to call on Mr. Wiley the bookseller, in relation to some books, which, on a refer- EXPLOSION OF THE iETXA. 459 ence by Mr. W. to some letters upon the subject, (for no names are given in the memorandum,) were to be sent to Mr. J. Black, No. 71 Walnut-street, Philadelphia. The face and back of the left hand of this man were burnt to a crisp ; but he was nowhere scalded, nor was his hair singed. His face was perfectly black, and probably his. nearest friend would not have been able to recognize his features. The following persons were sent to the hospital, viz. Thos. Braden, of Wilmington, Delaware, and Michael Eckfelt, of Philadelphia, both of whom, we learn, are likely to recover — and dangerously wounded, Joseph Stevens, a native of Ireland. Also, of the crew, dangerously wounded, John Winter, of Philadelphia, fireman ; John Gibbons, of Philadel- phia, fireman ; Ann Thomas, of Philadelphia ; Alexander Cromwell, of Jamaica, waiter. Margaret Cole, cook, wound- ed, not considered dangerous, was carried to a private house. One of these, we learn, is since dead, and there is little proba- bility that four others will recover. Young Mr. Morrison, mentioned above, but who had not yesterday been heard of, we have just learnt, is lying in Frankfort-street, very badly scalded. Mr. Eckfelt, when the coroner last visited him in the hospital, mentioned a lad from Philadelphia, who has not been heard from. A young lad, about 13 years of age, who was, at the time of the explosion, sleeping on the covering of the boiler, was thrown into the air, and fell into the vacuum caused by the removal of the machinery, and received no in- jury. Mr. Myers, mate of the J3tna, jumped overboard, and was uninjured. Mr. John Pearce, and Mr. Ryers, both of Philadelphia, es- caped without injury, being on deck and near the bow. Jo- nathan Case, of Schenectady; Benedict Arnold, merchant, of Amsterdam, N. York ; Mr. Heacock and lady, are also among those saved. A boatman lived at Bergen Point, whose was the first row-boat alongside the ^tna after the explo- sion, states that he picked up 4 hats, one of which contained a bill of lading of goods on board of Thomas H. Smith's ship, at Amboy, from Canton. He also picked up a paper, which was part of a contract for making part of a canal in Ohio. [One of these hats, it is ascertained, belonged to Mff Myers; the hat with bills of lading, we hear, belonged to Mr. Heacock. 1 The steam-boat United States, Capt. Beecher, was on the way from New-Brunswick at the time, and after rendering all the assistance in her power, towed the ^tna to this city. 460 EXPLOSION OF THE ^TNA. We yesterday viewed, in company with the Coroner, the dead and the dying — and such a heart-rending spectacle we never before witnessed. The scalds of the dead were deep, and notwithstanding their clothes, they extended over the whole body. But the survivors presented pictures of unut- terable suffering. If prepared for the great event, how well might they have envied those whom death had relieved from bodily anguish ! The name of the man killed on board the ^tna, and whose dress is described above, was Mordecai C. Peters, of Phila- delphia. The following letter, giving an account of the explosion of the ^tna, was written by an eye-witness of the dreadful scene, a passenger, to his friends in Philadelphia : — New-York, May 16. It is with pain I inform j^ou of an awful occurrence that took place at 7 o'clock last evening on board the steam-boat ^tna, Captain Thomas Robinson, when about seven miles from, and in sight of this city, her boilers bursting with a noise like thunder, and throwing the pieces upon the quarter deck, where I had the minute before been standing. I had walked to the bows when the explosion took place; and thanks be to the Almighty that I am one of the few that esca- ped unhurt. O! the awfulness of the scene! My situation I can scarcely describe. It pleased the Almighty to give me a command of myself at this horrid moment, when every one on board thought it his last, and some in despair jumped over- board and were drowned. A man standing by me was jump- ing, when I told him he had better remain quiet, and if the boat should be buTned up, we could throw off the cover for the cables (a large round box at the bows) that we stood by, and might save ourselves in this way. He stopped, and a man crying in the water, we threw him a rope and drew him upon deck. He was one of the firemen who had been blown overboard. This served to compose him a little, or he would have jumped over the side of the boat. The smoke disap- pearing, the horrors of the sight increased, when we beheld the bodies of those who had been struck by pieces of the boiler, weltering in their blood on the deck. I now attempt- ed to make my way aft, and succeeded, after getting through the smoke and broken parts of the wreck, in assisting Captain Robinson and others to clear the companion-way, to get mto the ladies' cabin. The Captain went down and handed up CONFLAGRATION OF THE PHOENIX. 461 five ladies whom I took from him, and placing them upon deck, they expired. One little girl, about the age of Mary, entreated me to throw water upon her, her agonies were so great. They were all of one family, and had been on board but a few minutes, being on their return from the funeral of a sister at Elizabethtown Point. In this situation we were dis- covered by two boats at the Quarantine Ground, which put olF to our assistance, and brought us up to the city ; and a steam-boat passing by, brought the wreck, with the dead and wounded on board, to the wharf. What rendered my situa- tion more singular was, that my baggage was blown up, but fell upon the wreck again. My trunk, previously to my being taken off, I found in the place from which the boilers had blown. Last night, at 12 o'clock, I went to search for my writing-desk. Two friends accompanied me, but they were not permitted to go on board, as the Coroner had just held an inquest, and had gone on shore to give his verdict. I therefore went on board alone, and getting a light, commenced searching for, and succeeded in getting the desk, &c. and discovering a hand under some of the rubbish, I called one of the watchmen, and moving the timber away, it led to the discovery of another corpse. CONFLAGRATION OF THE STEAM-BOAT PHOENIX, On Lake Champlain, September Bth^ 1819. The steam-boat left Burlington about 12 o'clock at night, and had proceeded as far as Providence Island, (about half way between Burlington and Plattsburgh,) when the alarm of fire was given, about one o'clock at night ; there being two small boats attached to the Phoenix, they were immediately filled with passengers ; but the wind blowing violently from the north-west, the passengers were not all enabled to embark, and some few of them were obliged to jump overboard. Captain Johnson Sherman, who has formerly commanded this boat, was unfortunately sick with a fever at Vergennes ; the boat was commanded by his son, Richard W. Sherman, a young gentleman of about 22 years of age ; but who, in the difficulties and distresses of this conflagration, displayed the 39* 462 CONFLAGRATION OF THE PHOENIX. coolness of riper years. Much credit is due to Mr. John How- ard, steward of the boat, for his coolness and honesty in the hour of difficuhy. I understand Captain Sherman and him- self saved themselves by articles thrown overboard after the boat had left. The wreck of the boat drifted into Colchester Reef. Another account of the Confiagration of the Steam-boat Phoenix. The following description of this terrific scene was written by one of the passengers. I awoke at the time of the alarm, but whether aroused by the cry of fire, the noise of feet trampling on deck, or by that restlessness common to persons who sleep in a strange place, with a mind filled with sorrow and anxiety, I am unable to tell. I thought I heard a faint cry of fire, and after a short interval it seemed to be renewed. But it came so weakly upon my ear, and seemed to be flung by so careless a voice, that I concluded it was an unmeaning sound uttered by some of the sailors in their sports on deck. Soon, however, a hasty footstep was heard passing through the cabin, but without a word being uttered. As I approach- ed the top of the cabin stairs, an uncommon brilliancy at once dispelled all doubts. Instantly the flames and sparks began to meet my eyes, and the thought struck me that no other way of escape was left but to plunge half naked through the blaze into the water. One or two more steps assured me that this dreadful alternative was not yet arrived ; I hastily stepped aft ; a lurid light illuminated every object beyond the splen- dor of a noon-day sun ; I fancied it was the torch of death, to point me and my fellow-travelers to the tomb. I saw no person on deck ; but on casting my eyes toward the boat, which was still hanging on the larboard quarter, 1 perceived that she was filled, and that her stern-sheets were occupied with ladies. I flew to the gangway and assisted in lowering the boat into the water. I then descended the steps, with an intention of entering the boat ; but perceiving that she was loaded deep, and that there was a strong breeze and a high sea, I desisted. The painter was soon cut, and the boat drop- ped astern. I ascended the steps with the design of submit- ting myself to the water upon a plank ; for I had great confi- dence in my skill in swimming, and I acted under an impres- sion that the shore was only a few rods, certainly not half a mile distant. Judge of what would have been my astonish- CONFLAGRATION OF THE PHOENIX. 463 ment, and probably also my fate, had I done as I contempla- ted ; when the fact was, that the steam-boat at this period was in the broadest part of Lake Champlain, and at least three miles from any land. I had left the deck about two hours before, and this change had occurred in the meantime. I looked round upon the deck to find a suitable board, or some- , thing of sufficient buoyancy that I could trust to amid such waves as I saw were running. There was nothing large enough to deserve such confidence ; I looked aft over the taff- rail, every thing there looked gloomy and forbidding ,' I cast my eyes forward, the wind was directly ahead, and the flames were forced, in the most terrific manner, toward the stern, threatening every thing in its range with instant de- struction. I then thought if I could pass the middle of the boat, which seem.ed also to be the centre of the fire, I might find security in standing to windward on the bowsprit. I made the attempt. It was vain. The flames were an insur- mountable barrier. I was obliged to return toward the stern. There was then no one in sight. I stepped over upon the starboard side of the quarter-deck. I thought all was gone with me. At that moment I saw a lady come up to the cabin door, lean her hands against the side of it, and look with a steadfast, silent gaze, and distracted air toward the flames ; she turned and disappeared in the cabin. It was Mrs. Wilson, the poor unfortunate lady who afterward, with the captain's assistance, as he informed me, committed herself, with many piercing shrieks and agonizing exclamations, to the treache- rous support of a small bench on the troublesome bosom of the lake. I then looked over the starboard quarter to know whether the other boat was indeed gone. I had the happiness to see her : she seemed to b'e full, or nearly so ; one or two passengers were standing on the lower steps of the accom- modation ladder, apparently with the design of entering the boat when she came within reach. I was determined to enter her at all risks, and instantly leaped over the quarter and de- scended into her. I found her knocking under the counter, and in danger of foundering. The steam-vessel still continu- ed to advance through the water : the waves dashed the boat with considerable violence against her, and most of those who had sought safety in the boat, being unacquainted with water scenes, were much alarmed, and by their ill directed eflbrts were adding to the risk. Under these circumstances it became necessary to cut the fast, Avhich was done, and the boat, and those that were in it, were instantly secure. All 464 EXPLOSION OF THE FULTON. these incidents occurred in a shorter time than I have consum- ed in writing them. From the moment of my hearing the first alarm to that of leaving the steam-boat, was not, I am satisfied, near ten minutes ; I believe it was not five." BLOWING UP OF THE STEAM-FRIGATE FULTON, At the Navy Yard, Brooklyn, June Uh, 1829. The following account was written after visiting the wreck, on the morning after the explosion. The Fulton has, ever since the war, been occupied as a receiving ship, and was moored within two hundred yards of the shore. The maga- zine was in the bow of the ship, and contained, at the time of the explosion, but three barrels of damaged powder. The explosion was not louder than that produced by the discharge of a single cannon ; and many persons in the Navy Yard supposed the report to have proceeded from such a source, until they saw the immense column of smoke arising from the vessel. Others about the yard saw the masts rising into the air before the explosion, and immediately after, the air was filled with fragments of the vessel. It is not a little remark- able that a midshipman who was, at the time of the accident, asleep on board of the frigate United States, within two hun- dred yards of the Fulton, was not at all disturbed by the re- port of the explosion, and was not aware of the occurrence until he was told of it after he aw^oke. The Fulton is a complete wreck ; the bow being destroyed nearly to the water, and the whole of this immense vessel, whose sides were more than four feet thick, and all other parts of corresponding strength, is now lying an entire heap of ruins, burst asunder in all parts, and aground at the spot where she was moored. Although she was but 200 yards from the Navy Yard, and many vessels near her, not one of them received the least damage ; nor was the bridge which led from the shore to the Fulton at all injured. The sentinel upon the bridge received no wound whatever, and continued to perform his duty after the accident, as unconcerned as though nothing had happened. The sentinel on board the ship was less fortunate, and escaped with merely (a light ac- cident on such occasions) a broken leg. There were attach- EXPLOSION OF THE FULTON. 