GIFT OF PROFESSOR C.A, KOFOID HOME ON THE DEEP; \% ^ OB, THE MAEINEE'S TRIALS ON THB DARK BLUE SEA. BY A SON OP THE OCEAN. BOSTON: HIGGINS, BRADLEY & DAYTON, 20 "WASHINGTON STREET. 1857. G GIFT OF PROFESSOR C.A. Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1857, by HIGG1NS, BRADLEY A DAYTON, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. PREFACE. THE life of a sailor is far from being one of ease and inactivity; but it still presents considerable in- tervals of entire leisure, with very limited sources of amusement. Divided from the great herd of mankind, and cut off, for a season at least, from % the knowledge of passing events, there is no class of persons thrown more upon their own resources for intellectual employment, than seamen. The ob- jects which daily meet their eyes are the same', their routine of duties is, for the most part, unva- ried ; and except when a transient sail looms from the horizon, the elements alone furnish subjects of interest and excitement to the accustomed traversers of the deep. Next to the claims of religion upon minds thus undistracted by the avocations of society, or the allurements of the world, those of literature vi PREFACE. certainly appear the strongest. It is difficult, how- ever, at sea, .even in the most favorable capacity, to go through a long and continued course of reading, without frequent and provoking interruptions. The noise and motion of the vessel, the sudden shiftings of the wind, in short, the very situation in which one finds himself "cabin'd, cribb'd, confin'd," are so many impediments to a steady and success- ful cultivation of literature. The object of the present volume has been to afford a series of brief and interesting sketches, whictt might be both useful and attractive to the seaman, and afford a convenient pastime for his lei- sure moments. It was believed that a miscellany of the kind, which by its variety might not readily tire, and which might be laid down and resumed at frequent intervals, without losing its interest, would not be unacceDtable to the intelligent mar- iner. CONTENTS. Pag Early Discoveries - - - - 13 Columbus ...... 14 Magellan - - 8 " " 17 ir Francis Drake - 20 The Spanish Wreck .... Dampier ...... 26 A Man Overboard - Captain Woods Rogers . . - - Story of Alexander Selkirk ... 31 A Scene off Bermuda - - Captain John Clipperton - Ferocity of the Polar Bear ... 40 Le Maire and Schouten - - 42 The Florida 44 Commodore Anson - - - - - 45 Fishing on the Grand Bank ... 50 Byron - - 53 A Tale of the Sea - - 57 Wallis - ... 60 Voyage from Halifax to Bermuda 64 De Bougainville - ... 68 History of the Buccaneers ... 71 Voyage of Captain James ... The Pirate's Treasure - 85 Missionaries in Greenland - . - - 100 Dolphins and Flying Fish - - 102 Henry Hudson ----- 105 Famine on Board the Le Jacques ... 105 Law of Arrest - - - 110 Captain Cook r 113 CONTENTS. Pae Captain Cook's Second Voyage - 118 .Third do. - 124 Sufferings of Ephraiin Howe - 138 An Escape through the Cabin Windows 140 Tne Fatal Repast 144 Captains Portlock and Dixon - - - 153 Curiosity Baffled - - 160 Shipwrecked Mariners Saved Through a Dream - 171 A Polite Sea-robber 173 Feelings Excited by a long Voyage - 176 Forty-five days' Sufferings 180 Monsieur de la Perouse - - - 185 Midshipman's Pranks - - 203 The Loss of the Phoenix 212 Mutiny of the Bounty ----- 223 Bird Catching in the Shetland Islands - 235 Dangers of a Nova Scotia Fog - - - - 238 The Eddystone Light House - 243 John Paul Jones 246 James Lawrence ----- 249 Early American Heroism .... 252 Captain G. Vancouver ----- 253 A Visit to Rockall 276 Captain Inglefield's Narrative - 282 A Monkey Trick - 284 Captain Kennedy's Narrative - 285 Tom Cringle's Log - - 287 Nelson 291 The Cumberland Packet 307 Captain D'Entrecasteaux .... 309 Captain Riley - '- - - 315 Adventures of Captain Woodward - - - 319 Ship wreck of the Blendenhall - 325 The Cliffs of Dover - 328 An Account of the Whale Fishery - - 331 The Loss of the Peggy - 346 The Medusa - - 352 The Main Truck, or a Leap for Life - 356 The Harpooner Transport 364 Commodore Barney .... 367 CONTENTS. XI Page Naval Battles of the United States - t 371 Captain Parry's First Voyage of Discovery - 382 Second Voyage _ - - 399 Third do. 409 Loss of the Alceste - - - 411 Kotzebue 426 W reck of the Rothsay Steamer 428 Narrative of Captain W. L. Cazneau - - 432 New York 436 Narrative of Captain Lincoln - 437 Greenwich Hospital - - 469 Loss of the Ship Boston 470 The Loss of the Kent - 472 Properties of the Sea, &c. - 478 Classification of Clouds .... 480 POETRY. The Beacon Light 22 The Ocean ... 34 Nautical Philosophy - - - 57 The Wreckers - .... 77 The Dying Dolphin - 104 A Sea Song 113 Lament for Long Tom ----- 144 The Return of the Admiral - 170 The Sea Bird's Song - - 176 The Grecian Mariner's Song - - - . - 184 The Sound of the Sea - - 211 A Sea Ballad - 237 Address to the Ocean - ... 251 The Subterranean Stream .... 281 As Fast and Far o'er Waves we fly - - 287 Casablanca ...... 306 The Mariner's Address to his Mistress - 314 The Mariner's Hymn - - 330 The American Flag 381 Old Ironsides 425 Ill CONTENTS. ENGRAVINGS. Pag. The landing of Columbus . 16 Straps of Magellan. ..... 18 Peak of Teneriffe - 30 Cape Horn ...... 43 St. Helena - - - - . 50 Pirate's Treasure ' - - - . 99 ^eath of Captain Cook 133 Bird Catching on the Shetland Islands ... 236 The Eddystone Light House .... 244 Rockall ..... 270 The Wreck of the Cumberland Packet - 309 Dover Castle ...... 329 Boat Upset by a Whale .... 344 View of Boston ...... 380 New York ...... 43(5 Greenwich Hospital ..... 4(39 Classification of Clouds - - - 481 HIE MARINERS' LIBRARY. EARLY MARITIME DISCOVERIES. THE Portuguese were among the first to signalize themselves in the career of geographical discovery. At the beginning of the fifteenth century, Prince Henry, son of John I. was at the head of the marine of Portugal. Under his immediate direction, sev- eral voyages were undertaken to the coast of Africa; in one of which the voyagers were driven by a storm out of their usual course along shore, and for the first time the terrified mariners found themselves in the boundless ocean. When the storm abat- ed, they were in sight of an island, to which, in their thankful- ness to Heaven for the succor it afforded, they gave the name of Puerto Sancto, or the Holy Haven the least of the Madeiras. The voyages of the Portuguese now succeeded each other rapidly; and other navigators of this nation, either grown bolder, or again driven off the coast, discovered the Azores. In 1433, the Por- tuguese passed Cape Nun, hitherto the limit of their courses, and arrived at a cape, which presenting a frightful barrier to the still timid seamen, in the terrible surf that broke on the shoals near it, they named Bojador, signifying its projection into the sea and the consequent circuit it required to double it. In succeeding expeditions, Cape Verd was reached, and the Senegal arrived at, and Lisbon saw with astonishment a different race from the Moors. Cape Mesurado was the limit of the Por- tuguese discoveries at the death of Prince Henry in 1463, which damping the ardor of discovery, it was not until 1171 that the Equator was crossed, and the islands in the gulf of Guinea were discovered. The terrors of the burning zone, and the belief of the union of Africa and Asia being dissipated by these successive voyages, the passage to India round Africa was no longer deemed impossible, and a fleet was fitted out under Bartholomew Diaz for the express purpose of attempting it. The captain coasted Africa to within sight of its southern point, to which he gave the name of Cape of all Torments from the violent storms he experienced off it, and which, as well as the want of provisions, obliged him to return to Lisbon, after an absence of sixteen months. The name of the Cape of all Torments was changed by the king to that of Good Hope, from the prospect it afforded of accomplishing the passage to India. 2 14 COLUMBUS. Ten years however elapsed after the discovery of the Cape before this passage was again attempted: and Vasco de Gama had the honor of doubling the promontory the 20th of November, 1497. Sailing along the east coast of Africa, he passed through the Mosambique Channel to Mombaze arid thence to Melinda, where he procured pilots, and crossing the Arabian sea, arriv- ed at Callicut the 22d of May, 1498. It is thought that the ridiculous ceremony of ducking, &c. on crossing the line was first practised in this voyage. COLUMBUS. While the Portuguese were attempting to arrive at India by the east, Columbus conceived the idea of reaching it by the west, which produced a discovery that was totally to alter the face of Europe by inundating it with the treasures of a new world. Christopher Columbus was a native of Genoa. He seems to have been accustomed, in a degree, from his youth, to a sea-life, and once commanded a ship in an engagentent with a Venitian galley, when both vessels having grappled took fire, and he saved himself by swimming nearly two leagues to the shore. Columbus had formed an opinion, after much reflection, that by sailing across the Atlantic towards the west, new countries, probably forming a part of India, must be discovered. Fired with this project, he first proposed his plans to the king of Portugal, but that monarch not readily complying with his terms, Columbus concluded to resort to the court of Ferdinand and Isabella, who then ruled the united kingdoms of Castile and Arragon. His proposals were listened to with respect, and an assembly of all the learned men of the realm was called to listen to his reason- ing, and weigh his arguments. He rose before this learned body, and explained to them his project and the probabilities of its success. But his propositions were rejected as absurd. One of their assertions was, that if a man should sail away westward as far as Columbus proposed, he would not be able to return on account of the roundness of the globe. They said it would be going down; and that coming back would be like climbing a hill, which a vessel could not do without the strongest gale! But though baffled by these prejudiced men, he finally found an advocate in the Queen Isabella, who promised her assistance to the undertaking. After much delay and difficulty, an expedi- tion was fitted out, and Columbus appointed admiral. He sailed with his companions from the bar of Saltes, a small island in front COLUMBUS. 15 of the town of Huelva, on the morning of the third of August, 1492. They steered their course in a S. W. direction for the Canary Islands. The day after their departure, the rudder of one of the caravels was unshipped. This was supposed to have been done through the contrivance of two men on board, who disliked the voyage. Her captain however repaired the rudder by means of ropes, so as to be able to keep on their course as far as the Grand Canary. Here three or four weeks were spent in repairing the vessel, and in taking in supplies of wood and water; after which, on the sixth of September, they departed in a westerly direction. On the fifteenth of the same month, at night, they saw a wonderful flash of fire fall into the sea. On the next day they fell in with a large quantity of green weeds, among which they found a live crab ; and soon after great flocks of birds were seen flying towards the west. The sailors watched, with the greatest anxiety, for every sign of land. But being often disappointed they began to murmur and grow afraid. Towards the night of the 22d, two or three land-birds came singing on board the vessels, and flew away at daybreak. One thing that terrified the sailors was that the wind always blew direct- ly in their stern. They believed that in those seas they should never have a wind to carry them back again. It fortunately hap- pened however, that about this time the wind started up freshly from another quarter, with a rolling sea. The signs of land having continually failed, the crews grew more incensed against the ad miral. Provisions were falling short, and the general wish seemed to be to turn back. Some of them even proposed to throw Colum- bus into the sea, and give out on their return that he had fallen overboard, while engaged in taking some observations. On the eleventh of October they experienced signs of land, which could not be mistaken. A cane and a log were picked up, and a branch of thorn full of red berries was likewise found. Convinced, by these tokens, of the vicinity of land, Columbus after evening prayers, made an address to hTs crew, reminding them of the mercy of God in bringing them so far, and encourag- ing them to continue." About ten o' clock that evening, while keeping an anxious look-out from the top of the cabin, the ad- miral thought he beheld a light glimmering at a great distance; and at two in the morning the signal of land was given by a sailor named Rodrigo de Triana. When the day dawned they beheld before them a large island, quite level, full of green trees and delicious springs, and apparently well inhabited. The ships im- mediately came to anchor. The admiral went ashore in his boat, well-armed, and bearing the royal standard. After formally taking possession of the island, he named it San Salvador. I is now called Cat Island, and belongs to the group of the Baha- mas. He also discovered Cuba, Hispaniola, and several other small 16 COLUMBUS islands, and having left a colony in a fort at Hispaniola returned to Spain in March, 1493. In September following, he set out on his second voyage, and sailed by the Leeward Islands to His- paniola; in a third voyage undertaken in 1498, he discovered the continent of America, but in consequence of some envious ctiar- ges made against him, was sent in fetters to Europe. He was instantly liberated on his arrival, but so deeply did the injury sink into his mind, that he always carried about him the chains he had worn, and ordered that they should be buried with him. He sailed from Cadiz, in May, 1502, on his fourth voyage. On arriving off Columbus. St. Domingo he found eighteen loaded ships preparing to depart for Europe. As from certain tokens he discerned the approach of a hurricane, he requested permission to enter the harbour, and at the same time warned the fleet not to sail. Both his request and warning were disregarded. The hurricane carne on. By proper precautions he escaped its fury; but it fell with such de- structive violence on the fleet, that only two or three ships were saved, and the rest perished with all their wealth. Columbus proceeded on his voyage and traced all the coast about the isthmus of Darien. Sailing homewards he was wreck- ed on the island of Jamaica. Here he underwent great distress from the mutiny and desertion of his men, and the suspicions of the natives, who withheld their supplies of provisions, till, by the pre- diction of an eclipse, he obtained an irresistible authority over their rninds. At length he was delivered by a squadron sent from Hispaniola; and after a short stay at St." Domingo, he embarked with two ships for Spain. One of these was obliged by storms MAGELLAN 17 to return, and in the other with great difficulty and danger, he reached St Lucar in December, 1504, and thus finished his last disastrous voyage. On his return he had the mortification of finding his best friend, Isabella, dead. He was worn down by anxiety and disease; his services were neglected, and his hopes miserably disappointed. He finally died at Valladolid, on the 20th of May, 1506, in the fifty-ninth year of his age; passing through the last scene with that piety and composure, which he had displayed in all the trying emergencies of life. In 1536, his remains were removed to Hispaniola, and interred in the city of St. Domingo. But in 1795, they were again disinterred and conveyed to Havanna, in Cuba. MAGELLAN. Ferdinand Magellan was bv birth a Portuguese, descended from a good family, and born towards the end of the fifteenth cen- tury. In consequence of certain services in the Indian Seas, he applied to the government for some recompense ; but being treated -\\th neglect, he left his own country to seek employment in a foreign land. In companv with Ruy Falero, an eminent astron- omer, and one of his associates, he travelled into Spain, and ex- plained to Charles V. the reigning monarch, his project of making discoveries in distant seas. The court listened to the adventurers with favor, and consented to fit out an expedition. Magellan's little squadron consisted of five ships, manned with 237 men, and supplied with provisions, ammunition and stores, for two years. On the 1st of August, 1519, they left Seville, and on the 27th of September sailed from Sanlucar, steering for the Canaries. They refreshed at Teneriffe, and early in October passed the Cape de Verd Islands. Holding on their course, they bore along the. coast of Africa, till they crossed the line, seven- ty days after their departure. In the beginning of December they, came to that part of Brazil which is now called the Bay of St. Lucia. They subsequently anchored at the mouth of a large river, supposed to be the Rio Janerio, where they continued a fortnight. On their first landing, the inhabitants flocked to the beach in great numbers, beholding, as they imagined, five sea- mr:nsters approach ins the shore. When the boats put out from the ships, the natives set up a great shout, conceiving them to be vountr sea-monsters, the offspring of the others. Proceeding al >n2 the South American Coast, the squadron arrived in .April, 1 520, at a large bay, now called by the name of 18 MAGELLAN. St. Julian. Here they saw a wild, gigantic race, of great size and fierceness who made a roaring not unlike that of bulls. One of them came on board the admiral's ship, and was well pleased with his reception; but happening to cast his eyes on a looking-glass, he was so terrified, that starting backwards, he beat to the ground Straits of Magellan. two men who stood behind him. Others subsequently came on board, and their behavior afforded great entertainment to the offi- cers. One of these savages, ate a basket full of ship-biscuits, and drank a cask of water at a meal. They wore sandals, or a kind of shoes, made of skins, arid this caused their feet to appear like those of an animal. Magellan named them Patagonians, from the Spanish word pata, signifying a hoof, or paw. Magellan determined to continue here till the return of spring, as it is winter in the southern hemisphere during our summer. He had ordered the allowance of provisions to be shortened, to meet this exigence, which caused much discontent among the crews. A mutiny soon followed, which was not quelled till one of the officers was hanged, and some others were sent on shore to be left among the Patagonians. Five dreary months were pas- sed in the harbor of St. Julian, during which, every exertion was made to insure the successful prosecution of the voyage. On the 24th of August, the^squadron again set sail, the weather being fine, and proceeded southward, till a violent gaie from the east drove one t>f the vessels on shore, but the crew was happily saved. Coasting south with the four remaining ships, they ap- proached a cape, near which an opening was discovered which was found afterwards to be a strait. Upon this, Magellan gave MAGELLAN. 19 orders that all the other ships should carefully examine the strait, promising to wait for them a certain number of days. While the three vessels were employed in this expedition, one of them was driven out of the strait by the reflux of the tide, when the crew, dissatisfied with their situation, rose on their captain, made him prisoner, and again set sail for Europe. . After waiting seve- ral days beyond the time he had fixed, Magellan entered the strait or arm of the sea, which has ever since retained his name. The entrance lies in 52 degrees south latitude, and the strait, which is about 110 leagues in length, is very wide in some places, and in others not more than half a league from shore to shore. On both sides the land was high, and the 'mountains were covered with snow, on advancing about 50 leagues west from the entrance. Jn iib'nit six weeks they found themselves again in an open sea, i : coast terminating westward in a cape, and the shore of the c -.ijtinent taking a northerly direction. The sight of the Pacific Ocean gave Magellan the utmost joy, he being the first Europe- an who sailed upon it. Proceeding W. X. W. he arrived at the Ladrone Islands, to which he gave that name on account of the thievish disposition of the natives. They sailed from the Ladrones on the 10th of March, 1524, and after visiting a number of islands, entered the port of Lebu on the 7th of April. From Lebu they sailed to the island of Mathan, which being governed by two kings, and one of them refusing to pav tribute to the king of Spain, Magellan prepared to reduce him. He inarched into the interior of the island accompanied by sixty Europeans. Here he was attacked by three distinct bodies of the islanders, whose united force amounted to upwards t.f six thousand. The battle was for some time doubtful, till Ma- gellan's impetuosity carrying him too far, he was killed, by being wounded in the leg with a poisoned arrow and stabbed through th: body by a spear. Eight or nine of the Spaniards and fifteen of the Indians were also slain. After the death of the admiral, new commanders were chosen from among the surviving officers, and as the ships were now in a very bad condition, it was found necessary to make use of one to repair the other two. Sailing W. S. W. they came to th? rich island of Borneo. From this place they sailed to Cimbubon, where they were de- tained forty days in repairing their ships and taking in wood and water. Bending their course hence S. E. for the Moluccas, they came to anchor in the port of Tidore on the 8th of November. After remaining here sometime, they set sail in one ship alone and with fifty-nine persons on board, for Europe. To double the Cape of Good Hope with the greater safety, they sailed as low as 42 degrees S. latitude, where they were obliged to wait seven weeks for a wind. On doubling the cape they were much dis- tressed by hunger and sickness. For two months they held on their course to the N. W. without touching at any port, during which Sill i-'RANCIS DilAKE. time they lost twenty-one persons, and the rest were on the point of starving. In this situation they arrived at St. Jago, one of the Cape de Verd Islands. Finally on the 7th of September, they entered St. Lucarin Spain, with their number reduced to about eighteen per- sons. According to their reckoning, they had sailed 14,000 leagues, and crossed the equator six times, having been absent three years wanting fourteen days. This was the first voyage round the* world that had ever been made. SIR FRANCIS DRAKE. Mr. Drake was first apprenticed to the master of a small ves- sel trading to France and Zealand; at the age of eighteen he went purser of a ship to the Bay of Biscay, and at twenty made a voy- age to the coast of Guinea. Having obtained Queen Elizabeth's permission for an expedition against the Spaniards, five ships were fitted out, having on board 164 able men and a 1 large quantity of provisions. This fleet sailed out of Plymouth Sound on the 5th of November 1577; but meeting with a violent storm, they were obliged to put back and refit. On the 13th of December they s'-iili-d airain, and on the 25th passed Cape Cantin, on the coast of Barbary. After visiting numerous islands and meeting with various adventures, having passed the line, they at length dis- covered the coast of Brazil on the 5th of April, it being titty-four days since they saw land. As soon as the people on shore saw tu3 ships, they made large fires in different parts, and performed cere- monies to prevail on the gods ta sink the vessels, or at least to prevent their landing. Sailing southward they anchored in fort St. Julian, where the admiral going on shore with six men, some of the natives slew the gunner, whose death was revenged by the commander, who killed the murderer with his own hand. At this place Magellan having executed one of his company who conspired against his life, Drake caused one of the crew named Doughty to be tried for the same offence against himself; and executed him on the same gibbet. On the 20th of August, they fell in with the strait of Ma- gellan, which they entered, but found so full of intricate windings, that the same wind which was sometimes in their favor, was at others against them. After several difficulties they entered the South Sea on the 6th of September, and on the next day a vio- lent storin dr >ye them 200 leagues south of the strait, where they anchored among some islands, abounding in herbs and water. SIR FRANCIS DRAKE. 21 Being now arrived at the other mouth of the strait, they steered for the coast of Chili. On their course they met an Indian in a canoe, who informed them that at St. Jago there was a large ship laden for Peru. The admiral rewarded him for this informa- tion, whereupon he conducted them to the place where the ship lay at anchor. There were only eight Spaniards and three nf groes on board, who mistaking them for friends, welcomed thei. and invited them to drink Chili wine. Drake accepted the invi- tation, and going on board, put them under hatches; arriving on shore he rifled the town and chapel, from which he took great quantities of silver and gold. Proceeding to sea, they arrived at the port of Tarapaxa, where some of them going on shore- found a Spaniard asleep, with eighteen bars of silver laying by his side, which they took without waking him. Entering the port of Lima on the 13th of February, they found twelve sail of ships at anchor unguarded, the crews being all on shore. Examining these vessels they found much plate, together with rich silks and linens, which they took away; but having learned that a rich ship called the Cacafuego had lately sailed from that harbor for Taila, the admiral determined to follow her. Having come up with the chase, they gave her three shots, which brought away the mizzen-mast, whereupon they boarded her, and found thirteen chests full of rials of plate; eighty pounds weight of gold, a quantity of jewels, and twenty-six tons of silver in bars. They subsequently took several other rich prizes, and Drake having now revenged himself on the Spaniards, began to think of the best way of returning to England. To return by the strait of Magellan would be to throw himself into the hands of the Spaniards; he therefore determined to sail westward to the East Indies, and return by the Cape of Good Hope. But wanting wind, he sailed towards the north, and in 38 degrees N. latitude, discovered a country, which from its white cliffs he called New Albion, though it is now known by the name of California. Here they were received with much hospitality by the natives, and the king made Drake a solemn tender of his whole kingdom. Sail- ing hence, they saw the Ladrones on the 13th of October. The admiral held on his course without delay, and on the 4th of No- vember, fell in with the Moluccas. Having arrived at a little islan/ south of Celebes, they staid twenty-six days, in order to repair th ships. Setting sail hence, they ran among a number of small isl- ands, and the wind shifting about suddenly, drove them upon a rock, on the evening of the 9th of January, 1579, where they stuck fast, till four in the afternoon of the next day. In this extremity they lightened the vessel, by taking out eight pieces of ordnance and three tons of cloves. .On the 18th of June, they doubled the Cape of Good Hope, and on the 22nd of July arrived at Sierra Leone, where they found a great number of elephants. They staid 22 THE BEACON LIGHT. here two days, and holding on their course for Plymouth, arrived there on Monday, the 26th of September, 1580; but according to their own reckoning, on Sunday the 25th, having gone round the world in two years, ten months, and a few days. The honor of knighthood was conferred on Drake, and a chair was made from his ship which is still shown as a curiosity at Oxford. THE BEACON-LIGHT Darkness was deep'ning o'er the seas, And still the hulk drove on; No sail to answer to the breeze, Her masts and cordage gone: Gloomy and drear her course of fear, Each looked but for a grave, When full in sight, the Beacon-light Came streaming o'er the wave! Then wildly rose the gladd'ning shout Of all that hardy crew Boldly they put the helm about, And through the surf they flew; Storm was forgot, toil heeded not, And loud the cheer they gave, As full in sight, the Beacon-light Came streaming o'er the wave! And gaily oft the tale they told, When they were safe on shore, How hearts had sunk, and hope grown cold, Amid the billows' roar; That not a star had shone afar, By its pale beam to save, When full in sight, the Beacon-light, Came streaming o'er the wave' THE SPANISH WRECK. 23 THE SPANISH WRECK. a About the year 1683,, Sir William Phips, afterwards celebrated for his attempts to take Quebec, in 1G90, applied to tUe English Government for aid and permission to fit out a suitable vessel for the purpose of searching for the wreck of a Spanish ship which had be-en lost near one of the West India Islands, richly laden with silver. His request, after some delay, was granted and a frig- ate called Algier Rose, carrying eighteen guns and manned with ninety five men, was placed under his command. He arrived in New England the same year and proceeded forthwith to the place where the treasure was reported to have been lost He encoun- tered many difficulties in his voy age and came nig h, moie than once, losing his 'ife by the mutiny of his crew. Itis reported of him that while his ship lay by an island, for the purpose of enabling his men to take on board a fresh supply of wood and water, they agreed among themselves to take the ship into their own hands, and make a piratical expedition into the South Seas. They were all on the island with the exception of Captain Phips and eight or ten of the crew. Ajnong these was the carpenter, whose services they could not well dispense with, and they accordingly sent to the ship, requesting him to come to them, as they had something for him to do. N,p sooner had he come among them, than they disclosed to him the cruel project, which was to set the Captain, and the above named eight or ten men upon the island, and then leave them to perish, while they would take the ship into their own hands and perform the proposed voyage. They gave the carpenter half an hour to consider of the subject, whether he would join with them or not, and sent him back accompanied by a seaman to prevent any interview between him and the Captain, by which a disclosure could be made. While at work on the ship, he suddenly ieigned an attack of the cholic, and rushed into the cabin for the purpose of obtaining relief, and while there, gave the Captain an account of the determination of his crew. He direct- ed the carpenter to return upon the island, and give his consent to join the conspiracy. When the carpenter had left the ship, the Captain ordered the men on board, to prepare the pieces for action, removed the plank by which a landing had been effected, and ordered them not to permit any one of those, save the carpenter, to approach the ship. A. quantity of provisions had been carried on shore and covered jith a tent, and two or three guns placed near to protect them from the Spaniards who might be passing that way: these guns were all charged, ready to be made use of in the event oT an at- tack from the conspirators. The disaffected part of the crew now returned to the ship for the purpose of executing their plans. 24 THE SPANISH WRECK. No sooner had they come in sight, than the captain ordered then, not to approach, saying to them that their intentions had been discovered, and that they were to he left upon the island, there to remain and perish. Seeing how hopeless their condition was become, they gathered courage from despair, and resolved to rescue the provisions from the ship, and began to make a bold push. As soon as they began to approach, the captain in a res olute manner, cried out, " stand off, ye wretches, at your peril! They quietly relinquished their determination to attack, and fell upon their knees, imploring pardon, and offered to comply with any disposal he might make of them, provided he would re- ceive them on board. After having kept them on their knees long enough, he granted their petition and received them into the ship, and sailed immediately for the island of Jainaica, there put them on shore, and employed other seamen in their place. He now commenced an examination for the wreck, and after spending a long time in an almostlruitless search, sailed for Eng- land. By the advice, however, of an old Spaniard, he had satisii- ed himself of the prospect of succeeding in accomplishing his ob- ject, and determined to return again and prosecute his plan. His crew being composed of strangers, made him think it advisable to change them for others in whom he could have greater confidence in the event his labors should be crowned with success. On his return to England, his conduct gained the royal appro- bation, and the applause of the nobles, and many distinguished men encouraged him to engage in a second expedition and under more favorable and promising circumstances. His project was opposed, however, by many powerful enemies; but, prompted by the proverb, lie >i-h:> can wait, hath what he de- sir'eth, he overcame ever/ obstacle and disappointment, and, under the patronage of the Duke of Albemarlc, had a new ship titted out with a more honest crew, furnished with instruments and con- veniences suited to the nature of the expedition. Arriving at Port de la Plata, he made a large canoe from the cotton tree suf- ficient to carry eight men, and with the old Spaniard for a guide, again commenced examination for the wreck. There they float- ed about, fishing for their treasure among dangerous reefs and shoals for many weeks without success. So fruitless was the search that more than once had he, as well as his men, determin- ed to abandon the work. x At length, when returning to the ship, discouraged by repeated disappointment, and the hopelessness ol a successful issue of the project, one of the men looking into the water discovered a feather, as he thought, growing out of a rock Thinking that they would not go back to the Captain without something to present him, they ordered an Indian to dive down and bring it up, which having done, he gave an account of many large guns which he saw in his descent. The diver again went down, and, to the joy and astonishment of the men, returned with THE SPANISH WRECK. 25 a sow or lump of silver, which turned out to be worth from ten to t'.velve hundn d dollars. Thev buoyed the place and returned to th*' Captain orerj'-ved \vith their good fortune, as it \vas well known that the wreck was one of the ships bel :nging to the king of Spain, wlii.-h had been lost on a returning voyage from South America lad'-n with silver bullion. The loss of the ship is supposed to have happened about the year 1637, and the immense treasures i were reported to have been sunk with her were often made the subject of ingenious speculation, and many had sunk their <>u-;i fortunes and efforts to find it. It was reserved, however, in the -ilent depths, that Capt. Phips might be the fortunate finder of it at so late a period after its loss. He now'fbund in the bullion brought to him full assurance that destiny had allotted to him to suck of the abundance of the seas and of treasures hid in the sand. Having prepared his instruments for fishing up the contents of the wreck, all hands were now busily employed in the work, and in a short time they succeeded in procuring the astonishing amount of thirty-tiro tons of silver. In addition to this Captain Adderly, an adventurer from Providence, and particular friend of Captain Phips, obtained six tons more from the same wreck at the same time. It was by an agreement that Adderly met Phips at the place of the wreck with a small vessel. He was so overjoyed with the extent of his riches and so elated at such unlocked for acquisitions, that he lived but a little while to enjoy them. It is said that he went to the island of Bermudas where he became insane and died about two years after the six tons of silvercame into his hands. Phips, however, made a more profitable account expedition, and lived to enjoy the proceeds of it without prejudice to his health or destruction of his mind. In a few weeks a''ler leaving the wrer-k, he arrived safe in London, in 1687, with a car^o valued at near FIFTEEN HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS, He made an honest distribution of it among those who aided him in fitting him out with a vessel and proper conveniences, and receiv- ed abouta^fcnt \-five thousand dollars for his share of the profits. The Duke of Albemarle, out of respect to his- honesty and fideli- tv. presented his wife, who was then in Xew England, a gold cup worth ''near a thousand pounds." And King James as a reward for his important services in bringing such amount of property into the country conferred on him the honor of Knighthood. Sir William Phips was born Febuary 2, 1650, at a despicable plantation on the river Ktnnebeck. He removed to Boston where he married a daughter of Roger Spencer, and pursued the busi- ness of a smith, which was the occupation of his father. It is said that he frequently promised his wife that he would one day command a JRng 8 sin.) and be the oiujnr of a fair brick house hi the G-nen lane of JYorlk Boilon, all which proved true, for after the discovery of the wreck, he returned into Xew England, in the summer of the year 1688, "able after five year's bsence, to 26 DAMPIER. entertain his lady with some accomplishment of his predictions: and then built himself a fair house in the very place which he foretold." Sir William Phips was industrious, courageous, and persevering: his principal fault was, occasionally indulging his temper. This failing he did not overcome until late in life. It is this day said by the very aged people living at the north part of Boston, where he resided, that when he was governor of Massachusetts, he had a quarrel with a truckman, at which time he was in so great a passion, that he threw off his coat and dared the man to fight. After this, however, he became very serious and devout, when he joined the Church, made a written acknowledgement of his past errors, and in terms of deep humility, gave evidence of a pious mind. Phips was made "Captain General and Commander-in-Chief of Massachusetts Bay, 7 ' in 1690. The Brick House which he built stands in Salem Street, and is improved as an asylum for orphan boys. DAMPIER. William Dampier was born in Somersetshire, England, in the year 1652. He lost both his parents when very young, and was bound* apprentice to the master of a ship at Weymouth, with whom he made a voyage to France and another to New England. In 1673, he served in the Dutch war, and was afterwards an over- seer to a plantation in Jamaica. He next visited the bay of Cain- peachy as a logwood cutter, and, after once more visiting England, engaged in a band of Buccaneers, as they called themselves, al- though in reality pirates, with whom he roved on the Peruvian coasts. He next visited Virginia, and engaged in an expedition against the Spanish settlements in the South Seas. They accor- dingly sailed in August, 1683, and, after taking several prizes on the coasts of Peru and Chili, the party experienced various fortune but no very signal success. Dampier, wishing to obtain ,801116 knowledge of the northen coast of Mexico, joined the crew of a captain Swan, who cruised in the hopes of meeting the annual royal Manilla ship, which, however, escaped them. Swan and Dampier were resolved to steer for the East Indies, and they accordingly sailed to the Piscadores, to Bouton island, to New Holland and to INicohar, where Dampier and others were left ashore to recover their health. Their numbers gave them hopes of bein able to navigate a canoe to Achin, in which they suc- ceeded, after encountering a tremendous storm, which threatened them with unavoidable destruction. After making several trading A MAN OVERBOARD. 27 vovagcs with a Captain Weldon, Dampier entered, as a gunner, the Efigiish factory at Bencoolen. Upon this coast he remained until 1G91. when he found means to return home, and, being in want of money, sold his property in a curiously painted or tattoed Indian prince, who v, as shown as a curiosity, and who ultimately died of the small pox at Oxford. Dampier is next heard of as a commander, inthe king's service, of a sloop of war of twelve guns and fifty men, probably fitted out for a voyage of discovery. After experiencing a variety of adventures with a discontented crew, this vessel foundered off the Isle of Ascension, his men with dif- ficulty reaching land. They were released from this island by an East India ship, in which Dampier came to England. He after- wards commanded a ship in the South Seas, and accompanied the expedition of Captain Woodes Rogers as pilot. * A MAN OVERBOARD. Sailors are men of rough habits, but their feelings are not by any means so coarse ; if they possess little prudence or worldly consideration, they are likewise very free from selfishness; gen- erally speaking, too, they are much attached to one another, and will make great sacrifices to their messmates or shipmates when opportunities occur. I remember once, when crusing ofFTerceira in the Endymion, that a man fell overboard and was drowned. After the usual con- fusion, and long search in vain, the boats were hoisted up, and the hands called to make sail. I was officer of the forecastle and on looking about to see if all the men were at their station, missed one of the foretop men. Just at that moment I observed some one curled up, and apparently hiding himself under the bow of the barge, between the boat and the booms. 