465 ed to the Fulton, by the roll of the ship, 143 persons ; and at the time of the explosion there were supposed to have been on board the vessel about sixty persons. Names of the killed. The bodies of the following persons have been brought on shore and placed in coffins : Robert M. Peck, marine ; William Kemp, seaman ; Alex- ander Cameron, marine ; Franklin Ely, do. purser's steward ; Henry Logan, do. corporal ; John McKeever, do. ; Charles Williamson, do. : Otto E. Fergustine, do. ; Sylvester O'Halo ran, do. ; Henry Megraw, do. ; James Livingston, ord. s man, from Ireland ; Thomas Walton, seaman ; John Pierce 1st. do. ; Thomas D. Burgen, do. ; Jacob Boise, landsman New- York ; Wm. A. Lehman, do. ; Peter Gillen, do. ; Tho mas Williams, gunner ; John Dilos Rayes, barber, of Mexico Joseph Brown, seaman, acting cook ; Harman Vattel, a boat man of New-York ; William Brown, a boy ; Mrs. Brown, a mulatto ; Mrs. Stockwell, of ^New^-York ; Mrs. Neilson, a Swede, whose husband was a seaman, and died a few days since. Officers wounded. Lieutenant Charles T. Piatt, severely ; Lt. S. M. Brack- enridge, (since dead;) Lt. Alexander M. Mull, slightly; John Montgomery, sergeant of marines, do. ; Wm. Butler, captain's steward, do. ; John Clough, sailing master, se- verely. Midshipmen. Robert E. Johnston, severely ; David M'Dougal, do. ; Ro- bert P. Welsh, do. ; Mr. Eckford,* thigh broken. Privates wounded. Robert Ealpatrick, marine, severely ; Patrick Gilligan, do. slightly ; John DriscoU, do. do. ; Nicholas D. Farrell, do. severely; Jacob De Hart, do. do.; Thomas M'CuUough, cook, slightly ; Charles Scott, seaman, severely ; Zeb. Ro- bertson, do. do. ; Joseph Moore, do. slightly ; Thomas New- hova, do. do. ; William Brown, musician, severely ; Stephen Decatur, a boy, do. It happened fortunately that sixty-two men, formerly attach- ed to the frigate, were drafted on Tuesday, and had proceeded to Norfolk to form part of the crew of the frigate Constella- tion, then on the eve of departure for a foreign station. The band, 17 in number, were on shore. This dreadful accident was occasioned by the gunner's * Son of Henry Eckford, Esq. late of New- York. 466 EXPLOSION OF THE FULTON. going into the magazine to procure powder to fire the even- ing gun. He was charged by one of the officers, previously to his going below, to be careful ; and soon after, the explosion took place. We understand that he was a man between fifty and sixty years of age, and had just been appointed to that office ; the old gunner. having been discharged the day before. He was desired by Lieutenant Brackenridge to be cautious with the light, and to place it in the location invariably pro- vided for it on such occasions, viz. behind a reflecting glass in the partition, through which the rays of light are thrown. It is supposed he had been careless in this particular, and that having carried the candle into the magazine, some of its sparks were communicated to the powder ; but as he is among the dead, nothing certain on this point can ever be known. Lieut. Mull states that the necessary precautions had been taken for opening the magazine, and a sentinel placed at the hatch be- fore he left the deck, and that, after being in the ward-room some twenty minutes, the explosion took place. At the time of the explosion the officers were dining in the ward-room. The lady of Lieut. Brackenridge, and the son of Lieut. Piatt, a lad about nine years old, were guests, and one account says both were slightly wounded. Another ac- count says, Lieut. Mull, who was sitting next to the son of Lieut. Piatt, with great presence of mind caught hold of him and placed him in one of the port-holes, by which means he escaped uninjured. Lieut. Piatt had returned only yesterday morning, having been absent one month on leave. Com. Chauncey, with the commander of the frigate, Capt. Newton, left her only a few minutes before the explosion — the former having been on board on a visit of inspection. The escape of Midshipman Eckford seems to have been almost miraculous. When Com. Chauncey (who was one of the first to reach the vessel) got on board, the first object he saw was young Eckford hanging by one of his legs between the gun deck, whither he had been forced by the explosion. A jack screw was immediately procured, by means of which the deck was raised and he was extricated from his perilous situation. The room in which the officers were dining was situated about midships. The whole company at the table were forced by the concussion against the transom, with such violence as to break their limbs, and otherwise cut and bruise them in a shocking manner. The magazine was situated in the bows of the vessel. This EXPLOSION OF THE FULTON. 467 part of the ship, as may well be imagined, is completely de- molished. Indeed the ship remains as complete a wreck as probably was ever beheld. The timbers throughout appear to have been perfectly rotten. Many of the guns were thrown overboard, and some of them (of large dimensions) hung as it were by a hair. The bodies of the dead and wounded were brought on shore as soon as circumstances would permit. The former, after being recognized, were put into coffins. The latter were car- ried to the hospital of the Navy Yard, and every attention paid to them. The bodies of the dead were shockingly mangled ; their features distorted, and so much blackened that it was diffi- cult to recognize them. All the physicians of Brooklyn, and several from the city, proffered their services, which proved very acceptable. As soon as the intelligence reached the city, thousands of persons visited the wreck of the Fulton. The steam-boats, on their passage up the river, stopped to learn the particulars, and hundreds of small boats proceeded to the spot. The Navy Yard was also filled with persons making inquiries after their relations or friends, and expressing much anxiety to see the bo- dies, for the purpose of ascertaining whether they were among the dead or wounded. Commodore Chauncey and the officers of the station were on board the wreck after the explosion, giving directions to remove the scattered timber, in order that a search might take place for such bodies as might be buried in the ruins. The tide being at the ebb, immense quantities of the frag- ments of the ship floated down in front of the city, and hun- dreds of small boats were seen busily engaged in securing them. Since the foregoing was prepared, we have had a call from an officer who left the hulk since ten o'clock. The tide had come in, so that she was filled with water. We are pained to learn that Mrs. Breckenridge is not slightly, but very severely wounded : and the injury of Lieut. Piatt is so serious, that but a faint hope is indulged of his re- covery. What is a very remarkable circumstance, although several of the persons at dinner in the ward-room escaped with their lives, and some of them uninjured, not a vestige of the table, chairs, or any of the furniture in the room, remains. Every thing was blown to atoms. 468 EXPLOSION OF THE FULTON. The, scene, even this morning at the Navy Yard, is distress- ing beyond description. Indeed, to attempt a description of such a spectacle, at the very moment when our feelings ^re harrowed up to a painful degree by the shocking reality, seems too revolting to be undertaken. We might speak of the wound- ed living and the mangled dead, and of the fragments of bo- dies blown to pieces, mingled among the broken relics of the ship — but such particulars may better be left to the reader's imagination. When we left the Navy Yard at 1 1 o'clock, on]jJive men were unaccounted for. These have doubtless perished, either by drowning, or by being crushed among the timbers. The following particulars, illustrating the engraving in this volume, are taken from the Sailor's Magazine. The Fulton was built with two keels, or rather was in fact two boats, joined together by the upper works. The sides were of immense thickness, and the whole frame was, when built, probably the strongest of the kind ever constructed. But the timbers had now become very rotten, and the whole hulk was, as it were, kept together by its own weight. It is supposed that the rotten state of the vessel, making her tim- bers give way easily, rendered the destruction greater than if she had been new and sound. The explosion. — The magazine was in the bow of the lar- board boat. The whole of the quarter w^as demolished down to the water's edge, but this most striking part of the wreck could not be exhibited in the picture, as the view was taken from the Navy Yard. The beams of the main-deck were bro- ken, and a passage was forced through quite to the ward-room, where the officers were at dinner, and splinters and fragments driven in among them. The wreck. — The bowsprit appears to have fallen down quite to the water, the whole of that part of the bulwark which supported it being bloviTi away. A part of it is seen floating on the water. A fragment of the fore-yard lies over the starboard bow. The stump of the foremast is seen just above the deck, the mast itself lying over against the main- mast. The main-mast is broken off a few feet above the deck. Aft of this are seen a mangled mass of shattered yards, top- mast, mizen-mast, &c. quite concealing the sniall poop deck. A gun hangs out of one of the starboard port-holes near the gangway. Four of the larboard guns were blown into the water, but have all been fished up again. Midshi'pman Eckford. — This young gentleman was stand- EXPLOSION OF THE FULTON. 469 ^ng in the starboard gangway, and was strangely tumbled to the inside, instead of being blown out upon the platform. He was then caught under one of the beams, Vv'here he hung fast by one leg. The following account of his gallant conduct is given on the authority of the New- York American. While he hung in this painful condition, not a groan, nor a complaint, nor a word of supplication escaped him. His cheek was unblanched and his features composed, while he held on to the beam with his arms to keep his head up. Attempts were made to raise the beam, but there was such a mass of materials above, that no muscular force could move it. In this emergency. Commodore Chauncey, with great promptness, ordered the jack-screw to be brought from the shore. This took time, and it was not then the work of a mo- ment to apply it, and bring it into action. An hour went by ere the youth was extricated : and yet not a single murmur of impatience was heard from his lips. His only words were in direction or encouragement to those who were aiding him — exclaiming from time to time, " Hurra, my hearties !" " There it moves !" His only reproof was to the sailor, who, when the beam was raised, attempted, rather rudely, to withdraw the fractured limb. The sailor supported him whilst he performed the office himself. The killed and uwunded. — The whole number of killed was thirty-three, including Lieutenant Brackenridge and the three women. Twenty-nine were reported as wounded, but there were many more who were slightly injured. Nearly every person on board received at least a scratch. The greatest part of the mischief was done by the force of the fragments and splinters. These were driven into every part of the ship. Captain Newton, who commanded the ship, employed all the force he could spare, to clear the wreck, and find the bodies of the unfortunate sufferers. Tvv-enty-four were taken out of the ruins at the time, but some of the others were not found till a considerable time affor One was found horribly mutilated, and drifted ashore on Staten Island. Another got fastened to a beam, and was pick- ed up. Two were picked out of the water near the wreck. 40 470 EXPLOSION OF THE NEW-ENGLAND. EXPLOSION OF THE STEAM-BOAT NEW- ENGLAND, At Essex, Connecticut River, October 9th, 1833. The following statement was published in the Connecticut Courant of Monday, October 14. The boat left New- York on Tuesday afternoon, October 8, at 4 o'clock. She started in company with the Providence steam-boat Boston, but gra- dually gained on the latter through the Sound. A degree of anxiety was felt by some of the passengers on account of the competition between the two t)oats. But we have no evi- dence that this anxiety was warranted by any unusual press of steam on board the New-England. The boat reached the river about one o'clock, when, of course, all competition was at an end. At Saybrook some difhculty occurred with the engine, which rendered it necessary to throw out an anchor to prevent the boat from drifting ashore. After a detention of twenty or thirty minutes at Saybrook, the boat proceeded on her way up the river about eight miles, and arrived oppo- site Essex about three o'clock. Her engine was stopped, the small boat was let down to land a passenger, and had just reached the shore, when both the boilers exploded almost si- multaneously, with a noise like heavy cannon. The shock was dreadful ; and the scene which followed is represented by those who were present as awful and heart-rending beyond description. The morning was excessively dark ; the rain poured in torrents ; the lights on deck and in the cabin were suddenly extinguished ; and all was desolation and horror on board. Those only who witnessed the havoc which was made, and heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded and dying, can form an adequate conception of the scene. There were upward of seventy passengers on board, and others belonging to the boat to the number of about twenty, making in all nearly one hundred persons. Most of the pas- sengers were fortunately in their berths. Those who were in the gentlemen's cabin escaped without any serious injury. The most destructive effects of the explosion were felt on the deck and in the ladies' cabin. The ladies who were in their berths and remained there, we believe, were not much injured ; but those who were on cots opposite the cabin doors, and others who, on the first alarm, sprang from their berths, were EXPLOSION OF THE NEW-ENGLAND. 471 more or less scalded. All who were on deck abaft the boil ers, we believe, were either killed or badly wounded. Had the accident occurred in the day-time, when the passengers are generally scattered about the deck and promenade, the destruction of lives would in all probability have been much greater. The following, we believe, is a correct list of the dead and wounded: DEAD. Elias Bushnel, Kiliingworth, deck hand; Daniel Harvey Jerome, supposed from New- York, do. ; Jared Lane, Killing- worth, do.; James C. Bronson, Hartford, do.; Allen Pratt, Hartford, baggage master; John M. Heron, Reading, Conn, passenger ; Mr. Shepard, I^lbrwich, do. ; Lyman Warner, Plymouth, Conn, do.; Dr. Stephen B. Whiting, Reading, Conn., do.; J. T. Burgess, of Waterville, Oneida County, N. Y. late of Colchester, Conn. do. ; Mrs. Thompson, (a Scotch woman) and child, on her way to reside at Thompsonville, Conn, do.; Mrs. Hunter, an elderly Scotch lady, do.; John Eastabrook, of Concord, N. H. (body found in the river,) do. WOUNDED. Captain Waterman, considerably bruised ; William Savage, clerk of the boat, slightly scalded ; Giles Farnum, Killing- worth, fireman, badly scalded ; Samuel Pasha, Quebec, deck hand, do. do. ; Edwin Bell, Glastenbury, fireman, do, do. ; Jane Pruden, chamber-maid, do. do.; Mrs. Abigail Stocking, Mid* dletowm, severely scalded; Roderick G. P. Goodrich, We- thersfield, badly scalded ; Miss Warner, sister of Lyman W. slightly scalded; Mrs. Hastings, GilJ, Mass. do. do.; two children of Mrs. Thompson, one severely and the other slightly scalded. Captain Waterman was on the wheel-house at the time of the explosion, attending to the landing of passengers from the small boat. He noticed a movement over the boilers, and im- mediately jumped or was thrown upon the forward deck. He ivas somewhat bruised, but not seriously injured. From the inhabitants of Essex the sufferers experienced the most kind and hospitable attentions. Their houses were thrown open for their reception, and every thing which could contri- bute to their jelief and comfort promptly afforded. As soon as the melancholy intelligence reached Hartford on Wednesday morning, the proprietors despatched the steam- boat Massachusetts for the surviving passengers, and several of our physicians repaired to the scene of suffering. The 472 EXPLOSION OF THE NEW-ENGLAND. Massachusetts returned the same night, bringing- a number of passengers, some of the wounded, and one dead body. Two or three bodies were also brought up the next day by the Chief Justice Marshall. In regard to the cause of this dreadful explosion, we believe it to be the prevailing opinion of all who have taken pains to ascertain the facts in the case, that it may be traced to negli- gence or presumption on the part of the engineer, in permit- ting the steam to accumulate beyond what the strength of the boilers could sustain. From the best information we can ob- tain, the steam was not blown off while the boat lay at Say- brook, and the same was true during her stoppage al Essex. It is said, however, that steam was blown off while the boat was under way between Saybrook and Essex. Mr. Potter, the engineer, who has been for many years in the employment of the proprietors, was not on board during this trip ; his place was supplied by Mr. Marshall, from the West Point Foundery, who had the reputation of skill in his profession. He declares there were only eight or ten inches of steam on at the time of the explosion : but beside the improbability on the face of this statement, there is said to be strong testimony of a very differ- ent character. We trust the proprietors of the boat will make a thorough investigation of the facts, and lay them before the public. It is due to the community that the cause of this dread- ful disaster should, if possible, be fully explained, and the re- sponsibility placed where it belongs. The steam-boat is much injured. The boilers were rent asunder and thrown into the river. The guards on which they rested were broken off. The promenade deck, from the captain's office to the ladies' cabin, a distance of about thirty feet, was lifted from its place and fell in part upon the main deck. The ladies' cabin was considerably racked and in- jured, and all her upper works in the vicinity of the boilers are in a shattered condition. The baggage-houses, situated in the rear of the boilers, were demolished, and the baggage thrown into the river. There was also considerable loss of freight. The New-England was a new^ boat, and commenced run- ning about two months since. Her engine and boilers were made at West Point, and, as was supposed, of the best mate- rials and in the best manner. No expense was spared to make the boat in every respect complete, and to finish it in the most beautiful style. The loss to the proprietors will be very serious. But this is a matter of small importance con- EXPLOSION OF THE NEW-ENGLAND. 473 pared with the destruction of lives, the anguish of the suffer- ers, and the affliction of relatives and friends, consequent upon this terrible disaster. The following particulars are extracted from two letters, written by a gentleman, passenger in the New-England. Middletown, Wednesday, 2 o'clock. Our journey in the steam-boat New-England was very pleasant last evening, until we entered the Connecticut River. At or about one o'clock this morning, when we were ^11 asleep, myself excepted, I perceived the engine, or something else, was out of order. I was in the forward cabin, and con- cluded I was in the safest part of the boat : things seemed to go on badly, by frequent stops, until 3 o'clock, when both boil- ers burst simultaneously, or as nearly together as a two bar- rel gvi]! could be discharged by one person ; the result was, two persons were killed outright, about 25 wounded or scald- ed, out of which number five or six may not survive. The de- struction of the upper works was almost entire. Among the num.ber injured, six or eight women are included, being on the upper deck cabin. In the main cabin three or four were badly injured. In the front cabin no one was injured, neither did any steam enter it. I was awake, and knew what it all meant. I hastened up, and in the course of fifteen minutes got lights and began to look after my baggage. Nearly all the baggage on board, together with about 50 boxes of tea and dry goods, had disappeared ; after day-light, some of my luggage was found floating in tlie river. When I went on board the boat, I perceived that if an ex- plosion should take place, the chief danger was to those on deck, and as soon as it was over, I was sure the hull of the vessel was sound ; all this happened at a town called Essex, 10 miles from the sound. The steam-boat was in thirty min- utes got to the wharf, where the towns-people were disposed to render every aid. The event seemed to be distressing be- yond description : the captain and men were astounded, and are as ignorant of the cause as the passengers. The fact is, the boilers v/anted water. The first boiler, I apprehend, threw her broken boiler against the other, which caused its explo- sion. Hartford, Thursday morning, Oct. 10. " On the arrival of the intelligence here of the explosion of the New-England, a steam-boat was sent down to the scene of distress ; she returned a few moments since with the 40* 474 EXPLOSION OF THE NEW-ENGLAND. news of four deaths, and that eight or ten more must die with their wounds, and perhaps more. The upper works of this unfortunate boat is the most extraordinary wreck I ever be- held, and if the event had occurred in the day-time, when the passengers are generally upon the decks, not a person could have escaped injury. I believe I wrote you that I early dis- covered that there was an imperfection in the working of the machinery of this boat ; that, however, I considered of no importance, as regarded safety ; but when she found it neces- sary to lay to, to fix her steering ropes, which required some time, I at once became astonished that she did not throw off steam, as is usually the case when stops are made, and from this time to the explosion there were several stops made, and at the different stoppages of the engine 1 could perceive but a faint sound of the discharge of steam. I became early impressed with the suspicion that something was wrong, and from my own reasoning on the subject did not consider ourselves in a condition of safety, and so con- firmed was I in this impression, that I came to the conclusion of remaining where I was, in preference to changing my po- sition. At three o'clock the explosion was most terrific, and for many minutes every thing around seemed like chaos. I found myself unhurt, and, some how, entirely free from ex- citement or extraordinary alarm. I got on my clothes, and while dressing, one or two persons rushed to the front cabin where I was. I asked them some questions, but they were so horror stricken that the power of utterance had ceased, and when they began to utter, it was in whispers, a word at a time, and long intermissions. I went above, where all was darkness. I returned, got a lamp, and then began my explo- ration. The decks were covered with broken timbers — the baggage all thrown into the river — the cries and shouts of misery, and the moaning of the dying, was for a moment with me a paralysis ; I then felt like helping what I could. I visit- ed the different scenes of distress among the passengers, found nothing could be done for them but get the boat to the shore as speedily as possible, and in about 30 minutes we lay alongside of the dock ; the good people of Essex were all up with the first report of the explosion, supposing it was an rarthquake. The news was soon spread, the inhabitants came down Avith great energy ; prompt and efficient services were rendered by the male and female citizens ; their oil, their cotton, their meal, their rags, and every thing they pos- sessed was promptly furnished and applied, and every thing EXPLOSION OF THE NEW-ENGLAND. 4T5 was done by the hands of these estimable inhabitants to alle- viate the distresses of the unfortunate sufferers. This boat has been built at a great cost, and no expense has been spar- ed ; she has run a month, and I believe the only cause of this misfortune has originated from the want of water in the boilers, it became so rarified in the boilers that both exploded simultaneously, or so near together that it was barely per- ceptible. I remarked the difference, and knew before I went on deck that both had exploded. The appearance of the wreck is thus described by E. Champion, Jun. in a communication on the subject. Never, of its kind, was so melancholy a ruin presented to the eye, as the wreck of the New-England. You approach her as you approach the cemetry of the dead. She seems the slaugh- ter-house of the traveler. As you enter her these melancholy associations cease. You stand astonished at the force and effect of the murderous explosion. From the stem to the wheel-room all is well ; from the wheel-room aft, athwart the deck, and downward to the water, you see the direction as well as power of the blast. The explosion downward seems to have been far more powerful than in any other direction, and yet, with a resisting body as near the boiler, equal force might have been demonstrated in other parts. The guards on deck, extending beyond the hull, upon which the boilers were placed, ^vere blown through, the exact size of the boil- ers : beams of a foot square, supported by braces and knees, being blown off as square and close to the hull as if sawed by the carpenter. Beyond the exact size of the boilers, the deck was entire. The souffle or blast of the larboard boilers was felt as far as the extreme stern, on the outside of the la- dies' cabin, where it slightly scalded a lad}^ The blast of the starboard boiler swept also to the stern, and both blew off th^e promenade deck as far back as the ladies' cabin, leaving the centre. The steps at the quarters were blown out of shape and crushed sideways by the blast. This shows that no po- sition outside the ladies' cabin could be safe. The front of the ladies' cabin was pressed inward about eighteen inches at the door, and opened at the corners about twelve inches. The chamber-maid, sleeping in her (upper) berth, next the lar- board boiler, was thrown out, and fell upon her hands in the water. This position on the floor was the first thing of which she was sensible. Two children, sleeping in the berth beneath her, were unhurt — the scalding element probably 476 EXPLOSION OF THE NEW-ENGLAND. raging above them. The steam filled the ladies' cabin and extinguished the lights. A child, in the most remote berth from the boiler, and next the stern, was so scalded as to die. A lady, in the berth next it, also died. Her clothes were so hot as to scald the hands of those that removed them. This must have been forty feet from the boiler, stating from im- pression. Letters exposed to the steam, were charred or re- duced to coal in places. Such facts indicate the extreme high temperature of the steam — far beyond ordinary steam. Per- kins, inventor of the steam-gun, claims that he can so heat steam that it shall fall, in atmospheric air, in flakes of snow. In counting the peril of steam explosions, let it be taken into the account, that the steam is frequently many times hotter than ordinary steam of boiling water. The ladies' cabin so shattered and filled with steam, is the upper ladies' cabin. It has sixteen berths, all occupied, and some settees. The la- dies who kept their berths were least burnt. Exposure pro- duced scald. The ladies' cabin under this was occupied by gentlemen. All below deck were unhurt, and prompt to give their aid to the suflferers above deck. Had one boiler been in the centre, or had either projected over the deck a single foot, certain death to all below deck must have followed. At the first groan heard from the boat, a gentleman ashore start- ed for three surgeons, who were soon on the spot. All was done that woman, then and ever ministering angel, man, skill and untiring devotion could do. In result, fifteen have died, and seven are in a critical but hopeful state. The starboard boiler doubtless sunk through the opening in the wing where it stood, made by its own blast. It lies near the spot. The larboard boiler was scattered into fragments, its top, bottom, sides and back being torn away and lost, leav- ing the flues and front only. The flues were thrown forward from a horizontal to a perpendicular position, and lodged upon the wood, some six feet forward. jt The Board of Examiners in their report, thus describe the appearances presented on their examination. On the 7th of November they met at the borough of Essex, and proceeded to examine the state of said boat, and the remains of the boil- ers. On visiting the steam-boat, they found that those portions of the guards and railing, on which the boilers had been plac- ed, together with the boiler-houses, railings, and the other contiguous wood-w^ork, had been entirely destroyed by the ef- fects of the explosion. The front of the ladies' cabin upon the quarter deck had also been forced inward, and partially EXPLOSION OF THE NEW-ENGLAND. 