'Hillo!' I said, 'who are you? What are you doing there, you skulker? Why are you not at your station?' ' I am not skulking, sir,' said the poor fellow, the furrows in whose bronzed and weatherbeaten cheek were running down with tears. The man we had just lost had been his messmate and friend, he told me, for ten years. I begged his pardon, in full sincerity, for having used such harsh words to him at such a moment, and bid him go below to his birth for the rest of the day. 'Never mind, sir, never mind,' said the kind hearted seaman, 'it can't be helped. You meant no harm, sir I am as well on deck as below. Bill's gone sir, but I must do my duty.' So saying,' he drew the sleeve of his jacket twice or thrice across h s eyes, and 28 A MAN OVERBOARD. mustering his grief within his breast, walked to his station as if nothing had happened. In^the same ship and nearly about the same time, the people were bathing along side in a calm at sea. It is customary on such occasions to spread a studding-sail on the water, by means of lines from the fore and main yard arms, for the use of those who either cannot swim, or who are not expert in this art, so very important to all seafaring people. Half a dozen of the ship's boys were floundering about in the sails, and sometimes even venturing beyond the leech rope. One of the least of these urchins, bui not the least courageous of their number, when taunted by his more skilful companions with being afraid, struck out boldly be- yond the prescribed bounds. He had not gone much farther than his own length, however, along the surface of the fathomless sea, when his heart failed him, poor little man; and long with his con- fidence away also went his power of keeping his head above the water. So down he sank rapidly, to the speechless horror of the other boys, who of course, could lend the drowning child no help. The captain of the forecastle, a tall, fine-looking, hard-a-weath- er fellow, was standing on the shank of the sheet anchor with his arms across, and his well varnished canvass hat drawn so much over his eyes that it was difficult to tell whether he was awake or, merely dozing in the sun, as he leaned his back against the fore-topmast backstay. The seaman, however, had been at- tentively watching the young party all the time, and rather fear- ing that mischief might ensue from their rashness, he had grunted out a warning to them from time to time, to which they paid no sort of attention. At last he desisted, saying they might drown themselves if they had a mind, for never a bit would he help them; but no sooner did the sinking figure of the adventurous little boy catch his eye, than, diver fashion, he joined the palms of his hands over his head, inverted his position in one instant, and urging himself into swifter motion by a smart push with his feet against the anchor, shot head foremost into the water. The poor !;;<1 sunk so rapidly that he was at least-a couple of fathoms under the surface before he was arrested by the grip of the sailor, who soon rose again, bearing the bewildered boy in his hand, and call- ing to the other youngsters to take better care of their companion, chucked him right into the belly of the sail in the midst of the party. The fore-sheet was hanging in the calm, nearly into the water, and by it the dripping seaman scrambled up again to his old birth on the anchor, shook himself like a great Newfoundland do(_r, and then jumping on the deck, proceeded across the forecastle to shift himself. At the top of th% ladder he was stopped by the marine officer, who had witnessed the whole transaction, as he sat across the gangway hammocks, watching the swimmers, and trying to get his own consent to undergo the labor of undressing. Said the soldier CAPTAIX \\OODES ROGERS. 29 to the sailor " That was very well done of you, my man, and right well deserves a glass of grog. Say so to the gun-room steward as you pass; and tell him it is my orders to fill you out a stiff nor- wester. " The soldier's offer was kindly meant, but rather clumsily timid, at least so thought Jack: for, though he inclined his head in acknowledgment of the attention, and instinctively touched his hat when spoken to by an officer, he made no reply till out of the marine's hearing, when he laughed, or rather chuckled out to the people near him, "Does the good gentleman suppose I '11 take a glass of grog for saving a boy's life." Capt. Hall. CAPTAIN WOODES ROGERS. This voyage was undertaken chiefly by the merchants of Bristo,. Captain Woodes Rogers was appointed commander in chief, and William Dampier first pilot of the expedition. They sailed from King-road, Bristol, on the 1st of August, 1708, their force con- sisting of the Duke, a ship of three hundred tons burden, thirty guns, and one hundred and seventy men, commanded by Rogers; and the Duchess of two hundred and seventy tons, twenty-six guns, and one hundred and fifty-one men,Nunder the command of captain Courtney. They entered the harbor of Cork on the 6th of August, where they enlisted a number of seamen in the room of about forty fel- lows who had ran away. They set sail on the 1st of September, with a very mixed crew, and on the morning of the 10th discover- ed a sail, to which they immediately gave chase. On coming up with her she proved to be a Swedish ship, and was permitted t6 proceed unmolested on her way. During the time the ship was in custody, a design had been privately formed on board the Duke, by four inferior officers, to make a prize of her; and when they found she was given up, they began to mutiny; but the boatsman, being displaced, and, with ten others, put in irons, and a severe whipping given to some of the leaders of the disturbance, all was quiet again. On the 14th, however, some of the ship's company, headed by a daring fellow, came up to captain Rogers at the steerage-door, and demanded the boatswain out of irons. The captain gave them good words, and having taken the ringleader, as if to speak with him on the quarter-deck, had him suddenly seized by the help of the officers, and lashed by one of his own followers.. On the 16th the captain released the prisoners from irons on their acknowledging their sorrow for what they had done. On the 17th, gained sight of the peak of Teneriffe, and the next day took a Spanish bark of t " Can 't rightly say, sir; she is in the middle of the thick weather to windward." " Stay where you are a little. Jenkins, jump forward, and see what you can make of her from the fore- yard." Whilst the topman was obeying his instructions, the look- out again hailed. " She is a ship, sir, close-hauled on the same tack; the weather clears and I can see her now." The wind ever since noon had been blowing in heavy squalls, with appalling lulls between them. One of these gusts had been so violent as to bury in the sea the lee-guns in the waist, although the brig had nothing set but her close-reefed main-topsail, and reef- A SCENE OFF BERMUDA. 35 ed foresail. It was now spending its fury, and she was beginning to roll heavily, when, with a suddenness almost incredible to one unacquainted with these latitudes, the veil of mist that had hung to the windwarcj the whole day was rent and drawn aside, and the red and level rays of the setting sun flashed at once, through a long arch of glowing clouds, on the black hull and tall spars of his Britanic majesty's sloop Torch. And, true enough, we were not the only spectators of this gloomy splendor; for, right in the wake of the moonlike sun, now half sunk in the sea, at the distance of a mile or more, lay a long warlike-looking craft, apparently a frigate or heavy corvette, rolling heavily and silently in the trough of the sea, with her masts, yards, and the scanty sail she had set, in strong relief against the glorious horizon. Jenkins now hailed from the foreyard, " The strange sail is bearing up, sir." As he spoke, a flash was seen, followed, after \\hat seemed a long interval, by the deadened report of the gun, as if it had been an echo, and the sharp half-ringing, half-hissing sound of the shot. It fell short, but close to us, and was evidently thrown from a heavy cannon, from the length of the range. Mr. Splinter, the first lieutenant, jumped from the gun he stood on, " Quartermaster, keep her away a bit," and dived into the cabin to make his report. Captain Deadeye was a staid. stifT-rumped, wall-eyed, old first lieutenantish-looking veteran, with his coat of a regular Rodney- cut, broad skirts, long waist, and standing-up collar, over which dangled either a queue, or a marlinspike with a tuft of oakum at the end of it, it would have puzzled Old Nick to say which. His lower spars were cased in tight unmentionables, of what had once been white kerseymere, and long boots, the coal scuttle tops of which served as scuppers to carry off the drainings from his coat-flaps in bad weather; he was, in fact, the " last of the sea-monsters," but like all his tribe, as brave as steel; when put to it, as alert as a cat. He had no sooner heard Splinter's report than he sprung up the ladder. " My glass, Wilson," to his steward. " She is close to, sir; you can see her plainly without it," said Mr. Treenail, the second Lieutenant, from the weather nettings, where he was reconnoitering. After a long look through his star- board blinker, (his other sky-light had been shut up ever since Aboukir,) Deadeye gave orders to " clear away the weather-bow gun;" and as it was now getting too dark for flags to be seen distinctly, he desired that three lanterns might be got ready for hoisting vertically in the main rigging. " All ready forward there?" " All ready, sir." " Then hoist away the lights, and throw a shot across her forefoot fire!" Bang went our carronade, but our friend to windward paid no reoard to the private signal; he had shaken a reef out of his top- sails, arid was coming down fast upon us. 36 A SCENE OFF BERMUDA. The enemy, for such he evidently was, now all at once yawed, and indulged us with a sight of his teeth ; and there he was, fifteen ports of a side on his main deck, with his due quantum of carronades on his quarter deck and forecastle; whilst his short lower masts, white canvass, and the tremendous hoist in his topsail, showed him to be a heavy American frigate; and it was equally certain that he had cleverly hooked us under his lee, within com- fortable range of his long twenty-fours. To convince the most unbelieving, three jets of flame, amidst wreaths of white smoke, glanced from his main deck; but, in this instance, the sound of the cannon was followed by a sharp crackle and a shower of splinters from the foreyard. It was clear that we had got an ugly customer; poor Jenkins now called to Treenail, who was standing forward near the gun which had been fired, " Och, sir, and its badly wounded we are here." The officer was a Patlander, as well as the seaman " Which of you, my boy; you or the yard?" " Both of us, your honor; but the yard badliest." " Come down, then, or get into the top, and I will have you looked after presently." The poor fellow crawled otf the yard into the foretop, as he was ordered, where he was found after the brush, badly wounded by a splinter in the breast. Jonathan, no doubt, " calculated," as well he might, that this taste of his quality would be quite sufficient for a little eighteen- gun ship close under his lee; but the fight was not to be so easi- ly taken out of Deadeye, although even to his optic it was now high time to be off. "All hands make sail, Mr. Splinter; that chap is too heavy for us. Mr. Kelson," to the carpenter, " jump up and see what the foreyawl will carry. Keep her away my man," to the seamen at the helm; " Crack on, Mr. Splinter; shake all the reefs out; set the fore-topsail and loose top gallant sails; stand by to sheet home, and see all clear to rig the booms out, if the breeze lulls." In less than a minute we were bowling along before it; but the wind was breezing up again, and no one could say how long the wounded foreyard would carry the weight and drag the sails. To mend the matter, Jonathan was coming up, hand over hand, with the freshening breeze under a press of canvass; it was clear that escape was next to impossible. " Clear away the larboard guns!" I absolutely jumped off the deck with astonishment; who could have spoken it? It appeared such downright madness to show fight under the very muzzles of the guns of an enemy, half of whose broadside was sufficient to sink us. It was the captain, however, and there was nothing for it. In an instant was heard, through the whistling of the breeze, the creaking and screaming of the carronade slides, the rattling of the carriage of the long twelve pounder amidships, the thumping A SCENE OFF BERMUDA. 37 and punching of handspikes, and the dancing and jumping of Jack himself, as the guns were being shot and run out. In a few sec- onds all was still again, but the rushing sound of the vessel going through the water and of the rising gale amongst the rigging. The men stood clustered at their quarters; their cutlasses buck- led round their waists, all without jackets and waistcoats, and many with nothing but their trousers on. " Now, men, mind your aim; our only chance is to wing him I will yaw the ship, and, as your guns come to bear, slap it right into his bows. Starboard your helm, my man, and bring her to the wind." As she came round, blaze went our carronades and long guns ia succession, with good will and good aim, and down came his foretop-sail on the cap, with all the superincumbent spars and gear; the head of the topmast had been shot away. The men instinctively cheered. " That will do; now. knock off, my boys, and let us run for it. Keep her away again; make all sail." Jonathan was for an instant paralysed by our impudence; but just as we were getting before the wind, he yawed, and let drive his whole broadside; and fearfully did it transmogrify us. Half an hour before we were as gay a little sloop as ever floated, with a crew of one hundred and twenty as fine fellows as ever manned a British man-of-war. The iron shower sped: ten of the hun- dred and twenty never saw the sun rise again; seventeen more were wounded, three mortally; we had eight shot between wind and water, our main-top-mast shot away as clean as a carrot, and our hull and rigging otherwise regularly cut to pieces. Another broadside succeeded; but, by this time, we had bore up, thanks to the loss of our after sail, we could do nothing else; and, what was better luck still, whilst the loss of our main-top-mast paid the brig off on the one hand, the loss of the head-sail in the frigate brought her as quickly to the wind on the other; thus most of her shot fell astern of us; and before she could bear up again in chase, the squall struck her and carried her main-top-mast overboard. This g&ve us a siart, crippled and bedevilled though we were; and, as.the night fell, we contrived to lose sight of our large friend. With breathless anxiety did we carry on through that night, ex- pecting every lurch to send our remaining top-mast by the board; but the weather moderated, and next morning the sun shone on our blood-stained decks, at anchor off the entrance to St. George's harbor. Scottish Magazine 4 S8 CAPTAIN JOHN CLIPPERTON CAPTAIN JOHN CLIPPERTON. About the beginning of the year 1718, some English merchants foreseeing war between England and Spain, resolved to fit oul two ships for the South Seas. Two ships were accordingly pro- vided, one called the Success, the other the Speedwell. The command of the former was given to captain Clipperton; and captain Shelvock was appointed to command the latter. They sailed from Plymouth on the 13th of February, 1719, with a fair wind; but the whole stock of wine, brandy and other liquors, for the use of both ships, was still on board the Speedwell. On the 15th, had squally weather with rain; in the evening, unbent the best and small bowefs in the Success, stowed their anchors, and found themselves often obliged to shorten sail for the Speedwell. Captain Shelvock came this day under the lee of the Success, and complained to Clipperton of the crankness of his ship, which proceeded from having too much weight aloft; and, therefore, de- sired him to send for his wine and brandy, which would give him an opportunity of striking down some of his guns into the hold. This was never done. About ten o'clock at night, on the 19th, there arose a fresh breeze, so as to oblige both ships to take in their topsails. The gale increasing, the Success made a signal for the Speedwell to bring to, and by seven o'clock both ships were under bare poles, nor able to bear a rag of canvass during the night. On the 20th, the storm abated, when Clipperton made sail, steering S. and by E., whereas Shelvock stood away to the N. W., so that from this day they never saw each other till they met by accident in the South Seas. The Canaries being the first place appointed for a rendezvous, Clipperton sailed thither with such expedition as to arrive on the 5th of March. After waiting ten days he determined to continue his voyage, lest he should miss his consort at the next plftce of rendezvous, which was the Cape de Verd Islands. On the 21st, they saw St. Vincent, and next morning anchored in the bay. They remained here ten days, but not meeting with their consort, proceeded on their "oyage. On the 29th of May, found themselves off the north point of the entrance of the straits of Magellan, and the next day entered the straits. They arrived in the South Seas on the 18th of August, and on the 7th of September cast anchor off the island of Juan Fernandez. They left this island on the 8th of October, leaving behind two deserters whom they had not been able to find. After taking a number of valuable prizes, the Success bore away for the Gallapagos, in order k> refresh; and anchored in York Road on the 9th of January, 1720. On the llth of August anchored CAPTAIN JOHN CLIPPERTON. 39 with a prize they had taken, at the island of Lobos de la Mar. While here a conspiracy among the crew was discovered and punished. On the 1st of November, sailed for the Bay of Conception; and in the passage took a ship, laden with tobacco, sugar and cloth. They made the Bay on the 6th in the afternoon, where they saw three men-of-war lying, with their topsails loose, who no sooner discovered them than they cut their cables, and stood in chase. At this time captain Clipperton had one prize with him, which, as well as the Success, hauled close upon a wind; on which the best sailer among the Spanish men-of-war, gave chase to the prize, which she soon came up with and took. The other ships crowded all the sail they could for sometime, till the largest, having her mizen-top-mast carried away, fired a gun, tacked, and stood in for the shore ; whidi gave the Success an opportunity of making her escape. In the Spanish prize, Clipperton lost his third lieutenant and twelve of his men. They continued cruising to the northward, and on the 4th of December found themselves very near the Gallapagos. On the 17th saw the island of Cocos, and most of the crew went on shore. On the 19th of January, 1721, sailed from this place, and on the 25th arrived on the coast of Mexico, where, discovering a sail, they sent their pinnace to give chase, to whom he struck. On the return of the pinnace they had the surprising account, that this was a Spanish ship, called the Jesu Maria, now commanded by captain Shelvock, who had lost his ship and most of his men, and taken this prize. These ships again parted, and on the 31th of May, Clipperton anchored in the road of Guam. On the 5th of July entered the port of Amoy, where the crew demanded that the prize-money should be shared. Clipperton not comply- ing, they applied to the chief mandarin of the place, requesting that he would do them justice against the captain. Clipperton was therefore summoned before him; and on the mandarin's de- manding a reason why he refused to comply with the desires of the crew, jjue -produced the articles, by which it appeared that the prize-money was not to be shared till their return to London. The mandarm decided that the shares should be settled, and this dis- tribution was accordingly made on the 16th of September; 7,000/. sterling being set aside as belonging to the owners. This sum was immediately put on board a Portuguese East India man, which ship was afterwards burnt and the greater part of the money lost. Clipperton afterwards took passage for England in a Dutch ship, and arrived there a bankrupt in health and fortune, after a long and disastrous voyage. 40 FEROCITY OF THE POLAR BEAR. FEROCITY OF THE POLAR BEAR. The annals of the north are filled with accounts of the most perilous and fatal conflicts with the Polar Bear. The first and one of the most tragical, was sustained by Bareutz and Heemskerke, in 1596, during their voyage for the discovery of the north-east passage. Having anchored at an island near the strait of Way- gatz, two of the sailors landed and were walking on shore, when one of them felt himself closely hugged from behind. Thinking this a frolic of one of his companions, he called out in a corres- ponding tone, "Who's there? pray stand off." His 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 spikes and muskets. On their approach the bear very cooly quitted the mangled corpse, sprang upon another sailor, carried him off, and plunging his teeth into his j>ody, began drinking his blood at long draughts. Hereupon the whole 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, and undertook to avenge the fate of their countrymen, and to secure for them the rights of burial. They advanced, and fired at first from so respectful a distance that they all missed. The purser then courageously pro- ceeded in front of his companions, and taking closer aim, pierced the monster's skull immediately below the eye. The bear, how- ever, merely lifted up his head, and advanced upon them, holding still in his mouth the victim whom he was devouring; but seeing him soon stagger, the three rushed on with sabre and bayonet, and soon despatched him. They collected and bestowed decent se- pulture on the mangled limbs of their comrades, while the skin of the animal, thirteen feet long, became the prize of the sailor who had fired the successful shot. The history of the whale-fishers records a number of remarkable escapes from the bear. A Dutch captain, Jonge Kees, in 1668, undertook with two canoes to .attack one, and with a lance gave him so dreadful a wound in the belly, that his immediate death seemed inevitable. Anxious, therefore, not to injure the skin, Kees merely followed the animal close, till he should drop down dead. The bear, however, having climbed a little rock, made a spring from the distance of twenty-four feet upon the captain, who, taken completely by surprise, lost hold of the lance, and fell be- neath the assailant, who, placing both paws on his breast, opened two rows of tremendous teeth* and paused for a moment, as if to show him all the horrors of his situation. At this critical instant, a sailor rushed forward, and with only a scoop, succeeded in alarming FEROCITY OF THE POLAR BEAR. 41 the monster, who made off, leaving the captain without the slight- est 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 accompanied him, to tire, which the latter did with such admirable promptitude and precision, that he shot the beast through the head, and delivered the captain. Mr. Hawkins of Everthorpe, in July 1818, having pursued and twice struck a large bear, had raised his lance for a third blow, when the animal sprang forward, seized him by the thigh, and threw him over 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 water, 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 bvone of these creatures, threw down successively his hat, jacket, handkerchief, and every other article in his possesion, when the brute pausing at each, gave the sailor always a certain advantage, and enabled him finally to regain the vessel. Though the voracity of the bear is such, that he has been known to feed on his own species, yet maternal tenderness is as con- spicuous in the female as in any other inhabitants of the frozen regions. There is no exertion which 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 finding that, neither by example, nor by a peculiar voice and action, she could urge them to the requisite speed, applied her paws and pitched them alternately forward. The little creatures themselves as she came up, threw themselves before her to receive the impulse, and thus both she and they effected their escape. 4 * 42 LE MAIRE AND SCIIOUTEN. LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN. FIRST VOYAGE ROUND CAPE HORN. A belief that to the south of the strait of Magellan there would be found an open sea, or some other passage leading to the South Sea, had many years been gaining ground, when a company of Dutch merchants determined to make the experiment, which, if successful, would open to them, as they believed, the trade to India, by a new, instead of an interdicted passage, which the strait of Magellan then was. Jacob le Maire was appointed principal merchant, and presi- dent of the ships; and Wilhelm Schouten, an able seaman, re- ceived the charge of patron or master mariner. The vessels fitted out were the Eendracht, a ship of three hundred and sixty tons, nineteen guns, and sixty five men, and a galliot, named the Home, of one hundred and ten tons, eight guns and twenty two men. The president, Le Maire, and Patron Schouten, sailed in the former; the latter was commanded by Jan Schouten, brother to the patron, with Adrian Claesz as merchant. June the 4th, 1615, they quitted the Texel, arid in three days anchored in the Downs, where an English gunner was hired. On the 30th of August, dropped anchor in the road of Sierra Leone, where a stock of twenty five thousand lemons was purchased from the natives, for a few beads. On the 5th of October, were in latitude four degrees seventeen minutes N. when a great noise was heard on board the Eendracht, and immediately after the sea around it became red with blood. Afterwards a piece of the horn of some sea animal was found sticking in the bottom of the ship, seven feet below the water line, having penetrated through the planking, and into one of the ribs: about the same length remained without ; it was similar in shape and size to the end of an ele- phant's tooth. Having passed the line, they struck soundings in seventy-five fathoms depth, on the 4th of December, and two days after saw the American coast. On the 8th, anchored in Port Desire, where they took a large supply of birds, &c. On the 19th, the Home caught fire, and was totally consumed. On the 13th of January, 1616, the Eendracht quitted Port Desire, and on the 20th, passed the latitude of the entrance of the straits of Magellan. On the 24th saw Terra del Fuego to the right, not more than a league off, and on the 29th passed to the north of some rocky islets: Terra del Fuego appeared to the W. N. W. and W., all hilly land covered with snow, with a sharp point which they called Cape Home, in honour of the vessel which they had lost. On the 30th, having passed to the south of the Cape, steered west LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN. 43 encountering great waves with a current to the westward: and afterwards steered north. The ship continued to advance north- ward, and on the 1st of March, made the island of Juan Fernandez, and caught two tons offish, but could find no anchorage. Steering for the East Indies they visited a number of small islands, and on the 5th of August came to the Isle of Goley, subject to the King of Tidore. Sailed again next day; and, after being much delayed by calms, met, September the 7th, with a ship of their own coun- try; anchoring the same day at the Island of Ternate. They were kindly received by the people in power: the Eendracht had Cape Hern not lost one of her crew in her long cruisings, and they had dis- covered a new passage to the South Sea; yet these merits did not avail them, for on the arrival of the ship at Batavia, she was seized and condemned, on a supposed infringement of the rights of the Dutch East India Company, the officers and crew being put on board other ships to be conveyed to Europe. On the 31st of December, during the passage home, died the president, Jacob Le Maire, a victim to the unworthy treatment he had received a worthy man and a skilful navigator; and on the 1st of July 1617, his companions arrived in Holland, by the way of Good Hope, having been absent two years and seventeen days 14 THE FLORIDA. THE FLORIDA. Many of the vessels which formed the Spanish Armada, inten- ded for the conquest of England, perished on the north and west coasts of Scotland. The ship Florida appeared to have been more fortunate than any of her consorts; she found her way to the bay of Tobermory, on the sound of Mull, one of the finest harbors in the world. Scotland being then a neutral country under James the Sixth, of that name, the Spaniards considered them- selves perfectly secure, and remained long in that station, repair- ing the damages they had sustained, and refreshing the crew and troops. The Florida was, no doubt, an object of great interest and curiosity in that remote situation, and all the principal families in the neighboring country and islands were received on board as visiters, where, tradition says, they were hospitably and splendidly entertained. Elizabeth, the ever watchful and well-informed Queen of England, had intelligence of the Florida through her ambassador at the Scotch court, and it was ascertained that this ship was extremely valuable: she had on board a large sum of money intended for the pay of the army; she contained, besides, a great quantity of costly stores. The law of nations should have protected the Florida from injury; but Elizabeth resolved on her destruction; and it was accompanied by one of the most atrocious acts, perhaps, ever recorded of any civilized government. The English ambassador soon found an instrument suited to his pur- pose, and his name was Smollet. We regret to state, that he was an ancestor of the celebrated writer of that name, who himself alludes to this circumstance in one of his novels, apparently un- conscious of the inference which followed. This agent of the English Queen spoke the Gaelic language, and wore the High- land dress. He went to Mull as a dealer in cattle, and easily found his way on board the Florida, where he formed an intimacy, and, along with other strangers, had frequent opportunities of seeing every part of the ship. He at length found a convenient time for his diabolical object, and placed some combustible sub- stance in a situation where it was likely to produce the desired effect. He immediately got ashore, and made the best of his way southward. He had travelled to a distance of six or eight miles, when he heard the explosion of the Florida; and the spot where he stood is still marked for the execration of mankind. The ship was blown up, and nearly all on board perished. Together with the crew and troops, many of the first men in the country were des- troyed by this perfidious and bloody act, which reflects eternal COMMODORE ANSOX. 45 disgrace on the planners, and infamy on the perpetrator. Tradi- tion states, that the poop of the ship'was blown to a great distance, with six men, whose lives were saved. Some Spanish mares and horses had been landed, to pasture, and these remained in the island of Mull. The breed of horses in Mull lias ever since been superior, and it still continues so, probably from this cause. . The English ambassador at Madrid having procured information of the precise amount of the treasure which had been on board the Florida, a ship of war was sent by the English Government to Tobermory in the beginning of the eighteenth century with divers, for the purpose of recovering the specie. The wreck was soon found, and many articles were raised, but no money was acknowledged. The ship, however, never returned to England, and it was suspected that she had taken refuge in France, for evident reasons. In the year 1787, the celebrated diver, Spalding, made an attempt to recover this treasure, but he failed entirely as might have been expected, the remains of the ship having sunk into the clay, and totally disappeared. COMMODORE ANSON. The expedition under Commodore Anson was fitted out by the English government in the year 1740, to attack the Spanish set- tlements in America. The squadron consisted of six vessels of war and two victuallers. These were the Ships. Commanders. Guns. Men. Centurion George Anson 60 400 Gloucester Richard Norris 50 300 Severn Edward Legge 50 500 Pearl Matt Mitchell 40* 250 Wager Dandy Kidd 28 160 Trial Sloop John Murray 8_ 100 On the 18th of September, seventeen hundred and forty, the squadron weighed from St. Helens, and reached Maderia the 25th of October. Having sailed hence, they discovered the land of Brazil, on the 16th of December, and on the evening of the 19th cast anchor at the island of St Catharine's. 'Having repaired their vessels, they quitted this place on the 18th of January, and on the same day of the following month came to anchor in the bay of St. Julian. The squadron again stood to sea on the 28th of February, when the Gloucester not being able to purchase her anchor, was obliged to cut her cable, and leave her best bower 46 COMMODORE ANSO-V. behind. Having reached the southern extremity of the straits Le Maire, the wind shifted and blew in violent squalls, and the tide turned furiously against them, driving to the eastward, with such rapidity, that the two sternmost vessels, the Wager, and the Anna Pink, with the utmost difficulty escaped being dash- ed in pieces on the shore of Staten Island. For above three months, they*struggled with severe gales and terrific waves, and on the 1st of April, the weather, after having been a little more moderate, returned to its former violence; the sky looked dark and gloomy, and the wind began to freshen and blow in squalls; and there were all the appearances of an approaching tempest. Accordingly, on the 3d, there came on a storm, which exceeded in violence and duration all they had hitherto encountered. On the 14th, in the morning, the weather clearing up a little and the moon shining out on a sudden, the Anna Pink made a signal for seeing land right a-head; and it being then only two miles distant, they were under great apprehensions of running on shore; and had not the wind suddenly shifted, or the moon shone out, every ship must have perished. They found this laad, to their disappointment, to be Cape Noir, though they imagined they were ten degrees more to the west. On the even- >ng of the 24th of April, the wind increased to a prodigious storm, and, about midnight, the weather became so thick that the whole squadron separated, nor met again till they reached the island of Juan Fernandez. To add to their misfortunes, the scurvy began to make such havoc, that on board the Centurion only, it carried off forty-three men in the month of April, and twice that number in May. Onthe22d of May the Centurion encountered the severest storm it had yet experienced. Almost all the sails were split; the rig- ging was destroyed, and a mountainous wave breaking over them on the starboard quarter, gave the vessel such a shock, that seve- ral of the shrouds were broke, and the ballast and stores so strange- ly shifted, that she lay on her larboard side. The wind at length abating a little, they began to exert themselves to stirrup the shrouds, reeve new lanyards, and mend the sails; during which they ran great risk of being driven on the island of Chiloe. After many difficulties they at length reached the island of Juan Fer- nandez, in a most desponding condition. Here many of the crew died of weariness and disease. A few days after the Centurion had arrived, the Trial sloop appeared in sight, and on the 21st of June the Gloucester was discovered to leeward. The Anna Pink arriveJ'about the middle of August, which, with the Trial and Gloucester, mentioned above, were the only vessels that ever joined the squadron; for the Severn and Pearl, having parted from the commodore off Cape Horn, with difficulty reached Brazil, whence they made the best of their way back to Europe; while the Wager was wrecked on the COMMODORE ANSO.V. 47 coast. The Anna Pink being judged unfit for service, was taken for the use of the squadron, and her men were sent onboard the Gloucester. A!out eleven in the morning of the 8th of September, they dis- covered a sail; when the Centurion, being in the greatest for- wardness, made after her as fast as possible. Night coming on they lost sight of the chase. About three in the morning of the 12th, a brisk gale springing up at W. S. W. obliged them to lie upon a N. W. tack, which, at break of day, brought them within sight of a sail, at about five leagues distant. She appeared to be a large vessel, and upon hoisting Spanish colors, and bearing towards the Centurion, the commodore ordered every thing ready for an engagement; but upon coming nearer, she appeared to be a merchantman, without a single tier of guns, and had mistaken the Centurion for her consort. She soon surrendered, and was found to be a valuable prize. It appearing from letters on board the prize, that several other merchantmen were at sea, between Callao and Valparaiso, the commodore sent the Trial sloop, to cruise off the latter port; and ordered the Gloucester to cruise off the island of Paita, till she should be joined by the Centurion. The Centurion and her prize weighing from the bay of Juan Fernandez, on the 19th of Septem- ber, took her course to the eastward, proposing to join the Trial off Valparaiso. On the 24th, in the evening, they came up with the latter, having taken a prize of six hundred tons burden, laden with a rich cargo. On the 27th, the captain of the Trial came on board the Centurion, bringing with him an instrument, subscribed by himself and all his officers, setting forth that the vessel was so leaky and defec- tive, that it was at the hazard of their lives they staid on board; upon which, the commodore having ordered the crew and every thing off value to be put on board the prize, the Trial was scut- tled and sunk. It was now resolved to join the Gloucester off Paita. With this view they stood to the northward, and, on the 10th of November discovered a sail, which Lieutenant Brett was ordered to chase, with the Trial's pinnace and barge. They found her to be a Spanish vessel of two hundred and seventy tons burden. From the prisoners they learned that, a few days before, a vessel had entered Paita, the master of which told the governor he had been chased by a very large ship, which he imagined to be one of the English squadron, and that the govern- or had immediately sent an express to Lima, to carry the news to the viceroy, while the royal officer residing at Paita had been busily employed in removing both the king's treasure and hi-s own to Piuza, a town fourteen leagues within land. It was at once conjectured that the ship which had chased the vessel into Paita was the Gloucester; and, as they were now discovered, and the coast would soon be alarmed, so as to prevent cruizing to any 48 COMMODORE ANSON. advantage, the commodore resolved to endeavor to surprise the place that very night. When the ships were within five leagues of Paita, about ten o'clock at night, Lieutenant Brett, with the boats under his com- mand, put. off, and arrived without being discovered, at the mouth of the bay; though he had no sooner entered it, than some of the people on board a vessel riding at anchor there, perceived him, and immediately getting into their boat, rowed towards the shore, crying out 'the English, the English dogs,' &c. by which the town was alarmed and the attack disovered. The town was, however, taken in less than a quarter of an hour from the first landing of the boats; with the loss of one man killed and two wounded. They weighed anchor from the coast of Paita on the 16th of November, the squadron being increased to six sail by the prizes. On the morning of the 18th, they discovered the Gloucester with a small vessel in tow, which joined them about three in the after- noon, when they learned that captain Mitchell had taken two prizes, one of which had a cargo consisting of wine, brandy and olives, and about seven thousand pounds in specie; and the other was a launch, the people on board which, when taken, were eating their dinner from silver dishes. Notwithstanding this circum- stance, the prisoners alleged that they were very poor: having nothing on board, but cotton made up in jars, which, being re- moved on board the Gloucester, were examined, when the whole appeared to be an extraordinary piece of false package; there being concealed among the cotton, doubloons and dollars, to the amount of twelve thousand pounds. The cargo and crews of the several vessels were afterwards divided between the Centurion and Gloucester. Quitting the coast of America, they stood for China, the 6th of May, 174-2. The Gloucester, which had become decayed, was cleared of every thing by the 15th of August, and then set on fire. On tiie 27th they arrived at the island of Tinian, where they remained some time. On the night of the 22d of September, when it was exces- sively dark, the wind blew from the eastward with such fury, that those on board despaired of riding out the storm. At this time Mr. Anson, was ill of the scurvy, and most of the hands were on shore, and all the hopes of safety of those on board seemed to depend on immediately putting to sea; all communication be- tween the ship and the island being destroyed. About one o'clock a strong gust, attended with rain and light- ping, drove them to sea, where, being unprepared to struggle with the fury of the winds and waves, they expected each moment to be their last. When at day-break, it was perceived by those on shore that the ship was missing, they concluded her lost, and many of them begged the commodore to send the boat round the island to look for the wreck. In the midst of their gloomy reflec- COMMODORE ANSON. 