477 destroyed, and that part of the upper, or promenade deck, which extended from said cabin to the engine-room near the centre of the boat, had been sw^ept entirely away. The engine remained without injury ; but the steam-pipe which led from one of the boilers Avas broken off at its junction with the main steam-pipe in the engine-room, near the point where it unites with the steam-pipe from the starboard boiler. The Safety- valve, which is attached to the main steam-pipe at the junc- tion of the two branch pipes near the engine, remains unim- paired, and is a large and apparently well constructed valve. A mercurial steam-guage is attached to the main steam-pipe at this point, which serves to indicate to the engineer the pressure of steam in the boilers. The mercury was not thrown from this guage by the explosion, and the guage remained in good order after the accident. Two other mercurial guages of the same description were shown to us, which had been attached, one to each of the boilers on that part called the steam-chimney, which having no water in contact with its in- ner surface, becomes heated more than any other portion of the boiler. These guages had been torn from their places at the time of the explosion, and in one of them a portion of the mercury with which it had been charged was found remain- ing after the accident. The mutilated portions of the boilers which were examined, gave abundant evidence of the great power or force of the explosive action. They were found to be dismembered and torn in a manner which it is difficult to describe. The boilers were not, as occurs in some cases of steam-boat explosions, rent merely in the main flue, thus giving vent to the steam, or, as in other cases, with a head torn off and lacerated, and still retaining their external form, and remaining in their beds ; but the boilers of the New-England were torn asunder, and folded in massy doublings, like a garment ; and they were so crushed, flattened, and distorted, that, as they lay upon the wharf, after they were raised from the bed of the river, it was difficult for a common observer to discover how the mutilated parts were ever connected into symmetry, so as to combine just proportion and strength. The appearance of the boilers, however, was such as to in- dicate that they had been constructed in a substantial manner. The copper, in all the ruptured parts, had every appearance of being tough and free from flaws ; nor did it exhibit the flaking and discoloration which great heat is_ known to pro- duce upon the metal when not covered by water. The {\fter 478 CAPTURE OF THE GUERRIERE. ends of the two boilers still remain in the river,* all attempts to discover them having as yet proved ineffectual. The Board of Examiners, appointed by the Connecticut River Steam-Boat Company, to inquire into the causes of the explosion, consisting of Professors B. Silliman and D. Olm- sted, of Yale College, and Messrs. W. C. Redfi-eld, D. Cope- land, and J. F. Lawson, Engineers, having met at Essex, November 7th, decided, after having examined the wreck and heard testimony, thai the explosion of the steo.m-boat New-Eng- land was caused by the pressure of steam, produced in the or- dinary way, but accumulated to a degree of tension which the boilers were U7iable to sustain. It was estimated that the steam, at the time of the explosion, must have accumulated to nearly or quite thirty inches, giving an aggregate expansive force on the internal surface of each boiler, of not less than 3,000,000 pounds. In all, fifteen persons have died, including those whose bodies were found in the river. CAPTURE OF THE GUERRIERE. |^^¥ The action between the U. S. frigate Constitution, Capt. Isaac Hull, and the British frigate Guerriere, Capt. Da- CREs, which terminated in the capture of the latter vessel, will be ever memorable. It took place in lat. 42, Ion. 56 west, on the 19th of August, 1812, distant, nearly due east, about 500 miles from Cape Cod. The Guerriere had, by the British, been considered as the best frigate on the American station ; and but a few days pre- vious to the action, Capt. Dacres endorsed on the register of the American brig John Adams, which arrived at New- York, September 4th, 1812, the following challenge. " Captain Dacres, commander of his Britannic Majesty's frigate Guerriere, of forty-four guns, presents his compli- ments to Commodore Rogers, of the United States' frigate President, and will be happy to meet him, or any other Ame- rican frigate of equal force to the President, off Sandy Hook, for the purpose of having a few minutes tete-a-tete^ The Constitution was precisely of equal force to the President, and * Since the examination, both of them have been found in the river; they were blown far astern of the steam-boat. CAPTURE OF THE GUERRIF.RE. 479 Captain Dacres had but too soon the short-lived satisfaction of being introduced to the ''tete-a-tete^^ he had so eagerly courted. The frigates saw each other at 2 o'clock P. M. and at half past three the Constitution, sailing before the wind, had gained so much upon the Guerriere that her character as a frigate was known. A little before five, both frigates (then three miles apart) prepared for the bloody strife; the crew of the Constitu- tion giving three cheers, and petitioning to be brought close alongside the enemy. This was an eventful hour. The American people were at the time humbling themselves be- fore God, solemnizing a day of national fasting and prayer. Captain Hull and Captain Dacres weremeetingfor the decision of a contest, to which all eyes, both in England and America, could they have been witnesses, had turned. It was the first time, after a lapse of thirty years' peace, where the equality of the force to be engaged gave to each the hope, as well as the determination to conquer. It was America with England ; it was England with America. As soon as the Constitution was ready for action, Captain Hull bore down with an intention to bring him to close action inmiediately. A little after five the Guerriere displayed the English ensigns, and began firing, giving first a broadside, then filling and wearing away, and adding a second broadside upon the other tack, but without effect, her shot falling short. Fifteen minutes after the fire from the Guerriere, the Constitu- tion set her colors and fired. For three-quarters of an hour the frigates were now engaged, the Guerriere wearing very often, and endeavoring to get a raking position ; the Consti- tution manoeuvring to close w^th him, and at the same time avoid being raked, each firing occasionally. Disappointed in getting a raking position, the Guerriere bore up. Five min- utes before six they were alongside within half pistol shot. In this situation the superiority of American gunnery became at once splendidly manifest. All the guns of the Constitution, double shotted with round and grape, poured in so heavy a fire, and so well directed, that in sixteen minutes the mizen mast of the Guerriere went by the board ; her main yard in the slings : her hull, rigging, and sails very much cut to pie- cee. The fire continued to be kept up with equal warmth for ten minutes, when the Guerriere fell on board the Constitu- tion, her bowsprit foul of her mizen rigging. The firing still kept up, and the cabin of the Constitution took fire from the Gwerriere's guns, but was extinguished. After remaining en- 480 CAPTURE OF THE MACEDONIAN. gaged in this situation for five minutes, the fore and main mast of the Guerriere both went by the board, but for which she had been boarded by the Constitution, preparations for which had been made. The Constitution then shot ahead of the enemy, and in to- Ken of submission the Guerriere fired a gun to leeward. Thus, after thirty minutes close action, " /ere-d-i(e^e," the Guerriere is without a mast or a single spar standing, except the bowsprit ; and her hull, below and above water, so shatter- ed that a few more broadsides must have carried her down. We see her, in short, (using the words of Captain Dacres, in his oflScial account of his capture,) "a perfectly unmanage- able wreck." The Constitution lost all her braces, much of her rigging, and some of her spars. The British, by their own account, had 15 killed and 63 wounded in the action ; her second lieutenant was among the former ; the captain, first lieutenant, and master, among the latter. Beside these, 24 of her crew were missing; by the British account, how- ever, they were absent when the action began. Ten others {impressed Americans) are said to have taken no part in the action. Captain Dacres in his speech, when on trial for strik- ing his flag, says concerning them, that his quarters were "considerably weakened" by permitting Americans belonging to the ship to quit their quarters, on the enemy hoisting the colors of that nation; which, though it deprived him of the men, he thought it his duty to do. The Guerriere mounted forty-nine carriage guns, and had a crew of 302. The Constitution has been stated to have mounted fifty-four guns, and to have had a crew rising of 400 ; she had only 7 killed, and 7 wounded. Lieut. Brush, of the marines, among the killed, and Lieut. Morris among the wounded. Next morning after the action, the Guerriere had four feet of water in her hold, and in the afternoon of that day she was set on fire and blown up. The Constitution, with her prisoners, arrived in Boston harbor on the 30th of August. CAPTURE OF THE MACEDONIAN. Eight days after the capture of the Frolic, the British frigate Macedonian, commanded by Captain John Cardan. CAPTURE OF THE MACEDONlAK. . 481 mounting 49 carriage guns, and carrying 306 men, became a prize to the U. S. frigate United States, Com. Stephen Deca- tur commander, after an action of an hour and a half. This was in lat. 29 deg. N. long. 29 deg. 30 min. W. .on the 25th of October, 1812, off the Western Islands. The Macedonian was a frigate of the largest class, two years old, four months out of dock, and reputed one of the best sailers in the British service, and being at the windward, had the advantage of engaging the United States at her own distance, which was so great, that for the first half hour the United States tnade no use of her carronades ; and, to the close of the action, she was never once within the complete effect of the United Slates' musketry and grape. But for this circumstance, and the unusual swell which was on at the time, the action had undoubtedly been much sooner finished. Captain Carden, on coming on board the United States as a prisoner, fell into a state of deep dejection, repeatedly observ- ing that he -was a ruined man, and that his mortification was intolerable. On finding, hovv-ever, that he had Capt. Dacres as a companion in defeat, his spirits revived. To Lieut. Wil- liam H. Allen, Commodore Decatur awarded particular no- tice in his official account of the engagement, imputing to his unremitted exertions in disciplining the crew the obvious su- periorit)'- of our gunnery, as exhibited in the result of the con- test ; and of every officer, seaman, and marine on board his ship, remarks, that their enthusiasm on discovering the ene- my, their steady conduct in battle, and the precision of their fire, could not be surpassed. The comparative loss of the parties must fill every one with astonishment. The Macedonian lost her mizen-mast, fore and main-tdp-masts, and main-3^ard; received 100 shot in her hull ; had thirty-six killed and sixty- seven wounded. Among the former, the boatswain, master's mate, and school- master ; of the latter, 1st and 3d lieutenant, a masters mate, and two midshipmen. The United States had only five kill- ed and six wounded. Lieut. Funk was of the former num- ber. So little was the United States damaged during the ac- tion, that in five minutes she was fully repaired for another. The security of her prize, however, requiring her company into port, she made for America, and on the 4th of December* conducted the Macedonian