49 tions, the commodore formed a plan for extricating them from their present situation; which \vas by hauling the Spanish bark on shore, sawing her asunder, and lengthening her twelve feet; which would enlarge her to near forty tons burden, and enable her to carry them all to China. But a discouraging circumstance novvoccured, which was, that they had neither compass nor quadrant on the island. At length, on rummaging a chest belonging to the Spanish bark, they found a small compass, which though not much superior to those made for the amusement of school-boys, was to them of the utmost im- portance. When this obstacle was removed, and all things were ready for sailing, it happened on the afternoon of the llth of October, that one of the Gloucester's men being upon a hill, saw the Centurion at a distance. She was soon visible to all, and the next day cast anchor in the road. On the 14th, a sudden gust of wind drove her to sea a second time, but in about five days, they returned again to anchor. On the 20th of October, they set fire to the bark and proa, hoisted in their boats, and got under sail, steering away towards the south end of the island of Macao. About midnight, on the 5th of November, they made the main- land of China, and on the morning of the 9th, a Chinese pilot came on board, and told them that he would carry the ship into Macao for thirty dollars, which being paid him they proceeded, and on the 12th entered the harbor of Macao. On the 6th of April, the Centurion again stood out to sea. On the last day of May they came in sight of Cape Espiritu Santo, where they continued to cruize till the 20th of June, when about sunrise the great Manilla ship came in sight, having the standard of Spain flying at the top-gallant-mast head, and to the commo- dore's surprise, bore down upon him. The engagement soon began, and lasted an hour and a half, when the galleon struck to the Centurion, after having had sixty-seven men killed and eighty-four wounded. The Centurion had only two men killed and seventeen wounded. The prize carried five hundred men and thirty-six guns, and her cargo was worth 400, 0001. sterling. It is impossible to describe the transports on board, when, after all their reiterated disappointments, they at length, saw their wishes accomplished. But their joy was very near being suddenly damped by a very alarming accident; for no sooner had the galleon struck, than < ne of the lieutenants coming to Mr. Anson, whispered him, that the Centurion was dangerously on fire near the powder-room. The commodore received this shocking intelligence without any apparent emotion, and taking care not to alarm his people, gave the necessary orders for extinguishing the fire, which was done, though its first appearance threatened the ship with destruction. On the 14th, the Centurion cast anchor off Bocca Tigris, for- ming the mouth of that river ; and having got under sail on the 1 6th 50 FISHING ON THE GRAND BANK. of October,. 1743, came to ancjior in the straits of Sunda on the 3n of January, and continued there till the eighth, taking in wood and water, when she weighed and stood for the Cape of Good Hope, where, on the llth of March, she came to anchor in Table St. Helena. Bay. Mr. Anson continued here till the 3d of April, 1744, when he put to sea, and on the 19th of the month, was in sight of St. Helena, but did not touch at it. On the 1^2th of June they got sight of the Lizard, and on the evening of the 15th, to their great joy, came safe to anchor at Spithead. On his arrival Mr. Anson learned, that under cover of a thick fog, lie had run through a French fleet, which was at that time cruizing in the chops of the channel. FISHING ON THE GRAND BANK. On crossing the banks of Newfoundland, the ship was hove to, for the purpose of sounding; and the quarter-master having tied a baited hook to the deep-sea lead, a noble cod was drawn to the surface, from the depth of ninety fathoms. Upon this hint, the captain, very considerately, agreed to lie by for an hour or two ; and some fifty lines being put over, the decks were soon covered, fore FISHING ON THE GRAND BXNK. 61 and aft, with such a display of fish as Billingsgate has rarely wit- nessed. People who know nothing of a sea life fancy that fish is not a rarity with us; but there is nothing of which we taste so little; so that the greatest treat by far, when we come into port, is a dish of fresh soles or mackerel; and even the commonest fish that swims is looked upon as a treasure. It is only in soundings that any are to be met with; for, in the open and bottomless ocean, we meet nothing but whales, porpoises, dolphins, sharks, bonitas and flying iish. I never could conceive, or even form a probable conjecture, how it is that some persons manage to catch fish, and others none. It is easy to understand, that in angling, a certain degree of skill, or choice of situation", may determine the probable amount of success. But when a line is let down to the depth of eighty or a hundred fathoms, or even to twenty or thirty feet, quite out of sight, what has skill to do there? And yet, in a ship, on the banks of Newfoundland, or in a boat on the Thrumeap shoals in Halifax harbor, I have seen one man hauling in cods o-r haddocKS as fast as he could bait his hooks; while others, similarly circum- stanced in all apparent respects, might fret and fidget for half a day without getting more than a nibble. There can be no doubt, of course, that intellectual power must be in operation at one end of the line, otherwise no fish will come to the other; but the puzzle is, by what mysterious process can human intelligence manage to find its way, like electricity, down the line to the bottom of the sea? I have often asked successful fishermen what they did to make the fish bite; but they could sel- d'.-m give any available answer. Sometimes they said it depended on the bait. "Well, then," I have answered, "let me take yours and do you take mine." But in two minutes after we had chang- ed places, my companion was pulling in his fish as fast as before, while not a twitch was given to my new line, though, just before, the fish appeared to be jostling one another for the honor of my friend's hook, to the total neglect of that which had beei. mine, now in high vogue amongst tnem. , There is some trick, or sleight of hand, I suppose, by which a certain kind of motion is given to the bait, so as to assimilate it to that of the worms which the fishes most affect in their ordinary researches for food. But, probably, this art is no more to be taught by description, or to be learned without the drudgery of practice, than the dexterity with which an artist represents nature, or a dancer performs pirouettes. Uninstructed persons, therefore, who, like myself, lose patience because they cannot catch fish at the first cast of the line, had better turn their attention to some- thing else. Almost the only one I ever caught was during my first voyage across the Atlantic, when, after my line had been down a whole 52 BYRON. weary hour, I drew it up in despair. It felt so light, that I imag- ined the line must have been accidentally broken; but presently, and greatly to my astonishment, I beheld a huge cod float to the top, swollen to twice the usual dimensions by the expansion of its sound, as the air-bag is called, which lies along the back-bone At the depth of eighty or ninety fathoms, this singular apparatus is compressed by the enormous addition of fifteen or sixteen atmos- pheres. But when the air is relieved of this weight, by approach- ing the surface, the strength of the muscles proves inadequate to retain it in its condensed form; and its consequent expansion not only kills the fish, but often bursts it open as completely as if it had been blown up with gunpowder. BYRON. IN the year 1764, the Dolphin and Tamar ships-of-war, were fitted out for the purpose of prosecuting discoveries in the South Seas. Mr. Byron was commander-in-chief, and Captain Mouat commanded under him. On the 3d of July, the commodore hoisted his broad-pendant, and they sailed in prosecution of the voyage. On the 13th of Septem- ber they came to an anchor in the road of Rio de Janeiro, on the coast of Brazil, when the commodore paid a visit to the governor, who received him in state. They weighed anchor on the 16th of October, steering for Cape Blanco, and on the 21st of Novem- ber, entered the harbor of Port Desire, and the commodore in his boat, attended by two other boats, went to sound it. He landed, and they had a sight of four beasts, near thirteen hands high, and in shape like a deer, which they took to be granicoes. On. the fifth of December the ships got under sail, and on the ^Oth, ran close in-shore to Cape Virgin Mary, and came to an an- chor. The commodore observed a number of men on horseback, riding to and fro, opposite the ship, and waving something white ,/hich he took to be an invitation to land ; and as he was anxious to know what people these were, he went in one boat with a party of men well armed; the first lieutenant, with a separate party, follow- ing in another. When they came near the shore, the whole ap- pojin-d to amount to five hundred persons, drawn up on a stony point of land that ran far into the sea. Byron now advanced alone, but as ho approached, the Indians retreated; he therefore, made signs that one of them should come forward, which was complied with. The person who advanced appeared to be chief, and was very near seven feet in height; round one of his eyes was a circle of BYRON. 53 black paint, and a white circle round the other; the rest of his face was painted in streaks of various colors. He had the skin of a beast, with the hair inwards, thrown over his shoulders. The commodore and the Indian having complimented each other, in language equally unintelligible to either, they walked together towards the main body of the Indians, few of whom were shorter than the height abovementioned, and the women were large in proportion. On the 21st of December they began sailing up the Straat of Magellan, with a view to take in a stock of wood and water. On the 26th, came to an anchor at Port Famine. In this place, they found drift-wood enough to have supplied a thousand vessels. The quantity of fish that was daily taken was equal to the supply of both the crews: and the commodore shot as many geese and ducks as furnished several tables besides his own. On the 4th of January 1765, they sailed in quest of Falkland's Islands. On the 12th they saw land, and on the 14th aflat island, cover- ed with tufts of grass as large as bushes. Soon after this they entered another harbor, to which Byron gave the name of Port Egmont. This harbor is represented to be the finest in the world, and capacious enough to contain the whole navy of England, in full security; there is plenty of fresh water in every part of it, and geese, ducks, snipes, and other edible birds, abound in such num- bers, that the sailors were tired with eating them. The commo- dore was once unexpectedly attacked by a sea-lion, and extricated himself from the impending danger with great difficulty; they had many battles with this animal, the killing of one of which was frequently an hour's work for six men; one of them almost tore to pieces the commodore's mastiff-dog, by a single bite. The com- modore took possession of the harbor, and all adjacent islands, by the name of FALKLAND'S ISLANDS. On Sunday, January the 27th, they left Port Egmont. IVext dav the commodore gave the name of Berkley's Sound to a deep inlet between the islands. On the 6th of February stood in for Port Desire, at the mouth of which they came to an anchor, and had the pleasure of seeing the Florida, a store-ship, which they had expected from England. On the 20th, at Port Famine re- ceived orders to sail for England. Having narrowly escaped the dreadful effects of a storm on the 3d of March, at length the Dolphin was moored in a little bay op- posite Cape Quod; and the Tamar, about six miles to the east- ward of it. On the 28th the Tamar narrowly escaped being dash- ed to pieces against the rock-*, by the parting of the cable to her best bower-anchor. The Dolphin, therefore, stood again into the hav, a - jd sent her proper assistance, after which they both an- chored for the night; a night the most dreadful they had known. The winds were so violent as perfectly to tear up the sea, and carry it higher than the heads of the masts: a dreadful sea rolled 5* 54 BYRON. over them, and broke against the rocks, with a noise as loud as thunder. Happily they did not part their cables, or they must have been dashed in pieces against these rocks. The ships came to anchor on the 4th of April, 'in a bay which had been discovered, proposing to take in wood and water. While they were here, several of the natives made a fire opposite the ship, on which signals were made for them to come on board, but as they would not, the commodore went on shore, and distributed some trifles which gave great pleasure. Four were at length pre- vailed on to go on board; and the commodore, with a view to their diversion, directed one of the midshipmen to play on the violin, while some of the seamen danced; the poor Indians were extrava- gantly delighted; and one of them to testify his gratitude, took his canoe, and fetching some red paint, rubbed it over the face of the musician; nor could the commodore, but with the utmost dif- ficulty, escape the like compliment. They sailed from this bay on the 7th, and next day the wind blew a hurricane. On the 9th, passed some dangerous rocks, which in Narborough's Voyage are called the Judges. This day a steady gale at south-west carried them at the rate of nine miles an hour, so that by eight in the evening they were. twenty leagues from the coast. On the 26th, they sailed westward, and bore away for the island of Massafuero and anchored at seven o'clock on Sunday morning. On the 30th of April they sailed, and on the 7th of June discover- ed land, being then in fourteen degrees five minutes south latitude, and one hundred forty four degrees fifty eight minutes west longi- tude. The commodore steered for a small island, the appearance of which was pleasing beyond expression. Several natives ran along the beach, with long spears in their hands. The sailors made every possible sign of friendship but they retired to the woods, dragging their canoes after them. The commodore pro- ceeded to the other island, and brought to, at three-quarters of a mile from the shore. The natives again ran to the beach, armed with clubs and spears, using threatening gestures. The commo- dore fired a cannon-shot over their heads, on which they retreated to the woods. This paradise in appearance, was named the ISLAND OF DISAPPOINTMENT. Quitting these on tne 8th of June, they discovered an island on the day following, low, and covered with various kinds of trees among which was the cocoa-nut, and surrounded with a rock of red coral. They now sailed to the westward, and soon discovered another island, distant four leagues. The natives pursued them in two large double canoes, in each of which were about thirty armed men. At this time the boats were at a considerable way to leeward of the ships, and were chased by the canoes; on which the commodore making a signal, the boats turned towards the Indians, who instantly pulled down their sails, and rowed away TJVRON. 55 with -great rapidity. On the 12th of June, sailed to another island, and as they coasted along it, the natives, armed as those of the other islands, kept even with the ship for some leagues. This island is situated in fourteen degrees and forty-one minutes South Latitude, and one hundred and forty-nine degrees fifteen minutes west longitude; and both the islands the commodore called King George's Islands. The boats having returned on board, they sailed westward the same day; and the next afternoon descried another island, towards which they immediately sailed, and found that it was well inhabited, and had a fine appearance of verdure; but that a violent surf broke all along the coast. It lies in fifteen degrees south, and one hundred fifty-one degrees fifty-three min- utes west, and received the name of the Prince of Wales's Island. On the 24th they discovered another island, which was named the Duke of York's Island. A terrible sea breaks round the coast, but the place itself had a pleasing appearance. On the 29th sailed northward, with a view to cross the equinoctial line, and then sail for the Ladrone Islands. On the 2d of July they discovered a low flat island, abounding with the cocoa-nut and other trees, and affording a most agreeable prospect. A great number of the natives were seen on the beach, many of whom, in about sixty canoes or proas, sailed, and formed a circte round the ships ; which having surveyed for a considerable time, one of the Indians jumped out of his boat, swam to the ship, ran up its side in a moment, sat down on the deck, and began laughing most violently: he then ran about the ship, pilfering whatever he could lay hands on, which was taken from him as fast as stolen. This man having as many antic tricks as a monkey, was dressed in a jacket and trowsers, and afforded exquisite diversion. He devoured some biscuit with great eagerness, and having played the buffoon some time, made prize of his new dress, by jumping over the side of the ship, and swimming to his companions. These Indians are of a blight copper, with regular and cheerful features, and are tali and well made. One of them, who seemed to be of some rank, wore a string of human teeth round his waist. Some carried a long spear, the sides of which, for the length of three feet, were stuck with the teeth of the shark, which are as keen as a razor. The officers named this place Byron's island, in honor of the commodore. It lies in one degree eighteen minutes south latitude, and one hundred and seventy-three degrees and forty-six minutes east longitude. They sailed hence on the 3d of July, and on the 28th had sight of the islands Saypan, Tinian, and Aiguigan, which lie between two and three leagues from each other. At noon, on*the 31st, anchored at the south-west end of Tinian. The water is so wonderfully clear at this place, that, though one hundred and forty four feet deep, they could see the ground. The commodore went on shore where he saw many huts, which had been left the preceding year by the Spaniards. The 56 BYRON, commodore remained at Tinian till the 30th of September, by which time the sick being tolerably well recovered, he weighed anchor and stood to the northward. On the 5th of November they came to an anchor off the island of Timoan on which Byron landed the day following. The inhab- itants, who are Malays, no sooner saw the boat approaching the shore, than many of them came to the beach, each having a dag- ger by his side, a spear in one hand, and a long knife in the other. The boat's crew, however, made no hesitation to land, and bartered a few handkerchiefs for a goat, a kid, and a dozen of fowls. INothing worth notice happened till the 14th, when a sloop being seen at anchor in the harbor of an island, named Pulo Toupoa, Byron, having anchored in the same harbor, and obser- ved that the vessel hoisted Dutch colors, sent an officer on board, who was received with great politeness. The commodore sailed the following day, and held his course till the 19th, when he spoke with an English snow, bound from Bencoolen to Malacca and Bengal, in the East India Company's service. At this time their biscuit was rilled with worms, and rotten, and their beef and pork were unfit to eat. The master of the snow being apprized of the circumstance, sent Byron two gallons of arrack, a turtle, twelve fowls and a sheep. During their run hence to Prince's Island, in the Strait of Sunda, they were so abundantly supplied with turtle, by boats from the Java shore, that the common sailors sub- sisted wholly on that fish. They staid at Prince's island till the 19th, when they sailed for the Cape of Good Hope. On the 13th of February they came to anchor, and were treated with great politeness by the governor. They sailed on the 7th of March, and, on the 25th, crossed the equinoctial line. About this time an accident happening to the rudder of the Tamar, and it being impossible to make a perfect repair of it at sea, the captain was ordered to bear away for Antigua; in consequence of which they parted company on the 1st of April; and the Dolphin, without meeting with any other ma- terial occurrence; came to an anchor in the Downs, on the 9th of May 1766, after having been rather above twenty-two months in the circumnavigation of the globe. A TALE OF THE SEA. NAUTICAL PHILOSOPHY. One night came on a hurricane The sea was mountains rolling When Barney Buntline turned his quid, And cried to Billy Bowline " There 's a sou -wester coming Billy, Don't ye hear it roar now ? Lord help 'em, how I pities them Unhappy folks on shore now. Fool-hardy chaps as lives in towns, What dangers they are all in At night lie quaking in their beds, For fear the roof will fall in Poor creatures, how they envies us, And wishes, I 've a notion, For our good luck in such a storm, To be upon the ocean. Now, as to them that 's out all day On business from their houses, And late at night are walking home, To cheer their babes and spouses, While you and I, upon the deck, Are comfortably lying, My eyes ! what tiles and chimney tops, About their heads are flying ! You and I, Bill, have often heard, How folks are ruined and undone, By overturns in carriages, "By thieves and fires In London We've heard what risks all landsmen run, From noblemen to tailors, Then Billy, let 's bless Providence That you and I are sailors." A TALE OF THE SEA. It was a bright moonlight evening, and so warm that our men lay about the deck and in groups with hardly any covering; I think I never saw so perfectly clear and brilliant a night. Some of the officers were reading, and with ease, by the light of the moon, and the ocean as far as the sight could sketch was a glittering mirror without a single ruffle or wave: we lay like a log on the water, with all sails set, but not a breath of air to move them 58 A TALE OF THE SEA. The crew were collected in small parties about the forecastle and main deck listening to the " long yarns" of some gray-headed seaman, about the " Flying Dutchman" of the " Black River of Gatand," while now and then some favorite sea song was bawled forth from the laughing crowd. The officers were walking about the quarter deck smoking and conversing, and occasionally extend- ing their walk so far as to listen to the stories of the forecastle. This was my first voyage on the " wide, wide sea," and as I was the youngest of the mids I found particular favor with several of the oldest seamen, with whom by-the-by I liked to associate better than with my brother middys I always loved to listen to their tales of murder and battles, and would sit for hours on the coils of rope, and hear old " Jack Transom" our second mate, an old man of sixty years relate his adventures and " hairbreadth escapes." We had left Port Royal on the south side of Jamaica the day be- fore on our way to the mouth of the Amazon, and were at the time of this writing passing between the small islands of Monts- JErrat and Guadaloupe: in the distance you could see the white moon beams playing on the fort and beach, and glistening on the low roofs and white walls of the little capital of Guadaloupe. ' I was standing on the capstan with a small night glass in my hand, looking at the opposite shore with its long low beach with here and there a small slave hut or mound of loose stones piled up as a covering over the grave of some drowned sailor whose body had been washed on shore. I dropped my glass and was getting down from my station when Jack Transom stepped up and asked for a squint, I handed the glass to him and after looking through it a moment he handed it back saying, " Ay, ay, there it stands with its creaking chains and dry bones rattling in the still air as if a ten knot, breeze was ripping over it." " What 's that ?" said I, eagerly catching the glass and pointing it where ' old starboard' as he was familiarly called, directed me. It was some time be- fore I saw what he meant. When I did, I was at no loss for his abrupt speech. A little north of the town on the white beach, stood a tall gibbet with its chains, and even as old Jack said, its white bones, for I plainly saw them even at that distance glimmer- ing in the rays of the bright moon, and I almost fancied I heard them rattling and shaking against each other, although as I said before, there was not a breath of air, not enough to move a feath- er; I shuddered at the sight, for I was young and easily affected by any thing terrible or gloomy we all knew that ' old starboard' was on one of his ' long yarn tacks,' and in a short time a group was formed around the old fellow, as anxious as the crowds of coffee drinkers in the saloons of Constantinople to listen to the wonderful adventures of the Caliph Haroun Alraschid or Sindbad the Sailor. " It 's now forty years ago or thereabout," began 'old starboard,' stuffing a huge quid of the true Virginia into his left cheek, " since I first laid eyes on that same death telling gallows. A TALE OF THE SEA. 59 I was then a mere fore-mast-man and perhaps rather green, see- ing as how that was my first tack this way, and only the third time I had ever smelt salt water. It was a dark stormy night with a strong northwester blowing at the rate of ten knots an hour, and we were beating across this very channel under a heavy press with the hopes of clearing the shoals before morning; all hands were on deck clearing off and taking in some of our light canvass, for the gale kept on increasing and our main-mast creaked heavily with its load. When the watch ahead bawled out, helm-a-lee! sail a head! but before the words were scarcely oat of his mouth we were upon the vessel; we struck her about mid ship, carrying away our bowsprit and dashing in the forecas- tle sails and knuckle timbers as if they had been glass; but it fared worse with the vessel we met; she was small, being about seven, feet in the 'water, whereas we drew nearer fifteen we passed slick over her as if she had been a mere boy's plaything. You may be sure there was no standing still, every thing was hauled up and we were before the wind in less than half a shake, the boats were lowered although there was such a sea running that it was almost impossible to live in a small boat logs of wood and hen coops, were thrown overboard so that if any were alive they might save themselves our first mate was standing on the quar- ter listening, when he declared that he heard a shout we listened and then it came again and again, but fainter every time at length our captain ordered a boat out, with directions to put in to the shore, and come off in the morning, as we should lay too. That night there was not an eye closed in the ship. We were all waiting for the morning, for many thought it sheer madness in our cap- tain to send off a boat in such a sea, and so dark a night, and prophesied that she would be swamped in less than ten minutes. Though no one said so to the captain, for he was in one of his gloomy moods, and walked the deck nearly the whole night with- out opening his mouth. We stood off and on till morning, and by this time the wind had lulled considerably, and we had a moder- ate breeze as soon as it was light we bore down to the little bay you see off yonder to the nor'-east, and having anchored, sent off a boat to the shore; I was in her, and I shall never forget my joy when I first saw our men standing on the beach and hallooing to us we were soon among them and asking questions enough to sink a lighter. After leaving the ship they steered as near as they could tell, to where the cries came from; after running about ten minutes, they could hear them plainer, and at last got so near as to speak to the person it was a man who was clinging to a large board, and was nearly exhausted after a time they got him in, and finally- reached the shore the poor fellow was nearly gone, and could not speak a word, so they took him to a house, and after awhile by rolling and warming him. brought him to it so happened that the house belonged to the governor or whatever they call him and as WALLIS. soon as he clapt his eyes on the man he knew him, and had him taken to prison and it turned out that after all our troubte we had only saved the poor wretch from being drowned that he might be hung for as it was proved by many who knew him, having seen the fellow before, and by pieces of the wreck which floated ashore, that he was nothing better than a real pirate, (whose mur- ders were so numerous they could 'rit be counted) he had been taken twice before, but had escaped each time the governor, to be sure of him now, ordered the execution to take place that day: we had leave to stay on shore and see it he looked pale and half deiid when they brought him out, and for the soul of me I could'nt help pitying him, he stept so firm, and went so willingly to meet his death he was led out to the gallows between two files of soldiers, our parson talked to him all the way, but he paid no attention and seem- ed to be thinking of something else. Mayhap the fine vessel he had lost, and all that we saw the poor fellow swung off, and then went back to our ship, but here was no laughing or joking that day nor the next either for we all felt as if we had some hand in it, and wished the poor devil had been food for the fishes, rather than to have fallen a prey to land-sharks. The body was taken down and then hung up in chains, and on our homeward voyage we saw them there rattling in the sea breeze and bleaching in the sun. I have passed here often, but I have never forgotten to look for the gallows and the Pirate's remains, and I shall never forget' that night while I live." All hands ahoy! shouted the boatswain, and in a moment I was left alone. Before I went to my birth I took one more look at the dreaded object, and determined if ever I found leisure to commit the story to paper. WALLIS. In 1766, Capt. Wallis having been appointed to command the ship Dolphin, destined for a voyage round the world, received or- ders to take under his command the Swallow sloop, and Prince Frederick store-ship. They sailed on the 22d of August, and, on the 7th of September, came to anchor in the road of Madeira. On the 12th, they sailed thence, and by the 12th of November, were in thirty degrees of south latitude, w.hen they found the weather so cold as to have recourse to their thick jackets. On the 16th of December, being very near Cape Virgin Mary, they saw several men riding on the shore. The captain went ashore, and gave them combs, buttons, knives, scissors, beads, &c, -and pleas- WALLIS. 61 ed the women greatly by the distribution of some ribbands. The tallest among these people was six feet seven inches; but the general height was from five feet ten to six feet. They were muscular and well made, but their hands and feet very small, in proportion to the rest of their bodies. The captain took eight of them into the boats: when they came into the ship, they expressed no surprise at the novelties they beheld, till a looking-glass being observed, they acted many antic gestures before it. The marines being exercised before them, they were terrified at the firing of the muskets, and one of them falling down, shut his eyes, and lay with- out motion, as if to intimate that he knew the destructive nature of these weapons. On the 21st, they turned into the Strait of Magellan, and on the 26th, anchored in Port Famine Bay; and the sick were sent on shore. On the 28th, the empty water-casks were landed. When they arrived here, many of the people were very sick with the scurvy; but, by the plentiful use of vegetables, and bathing in the sea, they all recovered in a short time. They sailed on the 18th and on the 3d of February, came to an- chor in York Road. The next day, Captain \Vallis, with a party, went on shore near Bachelor's River. There is a cataract near this ri^er, the noise of which is tremendous, as it falls more than four hundred yards, partly over a very steep descent, 'and partly in a perpendicular line. On the 1st of March sailed again, and an- chored in a place called Swallow harbor, whence they sailed the next morning; and, on the following day, the Swallow, being dri- ven among breakers, made signals of distress; but was happily relieved by a breeze from the shore. On the 10th of April the two ships sailed in company; and, on the llth, lost sight of each other, and did not meet again during the whole voyage. This day the Dolphin cleared the Strait of Magellan, in which she had labored with innumerable difficulties, and escaped most imminent dangers, in a passage of almost four months, viz. from December the 17th, 1776, to the 1 1th of April following. The Spaniards, it seems, built a town here in 1581, which they named Phillipville, and left in it a colony of four hundred persons. They were all starved to death except twenty-four; and the place was called Port Famine, from the melancholy fate of these unfortu- nate men. The long wished for relief was now fast approaching, for on Saturday, the 6th, the man at the mast-head cried, "Land in the west-north-west." As no anchorage was to be found, the captain steered for the other island, giving the name of Whitsun Island to this, because it was discovered on the eve of Whitsunday. Having approached the second, the lieutenant was sent on shore, with two boats, to take possession of the island and to call it Queen Charlotte's Island. The boats returned loaded with cocoa- nuts and scurvy-grass, after having found two wells of excellent 6 62 WALL1S. water. Provisions for a week were now allotted for an officer and twenty men, who were left on shore to take in water; the sick were Banded for the benefit of the air; and a number of hands were ap- pointed to climb the cocoa-trees, and gather the nuts. An adjoining island, lying in nineteen degrees twenty minutes south latitude, and one hundred thirty-eight degrees thirty minutes west longitude, received the name of Egmont Island. On the llth, they observed about sixteen persons on an island, which was called Gloucester Island. This day they likewise discovered an- other, which was called Cumberland Island; and on the day follow- ing, a third, which received the name of Prince William Henry's Island. On the 17th, again discovered land, but could find no place in which the ship might anchor. This was named Osnaburgh Island, and having soon discovered high land, they came to anchor because the weather was foggy; but it no sooner cleared away, than they found the ship encompassed by hundreds of people. They sailed along the shore, while the canoes made towards the land. On the 21st, the ship came to anchor. The boats having been sent to sound along the coast, were fol- lowed by large double canoes, three of which ran at the cutter, staved in her quarter, and otherwise damaged her; the Indians, at the same time, armed with clubs, endeavoring to board her. The crew now fired; and wounding one man dangerously, and killing another, they both fell into the sea. The ship made sail the following day, and was piloted round a reef, into a harbor, where she was moored. On the 24th, she sailed further up the harbor, followed by many canoes. In the evening, a number of very large canoes advanced, laden with stones; on which the cap- tain ordered the strictest watch to be kept. Soon after a large canoe advanced, in which was an awning, on the top of which sat one of the natives, holding some yellow and red feathers in his hand. He delivered the feathers; and, while a present was pre- paring, he put back from the ship, and threw the branch of a cocoa- nut tree in the air. This appeared the. signal for an onset, for the canoes, approaching the ship threw vollies of stones into every part of her. On this two guns, loaded with small shot, were- fired, and the people on guard discharged their muskets. The number of Indians now round the ship was full two thousand ; and though they were at first disconcerted, they soon recovered their spirits, and renewed the attack. Thousands were observed on shore, embarking as fast as the canoes could bring them off; orders were therefore given for firing the cannon, some of which were brought to bear upon the shore. The scattered canoes soon got together again, and threw stones of two pounds weight from slings by which a number of seamen were wounded. At this time several canoes aproached the bow of the ship, in one of which was an Indian, who appeared to have an authority over the rest; a gun was therefore levelled at his canoe, the shot of which split it in two pieces, which - WALLIS. 63 put an end to the contest; the canoes rowed off with the utmost speed, and the people on shore ran and concealed themselves be- hind the hills. Next day a lieutenant was despatched, with all the boats manned and armed, and having hoisted a pendant on a staff, he took possession of the place by the name of King George the Third's Island. Three days after this, the gunner conducted to the ship a lady of a portly figure and agreeable face, whose age seemed to be upwards of forty. Her whole behavior indicated the woman of superior rank. The captain presented her with a looking-glass and some toys, and gave her a handsome blue man- tle, which he tied round her with ribbands. Having intimated that she would be glad to see the Captain on shore, on Sunday, the 12th, he landed, and was met by his fair friend, who was at- tended by a numerous retinue. As they advanced, great numbers of Indians crowded to meet them. Many persons of both sexes advanced to meet her, whom she caused to kiss the captain's hand, while she signiiied that they were related to her. Her house was above three hundred and twenty feet in length, and about forty in breadth. The captain, lieutenant, and purser, who had been ill, being seated, the lady helped four of her female attendants to pull off their coats, shoes and stockings; which being performed, the girls smoothed down the skin, and rubbed it ightiy with their hands for more than half an hour; and the gentlemen received great benefit from the operation. Orders had been given that the captain should be carried; but as he chose to walk, she took hold of his arm, and when they came near any wet or dirty place, she lifted him over, with as much ease as a man would a child. On the 15th, a large party in all the boats rowed round the island. The island was found to be every where very pleasant, and to abound with various necessaries of life. On the 17th, Captain Wall is received another visit from the lady whom he called his queen. On the 21st, she repeated the visit, and presented him with some hogs. The captain having sent a party on shore on the 25th. to examine the country minutely, caused a tent to be erect- ed to observe an eclipse of the sun, and when it was ended, took his telescope to the queen's house to show her the use of it; and her surprise is not to be expressed, on her beholding several objects which she was very familiar with, but which were too distant to be seen by the naked eye. She made signs to be informed if he held his resolution as to the time of his departure, and being an- swered in the affirmative, her tears witnessed the agitation of her rnind. The captain presented her with several articles of use and ornament, which she received in silent sorrow. After some time a breeze springing up, the queen and her attendants took their final leave, with many tears. The place where the ship had lain was called Port Royal Har bor, and is situated in 17 degrees 30 minutes south latitude, and 150 degrees west longitude. The Dolphin sailed from Otaheite 64. VOYAGE FROM HALIFAX TO BERMUDA. on the 27th of July, 1767, and passed the Duke of York's Island. On the 28th, they discovered land, which was called Sir Charles Saunder's Island. On the 30th again made land, which received the name of Lord Howe's Island, on which smoke was seen, hut no inhabitants. Their next discovery was some dangerous shoals, to which Captain Wallis gave the name of the Scilly Islands. They now steered westward till the 13th of August, when they saw two small islands, one of which was named Keppel's Kile, and the other Boscawen's Island. On the IGth they again dis- covered land, to which the officers gave the name of Wallis 's Island. On the 18th of September they discovered the island of Saypan, and soon afterwards that o-f Tinian, off which they anchored on the day following, - Tents were erected for the sick, who were sent on shore with all expedition. By the loth of October the fruit and water were carried on board, and all the sick being re- covered, on the next day they left the bay, and sailed to the west. On the 3d of November they discovered three islands, which were named Sandy Isle, Small Key, and Long Island ; which islands are in 10 degrees 20 minutes north latitude, and 247 deg- rees 30 minutes west longitude. They flow altered their course and, on the 13th, saw the island of Timoun, Aros, and Pesang On the 16th they crossed the equinoctial line, and came again into south latitude. The next day they saw the islands of Pulo Tote, and Pulo Weste, and the seven islands. On the 22d saw the coast of Sumatra; and came to an anchor in the road of Bata- via, on the 30th of November, 1767. From this place they sailed on the 8th of December, without losing a single man, and having only two on the sick list. On the 24th of January they encountered a dreadful storm, which tore the sails to pieces, broke a rudder-chain, and carried several of the booms overboard; yet during this storm they ob- served a number of birds and butterflies. On the 30th they saw land; and came to anchor in Table Bay, at the Cape of Good Hope, on the 4th of February. Sailed on the 25th, and on the 17th of March, anchored in the bay of St. Helena. On the 28th crossed the equinoctial line, and on the 24th of next month saw the Cape of Pico. No material incident happened from this time to the end of the voyage; and on the 20th of May, 1768, the Dolphin came to anchor in the Downs. VOYAGE FROM HALIFAX TO BERMUDA. On the 6th of December, we sailed from Halifax, with a fresh north-westerly wind, on a bitter cold day, so that the harbor was rovered with a vapor called " the barber," a sort of low fog, which VOYAGE FROM HALIFAX TO BERMUDA. 65 clings to the surface of the water, and sweeps along with these biting winter blasts, in such a manner as to cut one to the very bone. As we shot past one of the lower wharfs of the town of Hali- fax, just before coming to the narrow passage between George's Island and the main land, on the south side of this magnificent harbor, a boat put off with a gentleman, who, by some accident, had missed his passage. They succeeded in getting alongside the ship; but, in seizing hold of a rope which was thrown to them from the mainchains, the boatmen, in their hurry, caught a turn with it round the afterthwart, instead of making it fast somewhere in the bow of the boat. The inevitable consequence of this pro- ceeding was, to raise the stern of the boat out of the water, and, of course, to plunge her nose under the surface. Even a lands- man will comprehend how this happened, when it is mentioned that the ship was running past at the rate of ten knots. In the twinkling of an eye, the whole party, officer, boatmen, and all, were seen floating about, grasping at the oars or striking out for the land, distant, fortunately, only a few yards from them; for the water thereabouts is so deep, that a ship, in sailing out or in, may safely graze the shore. As the intensity of the cold was great, we were quite astonished to see the people swimming away so easily; but we afterwards learned from one of the party, that, owing to the water being oetween forty and fifty degrees warmer than the air, he felt, when plunged into it, as if he had been soused into a hot bath. The instant, however, he reached the pier, and was lugged out, like a ha'lf-drowned rat, he was literally enclosed in a firm case of ice from head to foot! This very awkward coat of mail was not re- moved without considerable difficulty; nor was it till he had been laid for some hours in a well-warmed bed, between two other persons, that he could move at all, and, for several months after- wards, he was not well enough to leave his room. For us to stop, at such a time and place, was impossible; so away we shot like a spear past Chebucto Head, Cape Sambro, and sundry other fierce-looking black capes of naked rock. The breeze rapidly rose to a hard gale, which split our main topsail to threads, and sent the fragments thundering to leeward in the storm, in such grand style, that, to this hour, I can almost fancy I hear the noise in my ears. I know few things more impressive than the deep-toned sounds caused by the flapping of a wet sail, in such a fierce squall as this, when the sheets are carried away, and the unconfined sail is tugging and tearing to get clear of the yard, which bends and cracks so fearfully, that even the lower mast sometimes wags about like a reed. I certainly have heard thunder far louder than the sounds alluded to; but have seldom known it more effective or startling than those of a sail going to pieces in such a tempest of wind and rain. 6* 66 VOYAGE FROM HALIFAX TO BERMUDA. I was standing, where I had no business to be, on the weather side of the quarter-deck, holding on stoutly by one of the belaying pins, and wondering where this novel scene was to end, but hav- ing an obscure idea that the ship was going to the bottom. The admiral was looking up at the splitting sail as composedly as pos- sible, after desiring that the main-top-men, whose exertions were quite useless, should.be called down, out of the way of the ropes, which were cracking about their heads. Every now and then I could see the weather-wise glance of the veteran's eye directed to windward, in hopes that matters would mend. But they only became worse; and at last, when the fore -mast seemed to be really in danger, for it was bending like a cane, though the fore- sail had been reefed, he waited not to run through the usual round of etiquettes by which an admiral's commands generally reach the executive on board ship, but exclaimed with a voice so loud, that it made me start over to the lee side of the deck: " Man the fore-clue garnets!" In the next minute the sail rose gradually to the yard, and the groaning old ship, by this time sorely strained to her innermost timber, seemed to be at once relieved from the pressure of the canvass which had borne her headlong, right into the seas, and made her tremble from stem to stern, almost as if she were going to pieces. The next thing to be done was to get in the jib-boom, in order to ease the bowsprit. In effecting this rather troublesome opera- tion, one of the primest seamen we had fell overboard. He was second captain of the forecastle, the steadiness of whose admirable skill as a steersman had, one day, elicited the complimentary re- mark from the captain, that he must surely have nailed the com- pass card to the binnacle. On this, and other accounts, he was so much esteemed in the ship, that more than the usual degree of regret was felt for his melancholy fate. I saw the poor fellow pitch into the water, and watched him as he floated past, buoyant as a cork, and breasting the waves most gallantly, with an im- ploring look towards us, which I shall never forget. In less than a minute he was out of sight. A boat could hardly have lived in such weather, and no further attempt was made, or could have been made, to save him, than to throw over ropes, which all fell short of their mark. Although we soon lost all traces of him, it is probable he may have kept sight of us, as we drifted quickly to leeward under our bare poles, long after we had ceased to distin- guish his figure in the yest of waves. This gale, the first I ever saw, was also, I can recollect, one of the fiercest. It lasted for three days, totally dispersed our little squadron, well nigh foundered one of them, the Cambrian, and sent her hobbling into Bermuda some days after us, with the loss 'jf her main-mast and all three top-masts. The rock of the islands of Bermuda is of a very soft coarse VOYAGE FROM HALIFAX TO BERMUDA. 67 freestone, full of pores; so soft, indeed, that if it be required to make an additional window in a house, there is nothing to be done, we were told, but to hire a black fellow, who, with a saw, could speedily cut an opening in any part of the wall. There is nothing more remarkable in this singular cluster of islands than the extensive coral reefs which fend off the sea on the northern side, and stretch out in a semi-circular belt, at the distance of two or three leagues from the land. On these treach- erous reefs we saw many a poor vessel bilged, at moments when, from seeing the land at such a distance, they fancied themselves in perfect security. They tell a story of a boatman who, it was said, lived by these disasters, once going off to an unlucky vessel, fairly caught among the coral reefs, like a fly in a cobweb, not far from the North Kock. The wrecker, as he was called, having boarded the be- wildered ship, said to the master, " What will you give me, now, to get you out of this place?" " Oh, any thing you like name your sum." "Five hundred dollars?" "Agreed! agreed!" cried the other. Upon which this treach- erous pilot ' kept his promise truly to the ear, but broke it to the hope,' by taking the vessel out of an abominably bad place, only to fix her in one a great deal more intricate and perilous. "Now," said the wrecker to the perplexed and doubly- cheated stranger, "there never was a vessel in this scrape, that was known to get out again; and, indeed, there is but one man alive who knows the passage, or could, by any possibility, extri- cate you and that's me!" "I suppose," drily remarked the captain, "that 'for a con- sideration' you would be the man to do me that good service. What say you to another five hundred dollars to put me into clear water, beyond your infernal reefs?" This hard bargain was soon made; and a winding passage, unseen before, being found, just wide enough, and barely deep enough, for the vessel to pass through, with only six inches to spare under her keel, in half an hour she was once more in blue water, out of soundings, and out? of danger. " Now, master rascallion of a wrecker," cried the disentangled mariner, "tit for tat is fair play all the world over; and, unless you hand me back again my thousand dollars, I'll cut the tow rope of your thievish-looking boat, and then, instead of returning evil for evil, as I ought by rights to do, I'll be more of a Christ- ian, and do you a very great service, by carrying you away from one of the most infamous places in the world, to the finest country imaginable I mean America. And as you seem to have a certain touch of black blood in your veins, I may chance to get good in- terest for my loan of these thousand dollars, by selling you as a slave in the Charleston negro market ! What say you, my gay Mudian ?" 68 DE BOUGAINVILLE. DE BOUGAINVILLE. A settlement having been commenced by the French on Falk- land's Islands, in the month of February, 1764, the Spaniards de- manded them as an appendage to the continent of South America; and France having allowed the propriety of the demand, Mons. de Bougainville was ordered to yield possession of the islands to the Spaniards. On the 5th of December he sailed from the harbor of Brest, in the frigate La Boudeuse; having on board the Prince of Nas- sau Seighen, three gentlemen who went as volunteers, eleven officers in commission, and warrant-officers, seamen, soldiers, servants and boys, to the number of two hundred. On the even- ing of the 29th of January, they had sight of Rio-de-la-Plata, and on the morning of the 31st came to anchor in the Bay of Montevideo, where the two Spanish ships, which were to take possession of Falkland's Islands, had been at anchor for some weeks. They sailed with these ships on the 28th of February 1767; and, on the 1st of April, Bougainville, in the name of the French king, surrendered the islands to Don Puente, the Spanish governor, who received them for his most Catholic majesty, with the ceremony of hoisting the Spanish colors, and the firing of guns from the ships and on shore. Falkland's Islands lie in about 52 deg. south latitude, and 60 deg. west longitude. From the entrance of the Straits of Magellan, and from the coast of Patagonia, their distance is about two hundred and fifty miles. The harbors are large, and well defended by small islands most happily disposed; and even the smallest vessels may ride in safety in the creeks, while fresh water is easily to be obtained. After waiting at these islands till the 2d of June, 1767, in expectation of the Etoile store-ship from Europe, Bougainville steered for Rio-Janeiro, at which place he had appointed the Etoille to join him. They had fine weather from the 2d till the 20th of June, on which day they had sight of the mountains on the main land of Brazil, and enter- ed Rio-Janeiro the day following. At the same time a canoe was despatched from the captain of the Etoile, with information of the safe arrival of that vessel, which now lay in the port; and on the 14th July, both vessels sailed, and on the 31st came to an- chor in the Bay of Montevideo. As it was necessary that Bougain- ville should remain in his present station till the equinox was pass- ed, his first care was to build a hospital for the sick, and to take lodgings at Montevideo. On the 14th of November, 1767, they sailed from Montevideo, with a fine gale of wind at north. On the 16th, and the five fol- lowing days, the sea ran high, and the wind was contrary. The 2d of December they had sight of Cape Virgins, with a fair wind DE BOUGAINVILLE. 69 They now saw a number of albatrosses and petrels, the last of which are said to be a sign of bad weather, whenever they are seen. They made their best efforts to reach the entrance of the Straits of Magellan; and Bougainville was seven weeks and three days in passing through it, the whole length of which, from Cape Virgin Mary to Cape Pillar, he computes at about three hund- red and forty miles. On the 22d of March, land was discovered, and when they had coasted one of the islands for about two miles, they had sight of three men, who advanced hastily towards the shore. They at first imagined that these were part of the crew of some European ship, which had been wrecked on the coast, but discovered their conjecture" ill-founded, for the people retired to the woods, from which, in a short time, issued a number of them, supposed to be near twenty, with long staves in their hands, which they held up with an air of defiance. This done, they retreated to the woods. These islanders were of a copper complexion and very tall. During the night between the 22d and 23d they had much rain accompanied with violent thunder, while the wind blew almost a tempest. At day-break land was discovered, which was called Harp Island, and in the evening a cluster of islands, eleven of which were seen, received the name of the Dangerous Archipel- ago. A steep mountain, which appeared to be encompassed by the sea, was discovered on the 2d of April, and received the name of Boudoir, or Boudeuse Peak, from Bougainville's ship. Bearing to the northward of this peak they had sight of land, which extended farther than the eye could reach. As Bougainville coasted the island, he was charmed with the appearance of a noble cascade, which, falling immediately from the summit of a mountain into the sea, produced a most elegant effect. On the shores very near to the fall of this cascade, was a little town, and the coast appeared to be free from breakers. It was the wish of our adventurers to have cast their anchor with- in view of such an enchanting prospect; but, after repeated sound- ings, they found that the bottom consisted only of rocks, and they were, therefore, under a necessity of seeking another anchoring place, where the ships were safely moored. They remained at Otaheite, until the 16th of April, when they departed, and in the beginning of May three islands were discov- ered. On the following day another isla.nd was seen to the west- ward of the ship's course. To the islands the commodore gave the general name of the Archipelago of the Navigators. On the morning of the llth, another island was discovered, which re- ceived the name of the Forlorn Hope. The ships now steered a westerly course, and early on the morning of the 22d two islands were discovered, one of which re- ceived the name Aurora, from the early hour on which it was first seen, and the other that of Whitsuntide Isle, from the day which 70 DE BOUGAINVILLE. gave birth to its being so named. In the afternoon, mountainous lands, at thirty miles distance, were seen, appearing, as it were, over and beyond the Island of Aurora. On the 23d it was discover- ed that this was a separate island, the appearance being lofty, its descent steep, and the whole clothed with trees. From this time to the 27th, they passed many islands, on one of which they ob- served a fine plantation of trees, between which there were reg- ular walks, resembling those of an European garden. They now quitted this great cluster of islands, which received the general name of Archipelago of the great Cyclades, which, it is conjectur- ed, occupies no less than three degrees of latitude, and five of longitude. From the 14th to the 18th of June, they discovered a number of islands. On July the 2d a cape was discovered, which was called Cape 1'Averdi, on which were mountains of an astonishing height. Two more islands were seen on the 5th, and, as the wood and water were expended, and disease reigning aboard, the com- modore resolved to land here, and, on the following afternoon, the ships came to anchor. In the afternoon of the 24th a favorable breeze enabled the ships to get out to sea. On the 31st a number of Indian boats attacked the Etoile with a volley of stones and arrows; but a single discharge of the musketry got rid of these troublesome companions. On the 4th of August two islands were seen. On the 5th a third island was seen, and then the northern point of New Britain, which lies only forty one minutes south of the land. On the 7th a flat, island was seen, covered with trees, abounding with cocoa-nuts. Fish- ing-boats in multitudes surrounding the island; but the fishermen took no notice of the ships. This received the name of the Island of Anchorets. From this time till the end of the month innumera- ble small islands were observed every day. Early in the morning of the 31st our voyagers had sight of the island of Ceram, which runs in a parallel east and west, abounds in lofty mountains, and is partly cleared, and partly in its original state. At midnight a number of fires attracted their attention to the island of Boero, where there is a Dutch factory, at the en- trance of the Gulf of Cagei, which the French had sight of at day-break. Their joy on this occasion is not to be expressed, for at this time not half of the seamen were able to perform any duty, and the scurvy had raged so violently, that no man on board was perfectly clear of it. They sailed on the 7th September and on the 13th the ships were surrounded with Indian boats, bringing parroquets, cockatoos, fowls, eggs, and bananas, which the natives sold for Dutch money, or exchanged for knives. By day-light on the 19th they were within about a league of the Coast of Celibes, which in this part js described as one of the finest countries in the world. On the morning of the 26th the coast of Java appeared with the rising HISTORY OF THE BUCCANEERS. 71 * sun. Having come to an anchor for the night, the ships sailed early in the morning of the 27th and on the next day came to anchor in the port of Batavia. The ships sailed thence on the 16th of October, 1768, and cleared the straits of Sunda on the 19th in the afternoon. By this time the crew were all perfectly recovered of the scurvy, but a lew remained ill of the bloody flux. On the 20th the ships were in sight of the Isle of France, and, on the 8th of November, the Boudeuse anchored in the port of that island; the Etoile, which had been unavoidably left behind, anchoring in the same port on the following day. They sailed from this the 12th of December, 1768, leaving the Etoile behind them to undergo some necessary repairs. Without encountering any singular accident they had sight of the Cape of Good Hope on the 18th of January, and came to anchor in Table Bay on the following morning. Bougainville quitted this on the 17th, anchored off St. Helena on the 4th of February, and on the 25th, joined the Swallow, commanded by Captain Cartert. Noth- ing material happened from this lime till they had sight of the Isle of Ushant. where a violent squall of wind had nearly blasted the hopes of the voyage. On the loth the commodore bore away for St. Maloes, which he entered on the following day, after an ab- sence of two years and four months from his native country; during all which time he had buried only seven of his crew, a circumstance that will be deemed truly astonishing, when we re- flect on the variety of dangers they had encountered and the amazing changes of climate they had experienced. HISTORY OF THE BUCCANEERS. The name Buccaneer, which originally signified one who dried or smoked flesh in the manner of the Indians, was given to the first French settlers of St. Domingo, who hunted wild boars and cattle, in order to sell the hides and flesh to their more settled neighbors. They lived in huts built on patches of cleared ground, just sufficiently large to admit of drying the skins. These spots were named Boucans, and the huts, which were commonly only temporary, Ajoupas, terms borrowed from the native Indians. With the more regular Spanish settlers of the same island they were continually at war, and therefore concealment was, in some degree, necessary: the motives of the Spaniards for this persecu- tion being jealousy of the presence of all other Europeans. The tenants of the Boucans, having neither women nor children, congregated in parties, each keeping a servant, who, being some 72 HISTORY OF THE BUCCANEERS. adventurer from Europe, was obliged to bind himself for thret years to an older .Buccaneer, in order to gain a footing in the community; more a companion, however, than a servant, the fruits of their labors were enjoyed in common; and, in cases of death, the domestic regularly succeeded to the property of his master. In process of time, some, tired of this occupation, settled as plant- ers in the little island of Tortuga, situated at a short distance from the north side of St. Domingo, to which they were, by de- grees, driven by the repeated massacres of the Spaniards. Others commenced free-booters by sea, amply revenging upon that nation the injuries sustained by their companions on lariU. Success con- tinually added to their confidence and to their numbers. They seldom at first, acted together; but in parties of from fifty to two hundred men each, embarked in small boats, ill adapted either to war or security from the elements, and would attack the largest vessels, overpowering them by a desperate bravery which nothing could withstand. Thus they fought their way to riches and power. Every additional prize afforded increased means of capturing others; till, at length, the Spaniards, afraid of proceeding to sea, had their intercourse with the mother-country nearly annihilated. Although their vengeance was directed against this, their wealthiest and bitterest enemy, other nations were not exempted from their depredations. When distressed for men, money, or ships, almost every stranger became an enemy. Thus far they were pirates. The booty was regularly divided into as many shares as there were men. None had a preference. The leader of an enterprise, commonly elected only for the occasion, among the most distinguished for skill and courage, enjoyed more hon- ors, but had no claim to greater emoluments than his associates, except what the general voice chose tO' award when an enterprise proved profitable, and had been able conducted. No fixed laws guided their proceedings. These were made upon the spur of the occasion. But offences against the general good, such as peculation or treachery, were severely and summa- rily punished, either by death, or by leaving the culprit upon a de- sert island. Such was the certainty of punishment, or the sense of justice to each other, that few instances of this kind occurred. Their behavior verified the adage of "Honesty among thieves;" for though robbers by profession, none were ever more equitable among themselves. Every share was chosen by lot. The woun- ded were provided for by a certain sum, and an allowance during cure. The companion, or servant of a member killed, received his share. If he had none, it was transmitted to his relations; or, if these were unknown, given to the poor, or to churches, to apo- logize for misdeeds neither repented of nor discontinued. They seldom went to sea except when in want of money, and, when gain- ed, it was as quickly spent. Jamaica commonly formed the resort of the English, and St. Domingo of the French, where the fruits HISTORY OF THE BUCCANEERS. 73 of their cruizes being soon dissipated in rioting and debauchery, necessity drove them to the same desperate undertakings for further supplies. These associations continued, with but few intermissions, for nearly 150 years, peace or war in Europe being of no import in the eyes of their leaders. The principal of these were Morgan, Samms, Wilner, Towley, and others, among the English; Mont- bar, L'Olonois, Grognier, Picard, Le Sage, and Grammont, among the French; Van Horn, a Dutchman, and De Basco, a Portuguese. Morgan, the most renowned of the English freebooters, after a variety of minor exploits, conceived the bold project of subduing Porto-Bello, which he accomplished with great skill and no loss, gaining a large booty from its plunder and ransom. Panama, however, a large town, situated across the isthmus of Darien, on the shore of the South Seas, promised still more wealth. Having re- duced the island of St. Catharine's by a secret understanding with the Spanish governor, who wished to have the honor, though not the danger, of resisting the adventurers, he proceeded to the mouth of the river Chagres, leading part of the way to his ulti mate destination. Here was a fort situated upon a rock; against which beat the waves of the sea; and defended by an officer and a garrison, worthy of the trust committed to their courage. The buccaneers attacked it with desperation, and were as vigorously -esisted, but this resistance only stimulated the energy of men ac- customed, not merely to expect, but almost to command success. For some time the contest continued doubtful, till a lucky shot killed the commander of the fort, while, at the same time, it took fire, when the besieged, losing courage, surrendered. Morgan leaving his vessels at anchor under a guard, proceeded in canoes up the river, thirty-five miles, where, being no longer navigable, he disembarked, and marched towards Panama, about thirty miles distant. On a plain, without the town, a considerable army appeared drawn up to oppose his progress. This was no sooner attacked than dispersed. In the city, in boats, and in the neighboring forests, were found vast treasures concealed in caves and cellars, the inhabitants having had time to retire themselves, but not to carry off their wealth; added to these were immense quantities of valuable articles of commerce, which, being unable to remove, were, as well as the town, according to the barbarous practice of that age, set on fire by the adventurers, who regained their ships with a prodigious booty. Among the French, who distinguished themselves as much for cruelty as bravery, was Montbar, a native of Languedoc. He had, in early life, conceived a strong prejudice against the Span- iards, on account of their cruelties to the Indians; this spirit in- creasing with his years, he embarked from Europe to join the buccaneers. In the passage out, a Spanish vessel being met with, 7 74 HISTORY OF THE BUCCANEERS. was attacked, boarded, and taken, Montbar leacing the way to the decks of the enemy, along which he carried wounds and death, nothing being able to resist his desperate fury; and when submis- sion terminated the engagement, his only pleasure seemed to be to contemplate, not the treasures of the vessel, but the number of dead and dying Spaniards, against whom he had vowed a dead- ly and eternal hatred. This inveterate enmity never subsided. His opponents suffered so much and so frequently from it, during the whole of his life, that he acquired from them the name of the /Exterminator. Another of the same nation, named L'Olonois, from the situa- tion of bondsman, had raised himself to the command of two boats and twenty-two men, with which he was bold enough to attack, and fortunate enough to capture a small Spanish frigate on the coast of Cuba. With this vessel he succeeded in taking four ships fitted out at Port-au-Prince to destroy him; but cruelly threw their crews overboard, excepting one man, sent back to the governor of the Havannah, with a message that all Spaniards who might fall into his hands, not excepting even his excellency himself, should experience a similar fate. At Tortuga he met with Michael de Basco, already celebrated for having taken a ship under the guns of Porto Bello, valued at .220,000, and a variety of other enterprises both daring and profitable. Between them a new ex- pedition was planned, supported by 450 men; in the bay of Venezuela they reduced a fort, sinking the guns, and cruelly put- ting the garrison of 250 men to death. Re-embarking, they reached Maracaybo, built on the western shore of the lake of that name, a city which had acquired wealth by its trade in skins, cocoa, and tobacco. The inhabitants, at the first alarm, fled with their principal effects; enough, however, remained to keep the buc- caneers in drunkenness and debauchery for sometime; in the mean while works were thrown up to impede their progress, which they reduced at the expense of blood and labor, but without any profit. Maracaybo itself v. as ransomed; Gibraltar, situated near the extremity of the lake, was burned, owing to the exasperation of the adventurers at missing the expected plunder; and, at length they retired laden with crosses, pictures, and bells, more than with wealth. Van Home, in 1603, formed the design of an expedition, which promised a rich harvest to his followers. He himself was at once their admiration and terror, being not orrly remarkable for intre- pidity but for punishing tho smallest want of it iri f others, often go- ing round the decks during the heat of an engagement, and instant- ly shooting those who, in the smallest degree, flinched from their guns. In other respects he was equitable and generous, sht ring equally with his crew'the produce of their courage, though sail- ing in a ship wholly his private property. To aid in the present scheme, he took Gramont, Godfrey, Jon- HISTORY OF THE BUCCANEERS. 75 que, and De Graff, all commanders of approved skill and courage, with 1 L 200 men, the largest force which had yet been mustered, and in six vessels sailed for Vera Cruz. Night, and ignorance of the armament, favoring their design, the buccaneers landed eight miles from the town, entered it undiscovered, and, before day-break, secured the governor, forts, barracks, and all the sol- diers capable of making opposition. The inhabitants sought re- fuge in the churches, at the doors of which were placed barrels of gunpowder, guarded by the invaders with lighted matches, in or- der to destroy the whole in case of insurrection or tumult. The work of pillage, in the meantime, proceeded without interruption, nothing being left which it was possible or desirable to carry away. A proposal w r as likewise made to the imprisoned people, who had not tasted food for three days, to ransom their lives and freedom for a sum of ,430,000. This, whether able or not, they were compelled to accede to, half the money being paid immediately, and the other half promised in a few days. Suddenly, however, a large armed force appeared before the town, and a fleet of seven- teen ships from Europe before the port, which though sufficient to intimidate a regular army, if not to desert their plunder, had no other effect on the buccaneers than to induce them to retreat quietly with 1500 slaves, as an indemnification for the remaining half of the expected ransom, and to push deliberately through the Spanish fleet, which, instead of intercepting, was itself happy to escape from such terrible assailants. For a long series of years these depredations continued. Scarcely a town escaped, except such as were situated very far in the interior; forts and soldiers were of little use on the coast, for the former were soon reduced, and the latter, whenever they attempted a fair contest in the field, always conquered. Towards the decline of this predatory warfare, Gramont embarked with a considerable force for Campeachy, and landing without opposition, found 800 Spaniards drawn up to dispute the approach of the town, who were attacked, beaten, and pursued into it, with the invaders close behind, till stopped by the citadel. Against this all the can- non they could find was directed in vain. Fear, however, effect- ed what force could not. The garrison dreading the name of the buccaneers, evacuated the place during the night, leaving only an Englishman in it, (a gunner,) who, with the spirit of a soldier, disdained to desert that which he had sworn to defend, and which, it appeared, was capable of being obstinately defended; and so highly did this principle of honor and courage operate upon the assailants, who were held together solely by the same feelings, that they received him with distinction, and rewarded him, not only with praises and liberty, but likewise with wealth. For ^two months the conquerors kept possession of the city, searching not only every nook and corner in it for plunder, but the country, for thirty or forty miles round, discovering what had 76 . HISTORY OF THE BUCCANEERS. been hidden in the earth or in the woods, to the great loss of the inhabitants, who vainly believed they had, by this means, secured part of their property. The plunder, as soon as collected, was deposited on ship-board. The governor of the province kept the field with nearly a thousand men, but dared not interrupt men who seemed as desperate, wherever booty was to be procured, as they were insensible to danger and regardless of death. His refusal to ransom the city caused its immediate destruction by fire. The citadel, likewise, was levelled to the ground. A more extraordinary sacrifice on the part of the free-booters was by a bon- fire, made of logwood, valued at 1,000,000 and forming part of the plunder, which, in celebrating the festival of St. Louis, on the anniversary of the French king, whose subjects they principally were, was given to the flames in the intoxication of folly rather than of loyalty. The last memorable attempt of the buccaneers, on a large scale, in this part of the world, took place in 1697, when twelve hun- dred men joined a squadron of seven ships from Europe, in order to attack the city of Carthagena. Their commander was named Pointis, a man of little honor or generosity, but intent on aggran- dizing himself. The enterprise was arduous; the place the strong- est in the new world; the port difficult of approach to enemies; and, if not immediately reduced, the climate so bad, that were the Spaniards even to do nothing more than to contrive delays, it would soon destroy the invaders. This, however, the latter knew. They, therefore, proceeded vigorously to work, seconded by that zeal accustomed to contend with and to conquer next to impossibilities ; of guns they had no want, and their men were prodigal of their blood; each fought as if his individual honor and interest were at stake, which, indeed, formed the life of these associations; and their good fortune, as usual, prevailing, the city yielded to their arms with a booty calculated at 1,750,000. Of a great part of this they were deprived by the knavish ra- pacity of their commander. Exasperated at his tricks, a party proceeded toward his ship, determined to inflict summary punish- ment on the offender, but recollecting this could be of no imme- diate service, cried out, "Brethren, why should we pollute ourselves with the blood of this knave ? He is unworthy the in- dignation of honorable men! Let him live to be despised and hooted, rather than die lamented by any one who may hear of his fate, without knowing his crimes. Our share of the booty is still at Carthagena, and there alone must we look for it." Returning to the city, which was re-entered without opposition, the inhabitants were shut up in the churches till the sum of 220, 000 should be paid, the amount of the sum of which they believed themselves defrauded. Possessed of this, they promised to retire without molestation to property or person; without it they threat- ened the most frightful destruction to both. Unable, or unwilling, THE WRECKERS. 77 to satisfy men whose wants were as boundless as their conduct was daring and unprincipled, the poor people knew not what to do. A venerable priest, at length, mounted the pulpit, to aid, by the force of religious eloquence, the exactions of that rapacity which it was probably useless to 'refuse, and impossible to prevent, and which if ungratified, would terminate in more terrible and destructive consequences. This appeal not producing the sum expected, the city was ordered to be plundered. Sated, at length, with rioting and plunder; with money I merchandise, and move- ables of all kinds, they quitted this unfortunate place; but, soon afterwards, falling in with an English and Dutch squadron, then in alliance with Spain, they were attacked and nearly destroyed ; part being taken, part sunk, and part escaping to St. Domingo, a piece of due retributive justice for their extortionate and illegal deeds, which had now become, on many occasions, quite piratical, and unsanctioned by the practices of fair and honorable warfare. From this time buccaneering rapidly declined, the majority be- coming settlers in the different West Indian islands, to which they were induced by the European powers, sending out ships-of- war to clear those seas and establish perfect security in commerce, which had been, for a century, much interrupted, and so far as regarded Spain, often, for years together, quite destroyed. Those who persisted in illegal practices were executed as pirates; while others, more disposed to acquire wealth by honest means, received encouragement from the local governments in grants of land. The renewal of war with Spain occasionally drew forth some of the more turbulent spirits from trrfcir peaceful occupations, but the greater portion had acquired settled habits; and, in time, the name of buccaneer, as well as his practices, became gradually obliterated among all but the Spaniards, by whom they will never be forgotten. It must also be admitted, that, these adventurers acted, in some measure, from principle. Many conscientiously detested the Spanish people on account of real or alleged cruelties towards the Indians. In plundering them, they believed they were only despoiling robbers of that to which they had no legal claim; and far from considering their actions as crimes, esteemed them not merely honorable but just. THE WRECKERS. " A storm ! A storm !" the Wreckers cry, As thev look from the shore- 1 yet no storm seems nigh ; But wind and billow, wreck and ship, Along the main seem all asleep : 7* 78 VOYAGE OF CAPTAIN JAMES. But where is the day ? ' Tis gone ! Not a trace Of the sun ! The cloud has taken his place, And moves not breaks not hanging there, As 't were fixed in the sultry, thick'ning air! A flash ! Another ! sky and main Begin to move ! a flash again ! Thunder wind the storm is come, The sea 's a smoking sheet of foam ! Rain ! it pours in floods, as though The clouds did mock the floods below ! And the Vessel, from her anchors torn, Towards the shore by the raging billows is borne. Hurra ! Hurra ! a wreck Hurra ! She strikes by the board her tall masts go ; She reels recoils, and strikes again ! They hoist the long-boat out In vain 'Tis swampt ! She now beats broadside on Another sea she sinks! she's gone ! Masts, cordage, planks, the breakers strew ! May heaven have mercy on her crew : VOYAGE OF CAPTAIN JAMES, FOR THE DISCOVERY OF A NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. % In the year 1630, several wealthy merchants of Bristol united in fitting out a vesst 1 for the purpose of accurately examining* the whole northen coast of America. The command of this vessel which was small, only of seventy tons burden, but one of the strongest ships of her size that had ever been built, was given to Captain James. She was provisioned for eighteen months, and manned with only twenty-two seamen, but these were all excellent sailors. His stores having been all shipped, and the men on board, Cap- tain James left Bristol in the month of April, 1631. After pass- ing the southern coast of Ireland, he sailed in a west-north-west- erly direction, and on the fourth of June discovered the coast of Greenland. Two days subsequently to this, his vessel was encompassed with ice, many immense pieces of which beat so violently against her that the captam was fearful she would have been staved and sunk. The boat that accompanied her was crush- ed to atoms. In one instance he was obliged to order the ship to be made fast to a great piece of the ice, and during a day and night to employ men incessantly in pushing off such masses of ice as iloated against her; but in this labor all their poles were bro- ken. The wind at length blew a perfect hurricane, and, though VOYAGE OF CAPTAIN JAMES. 