safe into New-London. It so hap- pened that the news of this third brilliant naval victory was received at Washington the very evening that had been there previously fixed upon for a naval ball, at which a large and 41 482 CAPTURE OF THE JAVA. yery respectable company were assembled ; a scene graced by nearly all the beauty and fashion of the city. All was joy and gayety, such as could scarcely admit of augmentation, and yet it was destined to be increased. About nine o'clock a ru- mor was spread that Lieut. Hamilton, the son of the secretary of the navy, had reached the house, the bearer of the colors of the Macedonian, and despatches from Com. Decatur. The gentlemen crowded down to meet him. He was received with loud cheers, and escorted to the festive hall, where await- ed him the embraces of a fond father, mother, and sisters ! It was a scene easier felt than described. The room in which the company had assembled had been previously decorated with the trophies of naval victory. The colors of the Guer- riere and Alert were displayed on the wall, and the flag of the Macedonian alone was wanting to complete the group. It was produced and borne into the hall by Capts. Hull and Stewart, and others of our brave seamen, amidst the loud ac- clamations of the company, and greeted with national music from the band. CAPTURE OF THE JAVA. But about two months after the capture of the Macedonian, the United States' frigate Constitution, then under the com- mand of Com. William Bainbridge, achieved a most as- tonishing victory in capturing the British frigate Java, Capt. Lambert, mounting 49 guns, having a full complement for her crew, with upward of one hundred supernumeraries, ofli- cers and seamen, whom the Java was taking out for the East- India service — in all, upward of 400. This action took place on the •29th of December, 1812, off St. Salvador, on the coast of the Brazils, lat. 13, 6, S. Ion. 38, W. about thirty miles from the shore, and lasted one hour and fifty-five minutes, when the Java was completely dismast- ed, not having a spar of any size standing. The action commenced at ten minutes after 2 o'clock P. M. the ships then half a mile apart, the Java keeping at a greater distance than wished by Com. Bainbridge, which he could not prevent without danger of exposure to a raking fire. This danger he however thought best to encounter, as will appear from the following minutes from his log-book : — CAPTURE OF THE JAVA. 483 At 2, 10 min. P. M. commenced the action within good grape and canister distance ; the enemy to windward, but much farther than I wished. 2, 30, Our wheel shot entirely away. 2, 40, Determined to close with the enemy, notwithstand- ing the raking ; set the fore and main sail and luifed up to him. 2, 50, The enemy's gib-boom got foul of our mizen rigging. 3, 00, The head of the enemy's bowsprit and gib-boom shot away. 3, 05, Shot away the enemy's foremast by the board. 3, 15, Shot away his maintop-mast, just by the top. 3, 40, shot away his gaff and spanker-boom. 3, 55, Shot away his mizen-mast just by the board. 4, 05, Having silenced the fire of the enemy completely, and his colors in the main rigging being down, sup- posed he had struck, then hauled aboard the courses to shoot ahead to repair the rigging, which was ex- tremely cut, leaving the enemy a complete wreck. Soon after discovered the enemy's flag still flying — hove to to repair some of our damage. 4, 20, The enemy's main-mast went nearly by the board, 4, 50, Wore ship and stood for the enemy. 5, 25, Got very near the enemy in a very eflfectual raking position, when he most prudently struck his flag, for had he suffered the broadside to have raked him, his additional loss must have been extremely great, as he lay an unmanageable wreck upon the water. Capt. Lambert received a mortal wound at half past three o'clock, of which he afterward died at St. Salvador, January 4th. On board the Java, says the official letter of Com. Bain- bridge, there were, " killed 60, and 101 certainly wounded." The truth is, the officers of the Java took great pains to con- ceal both the number they had on board and the amount of their loss, which, there is good reason to believe, considerably exceeded the official account, great indeed as it was by that representation. A letter written by H. D. Cornick, an officer of the Java, to his friend, and accidentally found, makes the number killed to be 60, the number wounded 170, who, per- haps, many of them, died before removal from the ship, in which there was great delay, all the boats of both ships, one excepted, having been destroyed during the engagement. The muster-book of the Java had 440 names, and the Consti^ 48-4 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE. tution received from her, after her capture, including the wounded, but 341 ; leaving a deficiency of 99 killed and missing. It was alledged that about 40 of those on the mus- ter-book left the ship before she sailed from England ; but the muster-book was dated November 1st, four days after the Java sailed. The Constitution had only nine killed ! Com- modore Bainbridge, Lieut. Aylwin, and 23 others wounded ; her rigging much cut, but only three shot in her hull. The Constitution carried fifty-four guns. Her weight of shot in a broadside 677 lbs. 4 oz. The Java mounted forty- nine guns. Weight of shot in a broadside 605 lbs. The prisoners were parolled at St. Salvador, and were as follows : — 1 lieutenant-general, 1 major, 1 captain, 1 post-cap- tain, 1 master and commander, 5 lieutenants 3 lieutenants of marines, 1 surgeon, 2 assistant surgeons, 1 purser, 15 mid- shipmen, 1 gunner, 1 boatswain, 1 master, 1 carpenter, 2 cap- tains' clerks — Total 38 officers, with 323 petty officers, sea- men, marines, and boys. The Java was an important ship, fitted out in completest order to carry lieut. general Hislop and his staff to Bom- bay, and several naval officers for different ships in the East Indies, and had despatches for St. Helena, Cape of Good Hope, and every English establishment in the India and Chi- nese seas. She had also on board copper for a seventy-four and 2 brigs, building at Bombay. The Java was set on fire and blown up on the 31st of De- cember, it being found impossible to conduct her into port. The Constitution left St. Salvador January 6th, and arrived in Boston on the 8th of February, having, it is said, been fully prepared on her way to have at any time contended again for victory. Com. Bainbridge, on landing at Boston, was re^ ceived with a salute of cannon and the loud acclamations of thousands. The streets were filled with a delighted populace, and the houses and chimney -tops were covered with people. The Legislature of Massachusetts being in session, passed a vote of thanks for the victory. BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE. The following minute and interesting account of the naval conflict on lak?, Erie was written by an eye-witness. " Com- f^ BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE. 485 modore Perry arrived at Erie in June, with five small vessels from Black Rock. The Queen Charlotte and Lady Prevost were cruising off Long Point to intercept him — he passed them in the night unperceived. The Lawrence and Niagara were then on the stocks — every exertion was made to expe- dite their building and equipment, and early in August they were ready to sail. But it was necessary to pass the bar at the entrance of the harbor, over which there was but six feet of water, and the brigs drew nine. The British fleet appeared off the harbor, for the purpose of preventing ours from going to lake ! The means employed by our officers to take the brigs over the bar were ingenious, and deserve mention. Two large scows, fifty feet long, ten feet wide, and eight feet deep, were prepared. They were first filled with water and then floated alongside one of the vessels in a parallel direction ; they Avere then secured by means of large pieces of hewn timber placed athwart ship, with both ends projecting from the port-holes across the scows, the space between the timbers and the boat being secured by other pieces properly arranged ; the water v^as then bailed from the scows, thereby giving them an as- tonishing lifting power. It was thus that the bar was passed before the enemy had taken any steps to oppose it. One ob- stacle was surmounted, but the fleet was not in a condition to ? aek the enemy at Maiden. There was not at this time more than half sailors enough to man the fleet. However, a num- ber of Pennsylvania militia having volunteered their services, the Commodore made a short cruise off Long Point, more perhaps for the purpose of exercising his men than seeking an enemy. " About the last of xlugust Commodore Perry left Erie, to co-operate with General Harrison in the reduction of Maiden. He anchored off the mouth of Sandusky river, and had an interview with General Harrison, who furnished him with about seventy volunteers, principally Kentackians, to serve as marines on board the fleet. Captain Dobbin, in the Ohio, was ordered to return to Erie for provisions. The Amelia had been left there for want of men to man her. Exclusive of these, be had nine sail, mounting, in all, fifty-four guns. The British feet at Maiden consisted of six sail, and mounted sixty-six guns. " Commodore Perry appeared before Maiden, offered bat- tle, reconnoitered the enemy, and retired to Put-in-Bay, thirty- five miles distant from his antagonist. Both parties remained 41* 486 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE. a few days inactive ; but their repose was that of the lion. "On the morning of the 18th of September, at sunrise, the enemy were discovered bearing down from Maiden, for the evident purpose of attacking our squadron, then at anchor at Put-inBay. Not a moment was to be lost. Perry's squad- ron immediately got under way, and stood out to meet the British fleet, which at this time had the weather gage. At 10 A. M. the wind shifted from S. W. to S. E. which brought our squadron to windward. The wind was light, the day beautiful: not a cloud obscured the horizon. The line was formed at 11, and Commodore Perry caused an elegant flag, which he had privately prepared, to be hoisted at the mast- head of the Lawrence ; on this flag was painted, in charac- ters legible to the whole fleet, the dying words of the immor- tal Lawrence: — "Don't give up the ship." Its efl^ect is not to be described — every heart was electrified. The crews cheered — the exhilerating can was passed. Both fleets ap- peared eager for the conflict, on the result of which so much depended. At 25 minutes before twelve the Detroit, the headmost ship of the enemy, opened upon the Lawrence, which for ten minutes was obliged to sustain a well-directed and heavy fire from the enemy's two large ships, without being able to return it with carronades ; at five minutes before twelve the Lawrence opened upon the enemy : the other vessels were ordered to support her, but the wind was at this time too light to enable them to come up. Every brace and bowline of the Lawrence being soon shot away, she became unman- ageable, and in this situation sustained the action upward of two hours, within canister distance, until every gun was ren- dered useless, and biit a small part of her crew^ left unhurt upon deck. "At half past two the wind increased and enabled the Nia- gara to come into close action — the gun-boats took a nearer po- sition. Commodore Perry left his ship in charge of Lieut. Yarnel, and went on board the Niagara. Just as he reached that vessel the flag of the Lawrence came down ; the crisis had arrived. Captain Elliot at this moment anticipated the wishes of the Commodore, by volunteering his services to bring the schooner into close action. "At forty-five minutes past two the signal was made for close action. The Niagara being very little injured, and hef crew fresh, the Commodore determined to pass through the enemy's line; he accordingly bore up and passed ahead of BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE. 487 the Detroit, Q,ueen Charlotte, and lady Prevost, pourings a ter- rible raking fire into them from the starboard guns, and on the Chippeway and Little Belt, from the larboard side, at half pistol-shot distance. The small vessels at this time having got within grape and canister distance, kept up a well direct- ed and destructive fire. The action now raged with the greatest fury — the Queen Charlotto, having lost her com- mander and several of her principal officers, in a moment of confusion got foul of the Detroit — in this situation the enemy in their turn had to sustain a tremendous fire without the pow- er of returning it with much effect ; the carnage was horri- ble — the flags of the Detroit, Queen Charlotte, and Lady Pre- vost, were struck in rapid succession. The brig Hunter and schooner Chippeway were soon compelled to follow their example. The Little Belt attempted to escape to Maiden, but she was pursued by two of the gun-boats, and surren- dered about three miles distant from the scene of action. " The writer of this account, in company with five others, arrived at the head of Put-in-Bay Island on the evening of the 9th, and' had a view of the action at the distance of only ten miles. The spectacle was truly grand and awful. The firing was incessant for the space of three hours, and continu- ed, at short intervals, forty-five minutes longer. In less than one hour after the battle began, most of the vessels of both fleets were enveloped in a cloud of smoke, which rendered the issue of the action uncertain till the next morning, when we visited the fleet in the harbor on the opposite side of the isl- and. The reader will easily judge of our solicitude to learn the result. There is no sentiment more painful than suspense, when it is excited by the uncertain issue of an event like this. " If the wind had continued at