79 the broken ice on almo'st all sides rose higher than the decks, and the vessel was beaten about in a most alarming manner, she suffered no injury. On the morning of the tenth of June, these hardy adventurers passed some masses of ice that were as high as the topmast of their vessel, and left Cape Desolation, in Greenland, to the east- ward. The weather was now so cold that at one time the sails and rigging were all frozen. On the twentieth, the ship reached the southern point of the island of Resolution, at the entrance of Hudson's Strait, but she was several times carried round by the current, and floating ice, and was in imminent danger of being crushed to pieces before she could be brought to anchor. It now began to snow heavily, and the wind blew a storm from the west- ward. This drove the ice from the sea into the harbor where the vessel was stationed, until it. was choked up. For some time the ice seemed to be perfectly firm and immoveable, but it "floated out again at the ebb of the tide. The various dangers to which the vessel was exposed in this harbor, of being thrown against the rocks, crushed to pieces in the ice, and sunk, were so great that the captain almosf gave up all hope of being able to save her. He describes the thundering noise of the masses of ice beating against each other, the rushing of the water, and the fury of the current to have been tremendous. After much difficulty and the most persevering exertions, however, she was navigated into a little cove or harbor, where, being made fast to the rocks, she was at length rendered tolerably secure. Captain James landed on the island, but found that, although the summer was far advanced, the ponds were yet frozen. The ground was rocky and barren, and no traces of animals were visible in the snow, though it was evident from some hearths and remains of fire-wood which were seen, that human beings had not long before visited the place. Captain James continued here two days, and then sailed westward; but the masses of ice were still almost impenetrable. They grated the sides of the vessel with such vio- lence that it was feared they would burst through the planks. On looking out from the mast-head scarcely an acre of open sea was visible: nothing was to be seen but a continued and irregular range of ice, towering in different places to an immense height. The ship was thus surrounded till the twenty-seventh of June, when, by a gale from the south-east, the ice opened, and she was enabled to make some way. Though exposed to incessant danger by the immense masses of ice which floated on the surface of the ocean, Captain James and his associates proceeded still westward, and entered Hud- son's Strait about the beginning of July. On the fifteenth of that month, they arrived betwixt Digg's Island and Nottingham Island, but the summer was so cold and unfavorable that it was now evident there would be no possibility of proceeding much further 80 VOYAGE OP CAPTAIN JAMES. northward this year. About a fortnight afterwards, they were so fast enclosed in the ice, that, notwithstanding the ship had all her sails set, and it blew a strong breeze, she was immoveable and as firmly fixed, as if she had been in a dry dock. On this, the cap- tain and many of the men walked out of her to amuse themselves upon the ice. Several of the crew now began to murmur, and to express great alarm, lest they should not be able either to proceed or return; and Jest their provisions, which were beginning to fall short, would soon wholly fail. The captain encouraged them as well as he was able, and though he was aware their murmuring was not without reason, he affected to ridicule their fears. Among other contrivances to amuse them, he took a quantity of spirits up- on the ice, and there drank the king's health, although there was not a single man in the ship, and though she was at that time under all her sails. This was -the twenty-eighth of July. On the thir- tieth, they made some little way through the ice, part of the crew heaving the vessel along with their shoulders, whilst others, at the same time, broke off the corners of the ice with mallets and iron crows, to clear the way. This labor was continued on the following day, and after much fatigue, they got the ship into thirty- five fathom water. All this time they were in latitude 58 deg. 45 minutes north, and a few days afterwards they were in an open sea free from ice. The captain and his crew now joined in devout thanksgiving for their deliverance from the dangers to which they had been exposed. A few days subsequently to this, whilst the ship was under sail, she struck upon some rocks that were concealed by the water, and received three such terrible blows, that the captain was fear- ful her masts would have been shivered to pieces, and he had no doubt that a hole had been beaten through her sides. But such was the strength of her timbers that she received little injury, and in a short time, was again out of danger. On the twentieth of August, and in latitude 57 deg. north, they came within sight of land, part of the continent of North America, which the captain named New South Wales, in honor of Charles, Prince of Wales, afterwards King Charles the second: and on the third of September they passed a cape, to which he gave the name of Cape Henrietta Maria, after the Queen. In the ensuing even- ing, they encountered such a tempest of thunder, snow, rain, and wind, as none of the crew had ever before been exposed to. The sea washed completely over the decks, and the vessel rolled so tremendously, that it was not without great difficulty all things could be kept fast in the hold, and betwixt the decks. As the winter was now approaching, Captain James began to look out for some harbor, where he and his companions could pass that cheerless season, with as little discomfort, and in as much security, as possible. Landing, on the third of October, upon an island, in the bay that has since been called James's Bay, he VOYAGE OF CAPTAIN JAMES. 81 found the tracks of deer, and saw some wild fowl; but not being able to discover a safe anchorage, he proceeded onward with the vessel, and two days afterwards moored the ship, in a place of tolerable security near the same island. It now snowed without intermission, and was so cold that the sails were frozen quite hard, and the cable was as thick with ice as a man's body. Several men were sent ashore to cut wood for fuel, and they collected as much as, it was estimated, would last two or three months. It was found inconvenient, particularly for some of the crew who were sick, to continue entirely in the vessel; a kind of house was, therefore, erected on shore, under the direction of the carpenter. In the meantime the captain and some of the men went into the woods to see whether they could discover any traces of human beings, that, in case they found such, they might be on their guard against attack. * None were found. The top-sails were now taken down from the vessel, thawed, and dried by great fires, and then folded up and secured from wet between the decks. The main-sail was ca ried on shore, to be used as a covering for the house. In about four days, the house was ready, and a por- tion of the crew slept in it every night, armed with muskets to de- fend themselves in case of attack, and guarded by two buck- hounds, which had been brought from England, for the hunting of deer. Such of the other rigging of the vessel as could be taken down, was now removed, and placed under the decks. On the fourteenth of October, six of the men set out with the dogs, in the hope of killing some deer, the tracks of which they had previously seen. They wandered more than twenty miles over the snow, and returned the next day with one small and lean an- imal; having passed a cold and miserable night in the woods. Others went out a few days afterwards, and to a still greater dis- tance; these were not only unsuccessful, but they lost one of their companions, who, on attempting to cross a small frozen lake, fell in and was drowned. The captain consequently gave directions that hunting to such distances should be no more attempted. The crew at first brought beer ashore from the ship; but this, even in their house, and close by the fire, was frozen and spoiled in one night. After this they drank water, which they obtained from a well that they sunk near the house. Their time was chiefly passed in setting traps and hunting for foxes and other animals, and in such occjpations as were requisite for their own preservation. The winter was now so far advanced, that the ship appeared, from the shore, like a piece of ice in the form of a ship. The snow was frozen on every part, and her decks and sides were cov- ered with ice. The captain began to despair of ever again get- ting her off. Every day the men were employed in beating the ice from the cables, and digging it out of the hawsers with a 82 VOYAGE OF CAPTAIN JAMES. calking iron; and in these operations the water would freeze on their clothes and hands, so as v-ery soon to render them unequal to almost any exertion. The ship was found to beat so much, that the captain could devise no other means of preventing her from being shattered to pieces and destroyed, than by directing holes to be bored through her sides, and sinking her in shallow water; where, in the ensu- ing spring, he might have a chance of again raising her. This was a fearful expedient; but, after all the provisions and things re- quisite for use on shore had been taken out of her, it was adopted ; al- though it was the general opinion of the crew that she could never be floated again. They, however, had so strong an attachment for their captain, and so much confidence in him, that, even in the midst of despair, they obeyed implicitly all his commands. With true Christian confidence, he exhorted them not to be dismayed. " if," said he, " we end x>ur days here, we are as near heaven as in England; and we are much bound to God Almighty, for having given us so large a time for repentance, and having thus, as it were, daily called upon us to prepare our souls for a better life in heaven. He does not, in the meantime deny that we may use all proper means to save and prolong our lives; and in my judgment, we are not so far past hope of returning to our na- tive country, but that I see a fair way by which we may effect it.'!. He then said that there was timber enough in the island for them to build a pinnace or large boat, by which they might endeavor to effect their escape, in case their vessel should be destroyed. This was on the thirtieth of November. The sufferings and the hardships which these brave men en- countered for many successive months, it is impossible to describe. Happily, they had a tolerable store of provisions from their ship, and had not to depend upon the precarious subsistence to be ob- tained by hunting. Their liquids of every kind, wine, vinegar, oil, Re. were all frozen so hard, that they were obliged to cut them with hatchets, and then melt them over the fire for use. In the beginning of January, the whole surface of the adjacent sea was so entirely frozen, that no water whatever was to be seen. Some of the men were obliged to be out of doors a considerable part of the day, in fetching timber, and in other necessary em- ployments. Their shoes were all destroyed, except some that had been sunk in the ship, and which were now, of course in- accessible. They were, consequently, reduced to the necessity of binding up their feet, as well as they could, in pieces of cloth. Their noses, cheeks, and hands were sometimes frozen in blisters, which were as white as paper; and blisters as large as walnuts rose on different parts of their skin. Their mouths became sore, and their teeth loose. Timber was aut down, according to the direction of the captain, VOYAGE OF CAPTAIN JAMES. 83 and the carpenter and crew worked hard at the pinnace, till nearly the end of March, when the carpenter became so weak and ill, that it was necessary, to lead him to his labor. Though they were in the midst of a wood, yet when their fuel began to fail, they had great difficulty in obtaining more. Al- most all the axes had been broken in felling timber for the pin- nace, and it was peculiarly requisite, that care should be taken of such cutting implements as remained, lest there would be none left for finishing it. And, in felling the timber now, the trees were so hard frozen, that it was first requisite to light large fires round such as were to be cut, in order to thaw the wood before the axes could make anv impression upon them. During all this season of distress, Captain James and his crew never omitted to perform their religious duties. They particular- ly solemnized Easter day, the twenty-sixth of April, 1632; and it was on this day, whilst they were sitting round their fire, that the captain proposed to attempt, on the first opening of the warm weather, to clear the ship of ice. '. This was considered by some of the crew impossible; because they believed her to be filled with one solid mass of ice. The attempt, however, was resolved upon; and the question was as to the implements with which it was to be made. These were brought into review, and were only two iron bars (one of which was broken), and. four broken shovels, apparently very ineffectual instruments for such a labor. The time passed miserably and slowly on, till the sixteenth of May, when they had a comfortable and sunny day. Some efforts were this day made to clear the decks of snow. From this period the vessel began to occupy much of the attention of the captain and his crew. The great cabin was found to be free both from ice and water, and a fire was lighted both to clear and dry it. One of the anchors, which was supposed to have been lost, they found under the ice, and recovered. The rudder, which had been torn off by the ice, they were not able to find. By the twenty-fourth of May, they had labored so hard in clearing the vessel, that they came to a cask, and could perceive that there was some wa- ter in the hold. They pierced the cask, and found it full of good beer; which was a cause of great joy to them. Their next object was to dig through the ice on the outside of the vessel, to the holes that had been cut for the purpose of sink- ing her. They succeeded in this operation; and, through the lowest of these, a considerable quantity of water flowed out. The holes were then prevented from admitting any more water, by having strong boards nailed on the outside. Five days afterwards the weather became much warmer than it had been. The water in the hold of the vessel tended to thaw the ice; and, by means of pumps, it was gradually cleared. Several butts of beer, one of cider, arid another of wine, were found perfectly sound and <$4 VOYAGE OF CAPTAIN JAMES. good; as well as many barrels of salt beef and pork. A consid- erable store of shoes and clothing was now also found. These, when dried, were peculiarly acceptable. But it was a subject of sincere rejoicing, that, on examination of the vessel, no defect could be perceived in her; and sanguine hopes began to be en- tertained that she might still prove capable of performing the re- mainder of the voyage. Not long after this, the rudder was discovered and got up from beneath the ice. The carpenter now died. He had r>een a man beloved by the whole crew, and, with the most exemplary patience, had endured a long illness, in the course of which, with great exertion, he had completed all the most difficult parts of the pinnace. Thus, al- though he was deeply lamented by his comrades, the loss of him was not so severely felt as it might otherwise have been. At this time nearly the whole of the crew were disabled, by illness, from working; nor did any of them recover until after the commence- ment of the warm weather. From the elevated parts of the land, the open water was first seen on the nineteenth of June. Four days afterwards the pro- visions and other articles that were ashore, were carried on board. Across was next erected: the king and queen's picture were tied to the top of it; and the island was named Charlton Island. The rigging of the ship was now set. On the thirteenth, the sea was clear of ice; and on the second of July, after the captain and his crew had all devoutly paid thanksgiving to the Almighty for their providential deliverance, they weighed anchor, and pro- ceeded on their voyage. Still, however, though in the open sea, they suffered great in- convenience from the beating of the floating ice against the ship. On the twenty-second of July, they again passed Cape Henrietta Maria. The ship had now become so leaky, that, for some time, it was found difficult to keep her clear of water by the pumps. After almost incredible exertions, they made their way northward, according to their estimate, as far as 69 deg. 35 minutes, when at length they came to an impenetrable mass of ice. It was the opinion of the whole crew, that in the present condition of the ship, the autumn now fast approaching, it would not only be imprudent, but wholly impracticable, to make any further attempt to discover the hoped for passage of the sea to the north-west. The captain, therefore, with a sorrowful heart, consented to relinquish his ob ject: and, on the twenty-sixth of August, determined on returning to England. In his passage homeward, the vessel encountered many difficulties from contrary winds and stormy weather; but, at length, safely arrived at the mouth of the Severn, on the twenty- second October, 1632. 85 THE PIRATE'S TREASURE. ATTER many months of anxious and painful expectancy, I at length succeeded in obtaining my appointment to the situation I had so ardently wished for. Despairing at my apparent want of success, I had given up all hopes, and had engaged to go servant in the Clydesdale to the East Indies, when the favorable result of my friend's exertions changed the aspect of mv affairs. My instructions set forth the necessity of my being at Surinam by a certain day, otherwise I should be too late to join the corps to which I was appointed, which, on the ceding up of the place to the Dutch, was to proceed to Canada. As it wanted only two months of that period, it became necessary to inquire for some vessel without loss of time. Giving up my engagement with the Clydes- dale, I proceeded to the harbor, and after a toilsome search, suc- ceeded in discovering a ship chartered by a Glasgow company lying ready at the west quay, and to sail with that evening's tide. While I stood examining the vessel from the pier, two sailors, who seemed to be roaming idly about, stopped, and began to converse by my side. "Has the old Dart got all her hands, Tom!" said the one, "that she has her ensign up for sailing? They say she is sold to the lubberly Dutchmen now what cheer to lend her a hand out, and get our sailing-penny for a glass of grog?" "No, no; bad cheer!" replied the other; "mayhap I didn't tell you that I made a trip in her four years ago; and a cleaner or livelier thing is not on the water! But there is a limb of the big devil in her that is enough to cause her to sink to the bottom. It was in our voyage out that he did for Bill Burnet with the pump sounding-rod, because the little fellow snivelled a bit, and was not handy to jump when he was ordered aloft to set the fore-royal. It was his first voyage, and the boy was mortal afraid to venture; but the Captain swore he would make him, and in his passion took him a rap with the iron-rod, and killed him. When he saw what he ha<4 done, he lifted, and hove him over the side; and many a long day the men wondered what had become of little Bill, for they were all below at dinner, and none but myself saw the transaction. It was need- less for me to complain, and get him overhauled, as there were jio witnesses; but I left the ship, and births would be scarce before I would sail with him again." Knowing what tyrants shipmasters are in general, and how much their passengers' comfort depends on them, I was somewhat startled by this piece of information respecting the temper of the man I proposed to sail with. But necessity has no law! The cir- cumstance probably was much misrepresented, and, from a simple 8 86 THE PIRATE'S TREASURE. act of discipline exaggerated lo an act of wanton cruelty. But be that as it might-^my affairs were urgent. There was no other vessel for the same port I must either take my passage, or run the risk of being superseded. The thing was not to be thought of; so I went and secured my birth. As my preparations were few and trifling, I had every thing arranged, and on board, just as the vessel was unmooring from the quay. During the night we got down to the Clock light-house, and stood off* and on, waiting for the Captain, who had remained behind to get the ship cleared out at the Custom house. Soon afterwards he joined us, and the pilot leaving us in the return-boat, we stood down the Forth under all our canvass. For four weeks -we had a quick and pleasant passage. The Dart did not belie her name; for, being American-built, and origi- nally a privateer, she sailed uncommonly fast, generally running at the rate of twelve knots an hour. As I had expected, Captain Mahone proved to be, in point of acquirements, not at all above the common run of shipmasters. He was haughty and overbearing, domineered over the crew with a high hand; in return for which, he was evidently feared and de- tested by them all. He had been many years in the West Indies; part of which time he had ranged as commander of a privateer, and had, bet ween the fervid suns of such high latitudes and the copious use of grog, become of a rich mahogany color, or something be- tween vermillion and the tint of a sheet of new copper. He was a middle-sized man; square built, with a powerful muscular frame. His aspect naturally harsh and forbidding, was rendered more so by the sinister expression of his left eye, which had been nearly forced out by some accident and the lineaments of his countenance expressed plainly that he was passionate and furious in the ex- treme. In consequence of this, I kept rather distant and aloof; and, except at meals, we seldom exchanged more than ordinary civilities. By our reckoning, our ship had now got into the latitude of the Bermudas, when one evening, at sun-set, the wind, which had hitherto been favorable, fell at once into a dead calm. The day had been clear and bright; but now, huge masses of dark and conical-shaped clouds began to tower over each other in the west- ern horizon, which, being tinged with the rays of the sun, dis- played that lurid and deep brassy tint so well known to mariners as the token of an approaching storm. All the sailors were of opinion that we should have a coarse night; and every precaution that good seamanship could suggest was taken to make the vessel snug before the gale came on. The oldest boys were sent up to hand and send down the royal and top-gallant sails, and strike the masts, while the top-sails and stays were close-reefed. These preparations were hardly accomplished, when the wind shifted, and took us a-back with such violence as nearly to capsize the 87 vessel. The ship was put round as soon as possible, and brought to till the gale should fall: while all hands remained on deck in case of any emergency. About ten, in the interval of a squall, we heard a gun fired as a signal of distress. The night was as black as pitch; but the flash showed us that the stranger was not far to leeward: so, to avoid drifting on the wreck during the darkness, the main-top-sail was braced round, and filled, and the ship haul- ed to windward. In this manner we kept alternately beating and heaving-to as the gale rose or fell till the morning broke, when, through the haze, we perceived a small vessel with her masts car- ried away. As tiie wind had taken off, the Captain had gone to bed: so it was the mate's watch on deck. The steersman, an old gray-headed seaman, named James Gemmel, proposed to bear down and save the people, saying he had been twice wrecked himself, and knew what it was to be in such a situation. As the Captain was below, the mate was irresolute what to do; being aware that the success of the speculation depended on their get- ting to Surinam before it was given up: however, he was at length persuaded the helm was put up, and the ship bore away. As we neared the wreck, and were standing by the mizzen shrouds with our glasses, the Captain came up from the cabin. He looked up with astonishment to the sails, and the direction of the vessel's head, and, in a voice of suppressed passion, said, as he turned to the mate, "What is the meaning of this. Mr. Wyllie? Who has dared to alter the ship's course without my leave when you know very well that we shall hardly be in time for the market, use what expedition we may?" The young man was confused by this unexpected challenge, and stammered out something about Gemmel having persuaded him. "It was me, sir!" respectfully interfered the old sailor, wishing to avert the storm from the mate; "I thought you wouldn't have the heart to leave the wreck and these people to perish, without lending a hand to save them. We should be neither Christians nor true seamen to desert her, and " "Damn you and the wreck, you old canting rascal! do you pretend to stand there and preach to me?" thundered the Captain, his fury breaking out, "I'll teach you to disobey my orders! I'll give you something to think of!" and seizing a capstan-spar which lay near him, he hurled it at the steersman with all his might. The blow was effectual one end of it struck him across the head with such force as to sweep him in an instant from his station at the wheel, and to dash him with violence against the lee-bulwarks, where he lay bleeding, and motionless. " Take that, and be damned!" exclaimed the wretch,- as he took the helm, and sang out to the men, "Stand by sheets, and braces hard a-lee let go!" In a twinkling the yards were braced round, and the Part, laid within six points of the wind, was flying through the water. Meanwhile Gemmel was lying without any one daring to assist 88 THE PIRATE'S TREASURE. him; for the crew were so confounded that they seemed quite un- determined how to act. I stepped to him, therefore, and the mate following my example, we lifted him up. As there was no ap- pearance of respiration, I placed my hand on his heart but pul- sation had entirely ceased the old man was dead. The bar had struck him directly on the temporal bone, and had completely frac- tured that part of the skull. "He is a murdered man, Captain Mahone!" said I, laying down the body, "murdered without cause or provocation." " IN one of your remarks, Sir!" he retorted; "what the devil have you to do with it? Do you mean to stir up my men to mutiny? Or do you call disobeying my orders no provocation? I'll answer it to those who have a right to ask; but till then, let me see the man who dare open his mouth to me in this ship." "I promise you," re- turned I, "that though you rule and tyrannise here at present, your power shall have a termination, and you shall be called to account for your conduct in this day's work rest assured that this blood shall be required at your hands, though you have hitherto escaped punishment for what has stained them already." This allusion to the murder of little Bill Burnet seemed to stagger him considera- bly he stopped short before me, and, while his face grew black with suppressed wrath and fury, whispered, "I warn you again, young man! to busy yourself with your own matters meddle not with what does not concern you; and belay your slack jaw, or, by ! Rink Mahone will find a way to make it fast for you!" He then turned round, and walked forward to the forecastle. During this affray no attention had been paid to the wreck, though the crew had set up a yell of despair on seeing us leave them. Signals and shouts were still repeated, and a voice, loud- er in agony than the rest, implored our help for the love of the blessed Virgin; and offered riches and absolution to the whole ship's company if they would but come back. The Captain was pacing fore and aft without appearing to mind them, when, as if struck with some sudden thought, he lifted his glass to his eye seemed to hesitate walked on and then, all at once changing his mind, he ordered the vessel again before the wind. On speaking the wreck, she proved to be a Spanish felucca from the island of Cuba, bound for Curacoa, on the coast of the Caraccas. As they had lost their boats in the storm, and could not leave their vessel, our Captain lowered and manned our jolly- boat, and went off to them. After an absence of some hours he returned with the passengers, consisting of an elderly person in the garb of a catholic priest, a sick gentleman, a young lady, apparently daughter of the latter, and a female black slave. With the utmost difficulty, and writhing under some excruciating pain, the invalid was got on board and carried down to the cabin, where he was laid on a bed on the floor. To the tender of my professional services the invalid returned his THE PIRATE'S TREASURE. 89 thanks, and would have declined them, expressing his conviction of being past human aid, but the young lady, eagerly catching at even a remote hope of success, implored him with tears to accept my offer. On examination I found his fears were but too well grounded. In his endeavors to assist the crew during the gale he had been standing near the mast, part of which, or the rigging, having fallen on him, had dislocated several of his ribs, and injur- ed his spine beyond remedy. All that could now be done was to afford a little temporary relief from pain, which I did; and leaving him to the care of the young lady and the priest, I left the cabin. On deck I found all bustle and confusion. The ship was still lying-to, and the boats employed in bringing the goods out of the felucca, both of which were the property of the wounded gentle- man. The body of the old man, Gemmel, had been removed some- where out of sight; no trace of blood was visible, and Captain Mahone seemed desirous to banish all recollections both of our quarrel and its origin. As the invalid was lying in the cabin, and my state-room was oc- cupied by the lady and her female attendant, I got a temporary birth in the steerage made up for myself for the night. I had not long thrown myself down on my cot, which was only di\ided from the main-cabin by a bulk-head, when I was awakened by the deep groans of the Spaniard. The violence of his pain had again re- turned, and between the spasms I heard the weeping and gentle voice of the lady soothing his agony, and trying to impart hopes and prospects to him, which her own hysterical sobs told plainly she did not herself feel. The priest also frequently joined, and urged him to confess. To this advice he remained silent for awhile; but at length he addressed the lady: "The Padre says true, Isabella! Time wears apace, and I feel that. I shall soon be be- yond its limits, and above its concerns! But ere I go, I would say that which it would impart peace to my mind to disclose I would seek to leave you at least one human being to befriend and protect you in your utter helplessness. Alas! that Diego di Mon- taldo's daughter should ever be thus destitute! Go! my love! I would be alone a little while with the father." An agony of tears and sobs was the only return made by the poor girl, while the priest with gentle violence led her into the state-room. "Now," continued the dying man, "listen tome while I have strength. You have only known me as a merchant in Cuba; but such I have not been always. Mine is an ancient and noble family in Catalonia; though I unhappily disgraced it, and have been estranged from it long. I had the misfortune to have weak and indulgent parents, who idolized me as the heir of their house, and did not possess resolution enough to thwart me in any of my wishes or desires, however unreasonable. My boyhood being thus spoiled, it is no matter of wonder that my youth should have 8* 90 THE PIRATE'S TREASURE. proved wild and dissolute. My companions were as dissipated as myself, and much of our time was spent in gambling and other extravagances. One evening at play, I quarrelled with a young nobleman of high rank and influence; we were both of us hot and passionate, so. we drew on the spot and fought, and I had the misfortune to run him through the heart and leave him dead. Not daring to remain longer at home, I fled in disguise to Barcelona, where I procured a passage in a vessel for the Spanish Main. On our voyage we were taken by buccaneers; and, the roving and venturous mode of life of these bold and daring men suiting both my inclination and finances, I agreed to make one of their number. For many months we were successful in our enterprises: we ranged the whole of these seas, and made a number of prizes, some of which were rich ships of our own colonies. In course of time we amassed such a quantity of specie as to make us un- willing to venture it in one bottom; so we agreed to -hide it ashore and divide it on our return from our next expedition. But our good fortune forsook us this time. Daring a calm the boats of the Guarda-costa came on us, overpowered the ship, and made all the crew, except myself and two others, prisoners. We es- caped with our boat, and succeeded in gaining the island of Cuba, where both of my comrades died of their wounds. Subsequent events induced me to settle at St. Juan de Buenavista, where I married, and, as a merchant, prospered and became a rich man. But my happiness lasted not! My wife caught the yellow fever and died, leaving me only this one child. I now loathed the scene of my departed happiness, and felt all the longings of an exile to revisit my native country. For this purpose I converted all my effects into money; and am thus far on my way to the hidden treasure, with which I intended to return to Spain. But the green hills of Catalonia will never more gladden mine eyes! My hopes and wishes were only for my poor girl. Holy father! you know not a parent's feelings its anxieties and its fears! The thoughts of leaving my child to the mercy of strangers; or, it may be, to their barbarities, in this lawless country, is far more dread- ful than the anguish of my personal sufferings. With you rests my only hope. Promise me your protection towards her, and the half of all my wealthjs yours." ''Earthly treasures," replied the priest, "avail not with one whose desires are fixed beyond the little handful of dust which perisheth my life is devoted to the service of my Creator; and the conversion of ignorant men, men who have never heard of his salvation. On an errand of mercy came I to this land; and if the heathen receive it, how much more a daughter of our most holy church? I, therefore, in behalf of our community, accept of your offer, and swear on this blessed emblem to fulfil all your wishes to the best of my poor abilities." "Enough, enough f" said Montaldo, "I am satisfied! Among that THE PIRATE'S TREASURE. 91 archipelago of desert islands, known by the name of the Roccas, situated on the coast of the province of Venezuela, in New Gra- nadu, there is one called the Wolf-rock: it is the longest and most northern of the group, and lies the most to seaward. At the eastern point, which runs a little way into the sea, there stands an old vanilla, blasted and withered, and retaining but a single solitary branch. On the eve of the festival of St. Jago the moon will be at her full in the west. At twenty minutes past midnight she will attain to her highest latitude in the heavens, and then the shadow of the tree will be thrown due east. Watch till the branch and stem unite and form only one line of shade mark its extrem- ity for there, ten feet below the surface, the cask containing the gold is buried. That gold, father, was sinfully got; but fasts and penances have been done, masses without number have been said, find 1 trust that the blessed Virgin has interceded for the forgive- n oss of that great wickedness! I have now confessed all, and confide in your promise; and as you perform your. oath, so will the blessing or curse of a dying man abiderwith you. I feel faint, dving. Oh! let me clasp my child once more to my heart before I " Here the rest of the sentence became indistinct from the death- rattle in his throat. I leaped off my cot, and sprang up the hatch- way, and had my foot on the top of the companion-ladder, when a piercing shriek from below making me quicken my steps, I missed my hold, and fell on some person stationed on the outside of the cabin door. The person, without uttering a single word, rose and ascended the steps; but as he emerged into the faint light which still lingered in the horizon, I fancied that I could distin- guish him to be the Captain. On my entering, I found the Span- iard dead, and his daughter lying in a state of insensibility by his side; while the female slave was howling and tearing her hair like one in a frenzy. The priest was entirely absorbed in his de- votions; so, without disturbing him, I lifted the lady and bore her into the state-room. The greater part of the night was passed in trying to restore her to sensation. Fit after fit followed each other in such quick succession that I began to apprehend the re- sult; but at length the hysterical paroxysm subsided, and tears coming to her relief, she became somewhat composed, when I left her in charire of her attendant. The next day was spent in taking out the remainder of the felucca's cargo. There seemed now no anxiety on the captain's part to proceed on his voyage he appeared to have forgot the necessity, expressed on a former occasion, of being in port within a limited time. He was often in a state of inebriety ; for the wine and spirits of the Spaniards were lavishly served out to the whole ship's company, with whom he also mixed more; and banished that haughtiness of bearing which had marked his conduct hith- erto. 92 THE PIRATE'S TREASURE. In the evening the body of Don Diego was brought upon deck, where his crew, under the superintendence of the priest, prepared it for its commitment to the deep. The corpse was, as is usual in such cases, wrapped up in the blankets and sheets in which it had lain, and a white napkin was tied over the face and head. In its right hand, which was crossed over the breast, was placed a gold doubloon. Its left ,held a small bag containing a book, a hammer, and a candle, while on the bosom was laid the little crucitix worn by the deceased. It was next enveloped in a ham- mock, with a couple of eight-pound shots, and a bag of ballast at the feet to sink it. At midnight the vessel was hove-to, and all the ship's company assembled at the lee-gangway. The Span- iards and negroes bore each a burning torch in his hand ; the blaze of which, as they held them elevated above their heads, cast a strange and fearful light through the deep darkness, and illum- ined the ^>cean far and wide with a supernatural refulgency. When all was ready, the priest, accompanied by Isabella, came up from the cabin, and the Spaniards lifting up the body, carried it forward to the waist, where one of the ship's gratings had been put projecting over the side, and on this the corpse was laid, and its leet to the water. Around this the torch-bearers formed a circle, and the priest, standing at the head, began the funeral service for the dead at sea. The wind had now subsided into a gentle breeze; and nothing disturbed the profound silence of the 1 crew during mass, save the slight splashing of the waves against the windward side of the ship, and the deep drawn, con- vulsive sobs of the young lady as she stood, envelopd in the mantillo, in the obscurity of the main-rigging. Mass being con- cluded, the priest solemnly chanted the funeral anthem: "May the angels conduct thee into Paradise; may the martyrs receive thee at thy coming; and mayest thou have eternal rest with Laz- arus, who was formerly poor!" He then sprinkled the body with holy water and continued: "As it hath pleased God to take the soul of our dear brother here departed unto himself, we therefore, commit his body to the deep, in the sure and certain hope of a joyful resurrection on that day when the sea shall give up its dead. Let him rest in peace!" The Spaniards responded " Amen!" and the priest repeating, "May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace Amen!" made the sign of the cross; and the bow-chaser, which had been loaded and made ready for the occasion, firing, the end of the grating was gently elevated, and the corpse heavily plunged into the water. The waves parted, heaving and foaming round the body as it disappeared, when to our horror and aston- ishment we beheld it, the next minute, slowly return to the surface, deprived of the canvass covering in which it had been sewed. The dead man came up as he had gone down, in an upright posi- tion, and floated a little time with his back to the vessel; but the THE PIRATE'S TREASURE. 93 motion of the water turned him round by degrees till we distinctly saw his face. The head was thrown hack, and the eyes wide open; and under the strong stream of light poured on them from the torches, they seemed to glare ghastly and fearfully upwards. His grav hairs, long and dishevelled, floated ahout his face, at times partially obscuring it; and one arm, stretched forth, and agitated by the action of the waves, appeared as if in the act of threatening us. When the first burst of horror had subsided, I caught hold of Isabella to prevent her seeing the body, and was leading her off, when some of the men, lowering their torches from the main-chains, whispered that it was the murdered man, old James Gemmel. The Captain had bgen hitherto looking on with the rest without having apparently recognised him; but when the name struck his ear, he shrunk back and involuntarily ex- claimed, "it's a lie it's an infamous lie! Who dares to say he was murdered? He went overboard two days ago? But don't let him come on board: for God's sake keep him down, or he'll take us all with him to the bottom. Will nobody keep him down? Will nobody shove him off? Helm a-lee !" he bawled out, waving to the steersman; but the man had deserted his post, eager to see what was going on; he, therefore, ran to the wheel himself, nd again issued his commands, " Let go the main top-sail weath- er braces, and bring round the yard! Let them go, I say!" His orders were speedily executed. The vessel gathered way, and we quickly shot past the body of the old man. For several days after this, we pursued our course with a fa- vorable wind, which drove us swiftly forward on our voyage. The Captain now kept himself constantly intoxicated, seldom made his appearance in the cabin, but left us altogether to the care of the steward. All subordination was now at an end his whole time was spent among the seamen, with whom he mixed familiarly, and was addressed by them without the slightest portion of that respect or deference commonly paid to the Captain of the vessel. The appearance of the men, also, was much altered. From the careless mirth and gaiety and the characteristic good humor of sailors, there was now a sullenness and gloom only vis- ible. A constant whispering a constant caballing was going on a perpetual discussion, as if some design of moment was in agitation, or some step of deep importance was about to be taken. All sociality and confidence towards each other were banished In place of conversing together in a body, as formerly, they now walked about in detached parties, and among them the boatswain and carpenter seemed to take an active lead. Yet, in the midst of all this disorder, a few of our own crew kept themselves sepa- rate, taking no share in the general consultation; but from the anxiety expressed in their countenances, as well as in that of the mate, I foresaw some storm was brooding, and about to burst on our heads. 94 THE PIRATE'S TREASURE. Since Montaldo's death, Isabella had been in the habit of leav- ing her cabin after sun-set, to enjoy the coolness of the evening breeze; and in this she was sometimes joined by the priest, but more frequently was only attended by her slave. One evening she came up as usual, and after walking back and forward on deck till the dews began to fall, she turned to go below: but ju.st as we approached the companion-way, one of the negroes, who now, in the absence of all discipline, lounged about the quarter- deck without rebuke, shut down the head, and throwing himself on it, declared that none should make him rise without the reward of a kiss. This piece of insolence was received with an encour- aging laugh by his fellows, and several slang expressions of wit were uttered, which were loudly applauded by those around. Without a word of remonstrance, Isabella timidly stooped, and would have attempted getting down the ladder without disturbing the slave; w r hen, burning with indignation, I siezed the rascal by the collar, and pitched him head foremast along the deck. In an instant he got on his legs, and pulling a long clasp-knife out of his pocket, with a loud imprecation he made towards me. All the other negroes likewise made a motion to assist him, and I expected to be assailed on all hands, when the mate interfered, and laying hold of the marlin-spike, which I had caught up to defend myself, pushed me back, as he whispered, "Are you mad, that you interfere? For heaven's sake, keep quiet, for I have no authority over the crew now!" And he spoke the truth; for the negro, brandishing his knife, and supported by his comrades, was again advancing, when the hoarse voice of the boatswain, as he ran to the scene of action, arrested his progress. " Hallo! you there, what's the squall for? Avast, avast, Mingo! off hands is fair play ship that blade of yours, or I'll send rny fist through your ribs, and make day-light shine through them in a minute." I related the behavior of the .negro, and was request- ing him to order the slaves forward, when I was cut shorCwith " There are no slaves here, young man! we are all alike free in a British ship. But damn his eyes for an insolent son of a ; he pretend to kiss the pretty girl! I'll let him know she belongs to his betters! The black wench is good enough for him any day. Come, my dear!" he continued, turning to Isabella, "give me the same hire, and I'll undertake to clear the way for you myself." He made as if' he meant to approach her, when, careless of what the consequences might be to myself, 1 hastily stepped forward, and lifting tip the head of the companion, Isabella in an instant darted below. " This lady is no fit subject either for wit or inso- lence, "said I, shutting the doors, "and he is less than man who would insult an unprotected female." For a little while he stood eyeing me as if hesitating whether he would resent my interfer- ence, or remain passive; at length he turned slowly and dogged ly away as he uttered " you rufile big, and crow with a brisk note, THE PIRATE'S TREASURE. 95 my lad! But I've seen me do as wonderful a thing as twist your windpipe and send you over the side to cool yourself a bit; and so J would serve you in the turning of a wave, if it wasn't that we may have use for you yet! I see in what quarter the wind sets; !>;; mind your eye! for sink me if I dont keep a sharp look out ahead over you." 1 now saw that things had come to a crisis that the crew meant to turn pirates; and I was to be detained among them for the sake of my professional services. I could not, without a shud- der, reflect on what must be the fate of Isabella among such a gang of reckless villains: but I firmly resolved that, come what might, luy protection and care over her should cease but with my life. To be prepared for the worst, I immediately went below, load- ed my pistols, and concealed them in my breast, securing at the same time all my money and papers about my person. While thus employed, one of the cabin-boys came down for a spy-glass, saying that a sail had hove in sight to windward. Upon this I fol- lowed him up, and found the crew collected together in clamor- ous consultation as to the course they should follow. Some were for king to till she came down, and taking her, if a merchantman; and if not, they could easily sheer off but this motion was over- ruled by the majority, who judged it best to keep clear for fear of accidents: accordingly all the spare canvas was set, and we were soon gaining large before the wind. But the Dart, though reckon- ed the first sailor out of Clyde when close hauled on a wind, was by no means so fleet when squared away and going free: she had now met with her match, for the stranger was evidently gaining rapidly on us, and in two hours we saw it was impossible for us to escape. The priest and I were ordered down with a threat of instant death if we offered to come on deck, or make any attempt to attract observation. I now communicated to Isabella my apprehensions with respect to the crew, along with my resolution to leave the vessel if the other proved a man-of-war, and earnestly advised both her and the priest to take advantage of it also. She thanked me with a look and smile that told me how sensible she was of the interest I felt in her welfare, and expressed her willingness to be guided by me whatever way I thought best. Shortly after this we heard a gun fired to bring us to, and the Dart hailed and questioned as to her port and destination. The answers, it.appeared, were thought evasive and unsatisfactory, for we were ordered to come close under the lee-quarter of his Ma- jesty's sloop of war Tartar, while they sent to examine our papers. This was now our only chance, and I resolved, that if the officer should not come below, I would force the companion-door and claim his protection. But I was not put to this alternative. As soon as he arrived, I heard him desire the hatches to be taken off, and order his men to examine the hold. The inspection did not 96 THE PIRATE'S TREASURE. satisfy him; for he hailed the sloop, and reported that there w^re Spanish goods on board which did not appear in the manifest: - " Then remain on board, and keep your stern lights burning all night, and take charge of the ship!" was the reply. In a state of irksome suspense we remained nearly two hours, expecting every minute to hear the officer descending. At length, to our relief, the companion-doors were unlocked, and a young man, attended by otir captain, entered th<* cabin. He looked surprised on seeing us, and bowing to Isabella, apologized for intruding at such an unseasonable hour. " But I was not given to understand," he ad- ded, "that there were passengers in the ship prisoners I should rather pronounce it, Mr Mahone, for you seem to have had them under lock and key, which is rather an unusual mode of treating ladies at least. No wine, sir!" he continued, motioning away the bottles which the Captain was hastily placing on the table" no wine, but be pleased to show me your register and bill of lading." He had nt>t been long seated to inspect them when a shuffling and hurried sound of feet was heard overhead, arid a voice calling on Mr. Duff for assistance, showed that some scuffle had taken place above. Instantaneously we all started to our feet, and the lieutenant was in the act of drawing his sword, when, accidentally looking round, I observed Mahone presenting a pistol behind. With a cry of warning, I threw myself forward, and had just time to strike the weapon slightly aside, when it went off. The ball narrowly missed the head of Duff, for whom it had been aimed, but struck the priest immediately over the right eye, who, making one desperate and convulsive leap as high as the ceiling, sunk down dead, and before the Captain could pull out another, I discharged the contents of mine into his breast. We then rushed upon deck; but it was only to find the boat's crew had been mas- tered, and to behold the last of the men tumbled overboard. The pirates then dispersed, and exerted themselves to get the ship speedily under-way; w^ile the boatswain sang out to extinguish the lanterns, that the Tartar might not be guided by the lights. "It's all over with us!" exclaimed my companion; "but follow me we have one chance for our lives yet. Our boat is still tow- ing astern; do you throw yourself over, and swim till I slide down the painter, and cut her adrift. Come, bear a hand, and jump! don't you see them hastening aft?" And in an instant he pitched himself off the taffrel, slid down the rope which held the boat, and cast her loose. But this advice however judicious, it was impos- sible for me to follow for, at the moment, repeated shrieks from Isabella put to flight all thoughts for my own individual safety; I, therefore, hurried back to the cabin, determined, that if I could not rescue her along with myself, to remain, and protect her with my life. And in a happy time I arrived! The candles were still burning on the table; and through the smoke of the pistols, which still filled the cabin, I beheld her struggling in the arms of THE PIRATE'S TREASURE. 97 a negro the identical slave who had displayed such insolence in the early part of the evening. With one stroke of the butend of mv pistol I fractured the cursed villain's scull caught up Isabella in mv arms ran up the ladder, and had nearly gained the side, when the boatswain, attracted bv her white garments, left the helm to intercept me and I saw the gleam of his uplifted cutlass on the point of descending t when he was suddenly struck down by some person from behind. I did not stop to discover who had done me this good office, but hailing Duff, and clasping Isabella firmly to my heart, I plunged into the water, followed by my un- known ally. With the aid of my companion, whom I now found to be John Wyllie, the mate, we easily managed to support our charge till the boat reached us; when we found that the greater part of the men had been rescued in a similar manner. When the morning dawned, we perceived the Dart, like a speck in the horizon, and the sloop of war in close chase. Our atten- tion was next turned to our own situation, which wasby no means enviable: we had escaped, it is true, with our lives, for the present; but without a morsel of food, or a single drop of fresh water, with us in the boat; we could, at best, only expect to protract existence for a few days longer, and then yield it up ultimately in horror and misery. By an observation taken the day before, on board of the Tartar, Mr. Duff informed us we were to the north-east of the Bahamas; and distant about one hundred and seventy miles from Walling's Island, which was the nearest land. This was a long distance; but, as despair never enters the breast of a British sailor, even in situations of the utmost extremity, we cheered up each other; and, as no other resource was left us, we manned our oars, and pulled away with life, trusting in the chance of meeting with some vessel, of which there was a strong probability, as this was the common course of the leeward traders. And our hopes were not disappointed! for next day we fortunately fell in with a brig from the Azores, bound for Porto Rico, on board of which we were received with much kindness; and, in five days, we found ourselves safe moored in Porto-real harbor. My first step on landing was to inquire for a boarding-house for Isabella, and I had the good luck to be directed to one kept by a respectable Scotch family, in Orange Terrace, and to this I con- ducted her. My next transaction was to charter a small cutter; and to communicate to Duff the secret of the hidden treasure; at the same time asking him to-adventure himself and his men on its recovery. I also gave him to understand the probability of a renconter with the pirates, in the event of their having escaped the sloop, for I was aware that Mahone had overheard the whole confession, from my finding him listening at the cabin door. Without hesitation, the lieutenant at once agreed to accompany me, and engaging some hands out of a vessel newly arrived, we soon mustered a party of fourteen men. As it wanted only six 9 98 THE PIRATE'S TREASURE. days of the festival of St. Jago, and the distance across the Carib- bean sea was great enough to require all our exertions to be there in time, we embarked and sailed that very night. Our cutter proved a prime sailer and though the winds were light and variable, by the help of our sweeps we made the Roccas on the evening of the sixth day. As the Spaniard had foretold, the moon was climbing the western sky, and pouring the fulness of her splendor with a mild and beautiful effulgence on the un- troubled deep, as we slowly drifted with the current between the Wolf-rock and the adjacent isle. All was silent and calm over the whole desert of the Archipelago and the vast surrounding waters, save now and then the sudden flight of a sea-fowl awakening from its slumbers as we passed; or the occasional roar of the jaguar faintly wafted from the main land. We ran the cutter into a deep and narrow creek; moored her safe, and proceeded, well armed, to the eastern extremity. There we found the projecting point of land- and the old vanilla tree exactly in the situation des- cribed its huge, twisted trunk was still entire; and from the end of its solitary branch, which was graced by a few scattered leaves, the body of a man in the garb of a sailor hung suspended in irons. The clothes had preserved the body from the birds of prey, but the head was picked clean and bare, leaving the eyeless and bleached skull to glitter white in the moonlight. In perfect silence, and with something of awe in our spirits impressed by the solitude, and dreariness of the scene, we seated ourselves on the rocks, and, with my timepiece in my hand, I began to mark the progress of the shadow. For nearly three hours we watched in this manner, listening attentively for the slightest sound from sea-ward; but every thing continued hushed and still, except the creaking of the chain as the dead man swang to and fro in the breeze. Midnight was now drawing near the rnoon, radiant and full, was careering high through the deep blue of heaven, and the shadows of the branch and stem were approaching each other, and towards the desired point. At length the hand of my timepiece pointed to within one minute of the time. It passed over. The branch and stem now merged into one, and threw their shadow due east; arid the first spade-full of earth had been thrown out, when the man who had been stationed to keep a look out came running to inform us that a- boat was rapidly approaching from the east. We im- mediately concluded that they must be a part of the Dart's crew; and their long and vigorous strokes, as they stretched out to the full extent of their oars, showed that they knew the importance of ( -very minute that elapsed. Our implements for digging were hastily laid aside, and we concealed ourselves among the rocks till they should come within reach. In a short time the boat was seen ashore, and eight armed men came forward, partly Spaniards and partly the ship's crew; among whom I recognised the boat- swain, and, to my surprise, Mahone, whom I had shot and left for 99 dead in the cabin. Without giving them time to prepare for the assault, we quitted our shelter, and sprung among them at once, laying about with our cutlasses. For a little space the skirmish was toughly and hotly contested ; for the pirates were resolute and reckless, and fought with the desperation of men who knew that the only chance for their lives lav in their own exertions. In the confusion of the fray I had lost sight of Duff, and was closely engaged with one of the Span- iards, when the voice of the boatswain shouting forth a horrible imprecation sounded immediately behind me. I turned round, and sprung aside from the sweep of his cutlass, and, as my pistols were both empty, retreated, acting on the defensive; when he pulled out his, fired, and hurled the weapon at my head. The shot passed without injuring me but the pistol, aimed with better ef-* feet, struck me full in the forehead. A thousand sparks of light flashed from my eyes I felt myself reeling, and on the point of falling, when a cut across the shoulder stretched me at once on the ground. When I recovered from my stupor, and opened my eyes, the morning was far advanced the sun was shining bright over head; and I found myself at sea, lying on the deck of the cutter; and Duff busily engaged in examining my wounds. From him I learned that the pirates had been mastered after a severe conflict in which four had been slain, and left on the island; two had escaped unobserved during the fight, and made off with their boat; and two had been wounded, and were prisoners on board, one of whom was Mahone. On our arrival at Porto Rico, we delivered them over to the civil power; and, soon afterwards, Mahone was 100 MISSIONARIES IN GREENLAND. tried for the murder of the priest, when he was convicted on our evidence, condemned, and executed. Under good nursing, and care, I gradually recovered. Isabella is not now that destitute and unprotected orphan whom I first saw on the middle of the western ocean but the happy mistress of a happy home, diffusing life and gladness on all around her. My friend Duff has lately been placed on the list of post captains, and is anxiously waiting for more bustling times, when there will be more knocking about, and more hard blows got, than what our present peace establishment admits of. John Wyllie, too, has had advancement in his line, being now master of one of the finest ships from Clyde; and I had the additional satisfaction of knowing that none of the crew had reason to regret their having jeopardized their lives in fighting for the "Pirate's Treasure." MISSIONARIES IN GREENLAND. The hardships encountered by the early missionaries in Green- land were many and severe. The missionary Rudolph, in attempt- ing to return to Europe after devoting twenty-six years of his life to the cause of God in Greenland, experienced a very remarkable and merciful deliverance. On the 18th of June, he quitted Lich- tenau, in company with his wife, and in the evening embarked on a vessel which was lying off the Danish factory of Julianenhaab. The bay being nearly blocked up by drift-ice, they were detained here for several weeks; but, some Greenlanders having stated that the sea was open at a short distance, the captain weighed anchor on the 22d of August, though the wind was contrary, and vast bodies of ice were still within sight. For some time they advanced with a roaring noise and a most uneasy motion, through immense fields of ice; but, on the 25th, a storm arose from the south-west, which drove the mountains of ice close upon the ship, and appeared to menace immediate destruction. The scene was now truly tre- mendous, and it appeared that the vessel, with her sails closely reefed, and driving before the wind must inevitably be dashed to atoms. At one time she struck upon a small rock; but was got off without receiving any particular damage; but soon afterwards, she struck with such violence against an immense field of ice, that several planks started at once, the water rushed in, and the vessel filled so rapidly that the captain and the sailors had scarcely es- caped with their boats to an adjacent field of ice, when nothing more appeared above the surface of the water than the larboard gunwale. Our missionary and his wife were the last who were MISSIONARIES IN , taken from the wreck; and, just before they quitted it, they were above their knees in water, and clinging firmly to the shrouds. The mariners were now anxious to make toward the shore, which was only about a league distant; but the large boat was so heavily laden, and the wind was so high, that it was deemed more advisable to steer for the nearest island they could reach. This proved to be a rough pointed rock, and destitute of vegetation, except one small plot at a considerable height which was covered with short grass. Here they attempted to land the provisions which had been saved from the wreck; but the waves beat with such fury against the rock, that the boats, with eight of the sailors on board, were driven to the opposite shore and appeared to be crushed in pieces. "All our hopes of being saved," says Mr. Rudolph, " now van- ished; and the whole company gave vent to their feelings in loud and general cries and lamentations. In the evening we lay down to rest, close to eacji other, without either tent or covering, and, as it continued to rain heavily during the whole of the night, the water rushed down upon us in torrents from the summit of the rock, and \ve were completely soaked in wet, lying as it were, in the midst of a pool." On the 27th the captain and most of the sailors determined to attempt to reach the shore, by walking across the ice; though, as it was frequently necessary to leap from one mass to another, and a-fall into any of the intermediate chasms would have been instant- ly fatal, this undertaking was extremely dangerous. Rudolph and the partner of his affections would willingly have joined them, but they were too much weakened by fatigue and want of food to allow of such an exertion. They were, therefore, compelled to remain, together with the ship's cook, who was in the same enfeebled sit- uation. The crew, however, promised that if they succeeded in reaching the shore, a boat should be sent to rescue them from their painful and perilous situation. Time now passed heavily indeed, with our missionary and his companions, who, when the sun shone, employed themselves in drving the few articles which they had been enabled to save from the wreck; but they were, at last, so enfeebled by cold and hun- ger, that even this little exertion proved too much for their ex- hausted strength. Day after day they looked with inexpressible anxiety towards the land, with the hope of discovering some Green- lander hastening to their relief. On the 2d of September, as they were lying down to sleep, the wife of Rudolph happened to raise herself, and discovered some Greenlanders, who had been rowing about in their kajaks the whole of the dav without seeing any persons on the rock, and who were now proposing to return. From them the sufferers obtained a few herrings, but were obliged to remain on the rock another niirht, as the Greenlanders had no boat for their accommodation. The following evening however, they were safely conveyed to the 9* PGLPHINS AND PLYING FISH colony of Julianenhaaf, where they learned that the whole ship's company, with the exception of one man, had been providentially preserved; and on the llth they proceeded to the settlement at Lichtenau, where their miraculous deliverance afforded inexpres- sible pleasure to their fellow laborers and to the whole congrega- tion. Here they passed the winter; and in the course of the following year they removed to Lichtenfels, whence they sailed in one of the Danish vessels, to Copenhagen. DOLPHINS AND FLYING FISH. Perhaps there is not any more characteristic evidence of our being within the tropical regions, one, I mean, which strikes the imagination more forcibly, than the company of those pictur- esque little animals, the flying-fish. It is true, that a stray one or two may sometimes be seen far north, making a few short skips out of the water; and I even remember seeing several close to the edge of the banks of Newfoundland, in latitude 45. These, however, had been swept out of their natural position by the huge gulf-stream, an ocean in itself, which retains much of its tempera- ture far into the northern regions, and possibly helps to modify the climate over the Atlantic. But it is not until the voyager has fairly reached the heart of the torrid zone that he sees the flying- fish in perfection. No familiarity with the sight can ever render us indifferent to the graceful flight of these most interesting of all the finny, or r rather, winged tribe. On the contrary, like a bright day, or a smiling countenance, or good company of any kind, the more we see of them, the more we learn to value their presence. I have, indeed, hardly ever observed a person so dull, or unimag- inative, that his eye did not glisten as he watched a shoal, or, it may well be called, a covey of flying-fish rise from the sea, and skim along for several hundred yards. There is something in it so very peculiar, so totally dissimilar to every thing else in other parts of the world, that our wonder goes on increasing every time we see even a single one take its flight. The incredulity, indeed, of the old Scotch wife on this head is sufficiently excusable. "You may hae^ seen rivers o' milk, and mountains o' sugar," said she to her son, returned from a voyage; " but you'll ne'er gar me believe you hae seen a fish that could flee!" We were once stealing along under the genial influence of a light breeze, which was as yet confined to the upper sails, and every one was looking open-mouthed to the eastward to catch a gulp of cool air, when about a dozen flying-fish rose out of the DOLPHINS AND FLYING FISH. 103 water, just under the fore-chains, and skimmed away to windward at the height of ten or twelve feet above the surface. A large dolphin, which had been keeping company with us abreast of the weather gangway, at the depth of two or three fath- oms, and, as usual, glistening most beautifully in the sun, no sooner detected them take wing, than he turned his head towards them, and, darting to the surface, leaped from the water with a velocity little short, as it seemed, of a cannon ball. But although the impetus with which he shot himself into the air gave him an initial velocity greatly exceeding that of the flying-fish, the start which his fated prey had got, enabled them to keep ahead of him for a considerable time. The length of the dolphin's first spring could not be less than ten yards; and after he fell, we could see him gliding like lightning through the water for a moment, when he again rose and shot forwards with considerably greater velocity than at first, and, of course, to a still greater distance. In this manner the merciless pursuer seemed to stride along the sea with fearful rapidity, while his brilliant coat sparkled and flashed in the sun quite splendidly. As he fell headlong on the water at the end of each huge leap, a series of circles were sent far over the still surface, which lay as smooth as a mirror; for the breeze, although enough to set the royals and top-gallant studding sails asleep, was hardly as yet felt below. The group of wretched flying-fish, thus hotly pursued, at length dropped into the sea; but we were rejoiced to observe that they merely touched the top of the swell, and scarcely sunk in it, at least they instantly set off again in a fresh and even more vigorous flight. It was particularly interest- ing to observe that the direction they now took was quite different from the one in which they had set out, implying but too obviously that they had detected their fierce enemy, who was following them with giant steps along the waves, and now gaining rapidly upon them. His terrific pace, indeed, was two or three times as swift as theirs poor little tilings! and whenever they varied their flight in the smallest degree, he lost not the tenth part of a second in shaping a new course, so as to cut off the chase, while they, in a manner really not unlike that of the hare, doubled more than once upon their pursuer. But it was soon too plainly to be seen that their strength and confidence were fast ebbing. Their flights became shorter and shorter, and their course more fluttering and uncertain, while the enormous leaps of the dolphin appeared to grow only more vigorous at each bound. Eventually, indeed, we could see, or fancied we could see, that this skilful sea-sportsman arranged all his springs with such an assurance of success, that he contrived to fall, at the end of each, just under the very spot on which the exhausted flying-fish were about to drop! Sometimes this catastrophe took place at too great a distance for us to see from the deck exactly what happened; but on our mounting high into the rigging, we may be said to have been in at the death; for 104 THE DYING DOLPHIN. then we could discover that the unfortunate little creatures, one after another, either popped right into the dolphin's jaws as they lighted on the water, or were snapped up instantly afterwards. It was impossible not to take an active part with our pretty little friends of the weaker side, and accordingly we very speedily had our revenge. The middies and the sailors, delighted with. the chance, rigged out a dozen or twenty lines from the jib-boom-end and spritsail yard-arms, with hooks baited merely with bits of tin, the glitter of which resembled so much that of the body and wings of the flying fish, that many a proud dolphin, making sure of a delicious morsel, leaped in rapture at the deceitful prize, and in his turn became the prey of a successful enemy. THE DYING DOLPHIN. The truth and beauty of the following description of a dying Dolphin, by Falconer, will be attested by those of our readers who may have witnessed a similar scene. And now, approaching near the lofty stern, A shoal of sportive dolphins they discern. From burnish'd scales they beam refulgent rays, Till all the glowing ocean seems to blaze. Soon to the sport of death the crew repair, Dart the long lance, or spread the baited snare. One, in redoubling mazes, wheels along, And glides, unhappy! near the triple prong. RODMOND unerring o'er his head suspends The barbed steel, and every turn attends. Unerring aim'd, the missile weapon flew, And, plunging, struck the fated victim through : Th' upturning points his ponderous bulk sustain; On deck he struggles with convulsive pain But while his heart the fatal javelin thrills, And flitting life escapes in sanguine rills, What radiant changes strike th' astonish 'd sight What glowing hues of mingled shade and light ! Not equal beauties gild the lucid west, With parting beams all o'er profusely drest. Not lovelier colors paint the vernal dawn, When orient dews impearl th' enamel'd lawn, Than from his sides in bright suffusion flow, That now with gold imperial seem to glow : Now in pellucid sapphires meet the view, And emulate the soft celestial hue : Now beam a flaming crimson on the eye ; And now assume the purple's deeper dye. But here description clouds each shining ray. What terms of art can nature's powers display ? FAMINE ON BOARD THE LE JACQUES. 105 HENRY HUDSON. The distinguished English naval discoverer, Henry Hudson sailed from London in the year 1607, in a small vessel, for the purpose of discovering a north-east passage to China and Japan, Avith a crew of only ten men and a boy besides himself, and, pro- ceeding beyond the 80th degree of latitude, returned to England in September. In a second voyage, the next year, he landed at Nova Zembla, but could proceed no farther eastward. In 1609, he undertook a third voyage, under the patronage of the Dutch East India Company. Being unsuccessful in his attempt to find a north-east passage, he sailed for Davis's straits, but struck the continent of America in 44 N. lat., and holding a southerly course, discovered the mouth of the river Hudson, which he as- cended about fifty leagues in a boat. His last voyage was un- dertaken in 1610. He sailed, April 17th, in a bark named the Discovery, with a crew of twenty-three men, and came within sight of Greenland, June 4th. Proceeding westward he reached, in latitude 60, the strait ^bearing his name. Through this he advanced along the coast of Labrador, to which he gave the name of Nova Brittannia, until it issued into the vast bay, which is also called after him. He resolved to winter in the most southern part of it, and the crew drew up the ship in a small creek, and endeavored to sustain the severity of that dismal climate, in which attempt they endured severe privations. Hudson, however, fitted up his shallop for farther discoveries; but, not being able to es- tablish any communication with the natives, or to revictual his ship, with tears in his eyes he distributed his little remaining bread to his men, and prepared to return. Having a dissatisfied and mutinous crew, he imprudently uttered some threats of setting some of them on shore; upon which a body of them entered his cabin at night, tied his arms behind him, and put him in his own shallop, at the west end of the straits, with his son, John Hudson, and seven of the most infirm of the crew. They were then turned adrift, and were never more heard of. A small part of the crew, after enduring incredible hardships, arrived at Plymouth, in September, 1611. FAMINE ON BOARD THE FRENCH SHIP LE JACQUES. Of all the disasters to which mariners are subject, the want of provisions is doubtless one of the most dreadful. In the history 106 FAMINE ON BOARD THE LE JACQUES. of the return of the French ship Le Jacques from Brazil to France, Jean de Lery gives an account of an extraordinary famine on board that vessel, attended with the most appalling circumstances. This ship, called St. Le Jacques, having completed her cargo of dying-wood, pepper, cotton, monkeys, parrots, &c. at Brazil, weighed anchor on the fourth of January, 1558. The whole crew, seamen and passengers, consisted of forty-five men, exclu- sive of the captain. They had sailed seven or eight days, when a leak in the hold was discovered, which induced live of the pas- sengers to return in a bark offered them by the captain, in pre- ference to continuing on the course to France. We shall give in Lery's own words, the narrative of the re- maining part of the voyage. " On the third of February we found, that, in seven weeks, we had not made more than one third of our way. As our provisions diminished very fast, it was proposed to bear away for Cape St. Roch, where some old seamen assured us that we should be able to procure refreshment^. But the majority advised that we should eat the parrots and other birds, of which we had brought away great numbers; and their opinion prevailed. " Our misfortunes began with a quarrel between the mate and the pilot; who, to aggravate each other, then went so far as to neglect their duty. On the twenty-sixth of March, the pilot being at the helm, in his turn, for three hours he kept all the sails set, when a violent squall assailed the vessel with such force that she was completely thrown on one side, so that the tops of the masts were immersed in the water. The cables, the hen-coops, and all the boxes which were not lashed fast, were swept overboard, and the vessel was on the point of upsetting. The rigging, however, being instantly cut away she righted again by degrees. The danger, though extreme, tended so little to produce a reconcilia- tion between the two enemies, that the moment it was past, they attacked each other and fought with the most savage ferocity, notwithstanding all the endeavors that were made to pacify them. " This was only the beginning of a horrid series of calamities. A few days afterwards, in a calm sea, the carpenter, and other artisans, in the attempt to relieve those who were laboring at the pumps, were so unfortunate as to remove, among others, a large piece of wood in the ship's hold; upon which the water rushed in with such impetuosity, that the affrighted workmen hurried breath- less upon deck, unable to give an account of the danger. At length they cried, in a lamentable voice: ' We are lost! We are lost!' Upon this the captain, master, and pilot, not doubting of the magnitude of the danger, and determined instantly to put the ship about, ordered a great quantity of Brazil wood and other articles to be thrown overboard, and concluding to abandon the vessel, they first provided for their own safety. The pilot fearing lest the boat should be overloaded by the numbers who demanded a IAMINE ON BOARD THE LE JACQUES. 