S. W. it was the intention of Admiral Barclay to have boarded our squadron ; for this purpose he had taken on board of his fleet about 200 of the famous 4ist regimeni; they acted as marines, and fought bravely ; but nearly two-thirds of them were either killed or wounded. •' The carnage on board the prizes was prodigious ; they must have lost 200 in killed, beside wounded. The sides of the Detroit and dueen Charlotte were shattered from bow to stern ; there was scarcely room to place ones hand on their larboard sides without touching the impression of a shot — a great many balls, canister and grape, were found lodged in their bulwarks, which were too thick to be penetrated by our carronades, unless within pistol-shot distance. Their masts 488 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE, were so much shattered that they fell overboard soon after they got into the bay. " The loss of the Americans was severe, particularly on board the Lawrence. When, her flag was struck she had but nine men fit for duty remaining on deck. Her sides were completely riddled by the shot from the long guns of the Bri- tish ships. Her deck, the morning after the conflict, when I first went on board, exhibited a scene that defies description ; for it was literally covered with blood, which still adhered to the plank in clots ; brains, hair, and fragments of bones were still sticking to the rigging and sides. The surgeons were still busy with the wounded. Enough ! horror appalled my senses. " Among the wounded were several brave fellows, each of whom had lost a leg or an arm ; they appeared cheerful, and expressed a hope that they had done their duty. Rome and Sparta would have been proud of these heroes. " It would be invidious to particularize instances of indivi- dual merit, where every one so nobly performed his part. Of the nine seamen remaining unhurt at the time the Lawrence struck her flag, five were immediately promoted for their un- shaken firmness in such a trying situation. The most of these had been in the actions with the Guerriere and Java. " Every officer of the Lawrence, except the Commodore and his little brother, a promising youth 13 years old, were either killed or wounded. " The efficacy of the gun-boats was, fully proved in this ac- tion, and the sterns of all the prizes bear ample testimony of the fact. They took raking positions, and galled the enemy severely. The Lady Prevost lost twelve men before either of the brigs fired on her. Their fire was quick and precise. Let us hear the enemy. The general order of Adjutant-General Baynes, contains the following words : "His (Perry's) nu- merous gun boats, (four,) which had proved the greatest an- noyance during the action, were all uninjured." " The undaunted bravery of Admiral Barclay entitled him to a better fate ; to the loss of the day was superadded griev- ous and dangerous wounds : he had before lost an arm ; ii Avas now his hard fortune to lose the use of the other, by a shot which carried away the blade of the right shoulder ; a canister shot made a violent contusion in his hip : his wounds were for some days considered mortal. Every possible atteH- tion was paid to his situation. When Commodore Perry sail- ad for Buflfaloe, he was so far recovered that he took passage on BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE. 489 board our fleet. The fleet touched at Erie. The citizens saw the affecting spectacle of Harrison and Perry leading the wounded British hero, still unable to walk without help, from the beach to their lodgings. , " On board the Detroit, twenty-four hours after her surren- der, were found, snugly stowed away in the hold, two Indian chiefs, who had the courage to go on board at Maiden, for the purpose of acting as sharp shooters to kill our officers. One had the courage to ascend into the round top and discharge his piece, but the whizzing of shot, splinters, and bits of rig- ging, soon made the place too warm for him — he descended faster than he went up ; at the moment he reached the deck, the fragments of a seaman's head struck his comrade's face, and covered it with blood and brains. He vociferated the sa- vage interjection " quoh!" and both sought safety below. " The British officers had domesticated a bear at Maiden. Bruin accompanied liis comrades to battle — was on the deck of the Detroit during the engagement, and escaped unhurt. " The killed of both fleets were thrown overboard as fast as they fell. Several were washed ashore upon the island and the main during the gales that succeeded the action. " Commodore Perry treated the prisoners with humanity and indulgence ; several Canadians, having wives at Maiden, were permitted to visit their families on parole. " The British were superior in the length and number of their guns, as well as in the number of men. The American fleet was manned with a motley set of beings, Europeans, Africans, Americans from every part of the United States. Full one-fourth were blacks. I saw one Russian, who could not speak a word of English. They were brave — and who could be otherwise under the command of Perry ? " The day after the battle, the funeral obsequies of the Ame- rican and British officers who had fallen in the action were performed in an appropriate and affecting manner. An open- ing on the margin of the bay was selected for the interment of the bodies. The crews of both fleets attended. The weather was fine — the elements seemed to participate in the solemni- ties of the day, for every breeze was hushed, and not a wave ruffled the surface of the water. The procession of boats — the neat appearance of the officers and men — the music — the slow and regular motion of the oars, striking in exact time with the notes of the solemn dirge — the mournful waving of the flags — the sound of the minute guns from the diflferent ships in the harbor — the wild and solitary aspect of the place 490 BATTLE CF LAKE CHAMPLAIN. — the stillness of nature, gave to the scene an air of melan9holy grandeur better felt than described — all acknowledged its in- fluence — all were sensibly affected. What a contrast did it exhibit to the terrible conflict of the preceding day ! Then the people of the two squadrons were engaged in the deadly strife of arms. Now they associated like brothers, to pay the last sad tribute of respect to the dead of both nations. " Five officers were interred, two American and three Brit- ish. Lt. Brooks and Midshipman Laub, of the Lawrence ; Captain Finnis and Lt. Stokoe, of the Queen Charlotte ; and Lt. Garland, of the Detroit. The graves are but a few paces from the beach, and the future traveler of either nation will find no memento whereby he may distinguish the American from the British hero. " The marines of our fleet were highly complimented by the Commodore for their good conduct ; although it was the first time that most of them had seen a square-rigged vessel, being fresh from Harrison's army. The Kentuckians proved on this occasion, as has the Commodore since, that they can fight on both elements." BATTLE OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN. The British fleet appeared in view at Plattsburgh early in the morning of the 11 th. It consisted of the frigate Confiance, carrying 39 guns, 27 of which were twenty-four pounders ; the brig Linnet, carrying 16 guns; the sloops Chub and Finch, each carrying 1 1 guns ; and thirteen galleys, five of which carried two, and the remainder one gun each. The American force consisted of the Saratoga, carrying 26 guns, eight of which were long twenty-four pounders ; the Eagle, 20 guns : the Ticonderoga 17 ; the Preble 7 ; and ten galleys, six of which carried two, the remainder one gun each. The British were superior, both in size and number of guns. At eight m the morning the American look-out-boat an- nounced to Commodore Macdonough, the commander of the squadron, the approach of the enemy. He at this time lay at anchor in Plattsburgh bay, calmly awaiting the approach of the British squadron, the fleet being moored in line abreast of the works, with a division of five gun-boats on each flank. At nine the British fleet anchored in line abreast the Ameri- BATTLE OF LAKE CHAMFLAIN. 491 can squadron, at about 300 yards distance ; the Confiance op- posed to the Saratoga ; the Linnet to the Eagle ; the British galleys and one of the sloops to the Ticonderoga, Preble, and the left division of the American galleys ; the other sloops to the right division of the American galleys. In this situation the whole force on both sides became en- gaged, the Saratoga suffering much from the heavy fire of the Confiance. But the fire of the Saratoga was also very de- structive to her. The Ticondoroga likewise gallantly sus- tained her full share of the action. At half past 10 o'clock the Eagle, not being able to bring her guns to bear, cut her cable and anchored in a more eligible position, between the Sara- toga and the Ticonderoga, where she very much annoyed the enemy, but unfortunately left the Saratoga exposed to a gall- ing fire from the enemy's brig. The guns on the starboard side of the Saratoga being nearly all dismounted, or not manageable, a stern anchor was let go, the bovver cable cut, and the ship winded with a fresh broadside on the enemy's ship, which soon after surrendered. A broadside was then sprung to bear on the brig, which surrendered in about fifteen minutes after. The sloops that were opposed to the Eagle had struck some time before, and drifted down the line ; the sloop which was with their galleys having struck also. Three of the enemy's galleys were sunk, the others pulled off The American flo- tilla were about obeying with alacrity the signal to follow them, when all the vessels were reported to the Commodore as in a sinking state ; it then became necessary to annul the signal to the galleys, and order their men to the pumps. The enemy's galleys thus got off in a shattered condition, for there was not a mast in either squadron that could stand to make sail on ; the lower rigging, being nearly all shot away, hung down as though it had been just placed over the mast heads. The Saratoga had fifty-five round shots in her hull ; the Confiance one hundred and five. The Saratoga was twice set on fire by hot shot from the Confiance. The enemy's shot must have principally passed just over the heads of the sailors, as there were not twenty whole hammocks in the nettings at the close of the action, which lasted without intermission two hours and twenty minutes.* * A cock, "the bird of war," was in the Saratoga, and repeatedly crowed from the shrouds during the action. A similar circumstance occurred in Fort M'Henry during the bombardment. 492 PIRACY. This naval engagement was in full view of both armies at Plattsburgh. The killed on board the American squadron amounted to 52, the wounded to 58. The killed on board the captured vessels amounted to 84, including Captain Downie, the commander of the squadron ; the wounded amounted to 110 ; the loss on board the British galleys has never been as- certained. The number of men in the American squadron was 820 ; the British were supposed to exceed 1000. PIRACY. In the early part of June I sailed from Philadelphia in the schooner Mary, on a voyage to New-Orleans. My principal object in going round by sea was the restoration of my health, which had been for many months declining. Having some friends in New-Orleans whose commercial operations were conducted on an extensive scale, I was charged with the care of several sums of money in gold and silver, amounting alto- gether to nearly eighteen thousand dollars. This I commu- nicated to the captain, and we concluded to secure it in the best manner our circumstances would admit. A plank was accordingly taken off the ribs of the schooner in my own ca- bin, and the money being deposited in the vacancy, the plank was nailed down again in its original place, and the seams fill- ed and tarred over. Being thus relieved from any apprehen- sion that the money would be found upon us in case of an attack from pirates, my mind was somewhat easier. What other articles of value I could conveniently carry about me, I did so. I had also brought a quantity of bank-notes, to the amount of fifteen thousand dollars. Part of these I caused to be carefully sewed in the left lappel of my coat, supposing that, in case of my being lost at sea, my coat, should my body be found, would still contain the most valuable of my effects. The balance was carefully quilted into my black silk cravat. Our crew consisted of the captain and four men, with a supply of live stock for the voyage, and a Newfoundland dog, valuable for his fidelity and sagacity. He had once saved his master from a watery grave, when he had been stunned and knocked overboard by the sudden shifting of the boom. I was the only passenger on board. Our voyage at first was prosperous, and time went on rapidly. I felt my strength in- PIRACY. 