107 place in her, took his station, with a cutlass in his hand, and de- clared he would despatch the first who should endeavor to enter. Seeing ourselves thus left to the mercy of the sea, we who re- mained fell to work with all our strength, to pump out the water, and if possible to keep the ship from sinking. We had the satis- faction to rind that the water did not gain upon us. " But the most happy consequence of our resolution was, that it caused us to hear the voice of our carpenter, who, though small in stature, was a young man of great spirit, and had not, like the others, quitted the ship's hold. On the contrary, taking off his jacket he spread it over the largest leak, and stood upon it with both feet to prevent the entrance of the water, the violence of which* -as he afterwards informed us, lifted him up several times. In this situation he shouted with all his might, desiring us to bring him clothes, cotton, and other things, to stop the leak, till he should be able to do it more effectually. I need not say that this demand was instantly complied with, and thus we were preserved from this danger. " We continued steering, sometimes to the east and sometimes to the west, which was not our way; for our pilot, who did not perfectly understand his business, was no longer able to observe his route. In this uncertainty we proceeded till we came to the tropic of Cancer, where we sailed a fortnight on a sea covered with grass and marine plants. These were so thick and close that we were obliged to open a passage through them for the ship. Here we were near perishing by another accident. Our gunner being employed in drying some powder in an iron pot, left it so long upon the fire that the powder exploded, and the fire spread so rapidly from one end of the ship to the other that the sails and rigging were instantly in flames. " They had nearly communicated to the wood, which being covered with pitch, would soon have taken fire, and have burned us alive in the midst of the ocean. Four men were much injured by the fire, and one of them died a few days afterwards. I should have experienced the same fate had I not covered my face with my hat, which defended me from its effects; so that I escaped with only the tips of my ears and my hair scorched." This misfortune Lcry reckons only among those which he calls the prelude. "It was now, (he continues) the fifteenth of April, and we had still a run of five hundred leagues before us. Our provisions fell so short, that notwithstanding the retrenchment we had already made, it was resolved that we should be confined to only half 6"f this reduced allowance. This measure, however, did not prevent our provisions from being exhausted by the end of the month. Our misfortune was occasioned by the ignorance of the pilot, who imagined that we were near Cape Finisterre, in Spain, while we were in the latitude of the Azores, at least three hundred leagues 108 FAMINE OJS BOARD THE LE JACQUES. distant from it. This cruel error suddenly reduced us to the last resource, which was, to sweep the storeroom where the biscuit was kept. These sweepings were distributed by spoonfuls, and made a soup as black and more bitter than soot. Those who had any parrots left (for most had eaten their's long before this time,) resorted to this kind of food, at the beginning of May, when the ordinary provisions failed. Two seamen, who died of hunger, were thrown overboard; and to prove the miserable state to which we were reduced, one of our sailors, called Nargue, standing reclined against the main-mast, after swallowing their eyes, which he could not digest, I reproached him for not assisting the others to set the sails; the poor man, in a low and lamentable voice, re- plied: ' alas, I cannot,' and instantly dropped down dead. "The horrors of this situation were augmented by the rough- ness of the sea, so that, either from want of skill, or strength to manage the sails, they were obliged to reef the sails, and even to lash the rudder fast. Thus the vessel was left to the mercy of the wind and waves. The unfavorable weather likewise deprived them of the only hope they had left, that of taking some fish. " Thus (continues Lery,) all on board were reduced to the lowest degree of weakness and debility. Necessity obliged us to consider and contrive in what manner to appease our hunger. Some cut in pieces the skins of an animal called Tapirous sou, and boiled them in water, but this method was not approved of. Others laid them on the coals, and when they were a little broil- ed, scraped them with a knife and eat them: this expedient prov- ed so successful that we imagined it to be broiled sward of bacon. After this experiment, those who had any of these skins, preserved them with the greatest care; and being as hard as dried ox-hide, they required to be cut with hatchets, and other iron instruments. Some even eat their leather stocks, and their shoes. The cabin- boys, pressed with hunger, devoured all the horn of the lanterns, and as many candles as they could get at. But notwithstanding our feebleness and hunger, we were obliged, for fear of founder- ing, to stick to the pumps night and day. " About the twelfth of May our gunner, whom I had seen eat- ing the intestines of a parrot quite raw, died of hunger. We were not much affected by this circumstance, for we were so far from thinking of defending ourselves, if we were attacked, that we rather wished to be taken by some_pirate who would have given us something to eat. But we saw, on our return, only a single vessel, which it was impossible for us to approach. " After devouring all the leather^n board, even to the coverings of the boxes, we imagined that our last moments were at hand. Necessity, however, inspired some one with the idea of catching the rats and mice, and we hoped to be able to take them the more easily as they no longer had any crumbs to subsist on, and ran about the ship in great numbers, dying with hunger. They were FAMINE ON BOARD THE LE JACQUES. 109 pursued with such assiduity, and so many kinds of snares were laid tor them, that very few were left. Even at night the men watched for them like cats. A rat was of greater importance than a bullock on shore, and the common price of one was four crowns. They were boiled in water, with all their intestines, which were eaten with the rest of the body. Neither the paws, nor any of the bones that could possibly be made soft, were thrown away. " Our water likewise failed; we had nothing left to drink but a small barrel of cider, of which the captain and officers were ex- tremely sparing. Whenever it rained, cloths were spread, with a bullet in the middle, to catch the water. They even caught that which ran off through the drains of the ship, though more muddy than the water in the kennels. " We were at last reduced to such extremity that we had noth- ing left but Brazil wood; which, though more dry than any other, many, however, in their despair, gnawed between their teeth. Our leader, Corguilleray Dupont, one day holding a piece in his mouth, said to me with a profound sigh: Alas! my friend Lery! the sum of four thousand francs is owing me in France, to which I would gladly resign my claim for a halfpenny roll and a single glass of wine. " At length the Almighty, taking compassion on so many mise- rable wretches, extended almost motionless upon the deck, brought us on the twenty-fourth of May, 1558, within sight of the coast of Bretagne. We had been deceived so often by the pilot that we durst scarcely give credit to the first cries announcing this happy intelligence. We were, however, soon convinced, that we were within view of our native land. After returning thanks to heaven, the master of the ship publicly declared, that, had our situation continued but another day, he had taken the resolution, not to draw lots as has sometimes been done in such cases, but, without informing any person of his design, to kill one of us for the rest to subsist upon. " We found that we were very near Rochelle, where our sea- men had wished to unload the ship and dispose of their Brazil wood. The master, after coming to an anchor two or three leagues from the shore, went in the boat, accompanied by Dupont and some others to purchase provisions at Hodierne, from which we were not far distant. Two of our companions who were of the party, no sooner set their feet on shore, than, impelled by the recollection of their distresses and the fear of being again involv- ed in them, they betook themselves to flight without waiting for their baggage, at the same time protesting they would never re- turn to the ship. The others immediately returned with all kinds of provisions recommending to their famished comrades to use them at first with moderation. " We were now solicitous only to repair to Rochelle, when a 10 110 THE LAW OF ARREST. French vessel passing within hail, informed us that the whole coast was infested by pirates. On account of our feeble state which would have rendered it impossible for us to make any de- fence, we unanimously agreed to follow the vessel from which we had received this intelligence. Thus, without losing sight of her we came to an anchor on the twenty-sixth in the port of Blavet." Many of ihe sailors on landing gorged themselves to such an excess as to produce sudden death. All the passengers survived, and after some suffering, were restored to health by adhering to a temperate and regular course of diet. THE LAW OF ARREST. A TALE FROM FACTS. Once upon a time there lived at Hamburgh, a certain merchant of the name of Meyer. He was a good little man: charitable to the poor, hospitable to his friends, and so rich that he was ex- tremely respected, in spite of his good nature. Among that part of his property vested in other people's hands, and called debts, was the sum of 500, owed him by the captain of an English vessel. This debt had been so long contracted, that the worthy Meyer began to wish for t a new investment of his property. He accordingly resolved to take a trip to Portsmouth, in which town Captain Jones was then residing, and take that liberty which, in my opinion, should never be permitted in a free country, viz: that of applying for his money. Our worthy merchant one bright morning found himself at Portsmouth. He was a stranger to that town, but not wholly unacquainted with the English language. He lost no time in calling on Captain Jones. " And vat," said he to a man whom he asked to show him to the Captain's house, "vat is dat fine veshell yondare." " She is the Royal Sally," replied the man, "bound for Calcutta sails to-morrow: but here 's Capt. Jones's house, sir, and he'll tell you all about it." The merchant bowed, and knocked at the door^f a red brick house green door with a brass knocker. Capt. Gregory Jones was a tall man. He wore a blue coat without skirts. He had high cheek bones, small eyes, and his whole appearance was eloquent of what is generally termed the bluff honesty of the sea- man. Captain Gregory seemed somewhat disconcerted at seeing his THE LAW OF ARREST. Ill friend. He begged for a little further time. The merchant looked grave three years had already elapsed. The captain demurred the merchant pressed the captain blustered and the merchant growing angry, began to threaten. Suddenly Captain Jones's manner changed he seemed to recollect himself, and begged pardon said he could easily procure the money, desired the mer- chant to go back to his inn, and promised to call on him in the course of the day. Mynheer Meyer went home, and ordered an excellent dinner. Time passed, and his friend came not. Meyer grew impatient. He had just put on his hat, and was walking out, when the waiter threw open the door and announced two gentle- men. "' Ah, dere comes de monish," thought Mynheer Meyer. The gentleman approached the taller one whiped out what seemed to Meyer a receipt. "Ah, ver well I will sign ver well." "Signing, sir, is useless you will be kind enough to accom- pany us. This is a warrant for debt, sir. My house is extremely- comfortable gentlemen of the first fashion go there quite mod- erate, too, only a guinea a day find your own wine." "I do no understand, sare," said the merchant, smiling amiably. " I am ver veil off here, thank you." " Come, come," said the other gentleman, speaking for the first time, " no parlavoo Monsoo, you are our prisoner this is a war- rant for the sum of 10,030, due to Capt. Gregory Jones." The merchant stared the merchant frowned but so it was. Captain Gregory Jones, who owed Mynheer Meyer 500, had arrested Mynheer Meyer for 10,000; for, as every one knows, any man may arrest us, who has conscience enough to swear that we owe him money. Where was Mynheer Meyer in a strange town to procure bail? Mynheer Meyer went to prison. " Dis be a strange vay of paying a man his monish!" said Mynheer Meyer. In order to while away the time, our merchant, who was won- derfully social, scraped an acquaintance with some of his fellow prisoners. " Vat you be in prison for?" said he to a stout, res- pectable looking man, who seemed to be in a violent passion " for vat crime?" "I, sir crime!" quoth the prisoner; "Sir, I was going to Liverpool to vote at the election, when a friend of the opposing candidate had me arrested for 2000; before I can get bail the election will be over." " Vat's that you tell me? Arrest you to prevent your giving an honest vote? Is that justice?" " Justice, no !" cried our friend, " it's the Law of Arrest." " And vat be you in prishon for?" said the merchant pityingly, to a thin, cadaverous looking object, who ever and anon applied a handkerchief to eyes that were worn with weeping. " An attorney offered a friend of mine to discount a bill, if he 112 THE LAW OF ARREST. could obtain a few names to endorse it. I, sir, endorsed it. The bill became due the next day the attorney arrested all whose names were on the bill, eight in number. The law allows him to charge two guineas each there are sixteen guineas for the lawyer but I, sir, alas! my family will starve before I shall be released. Sir, there are a set of men called discounting attorneys, who live upon the profits of entrapping and arresting us poor folks." " Mine Got! but is dat justice?" " Alas! no, sir; it is the Law of Arrest." " But," said the merchant turning round to a lawyer, whom the Devil had deserted, and who was now with the victims of his profession, " dey tell me dat in Englant a man be called innoshent till he be proved guilty; but here am I, who, because von carrion of a shailor, who owesh me five hundred pounts^ takes an oath that I owe him ten thousand here am I, on that schoundrel's single oath, clapped up in a prishon. Is this a man's being in- noshent till he is proved guilty, sare?" " Sir," said the lawyer primly, " you are thinking of criminal cases. But if a man be unfortunate enough to get into debt that is quite a different thing we are harder to poverty than we are to crime." " But, mine Got! is that justice?" "Justice! pooh! it's the Law of Arrest," said the lawyer, turning on his heel. Our merchant was liberated: no one appeared to prove the debt. He flew to a magistrate he told his case he implored justice against-Capt. Jones. " Capt. Jones," said the magistrate taking snuff; " Capt Greg- ory Jones, you mean!" "Ay, mine goot sare yesh!" " He set sail for Calcutta yesterday. He commands the Roy- al Sally. He must evidently have sworn this debt against you for the purpose of getting rid of your claim, and silencing your mouth till you could catch him no longer. He's a clever fellow this Gregory Jones!" " De teufel! but, sare, ish dare no remedy for de poor mer- chant?" " Remedy! oh yes indictment for perjury." " But vat use is dat? You say he be gone ten thousand miles off to Calcutta!" ' That's certainly against your indictment." "And cannot I get my monish?" " Not as I see." " An I have been arreshted instead of him!" "You have." " Sare, I have only von vord to say is dat justice?" ' That I can't say, Mynheer Meyer but it is certainly the Law of Arrest," answered the magistrate and he bowed the merchant out of the room. CAPTAIN COOK, 110 A SEA SONG. A wet sheet and a flowing sea, A wind that follows fast And fills the white and rustling sails, And bends the gallant rnast ! And bends the gallant mast, my bo}'S, While like the eagle free, Away the good ship flies, and leaves Columbia on the lea. O for a soft and gentle wind ! I heard a fair one cry ; But give to me the swelling breeze, And white waves heaving high ; And white waves heaving high, my lads, The good ship tight and free ; The world of waters is our home, And merry men are we. There 's tempest in yon horned moon, And lightning in yon cloud ; And hark, the music, mariners ! The wind is wakening loud ; The wind is wakening loud, my boys, The lightning flashes free ; The hollow oak our palace is. Our heritage the sea. CAPTAIN COOK. Mr. Banks, a gentleman of considerable fortune in Lincolnshire, England, was induced to undertake this voyage from curiosity, and an invincible desire of attaining knowledge. He engaged his friend Dr. Solander, a Swede, to accompany him in this voyage. Mr. Banks also took with him two draftsmen, and had besides a secretary and four servants. Lieutenant James Cook was to command the expedition. On the 26th of August, 1768, the Endeavour sailed from Plym- outh; the islands of Puerto Santo and Madeira were discovered on the 12th of September, and the next day they anchored in Fonchial Road. The Endeavour sailed thence on the 19th. On the 22d, they saw the Islands of Salvages, northward of the Ca- naries. The 23d saw the Peak of Teneriffe, bearing west by south. This mountain is near 15,400 feet high. On the 29th perceive-d Bona Vista, one of the Cape de Verd Islands. On the 13th of November made sail for the harbor of Rio de Janeiro. 10* Ii4 CAPTAIN COOK. Captain Cook went on shore on the 14th, and obtained leave to purchase provisions, and having requested that the gentlemen on board might remain on shore whilst they sojourned, and that Mr. Banks unight go up the country to collect plants, these requests were peremptorily refused. December the 8th, having procured all necessary supplies, they left Rio de Janeiro. On the the 14th of January entered the Strait of Le Maire; but the tide being against them, were driven out with great violence; at length, however, they got an- chorage at the entrance of a little cove, which Captain Cook called St. Vincent's Bay. Mr. Banks and Dr. Solander set out from the ship on the 16th, with the design of going into the country, and returning in the evening. Having entered a wood, they ascended the hill through a pathless wilderness till the afternoon. The morning had been very fine, but the weather now became cold and disagreeable; the blasts of wind were very piercing, arid a shower of snow fell. Mr. Buchan, one of the draughtsmen, fell into a fit. It was abso- lutely necessary to stop and kindle a fire, and such as were most fatigued remained to assist him; but Messrs. Banks, Solander, Green and Monkhouse, proceeded and attained the spot they had in view. Upon returning, they found Mr. Buchan much recov- ered. They had previously sent Mr. Monkhouse and Mr. Green back to him and the others, in order to bring them to a hill, which was conjectured to lie in a better track for returning to the wood. The whole party met there at eight in the evening. Dr. Solander having often passed mountains in cold countries, was sensible that extreme cold, when joined with fatigue, occasions a drowsiness, that is not easily resisted; he accordingly entreated his friends to keep in motion, however disagreeable it might be to them; his words were, " Whoever sits down, will sleep; and whoever sleeps, will wake no more." Every one seemed accordingly armed with resolution; but on a sudden the cold became so very intense, as to threaten the most direful effects. It was very remarkable that Dr. Solander himself, who had so forcibly admonished his party, should be the first who insisted upon being suffered to repose. In spite of the most earnest entreaties, he lay down amidst the snow, and it was with great difficulty they kept him awake. When a black servant was informed, that if he remained there he would be frozen to death; he replied, that he was so exhausted with fatigue, that death would be a relief to him. Doctor Solander said he was not unwilling to go, but that he must first take some sleep, notwithstanding what he had before declared to the com- pany. Thus resolved, they both sat down, supported by bushes, and in a short time fell fast asleep. Intelligence now came from the advanced party, that a fire was kindled about a quarter of a mile farther on the way. Mr. Banks then waked the doctor, who had almost lost the use of his limbs already, though it was but a CAPTAIN COOK, 115 few minutes since he sat down. Every measure taken to relieve the black proved ineffectual; he remained motionless, and they were obliged to leave him to the care of the other black servant and a sailor, who appeared to have been the least hurt by the cold. JMr. Banks and four others went forth at twelve o'clock and met the sailor, with just strength enough to walk; he was immediately sent to the fire, and they proceeded to seek for the two others. They found Richmond, one black servant, upon his legs, but in- capable of moving them; the other black was lying senseless upon the ground. All endeavors to bring them to the h're were useless, nor was it possible to kindle one upon the spot, on account of the snow that had fallen, and was still falling, so that there was no alternative, but to leave the two unfortunate negroes to their fate, making them a bed of boughs of trees, and covering them very thick with the same. On the 17th in the morning, at day-break, nothing 'presented itself but snow. However, about six in the morning they were flattered with a dawn of hope of being deliv- ered, by discovering the sun through the clouds, which gradually diminished. Previous to setting out, messengers were despatched to the unhappy negroes, who returned with the melancholy news of their death. In about three hours, to their great satisfaction, found themselves upon the shore, much nearer to the ship than their most sanguine expectation could have flattered them. January the 26th, Captain Cook sailed from Cape Horn. The farthest southern latitude he made was 60 deg. 10 min. by 74 deg. 30 min. west. April the 4th, a servant to Mr. Banks discovered land. Captain Cook came within a mile on the north-side, but found no bottom nor anchorage. There appeared along the beach some of the inhabitants, with pikes or poles in their hands, twice the height of themselves. This Island was in latitude 18 deg. south, longitude 139 deg. 28 min. west, and was named Lagoon Island. They saw another island in the afternoon, which was named Thrumb Cap. The 5th, continued their course, and dis- covered Bow Island. From the 6th to the 10th, they passed several islands, and on the 13th, entered Port Royal Harbour, Otaheite, anchoring within half a mile of the shore. When the ship was properly se- cured, the captain went on shore with Mr. Banks, Dr. Solander, a party under arms, and an old Indian. They were received by some hundreds of the natives, who were struck with such awe, that the first who approached crept almost upon his hands and knees. He presented them branches of trees, the usual symptom of peace. On the 15th, the captain, attended by Mr. Banks and others, went on shore to fix on a proper spot to erect a small fort for their defence. Before this party had gone much further, they were alarmed by the discharge of two pieces, fired by the tent-guard. Upon their return, it appeared that an Indian had taken an op- 116 CAPTAIN COOK. portunity to snatch away one of the sentinel's muskets; whereupon a young midshipman, ordered the marines to fire, which they did, when several Indians were wounded, but as the criminal did not fall, they pursued and shot him dead. The fort began to be erected on the 18th. Mr. Banks's tent being got up, he, for the first time, slept on shore. On the 24th, Mr. Banks and Dr. Solander made an excursion into the country. On the 25th, Mr. Molineux, master of the Endeavour, seeing a woman, whose name was Oberea, he declared she was the person he judged to be the queen of the island, when he came there in the Dolphin. She was soon conducted to the ship, and went on ooard, accompanied by some of her family. Many presents were made her, particularly a child's doll, which seemed the most to engross her. attention. On the 5th, Mr. Banks and Dr. Solander set out in the pinnace and soon reached Eparre. Some Indians from a neighboring island, to which Captain Wallis gave the name of Duke of York's Island, informed them of more than twen- ty islands in the neighborhood of Otaheite. They now began to make the necessary preparations for the transit of Venus, and on the first of June, the next Saturday, being the day of the transit, they sent the long-boat to Ermayo, having on board Mr. Gore, Mr. Monkhouse, and Mr. Sporing, a friend of Mr. Banks; each furnished with necessary instruments. They were visited on the 21st at the fort by many of the natives, and among the rest Oamo, a chief of several districts on the island, who was very inquisitive with respect to the English, and by his questions appeared a man of understanding and penetration. June 26th, the Captain set out in the pinnace, accompanied by Mr. Banks, to circumnavigate the island. July 1st, returned to the fort at Port Royal Harbour; having discovered the island, both peninsulas included, to be about one hundred miles in circumfer- ence. They now began to make preparations for their departure. On the 10th, two marines being missing, an inquiry was made after them, when the Indians declared they did not propose returning, having each taken a wife. Mr. Hicks was immediately despatched in the long-boat, with several men, for them, and this party re- covered the men without opposition. July the 13th, after leaving the island of Otaheite, they sailed with a gentle breeze, and, on the 15th, discovered Huaheine. They found the people^ here nearly similar to those of Otaheite in almost every circumstance. This island is situated in the latitude of 16 deg. 43 min. south, longitude 150 deg. 52 min. west, distant from Otaheite about thirty leagues, and is about twenty miles in circumference. From Huaheine they sailed to Ulieta! Captain Cook took possession of this and the adjacent islands in the name of the king of "Great Britain. On the 25th they were within a league or two of Otaha. On the 29th made sail to the northward, and at eight o'clock next morning were close under the high CAPTAIN COOK. 117 craggy peak of Bolabola; but, after giving the general name of the Society Islands to the Islandsof Huaheine, Uiietea, Bolabola, Otaha, and ?>luurua, which lie between the latitude of 16 deg. 10 inin. and 16 deg. do mm. south, they pursued their course. The Endeavour now passed a small island, white and high, and, as it appeared quite barren, was named Bare Island. On the 17th Captain Cook gave the name of Cape Turn- Again to a head-land, in latitude 40 deg. 34 min. south, longitude 182 deg 53 min. west. Before the Endeavour touched at New Zealand, which this was, it was not certainly known whether it was an island, or part of the c&ntinent. On the 20th anchored in a bay, about two leagues north of Gable End Foreland. Sailing to the northward, they fell in with a small island named East Island. In the evening of the 30th, Lieutenant Hicks discovered a bay, to which his name was given. On the 18th, the Endeavour steered between the main and an island which seemed very fertile, and as extensive as Uiietea. The 26th, Captain Cook continued his course along shore to the north. On the 29th, having weathered Cape Bret, they bore away to leeward, and got into a large bay, where they anchored on the south-west side of several islands. On the 5th they weigh- ed anchor. The Bay which they had left was called the Bay of Islands. On the 13th of March discovered a bay, which Captain Cook called Dusky-bay; and it is remarkable for having five high, peaked rocks, lying off it, which look like the thumb and four ringers of a man's hand; whence it was denominated Point Five Fingers. It was now resolved to return by the East Indies, and with that view to steer for the east coast of New Holland, and then follow the direction of that coast to the northward. They sailed March 31st and taking their departure from an eastern point, called it Cape Farewell. The bay from which they sailed was named Admiralty Bay, and the two capes thereof Cape Stephens and Cape Jackson. They sailed from Cape Farewell on the 31st of March, 1770. On the 19th, they discovered land four or five leagues distant. The name of Botany Bay was given to this place, from the large number of plants collected by Messrs. Banks and Solander. They sailed hence the 6th of May, 1770; at noon were off a harbor which was called Port Jackson. Coasting this shore till the 10th of June, art accident had nearly terminated their voyage fatally. The ship struck on a rock in the night, at some distance from the land, and made so much water as to threaten to sink every mo- ment, which was only prevented by great exertions. After some little examination, they found a small harbor to look at the ship's bottom, and there found, that the only thing which prevented her from sinking, was a large piece of a rock, broken off and sticking in the largest hole, which impeded the entrance of the water. Here they procured some refreshments, landed the sick and stores, 118 CAPTAIN COOK. made a variety of excursions by land and water to the neigboring places, and, for the first time, saw the animal now known as the Kangaroo. They sailed hence on the 13th of August, 1770, and got through one of the channels in the reef; happy to be once more in an open sea, after having been surrounded by dreadful shoals and rocks for near three months, during all which run they had been obliged to keep sounding without the intermission of a single minute; a circumstance which, it is supposed, never happened to any ship but the Endeavour. Previous to their leaving, Captain Cook, took possession of all the eastern coast of the country, from the 38th degree of south latitude to the present spot, by the name of New South Wales. They were now at the northern extremity of New Holland. The northeast entrance of the passage is form- ed by the mainland of New Holland, and by a number of islands, which took the name of the Prince of Wales's Islands. They now held a northward course, within sight of land, till the 3d of September. On the 6th, passed two small islands, on the 9th, they saw what had the appearance of land, and the next morning were convinced it was Timor Lavet. On the 16th, they had sight of the little island called Rotte; and the same day saw the island of Savu, at a distance to the southward of Timor. The Endeavour sailed the 21st of September, 1770, and bent her course westward. In the afternoon of this day a little flat island was discovered in 10 deg. 47 min. south latitude, and 238 deg. 28 min. west longitude. They made considerable way, till at length, by the assistance of the sea-breezes, they came to anchor in the road ofBatavia. The town of Batavia is situated in 6 deg. 10 min. south latitude, and 106 deg. 50 min. east longitude. On the 27th of December, 1770, the Endeavour left the road ofBatavia, and on the 5th, came to anchor near Prince's Island. After a pas- sage in which they lost twenty-three more officers and men, the ship was brought to anchor off the Cape of Good *Hope, on the l-"th of March, 1771. Quitting the Cape, they came to anchor off the island of St. Helena, on the 1st of May, from which place they sailed on the 4th, and arrived in the Downs, on the 12th of June following. CAPTAIN COOK'S SECOND VOYAGE. A second voyage being resolved upon, Captain Cook was ap- pointed to the Resolution, and Captain Furneaux, to the Adventure; and on the 13th of July, 1772, the two ships sailed from Plymouth Sound; and, on the evening of the 29th, anchored in Funchial Road, in the Island of Madeira. CAPTAIN COOK. 119 On the 9th of August they made the Island of Bonavista, and on the ^9th of October the land of the Cape of Good Hope. Th:.: 10th of December, saw an island of ice to the westward, bei>i then in the latitude of 50 deg. 40 min. south, and longitude 2 deg. east of the Cape of Good Hope. On the 9th of February, found that the Adventure was not within the limits of their hori- zon. At ten o'clock of the 25th of March, the land of New Zealand was seen from the mast-head. On Friday, the 26th, came to anchor, at three in the afternoon, after having been one hundred and seventeen days at sea, in which time they had sailed 3660 leagues, without having once sight of land. On the llth of April, weighed with a light breeze at south- east, and stood out to sea. After leaving Dusky Bay they direct- ed their course along shore for Queen Charlotte's Sound, where they expected to find the Adventure. On the 18th, they appear- ed off the harbor, and discovered their consort the Adventure, by the signals she made. On the 7th of June, weighed and put to sea, with the Adventure in company, and on the 1 1th of Au- gust, land was seen to the south, which upon a nearer approach was found to be an island of about two leagues in extent. It lies in the latitude of 17 deg. 24 min. longitude 141 deg. 39 min. west; and was called Resolution Island. Steering the same course, they discovered several of these low or half-drowned islands, or rather a large coral shoal of about twenty leagues in circuit, which 31. de Bourgainville very properly calls the cluster of low overflowed isles the Dangerous Archipelago. On the 15th, at five o'clock in the morning, saw Osnaburgh Island, or Maitea, discovered by Captain Wallis. At day-break found themselves not more than halt a league from the reef of Otaheite. Several of the inhabitants came off in canoes, most of whom knew Captain Cook again, and many inquired for Mr. Banks and others who were there before. On the 17th, they anchored in Ouiti-piha Bay, about two cable's length from the shore. On the 1st of September the ships unmoored, and made sale for Ulieta. Arriving off the harbor of Ohamaneno, at the close of the day, they spent the night in making short tacks. Captain Furneaux agreed to receive on board his ship a young man named Omai, a native of Ulieta, where he had some property, of which he had been dispossessed by the people of Bolabola. After leaving Ulieta, they steered to the west, inclining to the south, to get clear of the tracts of former navigators, and to get into the latitude of the islands of Middleburgh and Amsterdam. At two o'clock p. m. on the 1st of October, made Middleburgh, bearing west-south- west; and then made sail down to Amsterdam. These islands were first discovered by Captain Tasman, in January, 1642 3, and by him called Amsterdam and Middleburgh. But the former is called by the natives Ton-ga-ta-bu, and the latter Ea-vo-wee. Middleburgh or Eavowee, which is the southernmost, is about 120 CAPTAIN COOK. ten leagues in circuit, and of a height sufficient to be seen twelve leagues. The anchorage, named English Road, is on the north- west side, in latitude 21 deg. 20 min. 30 sec. south. The island is shaped something like an isosceles triangle, the longest sides whereof are seven leagues each, and the shortest four. On the 8th of October, made the Island of Pilstart. This island, which was also discovered by Tasman, is situated in the latitude of 22 deg. 26 min. south, longitude 175 deg. 59 rnin. west. On the 21st, made the land of New Zealand; at noon Table Cape bore west, distant eight or ten leagues. On the 25th, early in the morning, they weighed, with a small breeze, out of the cove. On the 26th, took their departure from Cape Palliser, and steered to the south, inclining to the east, having a favorable gale from the north-west and south-west. At 4 o'clock, 12th of Dec. being in the latitude of 62 deg. 10 min. south, longitude 172 deg. west, saw the first ice Island, 11 J deg. farther south than the first ice seen the preceding year, after leaving the Cape of Good Hope. On the 30th, at four o'clock in the morning, perceived the clouds, over the horizoji to the south, to be of an unusual snow- white brightness, which they knew announced their approach to field-ice. Being at this time in the latitude of 71 deg. 10 min. south, longitude 106 deg. 54 min. west, they steered north from this time, and on the 1 1th of March, land was seen from the mast- head, bearing west. They made no doubt that this was Davis's Land, or Easter Island. After leaving Easter Island, they steer- ed north-west-by-north and north-north-west, with a fine easterly gale, intending to touch at the Marquesas. They continued to steer to the west till the 6th of April, at four in the afternoon, at which time, being in the latitude of 9 deg. 20 min. longitude ,133 deg. 14 min. west, they discovered an Island, bearing west t)y south, distant about nine leagues. Two hours after saw another, bearing south-west-by-south, which appeared more extensive than the former. By this time, they were well assured that these were the Marquesas, discovered -by Mendana in 1595. The Marquesas are five in number, viz. La Magdalena, St. Pedro, La Dominica, Santa Christina, and Hood's Island, which is the northernmost, situated in latitude 9 deg. 26 min. south, and 13 deg. west, five leagues and a half distant from the east point of La Dominica, which is the largest of all the isles, extending east and west six leagues. From the Marquesas, Captain Cook once more steered his course for Otaheite; and reached his former place of anchorage, Matavai Bay, on the twenty-second of April. During their resi- dence here, on this occasion, the voyagers were entertained with various exhibitions. One of these was a grand naval review. The vessels of war consisted of a hundred and sixty large double canoes, well equipped, manned and armed. They were decorated with flags and streamers; and the chiefs, together with all those CAPTAIN COOK. 121 who were on the fighting stages, were dressed in their war habits. The whole fleet made a noble appearance; such as our voyagers had never seen before. Besides the vessels of war, there were a hundred and seventy smaller double canoes, which seemed to be designed for transports and victuallers. Upon each of these was a small house; and they were each rigged with a mast and sail, which was not the case with the war canoes. Captain Cook conjectured that there were no fewer than seven thousand seven hundred and sixty men in the whole fleet. He was not able to obtain full information concerning the design of this armament. The refreshments that were obtained at Otaheite during this visit were of great importance to the ship's company, for nearly all the bread they had left was decayed and scarcely eatable; and even of this, bad as it was, the quantity was so small that they were reduced to a very scanty allowance. After leaving Otaheite, the voyagers proceeded again to Huaheine. During Captain Cook's stay at Huaheine, bread- fruit, Cocoa-nuts, and other vegetable productions, were procured in abundance, but not a sufficiency of hogs to supply the daily consumption of the ship's company. At Ulieta, to which the captain next directed his course, the inhabitants expressed the deepest concern at his departure, and anxiously importuned him to return. After passing several other islands, he arrived, on the twentieth of June, at an island which appeared to have a numerous popula- tion. The captain, with the other gentlemen went ashore; but the natives were found to be fierce and untractable. All en- deavors to bring them to a parley were to no purpose. They approached with the ferocity of wild beasts, and instantly threw their darts. Two or three muskets discharged in the air did not prevent one of them from advancing still further, and throwing another dart, which passed close over Captain Cook's shoulder. The courage of this man had nearly cost him his life. When he threw his dart, he was not five paces from the captain, who had resolved to shoot him for his own preservation. It happened, however, that his musket missed fire; a circumstance on which he afterwards reflected with pleasure. This island, from the disposition and behavior of the inhabi- tants, was called by our Commander Savage Island. It is about eleven leagues in circuit; -is of a round form and good height; and has deep waters close to its shores. Among its other disad- vantages, it is not furnished with a harbor. In pursuing his course toward the west-south-west, Captain Cook passed a number of small islands, and, on the twenty-sixth, anchored on the north side of Anamooka, or Rotterdam. Here, as in many former cases, the captain was put to some trouble, on account of the thievish disposition of the people. It is one of a numerous group to which Captain Cook gave the name of the 122 CAPTAIN COOK. Friendly Isles, in consequence of the firm alliance and friendship which seemed to subsist among the inhabitants, and of their kind and hospitable behavior to strangers. Pursuing their course westward, the navigators, on the sixteenth of July, discovered land, which they believed to be the same that M. de Bougainville, the French navigator, had named the Great Cyclades. After having explored the coast of this island for some days, they came to an anchor, in a harbor of the island of Malli- colo. The inhabitants of this island were in general the most ugly and ill-proportioned people that the voyagers had seen. They were dark-colored, somewhat diminutive in stature, and had long heads, flat faces, and countenances not much dissimilar to those of apes. Proceeding hence in a south-westerly direction the Resolution passed several small islands. The harbor in one of them called Tanna, in which the ship was anchored, was only a little creek about three quarters of a mile in length, but no place could ex- ceed it in convenience for obtaining both wood and water. After Captain Cook had finished his survey of the whole Archipelago, and had gained a knowledge of it infinitely superior to what he had attained before, he bestowed upon it the appellation of the New Hebrides. Our voyagers sailed on the 1st of September, and on the 4th, land was discovered; in a harbor belonging to which the Resolu- tion came to anchor the next day. As Captain Cook was unable to learn what the Island was called bythe natives, he gave to it the name of New Caledonia. Excepting New Zealand, this is perhaps the largest island in the South Pacific Ocean. The in- habitants were strong, robust, active, and well made; and in their dispositions were courteous and obliging. They did not appear in the least addicted to pilfering. On the 13th, the Resolution weighed anchor, and land was discovered, which was named Norfolk Isle. From this place our commander steered for New Zealand, in Queen Charlotte's Sound, where he shortly afterwards arrived. Several days elapsed before any of the natives made their appearance; but when they did so, and recognised Captain Cook and his friends, joy succeed- ed to fear. They hurried in numbers out of the woods, and em- braced the English over and over again, leaping and skipping about like madmen. The whole intercourse with the New Zealanders, during this third visit, was peaceable and friendly. In the prosecution of his voyage, our commander, on the 17th of December, reached the west coast of Terra del Fuego, and came to anchor in a place which he called Christmas Sound. Through the whole course of his various navigations, he had never seen so desolate a coast. But barren and dreary as the land was, it was not wholly destitute of accommodations. The country abounded with wild fowl, and particularly with geese; CAPTAIN COOK. 123 which afforded a refreshment to the whole ship's crew, that was the more acceptable on account of the approaching festival. Had they not thus been happily provided for, their Christmas cheer must have been salt beef and pork. Some Madeira wine, the only article of provision that \vas mended by keeping, was still left. This, in conjunction with the geese, which were cooked in every variety of method, enabled the navigators to celebrate Christmas as cheerfully as perhaps was done by their friends in England. Our commander soon afterwards proceeded through the Strait of Le Maire to Staten Island. About the end of February he cross- ed the line of the route he had taken when he left the Cape of Good Hope; having now made the circuit of the southern ocean in a high latitude, and traversed it in such a manner as to leave no room for the possibility of their being any continent in that part of the hemisphere, unless near the pole, and out of the reach of navigation. By twice visiting the tropical sea, he had not only ascertained the situation of some old discoveries, but had made many new ones; and, indeed, even in that part, had left little more to be accomplished. The intention of the voyage had in every respect been answered, and the southern hemisphere suffi- ciently explored. A complete termination was hereby put to the searching after a southern continent. The great purpose of the navigation of Captain Cook round the globe being thus completed, he at length directed his views towards England, and determined to steer for the Cape of Good Hope; and on Wednesday, the twenty-second of March, accor- ding to his reckoning (who had sailed round the world), but on Tuesday, the twenty-first at the Cape, he anchored his ship in Table Bay. During the circumnavigation of the globe, from the period of our commander's leaving the Cape of Good Hope to his return to it again, he had sailed no less a distance than twenty thousand leagues. This was an extent of voyage nearly equal to three times the equatorial circumference of the earth, and such as had never been accomplished before, by any ship in the same compass of duration. On the remainder of the voyage it is not necessary to enlarge. The repairs of the ship having been completed, and the necessary stores carried on board, together with afresh supply of provisions and water, Captain Cook left the Cape of Good Hope on the 27th of April, and reached the island of St. Helena on the 15th of May. Here he remained till the 21st, when he sailed, and arrived in safety at Portsmouth, having been absent from Eng- land three years, and eighteen days; in which time, and under all changes of climate, he had lost but four men, and only one of these by sickness. 