493 creasing the longer I was at sea, and when we arrived off the coast of Florida, my feelings were like those of another man. It was toward the evening of the fourteenth day, two hours before sun-set, that we espied a sail astern of us. As twilight came, it neared us with astonishing rapidity. Night closed, and all around was impenetrable darkness. Now and then a gentle wave would break against our bow and sparkle for a moment, and at a distance behind us we could see the un- even glow of light occasioned by the foaming of the strange vessel. The breeze that filled our canvass was gentle, though it was fresh. We coursed our way steadily through the night ; though once or twice the roaring of the waves increased so suddenly as to make us believe we had passed a breaker. At the time it was unaccountable to me, but I now believe it to be occa- sioned by the bark behind us, coming rather near in the dark- ness of the night. At midnight I went on deck. Nothing but an occasional sparkle was to be seen, and the ocean was undisturbed. Still it was a fearful and appalling darkness, and in spite of my endeavors I could not compose myself At the windlas, on the forecastle, three of the sailors, like myself, unable to sleep, had collected for conversation. On joining them, I found our fears were mutual. They all kept their eyes steadily fixed upon the unknown vessel, as if anti- cipating some dreadful event. They informed me that they had put their arms in order and were determined to stand or die. At this moment a flash of light, perhaps a musket burning priming, proceeded from tbe vessel in pursuit, and we saw distinctly that her deck was covered with men. My heart almost failed me. I had never been in battle, and I knew not what it was. Day at length dawned, and setting all her can- vass, our pursuer gained alarmingly upon us. It was evident that she had followed us the whole night, being unwilling to attack us in the dark. In a few minutes she fired a swivel and came alongside. She was a pirate. Her boat was low- ered, and about a dozen hideous looking objects jumped in, with a commander at their head. The boat pushed off, and was n earing us fast, as we arranged ourselves for giving her a broadside. Our whole stock of arms consisted of six muskets and an old swivel used as a signal gun, belonging to the Mary, and a pair of pistols of ray own, which I carried in my belt. The pirate boat's crew were armed with muskets, pistols, 42 494 PIRACY. swords, cutlasses, and knives : and when she came within her own length of us, we fired five of our muskets and the swivel into her. Her fire was scarcely half given, when she filled and went down with all her crew. At this success we were inclined to rejoice, but looking over the pirate schooner, we observed her deck still swarming with the same description of horrid looking wretches. A second boat's crew pushed ofl^ with their muskets pointed directly at us the whole time. When they came within the same distance as the other, we fired, but with little, if any effect. The pirate immediately returned the fire, and with horrid cries jumped aboard of us. Two of our brave crew were lying dead upon the deck, and the rest of us expected nothing better. French, Spanish, and English were spoken indiscriminately, and all at once. The most horrid imprecations were uttered against us, and threats that fancy cannot imagine. A v/retch, whose black shaggy whiskers covered nearly his whole face, whose eyes were only seen at intervals from beneath his bushy eye-brows, and whose whole appearance was more that of a hell-hound than of a human being, ap- proached me with a drawn cutlass in his hand. I drew one of my pistols and snapped it in his face ; but it flashed in the pan, and before I could draw the other, the pirate, with a bru- tality that would have disgraced a cannibal, struck me over the face with his cutlass, and knocked me down. I was too much wounded by the blow to resist, and the blood ran in tor- rents from my forehead. In this situation the wretch seized me by the scalp, and thrusting his cutlass in my cravat, cut it through completely. I felt the cold iron glide along my throat, and even now the very thought makes me shudder. The worst idea I had ever formed of human cruelty seemed now realized, and I could see death stare me in the face. Without stooping to examine the cravat, he put it in his pock- et, and in a voice of thunder exclaimed, '' Letez-vous f^ I ac- cordingly rose on my feet, and he pinioned my hands behmd my back, led me to the gunwale of the vessel, and asked an- other of the gang, in French, whether he should throw me overboard. At the recollection of that scene I am still stag- gered. I endeavored to call the prospects of eternity before me, but could think of nothing except the cold and quiverless apathy of the tomb. His infamous companion replied, " // est Prop bonne hetire V envoy er an didhltr and led me to the foremast, where he tied me with my face to the stern of the vessel. The cords were drawn so tight around my arms and PIRACY 495 legs, that my agony was excruciating. In this situation he left me. On looking round I found them all employed in plundering and ransacking every thing we had. Over my left shoulder one of our sailors was strung up to the yard-arm, and appa- rently in the last agonies of death ; while before me our gal- lant captain was on his knees and begging for his life. The wretches were endeavoring to extort from him the secret of our money ; but for a while he was firm and dauntless. Pro- voked at his obstinacy, they extended his arms and cut them off at the elbows. At this human nature gave way, and the in- jured man confessed the spot where we had concealed our specie. In a few moments it was aboard their own vessel. To revenge themselves on our unhappy captain, when they had satisfied themselves that nothing else was hidden, they spread a bed of oakum on the deck before, and after soaking it through with turpentine, tied the captain on it, filled his mouth with the same combustibles, and set the whole on fire. The cries of the unfortunate man were heart-rending, and his agonies must have been unutterable ; but they were soon over. All this I was com- pelled to witness. Heart-sick with the sight, I once shut my eyes, but a musket discharged close to my ear was a warn- ing sufficient to keep them open. On casting my eyes to the stern of the vessel, I discovered that the boatswain had been nailed to the deck through his feet, and the body spiked through to the tiller. He was writh- ing in the last agonies of crucifixion. Our fifth comrade was out of sight during all this tragedy ; in a few minutes, how- ever, he was brought upon the deck blindfolded. He was then conducted to the muzzle of the swivel and commanded to kneel. The swivel Avas then fired off, and his head was dreadfully wounded by the discharge. In a moment after it was agoni- zing to behold his torments and convulsions — language is too feeble to describe them. I have seen men hung upon the gib- bet, but their death is like sinking in slumber when compared with his. Excited with the scene of human butchery, one of those wretches fired his pistol at the captain's dog. The ball struck his shoulder and disabled him ; he finished him by shooting him again, and at last by cutting out his tongue ! At this last hell-engendered act my blood boiled with indignation at such savage brutality on a helpless, inoffensive dog ! But I was un- able to give utterance or action to my feelings. Seeing that the crew had been every one despatched, I be- 496 EIDD S MONEY. gan to think more of myself. My old enemy, who seemed to forget me, once more approached me, but shockingly besmear- ed with blood and brains. He had stood by the side of the un- fortunate sailor who suffered before the swivel, and supported him with the point of his bayonet. He drew a stiletto from his side, "placed its point upon my heart, and gave it a heavy thrust. I felt its point touch my skin ; but the quilting of my bank-bills prevented its further entrance. This savage monster then ran it up my breast, as if intending to divide my Jungs, and in doing so the bank bills-fell upon the deck. He snatch- ed them up greedily, and exclaimed, " Ah ! laissez-moi voir ce que reste." My dress in a few moments was ripped to pieces at the peril of my life. He frequently came so near as to tear my skin and deluge me with blood ; but by the mercy of Provi- dence I escaped from every danger. At this moment a heavy flaw struck the schooner, and I heard one of the pirates say, "Voila unvaisseau!" They all retreated precipitately, and gaining their own vessel, was soon out of sight. Helpless as I now was, I had the satisfaction of knowing that the pirates had been frightened by the appearance of a sail, but it was impossible for me to see it. Still tied to the foremast, I knew not what was my prospect of release. An hour or two had elapsed after they left me, and it was now noon. The sun played violently upon my head, and I felt a languor and debility that indicated approaching fever. My head gradually sunk upon my breast, when I was shocked by hearing the water pouring into the cabin windows. The wretches had scuttled the vessel, and left me pinioned to go down with her. I commended my spirit to my Maker, and gave myself up for lost. I felt myself gradually dying away, and the last thing I remembered was the foaming noise of the waves. This was occasioned by a ship passing by me. I was taken in, restored to health, and am now a poor, ruined, helpless man. KIDD'S MONEY. It has long been a prevailing tradition along the Atlantic coa^t of the United States, that the pirates who frequented these shores and the W. Indies, at the close of the 17th and in the beginning of the 18th century, especially Captain Kidd, kidd's money. 497 and the noted Teach or Blackbeard, deposited pots of money in various secure places, mostly on islands and headlands. This superstition has in very many instances been so strong and deep rooted as to have led many persons, not of the least respectable classes, to dig for the " pirates' treasure.'' The belief was, that the pirates, in burying their money, had put it under the protection of the evil one, and to counteract his influence various magical ceremonies and incantations were performed previous to commencing the operations of digging. Especially a magical circle was drawn around the spot, and the parties were strictly forbidden to speak, until the treasure Avas found and removed to a place of safety. The night was usually chosen for these attempts, and the group of anxious faces bending over their spades as they fearfully tossed up the forbidden earth, and half illuminated by their solitary dark lantern, while the moon was just peering out over the distant waves, must have formed a subject worthy of a Rembrandt for its gloom, and a Teniers for its humor. Then all at once the chink ! and the eager incautious exclamation : " We've got it !" followed by a long blank silence, and the melancholy consciousness that they had broken the spell, and lost their treasure for ever. The shores of Long-Island Sound, and even the Atlantic beach of that Island, are famous for such adventures. Scarce an island or point but bears witness to this lust for gold. Some credulous people have ruined themselves by these re- searches, and propagated a thousand idle fables, current to this day, among our country farmers. Such stories are exceedingly rife among the fishermen along South Bay (L. I.) and are still told with that solemn air of belief wliich seizes even the most incredulous with its cold contagion. When heard on one of their naked hommocs, some three or four miles off in their wide level salt marshes, where the scene of itself is utter lone- liness, they will make your hair stand on end in spite of you, and cause an icy chill to run over you, even under the hot sun of dog-days. One of these stories I recollect was told me on a truant excursion which I had made, with some of my school- fellows, to the ocean beach, where our boat was left by the retiring tide, while we were playing in the surf We had thus before us the pleasant prospect of a night's residence on the bare sand-hills, when we were unexpectedly relieved by two of those strange fishermen, who kindly set us afloat, and sent us on our way rejoicing, after furnishing us with mate- 24* 498 kidd's money. rials for ghostly reflection, in our evening walk through the woods, on our route homeward. One of their neighbors had dreamed, "just three nights run- ning," that at a certain spot on the beach, a pot of" raal goold doubleloons " was buried. Silently he withdraws before day- break, unties his boat, and paddles down the narrow winding creek, and out over the smooth bay, to the white sand-hills, where the ocean was keeping up its ceaseless solemn music. He landed and hurried with his spade and hazle rod to the very spot he had dreamed of With his rod he drew around it the magic circle, and then with his spade went silently and so- lemnly to work, heaving up the sand that concealed his trea- sure. But he was not allowed to proceed unmolested. Sud- denly a monstrous great black dog bounded out of the earth, with long grinning white fangs, red fiery eyes, and a lolling tongue, that looked hot and gory. Round and around the ring he ran with astonishing swiftness, growling and snarling, and ever and anon, with most infernal look, snapping fiercely at the money-digger. There was a strong smell too of the pit, and a blue smoke seemed to pufF out of his nostrils at every respiration. It was the evil one sure enough ; but the fish- erman felt sure of his circle, and worked on with redoubled diligence. Suddenly the sea seemed to heave and roll in on him in mountains. High dark waves swelled far above him, and seemed just about to burst and overwhelm him. Then came the pirate ships on the tops of these waves, so near he could almost grapple them, and with all their black-mouthed guns thrust out of their ports and ready to let drive. He heard the captain's thundering shout: "Fire away!" — but still he worked on undaunted. At last, chink ! " Now I've got it!" burst unconsciously from his lips. Fatal words ! The dog swelled to gigantic size — a howl — a yell — and then such an explosion ! as if the ships had fired their broad- sides, and a mine had blown up beneath him, all at once. He saw and heard no more. After a long trance, he awoke late in the night. The moon looked out over the low glim- mering waves, and shone sadly on the snow-white sand-hills. The money-pot, dog and ships were all gone, and he found nothing by him but his hazle-rod and spade, and the heaps of sand he had dug in the morning. Slowly and sadly he crossed the beach, launched his boat on the still moon-lit bay, and paddled disconsolately homeward, without even a fry of fi. . for supper. "An idea was once very prevalent, especially near the kidd's money. 499 Delaware and Schuylkill rivers," says Mr. Watson, in his amusing Annals of Philadelphia, " that the pirates of Black- beard's day had deposited treasure in the earth. The con- ceit was, that sometimes they killed a prisoner and interred him with it, to make his ghost keep his vigils there as a guard ' walking his weary round.' Hence it w^as not rare to hear of persons having seen a shpook or ghost, or of hav- ing dreamed of it a plurality of times ; thus creating a suffi- cient incentive to dig on the spot. ' Dream after dream ensues ; ' And still ihey dream that they shall still succeed, ' And still are disappointed !' " Colonel Thomas Forrest, who died in 1828, at the age of 83, had been in his early days a youth of much frolic and fun, always well disposed to give time and application to forward a joke. He found much to amuse himself in the credulity of some of the German families. I have heard him relate some of his anecdotes of the prestigious kind with much humor. When he was about twenty-one years of age, a tailor who w^as measuring him for a suit of clothes, happened to say, " Now, - Thomas, if you and I could only find some of the money of the sea-robbers, (the pirates,) we might drive our coach for life.'*' The sincerity and simplicity w^ith which he uttered this, caught the attention of young Forrest, and when he went home he began to devise some scheme to be amused with his credulity and superstition. There was a prevailing belief that the pirates had hidden many sums of money and much trea- sure about the banks of the Delaware. Forres-t got an old parchment, on which he wrote the dying testimony of one John Hendricks, executed at Tyburn jfor piracy, in which he stated he had deposited a chest and a pot of money at C(>op- er's Point, in the Jerseys. This parchment he smoked, and gave to it the appearance of antiquity ; calling on his German tailor, told him he had found it among his father's papers, who got it in England from the prisoner, whom he visited in pri- son. This he showed to the tailor as a precious paper, which he could by no means lend out of his hands. This operated the desired effect. " Soon after the tailor called on Forrest with one Ambrus- ter, a printer, whom he introduced as capable of ' printing any spirit out of hell ' by his knowledge of the black art. J-Je asked to show him the parchment; he was delighted with'it, and confidently said he could conjure Hendricks to give up 500 the money. A time was appointed to meet in an upper room of a public house in Philadelphia, by night, and the inkeeper was let into the secret by Forrest. By the night appointed they had prepared, by a closet, a communication with a room above their sitting-room, so as to lower down by a pulley the invoked ghost, who was represented by a young man entirely sewed up in a close white dress, on which were painted black- eyed sockets, mouth, and bare ribs, with dashes of black between them, the outside and inside of the legs and thighs blacked, so as to make white bones conspicuous there. About twelve per- sons met in all, seated around a table. Ambruster shuffled and read out cards, onAvhich were inscribed the names of the New- Testament saints, telling them he should bring Hendricks to encompass the table, visible or invisible he could not tefl. At the words, ' John Hendricks, du verfiuchter, cum her aus,^* the pulley was heard to reel, the closet door to fly open, and John Hendricks, with ghastly appearance, to stand forth. The w^hole were dismayed and fled, save Forrest the brave. After this, Ambruster, on whom they all depended, declared that he had by spell got permission to take up the money. A day was therefore appointed to visit the Jersey shore, and to dig there by night. The parchment said it lay between two great stones. Forrest therefore prepared two black men, to be entirely na- ked, except white petticoat-breeches ; and these were to jump each on the stone whenever they came to the pot, which had been previously put there. These frightened off' the company for a little. When they next essayed, they were assailed by cats tied two and two, to whose tails were spiral papers of gunpowder, which illuminated and whizzed while the cats wauled. The pot was at length got up, and brought in great triumph to Philadelphia wharf : but, O sad disaster ! while helping it out of the boat, Forrest, who managed it, and was handing i: up to the tailor, trod upon the gunnel and filled the boat, and holding on to the pot, dragged the tailor into the river — it was lost ! For years afterward they reproach- ed Forrest for that loss, and declared he had got the chest by himself, and was enriched thereby. He favored the con- ceit, until at last they actually sued him on a writ of treasure trove ; but their lawyer was persuaded to give it up as idle. Some years afterward, Mr. Forrest wrote a very humorous play, which contained many incidents of this kind of supersti- tion. It gave such offence to the parties represented, that it could not be exhibited on the stage. I remember some lines * Come out, thou accursed. OUTRAGE OF THE MALAYS. 501 in it, for it had much of broken English and German-English verses, to wit : " My dearest wife, in all my life " Ich neber was so frighten'd ; '* De spirit come and I did rmi — " 'TwEis juste like tmider mit lightening." As late as the year 1792, the ship-carpenters formed a par- ty to dig for pirates' money on the Cohocksinc creek, north- west of the causeway, under a large tree. They got frightened off And it came out afterward, that a waggish neighbor had enacted diabolus to their discomfiture." OUTRAGE OF THE MALAYS. The ship Friendship, Captain Endicott, of Salem, was at- tacked and captured by the Malays, on the 7th of February, 1831, while lying at Q,uala Batoo, in the island of Sumatra. The particulars, as taken from the ship's log-book after the accident, are as follows : "Monday, February 7th, 1831. At eight A. M. the cap- tain, second officer, and four men, went on shore to weigh pepper ; at half-past three P. M. succeeded in procuring one boat load ; saw her leave the bank of the river opposite the scale-house with the usual compliment of men in her, that is to say, one steersman and six oarsmen; the natives still bringing pepper to the scales, with the promise of giving us another boat-load to-day. The first boat was observed to make considerable delay in getting out of the river, and we supposed her crew might be stealing pepper from her and secreting it among some neighboring high grass ; two of the ship's men were accordingly sent down to watch them, and upon their approaching the boat, five or six Malays were seen to jump up from the grass and hurry on board her : the ship's people supposed them to be the boat's crew, as they had seen about the same number quit her previous to their being ob- served by the Malays. At this time there was a brig stand- ing into Soosoo. While waiting for the natives to complete our other boat-load of pepper. Captain Endicott went to the beach to ascertain if the brig approaching had hoisted any colors. " He then saw that the pepper boat, which was at this time 502 OUTRAGE OF THE MALAYS. a few yards off the ship, had at least double the number of men in her that she had when she left the scales ; he imme- diately returned and inquired into this circumstance ; the men who were sent down to watch the boat in the river, then in- formed that they had seen her take in several men out of a ferry-boat at the mouth of the river, but as they all appeared to be "youngsters," they did not think the circumstance of sufficient importance to report it. Our suspicions were imme- diately excited that all was not right ; yet trusting they would not be permitted to go on board, it being contrary to the esta- blished regulations of the ship, in the absence of the captain, to admit more than two Malays on board her at a time, and deeming it too late to render any assistance if they were, the second officer and two men were sent to the beach to observe the movements on board, who almost instantly returned with the information that there was trouble on board, and that men were seen jumping overboard from her. " Convinced from this circumstance that we on shore had no time to lose, we immediately sprang into the ship's boat, and pushed off. Almost instantaneously crowds of Malays began to assemble on the points of the river, which are about sixty yards asunder, brandishing their weapons, and in other ways menacing us ; at the same moment a ferry-boat with eight or ten men in her, armed with spears and krisses, pushed off to intercept our passage out of the river, but by pulling directly for her and presenting a Malay sword, our only wea- pon, we succeeded in keeping them off. When we had clear- ed the river and come in full sight of the ship, we found the Malays had full possession of her, some of them walking about the decks, while others were making signals of success to the people on shore ; none of the ship's crew, except one man aloft, was to be seen. At this moment three Malay boats, with forty or fifty men each, came out of the river and pulled toward the ship and us ; we then concluded our only chance to recover the ship was by obtaining assistance from some other vessels, and for this purpose we made the best of our way to Muckie, where we knew two or three American ves- sels were lying. At one A. M. Ave reached Muckie, which lies twenty-five miles distant from Gluala Batoo, and found there ship James Monroe, Porter, of New- York, brigs Gov. Endicott, N. H. Jenks, of Salem, and Palmer, Powers, of Bos- ton, who determined, on hearing of our misfortunes, to pro- ceed to Q,uala Batoo and endeavour to recover the ship. " They accordingly got under way, but owjng^ to the light- OUTRAGE OF THE MALAYS. 503 ness of the wind, did not reach Cluala Batoo m season to effect any thing that day, but on the morning of the 9th a Malay was sent on shore to demand the ship of the Rajah, accompanied with the threat, that if the Malays did not im- mediately desert her, we should fire upon them and the town. The Rajah, however, positively refused to give her up, and sent word we might take her if we could. The three vessels then commenced firing upon the ship and the boats which were passing with plunder, and were answered by the forts on shore, and the Malays also firing the ship's guns at us. In their attempts to get her on shore she had become entangled among a large cluster of shoals, which rendered it extremely dangerous for either of the vessels to attempt to lay her along- side. The Malays, however, after blowing themselves up with an open keg of powder, out of which they were loading the guns, soon ceased firing on board the ship ; when a boat from each vessel was despatched to board her, under cover of the guns from the vessels, and which we did without opposition, the Malays deserting her on the approach of the boats. " We subsequently learnt that the pepper boat exchanged her crew of fishermen at the river's mouth for a set of opium smokers, rendered desperate by their habits, and to these Avere added also men of the same class taken from the ferry-boat; that when she came alongside not one of them was recog- nized by the ship's company as having been ofi'to her before ; they were all, however, indiscriminately permitted to go on board ; and the attack was commenced simultaneously at dif ferent parts of the ship, by some concerted signal ; and three or four men, with the first officer, were instantly krissed, and the crew being taken by surprise, and unprepared, the ship fell an easy prey to them." Immediately on learning this outrage. Government despatch- ed the frigate Potomac, Captain Dov^rnes, to obtain full redress for the attack on the Friendship. The frigate arrived on the coast of Sumatra in February, 1832, and anchored off Gluala Batoo on the 5th of that month. Ineffectual attempts were made on that day to open an intercourse with the natives. Prepara- tions were accordingly made for an attack, which took place at early dawn on the 6th. The forts of the enemy were soon carried, and their force dispersed. After having thus inflicted on them such vengeance as their piracy deserved, the frigate took its leave. Their punishment has doubtless impressed them with a salutary respect for American power and decision. M •? ^ t h 504 POETRY. ON SEEING A SHIP, WHICH HAD BEEN INDUCED TO ALTER HER COURSE BY FALSE LIGHT», DASHED TO PIECES ON THE ROCKS OF SCILLY, AT MIDNIGHT, IN DECEM- BER, 1813. BY NATHANIEL OGLE, Esq. Fierce the winter tempest blew, The moon in clouds were shrouded j Through the surge a frigate flew ; Her deck with men was crowded. For their harbor right they stood ; When three watch-lights dimly gleam, Glancing rays along the flood. Broad upon the larboard beam. Bear away !" the helmsman cries; "Rocks and dangers lie ahead." With the storm the frigate flies, By destruction's demon led. ^ Deeper night the heaven o'ercasts ; Brighter shine those trait'rous fires ; Louder roar the threat'ning blasts; Death with haste the ship inspires. Scarce the seamen drew their breath Silent was that gallant crew ; As if spirits whisper'd death, And each man his fate foreknew. Openmg clouds unveil the skies ; Crags and shoals begird her round, Raving surfs recoiling rise, Then rush up the broken ground. Lighted by the pale moon-ray, Balanced on a mountain wave ; Wreathed with foam and winged spray, High she trembled o'er her grave. Screams are mingled with the wind ; Granite reefs one crash resound ; No track of death the eye can trace, Nought but foam and billows round ! LRBJL27 5 0^ Kf?Sf^ 2 0^ j«*i r »MHWficin9itinnfi»niffUHff[«iiffiNniMinnni 1 .. .. a ^ .-C ^"^^^ \^^^. o*N -7- , ^ ,^ - -^^^ .^^ ;/• •S"='^. i ' ">.«^-K- ?:-^;; = \*j '^ '■ ^ ■■■■■ 1 •=' > ^'5 y -'-sf-. , «■ ,^ ^ A\^' ^^:: nm^Tmnnifniiuiiiiifnuiiumifiii