124 CAPTAIN COOK. CAPTAIN COOK'S THIRD VOYAGE. Although the Resolution and the Discovery were destined foi the same service, they did not leave England at the same time Captain Cook, in the former, sailed from Plymouth on the twelfth of July; and Captain Clerke, in the latter, on the 1st of August, 1776. The two ships joined at the Cape of Good Hope, about the beginning of November. Here Captain Cook made an addition to his stock of animals, by the purchase of cattle, horses, sheep, goats, rabbits, and poultry. All these, as well as most of the animals then on board the vessels, were intended for Otaheite, New Zealand, and other islands. The ships sailed from the Cape about the beginning of De- cember; and the navigators, pursuing their course towards the south-east, the weather soon became so cold that several of the goats and some of the sheep died. On the 12th, two islands were seen, the larger of which appeared to be about fifteen leagues in circuit. As no names had hitherto been assigned to these islands, our commander called them Prince Edward's Islands. Though it was now the middle of summer in this hemisphere, the weather was not less severe than what is generally experi- enced in England in the very depth of winter. Instead, however, of being discouraged by this circumstance, the captain directed his course still further south, and on the 24th, reached the island called Kerguelen's Land; and the next day landed upon it. The weather was foggy during the whole time that the ships contin- ued here. The island was so excessively barren, that perhaps no place, hitherto discovered, under the same parallel of latitude, affords so scanty a field for a natural historian as this. If our commander had not been unwilling to deprive M. de Kerguelen of the honor of this island bearing his name, he would have call- ed it the island of Desolation. Captain Cook next directed his course towards New Zealand, that he might obtain a further supply of water, take in wood, and make hay for his cattle. Nothing very remarkable occurred to the voyagers till the 24th of January, 1777, when they discover- ed the coast of Van Diernan's Land, and in two days after came to anchor. One day they were agreeably surprised by a visit from some of the natives. Every present which Captain Cook made them they received without the least appearance of satis- faction. During the few days that Captain Cook continued here, he neglected nothing that could promote the knowledge of science or navigation. He sailed from Van Dieman's land on the 30th of January, 1777, and about a fortnight afterwards, came to anchor at hig CAPTAIN COOK. 125 old station of Queen Charlotte's Sound, in New Zealand. Ope- rations for refitting the ships, and for obtaining provisions, were carried on with great vigor. So healthy were the crews, that at this time there were only two invalids upon the sick lists of both ships. Captain Cook, in this his last visit to New Zealand, gave to one chief two goats, a male and female, with a kid; and to another two pigs, a boar and a sow. It had been his intention to have left other animals than these ; but he was unable to find a chief who was powerful enough to protect them, and he there- fore gave up all thought of it. On the 24th of February Captain Cook proceeded on his voyage, in a north-easterly direction and, about five weeks after- wards, arrived at an island situated in about twenty degrees of south latitude, and called by the natives Wateeoo. This island, which is about six leagues in circuit, is a very beautiful spot, having a surface composed of hills and plains, covered with a verdure rendered extremely pleasant by the diversity of its hues. Its inhabitants were very numerous, and many of them were ele- gantly formed. Their whole behavior, whilst on board, showed that they were perfectly at ease, and that they felt no apprehen- sion, either that they should be detained or ill used. It has been stated that it was a principal object of this voyage to examine the Pacific Ocean in the high northern latitudes. But, hitherto, the progress of the vessels had been so unavoidably retarded by unfavorable winds, and other adverse circumstances, that it was become impossible for the commander, this year, to think of proceeding towards those latitudes. The rainy season soon afterwards commenced; and the united heat and moisture of the weather, in addition to the impossibility of keeping the ships dry, threatened to be very injurious to the health of his people. So great, and so judicious, however, were the attentions which he paid to their health, that there was not as yet one sick man on board either ship. On the 1st of May, the vessels arrived at Anamooka. A friendly intercourse was immediately opened with the natives. The only interruption to the friendship which had been established, arose from the thievish disposition of the inhabitants of Anamooka. Numerous opportunities were here afforded, of remarking how expert these people were in the business of stealing. Even some of the chiefs did not think the profession unbecoming their dignity. One of them was detected in carrying a bolt out of the ship, con- cealed under his clothes. For this offence Captain Cook sen- tenced him to receive a dozen lashes, and kept him confined till he had paid a hog for his liberty; and afterwards the navigators were.no longer troubled with thieves of rank. Their servants, or slaves, however, were still employed; and upon them a flogging seemed to make no greater impression, than it would have done upon the mainmast. At length, Captain Clerke invented a mode 11* 1( 26 CAPTAIN COOK. of treatment, which was thought to be of good effect. He put the thieves into the hands of the barber, and completely shaved their heads. In consequence of this operation, they became objects of ridicule to their own countrymen; and our people, by immediately knowing them, and keeping them at a distance, were enabled to deprive them of future opportunities for a repetition of their rogueries. Captain Cook now proceeded to the Friendly Islands, and was received in the most friendly manner imaginable by the inhabitants. Besides the immediate benefits that were derived by the ships from the friendly intercourse which had been established, so exten- sive an addition was now made to the geographical knowledge of this part of the Pacific Ocean, as may render no small service to future navigators. From the information which our commander received, this Archipelago is very extensive. More than one hundred and fifty islands were reckoned by the natives, who made use of bits of leaves of different size for designating their number, and their relative dimensions. On the 17th of July, our commander took his final leave of the Friendly Islands; and in about three weeks, he reached Otaheite. Omai's first reception among his countrymen was not entirely of a flattering nature. Captain Cook found that since he was last at Otaheite, in 1774, two Spanish vessels had been there, and had left some hogs, dogs, goats, one bull, and a ram. The officers and crews of these vessels had behaved so well, that the inhabi- tants spoke of them in the strongest expressions of esteem and veneration. On the present visit, the navigators had undeniable proof that the offering of human sacrifices formed a part of the religious institutions of Otaheite. One day while the navigators were in Matavia Bay, Captain Cook, and Captain Clerke, mounted on horseback, and rode into the country. The Otaheitans, who had never seen such animals before, were utterly astonished, and gazed upon the gentlemen with as much amazement, as if they had been Centaurs. Not all the novelties, put together, which European visitors had car- ried amongst them, inspired them with so high an opinion of the greatness of distant nations as this. During this visit to Otaheite, so cordial a friendship and confi- dence were established betwixt the voyagers and the natives, that it was not once interrupted by any unpleasant incident. From Otaheite Captain Cook sailed on the 13th to the adjacent island of Eimeo. At this island the transactions were, for the most part, unpleasant. On the llth of October the ships arrived in a harbor on the west side of the island of Huaheine. The grand business of Captain Cook at Huaheine was to settle Omai there, on the very spot from which he had been taken. On the 2nd of November 1777, Ornai took his final leave of the English in a very affectionate manner, but at the same time with CAPTAIN COOK, 127 manly resolution; and the vessels sailed for Ulieta, where they arrived on the following day. The last of the Society Islands which Captain Cook visited was Bolabola. Captain Cook con- tinued to the last his zeal for furnishing the natives of the South Sea with useful animals. The navigators finally departed from the Society Islands on the 12th of December. Frequently as these islands had been visited, it might have been imagined that their religious, political, and domestic regulations, manners, and customs, must, by this time, have been thoroughly understood. A great accession of knowledge was undoubtedly gained in the present voyage; and yet it was confessed by Captain Cook, that his account of these was, in various respects, still imperfect; and that he still continued a stranger to many of the most important institutions which prevailed there. In the night between the 22d and 23d of December, 1777, the ships crossed the equator, in the longitude of two hundred and three degrees fifteen minutes west. The navigators still proceed- ed northward; and towards the end of January, 1778, they ap- proached a cluster of islands, which Captain Cook afterwards named the Sandwich Islands. One of the officers was sent with the boat to search for water at an island called by the natives Atooi.. On attempting to land here the inhabitants came down in such numbers, and were so violent in their endeavors to seize the oars, muskets, and, in short, every thing they could lay hold of, that he was compelled to fire upon them, and one man was killed. The rapacious disposition they at first displayed, was entirely corrected by their conviction that it could not be exercised with impunity. During the short stay of the vessels at this island, it was ascertained that the in- habitants were eaters of human flesh. It was, however, under- stood that their enemies slain in battle were the sole objects of so abominable a custom. This people, when Captain Cook became better acquainted with them, appeared, in general, to possess a frank and cheerful disposition, equally removed from the fickle levity which distinguishes the natives of Otaheite, and the sedate character which is discernible among many of those of the other islands of the South Sea. Of the Archipelago, which was denominated by Captain Cook the Sandwich Islands, there were five only with which, at this time, he became acquainted. Their names, as given by the natives, were Woahoo, Atooi, Oneeheow, Oreehoua, and Ta- hoora. Had the Sandwich Islands been discovered by the Span- iards at an early period, that people would undoubtedly have taken advantage of so excellent a situation, and have made use of them as refreshing places to their ships, which sail annually from Acapulco for Manilla. Happy too would it have been for Anson, if he had known that there existed a group of islands half way between America and Tinian, where all his wants could 128 CAPTAIN COOK. effectually have been supplied, and the different hardships to which he was exposed have been avoided. On the 2d of February, the navigators pursued their course northward; in doing which the incidents they met with were al- most entirely of a nautical kind. The coast of New Albion was seen on the 7th .of March, the ships being then in the latitude of 44 deg. 83 min. north, and in the longitude of 235 deg. 20 min. east. As the vessels ranged along the west side of America, Captain Cook gave names to several capes and headlands, which appeared in sight. At length, on the 29th, he came to anchor in a bay which was called by the natives Nootka, and was thence named by Captain Cook Nootka Sound. Some of the natives came off to the ships in canoes, but they could not be prevailed with to venture on board. Shortly after this a regular trade was commenced. The articles which the inhabitants offered for sale were the skins of various animals, such as bears, wolves, foxes, deer, raccoons, pole-cats, martens; and, in particular, of the sea- otters. To these were added garments made of skins; another sort of clothing, formed from the bark of a tree; and various pieces of workmanship. The articles, which the natives took in exchange for their commodities, were knives, chisels, pieces of iron and tin, nails, looking-glasses, buttons, or any kind of metal. Though commerce, in general, was carried on with mu- tual honesty, there were some among these people, who were as much inclined to thievery as the islanders in the Southern Ocean. In the present abstract the time will not allow of an insertion of more than a short account of the inhabitants. Their persons are described to have been generally under the common stature, somewhat full or plump^ though without being muscular. They were undoubtedly eaters of human flesh, yet they had no appear- ance of inhumanity of character. To our navigators they seemed a docile, courteous, and well-disposed people. The chief employ- ments of the men were fishing and killing land or sea animals, for the sustenance of their families; while the women were occupied in manufacturing flaxen or woollen garments, or in other domestic offices. On the 26th, the repairs of the ships having been completed, Captain Cook sailed from Nootka Sound. In the prosecution of his voyage northward, and back again to the Sandwich Islands, the facts that occurred were chiefly of a nautical kind. At an inlet where the ships came to anchor on the 12th of May, and to which Captain Cook gave the appellation of Prince Wil- liam's Sound, he had an opportunity not only of prosecuting his nautical and geographical discoveries, but of making considerable additions to his knowledge of the inhabitants of the American coast. The natives of this part of the coast had a near resem- blance to the Esquimaux and Greenlanders. It is remarkable concerning this people, that there were found amongst them both CAPTAIN COOK. 129 beads and iron ; which must have come from some civilized na- tion, though there was reason to suppose that our navigators were the first Europeans with whom they had ever held a direct com- munication. Some days after leaving this sound, the navigators came to an inlet, from which hopes were strongly entertained, that it would be found to communicate either with the sea to the north, or with Baffin's Bay to the east; and, accordingly, it became the object of very accurate and serious examination. The Captain was soon persuaded that the expectations formed from it were groundless, yet it was requisite that this should be perfectly ascertained. A complete investigation of the inlet consequently took place, to the distance of seventy leagues from its entrance, and indubitable marks occurred of its being a river, but one of the most considera- ble ones that are known. It was called Cook's River. The navigators cleared Cook's river on the 6th of June. In the prosecution of the voyage, on the 26th, there was so thick a fog, that the navigators could not see a hundred yards before them; notwithstanding which, as the weather was moderate, the Captain did not intermit his course. At length, however, being alarmed at the sound of breakers on one side of the ship, he im- mediately brought her to, and came to anchor; and the Discov- ery, by his onjer, did the same. A few hours afterwards, the fog having in some degree cleared away, it appeared, that both the vessels had escaped a very imminent danger. Providence, in the dark, had conducted them between rocks which the corft- mander would not have ventured to pass through even in a clear day, and had conveyed them to an anchoring-place, as good as he could possibly have fixed upon, had the choice been entirely at his option. On the 27th, the vessels reached an island called Oonalaska, the inhabitants of which behaved with a degree of politeness and courtesy very unusual with savage tribes. About the 10th of August Captain Cook came to anchor under a point of land, to which he gave the name of Cape Prince of Wales, and which is remarkable by being the most western extremity of America hitherto explored. This extremity is distant from the eastern Cape of Siberia only thirteen leagues: and thus our Commander had the glory of ascertaining the vicinity of the two continents, which before had only been conjectured from the reports of the neighboring Asiatic inhabitants, and the imperfect observations of the Russian navigators. Resuming his course he crossed over to the opposite Asiatic coast, and anchored in a bay which he named the Bay of St. Lawrence, belonging to the country of the Tschutski. After this, again approaching the shore of America, he proceeded towards the north, and on the 18th, he reached the latitude of 70 deg. 44 min. The ships were now close to the edge of the ice, and un- 130 CAPTAIN COOK. able to go any furfher. The ice, was as compact as a wall, and was judged to be ten or twelve feet in height. Farther to the north, it appeared much higher. Its surface was extremely rugged, and in different places there were seen upon it pools of water. A prodigious number of sea-horses lay upon the ice; and some of them, on the 19th, were procured for food, there being at this time a want of fresh provisions. They were bad eating, but the voyagers lived upon them as long as they lasted; and most of the seamen preferred them to salt meat. Captain Cook continued until the 29th, to traverse the Icy Sea beyond Behring's Strait, in various directions, and through num- berless obstructions and difficulties. Every day the ice increased, so as to preclude all hope of attaining,, at least during the present year, the grand object of the voyage, the discovery of a passage northward into the Atlantic. Before Captain Cook proceeded far to the south, he employed a considerable time in examining the sea and coasts in the neighborhood of Behring's Strait, both on the side of Asia and America; and on the 3d of October he returned to the island of Oonalaska. The navigators had not been here many days, when Captain Cook and Captain Clerke each received a very singular present, of a rye loaf, or rather a pie in the form of a loaf, for it inclosed some salmon highly sea- soned with pepper. And with each loaf was a note written in a language, which no one was able to read. It was imagined that the presents came from some Russians in the neighborhood, and therefore a few bottles of rum, wine, and porter, were sent to these unknown friends in return; it being rightly judged that such articles would be more acceptable than any thing besides, which it was in the power of the navigators to bestow. An intelligent man was sent with the bearer of the presents, for the purpose of obtaining further information. Two days afterwards this per- son returned with three Russian seamen. They had been station- ed here to collect furs; and had on the island a dwelling-house, some store-houses, and a sloop of about thirty tons burden. One of them was the master or mate of the vessel, and they all ap- peared to be sensible and well-behaved persons. From a very intelligent Russian, who landed at Oonalaska on the 14th, Cap- tain Cook obtained the sight of two manuscript charts of these seas, and was permitted to copy them. All things being ready 'for his departure, Captain Cook left Oonalaska on the 26th, and sailed for the Sandwich Islands. On the 30th of November, he arrived at Owhyee, one of the Sandwich Islands; and one which appeared to him of greater extent and importance than any of the islands that had yet been visited in this part of the world. He occupied nearly seven weeks in sailing round, and examining its^coast. On the 16th of January, 1779, canoes arrived in such numbers from all parts, that there were not fewer than a thousand about the two ships, most of them crowded CAPTAIN COOK. 131 with people. Among such multitudes, as, at times, were on board, it will not be deemed surprising, that some should have betrayed a thievish disposition. One of them took out of the Resolution a boat's rudder; and made off with it so speedily, that it could not be recovered. Captain Cook directed two or three muskets, and as many four pounders, to be fired over the canoe in which the rudder had been carried off, but, at the report of these, the sur- rounding multitude of the natives appeared to be more surprised than terrified. The ships were anchored on the 17th, in a bay which was called by the inhabitants Karakakooa. In the whole course of his voy- ages, Captain Cook had never seen so many people assembled in one place as he saw on this occasion; for, besides the multitudes that came off in canoes, all the shore of the bay was covered with spectators, and many hundreds were swimming round the ships like shoals of fish. In the progress of the intercourse which was maintained between the voyagers and the natives, the quiet and inoffensive behavior of the latter, took away every apprehension of danger; so that the English trusted themselves among them at all times, and in all situations. But the satisfaction that was derived from the generosity and hospitality of the inhabitants, was frequently interrupted by the propensity of many of them to stealing; and this circumstance was the more distressing, as it sometimes obliged the commander and the other officers to have recourse to acts of severity, which they would willingly have avoided, if the necessity of the case had not absolutely called for them. Early the next day, the ships sailed out of Karakakooa bay. It was the captain's design, before he visited the other Sandwich islands, to finish the survey of Owhyee, that he had begun. His object in this was, if possible, to find a harbor better sheltered from the weather than the bay he had just left. Two days after- wards a gale of wind sprung up, in which the Resolution had the misfortune of injuring her foremast in so dangerous a manner, that he was obliged to return to Karakakooa. On the return of the ships several canoes approached, in which were many of the for- .mer acquaintance of the navigators. The next day, February the 13th, the Resolution's foremast was landed, to be repaired, and tents were erected in their former situation on the shore. An Indian was this day detected in stealing the armorer's tongs from the forge, for which he receiv- ed a severe flogging, and was sent out of the ship. Notwithstand- ing the example made of this man, in the afternoon another had the audacity to snatch the tongs and a chisel from the same place, with which he jumped overboard, and swam for the shore. The master and a midshipman were instantly despatched after him, in the small cutter. The Indian seeing himself pursued, made for a canoe; his countrymen took him on board, and paddled as swiftly 132 CAPTAIN COOK. as they could towards the shore. Several muskets were fifed at them, but without effect, for they soon got out of the reach of the shots. This was the commencement of a very fatal misunderstanding with the natives. In the night, one of the boats belonging to the Discovery was carried off; and many hostile indications on the part of the natives were remarked. These determined Captain Cook to secure, if possible, the person of the king as the most effectual step that could be taken for the recovery of the boat, and restoring amity betwixt the English and the inhabitants. Accompanied by the lieutenant of marines, a serjeant, corporal, and seven private men; having at the same time armed several men in the ship's launch and pinnace, he undauntedly proceeded to the residence of the king. At an interview with the king, the captain took him by the hand, in a friendly manner, and asked him to go on board the Resolution, to which he readily consented. A short time after this, several of the Indians were observed to be arming themselves with long spears, clubs, and daggers, and putting on thick mats which they used as armor. This hostile appearance increased, and became the more alarming, on the ar- rival of two men, with news that a chief called Kareemoo had been killed by the men in one of the Discovery's boats. Captain Cook being at this time surrounded by a great crowd, thought his situation somewhat hazardous. He therefore ordered the lieu- tenant of marines to inarch his small party to the water-side, where the boats lay, within a few yards of the shore: the Indians readily made a lane for them to pass, and did not offer to interrupt them. The distance they had to go might be about fifty or sixty yards. Captain Cook followed, having hold of the king's hand, who ac- companied him very willingly: he was attended by his wife, two sons and several chiefs. His younger son went immediately into the pinnance, expecting his father to follow; but the latter had no sooner arrived at the water-side, than his wife threw her arms about his neck, and, with the assistance of two chiefs, forced him to sit down by the side of a double canoe. Captain Cook expostu- lated with them, but to no purpose, they would not suffer the king to proceed, telling him that he would be put to death if he went on board the ship. While the king was in this situation, another of the chiefs was observed lurking near, with an iron dagger partly concealed under his cloak. His attention, apparently, was to stab either Captain Cook, or the lieutenant of marines. The latter proposed to fire at him, but the captain would not permit it. The chief closed upon them, on which the officer struck him with his musket, and compelled him to retire. Captain Cook seeing the tumult in- crease, and that the Indians grew more daring and resolute, found that it would be impossible to carry off the king by force, without sacrificing many of his people. He therefore paused a little, and CAPTAIN COOK. 133 was on the point of giving orders to reimbark, when a man threw a stone at him. This Captain Cook returned by a discharge of small shot. The man brandished his spear, and was about to dart it at the captain, when the latter knocked him down with his musket. He expostulated strongly with the most forward of the crowd upon their turbulent behavior; and now only sought to secure a safe embarkation for his small party, which was closely pressed by a body of several thousand people. One man was observed behind a double canoe, in the action of darting his spear at Captain Cook. He therefore was forced to fire at him in his own defence, but he happened to kill another close to him, equally forward in the tumult. The serjeant observing that the captain had missed the man he aimed at, received orders to fire at him, which he did, and killed him. By this time the impetuosity of the Indians was somewhat repressed. They fell back in a body, and seemed staggered; but being pushed on by those be- hind, they returned to the charge, and poured a volley of stones among the marines, who without waiting for orders, returned it with a general discharge of musketry. This was instantly follow- ed by a fire from the boats. Captain Cook waved his hand to the boats, and called to them to cease firing, and to come nearer in to receive the marines. The officer in the pinnace immediately brought that vessel as close to the shore as he could, notwith- standing the showe*s of stones that fell among his people; but the lieutenant who commanded in the launch, instead of pulling in to the assistance of Captain Cook, withdrew his boat farther off, at the very moment that every thing seems to have depended upon the timely exertions of those in the boats. By his own ac- count, he mistook the signal: but be that as it may, this circum- stance appears to have decided the fatal turn of the affair, and to have removed every chance which remained with Captain Cook of escaping with his life. The marines several times fired upon the crowd, but to little purpose, for the Indians soon rushed among them, and forced them into the water where four of them were killed. Captain Cook was now the only Englishman re- maining on shore. He was observed to be making towards the pinnace, holding his left hand against the back of his head, to guard it from the stones which were thrown at him, and carrying his musket under his other arm. An Indian was seen following him, but with caution and timidity; for he stopped once or twice, as if undetermined to proceed. At last he advanced upon him unawares, and with a large club, or common stake, gave him a blow on the back of the head, and then precipitately retreated. The stroke seemed to have stunned Captain Cook: he staggared a few paces, then fell on his hand and one knee, and dropped his musket. As he was rising, and before he could recover his feet, another Indian stabbed him in the back of the neck with an iron dagger. He then fell into the water, in a place where it was 12 134 CAPTAIN COOK. about knee deep; and others immediately crowded upon him, and endeavored to keep him under; but, struggling very stongly with them, he got his head up, and casting his look towards the pin- nance, seemed to solicit assistance. Though the boat was not above five or six yards distant from him, yet from the crowded and confused state of the crew, it seems it was not in their power to save him. The Indians got him under again, but in deeper water. He was, however, able to get his head up once more; and, being almost spent in the struggle, he naturally turned to the rock, and was endeavoring to support himself by it, when a sav- age gave him a blow with a club, and he was seen alive no more. They hauled him up lifeless on the rocks, where they seemed to take a savage pleasure in using every possible barbarity to his dead body, snatching the daggers out of each other's hands, to have the horrid satisfaction of piercing the fallen victim of their barbarous Death of Captain Cook. rage; and after they had thus glutted their revenge, they carried it off in triumph. Captain Clerke, who succeeded to the com- mand of the expedition, made every effort to recover the remains of Captain Cook; but his bones only could be obtained, and these were committed to the deep, amidst the heartfelt grief of all who had served with him. In his manners, Captain Cook was plain, simple, and manly. He was an excellent husband and father, a sincere and steady friend. The benevolence and humanity of his disposition were peculiarly remarkable. They were apparent from his treatment of his men, through all his voyages; and from his conduct towards CAPTAIN COOK. 135 the natives of all the countries which were discovered byhim. The health, the convenience, and, as far as it could be admitted, the enjoyment of those under his command, were the constant objects of his attention: and he was invariably anxious to amelior- ate the condition of the inhabitants of the several islands and places which he visited. With regard to their thieveries, he can- didly apologized for, and overlooked many offences which others would have punished; and when he felt impelled to proceed to any acts of severity, he never exerted them without reluctance and concern. With respect to his talents, they were undeniably of the most useful kind. He had a capacious and penetrating mind; and all his designs were accordingly bold and extensive. When these were formed, he never expressed a doubt respecting their execu- tion; for the same perspicuity and orderly arrangement of thought which enabled him to form the designs, also enabled him to devise the most simple and effectual modes of executing them. In the execution he was equally distinguished; no difficulty perplexed, no danger appalled him. The talents and knowledge which he possessed were always completely at his command, when they were most needed. And for great designs he was also qualified by the constitution of his body, which was inured to labor, and capable of supporting the greatest fatigue and hardships. In addition to a consummate acquaintance with navigation, Captain Cook possessed a knowledge of other sciences. In this respect, the ardor of his mind rose above the disadvantages of a very confined education. His progress in the different branches of mathematics, and particularly in astronomy, became so eminent, that, at length, he was able to take the lead in making the neces- sary observations of this kind, in the course of his voyages. He attained, likewise, to such a degree of proficiency in general learning, and in the art of composition, as to be able to express himself with a manly clearness and propriety, and to become re- spectable as the narrator, as well as the performer, of great ac- tions. Another trait, which was peculiarly conspicuous in the character of Captain Cook, was the perseverance with which he pursued the noble objects to which his life was devoted. In this he scarcely ever had an equal, and never a superior. Nothing could divert him from the points he aimed at; and he persisted in the prosecution of them, through difficulties and obstructions, which would have deterred minds even of considerable strength and firmness. In stature he is described to have been somewhat above the common size; and, though a good looking man, he was plain both in address and appearance. His head was small: his hair, which was a dark brown, he wore tied behind. His face was full of expression; his nose exceedingly well shaped; his eyes, which were small, and of a brown cast, were quick and piercing, and his eyebrows prominent; which gave to his counte- 136 CAPTAIN COOK. i nance altogether an air of austerity. In the year 1762 he had married an amiable and deserving woman. He had by her six children, but of these three sons only survived him. They were all brought up in the naval service. One of them was lost in a hurricane at sea, and the other two fell honorably in the cause of their country. On the widow a pension of two hundred pounds a year for her life, and on each of the sons a pension of twenty- five pounds a year was settled by the British government. NARRATIVE OF EVENTS WHICH OCCURRED SUBSE- QUENTLY TO THE DEATH OF CAPTAIN COOK. After Captain Clerke, upon whom the command of the expedi- tion devolved, had left the fatal island of Owhyhee, he considered it his duty to endeavor to execute the plans of discovery that had been laid down by his lamented predecessor. He consequently coasted several others of the Sandwich Islands; and finally left them on the 15th of March, 1779. The ships now proceeded towards Kamtschatka; and, in their course, the Resolution sprung a leak so bad, that at one time the whole s;>ace between the decks was deluged with water. On the twenty-third the mountains of Kamtschatka, covered with snow, were within view. The weath- er was now so severe, that the ship appeared like a complete mass of ice, and the rigging was so incrusted with it, that the different ropes were more than double their usual thickness. Two days after the discovery of Kamtschatka, when off the en- trance of Awatska Bay, the Resolution lost sight of the Discov- ery. The Resolution entered the bay, and soon afterwards the town of Petropaulowski was within view. It consisted of a few miserable log-houses, and some conical huts raised on poles, amounting in all to about thirty; yet here the voyagers were re- ceived and treated with feelings of humanity, -joined to a great- ness of mind and elevation of sentiment which would have done honor to any nation. On the 1st of May the Discovery also entered the harbor. On the 5th of July the navigators passed through Behring's Straits. They first sailed along the Asiatic coast, and then stretched over to that of America, with a view of exploring the sea between the latitudes of sixty-eight and sixty- nine degrees. But in this attempt they were disappointed; on the 7th their farther progress was stopped by a large and compact field of ice connected with the land. At one time, in attempting to penetrate towards the north-west, the Discovery was in a very dangerous situation. She became CAPTAIN COOK. 137 so entangled by several large pieces of ice, that her way was stopped, and she suffered much injury. A change of wind, how- ever taking place in the afternoon, the ice began to separate, and the navigators, setting all their sails, forced a passage through it. On the 31st they repassed Behring's Straits. Captain Clerke's health now rapidly declined. On the 17th of August, he was no longer able to rise from his bed; and five days afterwards he died of a consumption, which had commenced before he left England, and of which he had lingered during the whole voyage. The command of the expedition now devolved upon Captain Gore, who removed into the Resolution, and appointed Mr. King to the command of the Discovery. The body of Captain Clerke was interred. near the town of Petropaulowski, on Sunday, the 29th, with all the solemnity and honors which the voyagers could bestow. On the 12th of October they lost sight of Kamtschatka. In the forenoon of the 29th of November, the ships passed several Chinese fishing-boats; and the sea was covered with the wrecks of boats that had been lost, as it was conjectured, in the late boisterous weather. The navigators were now in latitude 22 deg. one min. south. On the following day, they ran along the Lema Islands, and took a Chinese pilot on board; and at 9 o'clock in the morning of the 1st of December they anchored at the distance of three leagues from Macao. Captain King was sent to Canton to obtain supplies of provisions and stores. On account of the war between England and America, and with France and Spain as her allies, of which the navigators re- ceived intelligence at Canton, they put themselves in the best posture of defence that they were able ; in the Resolution they mounted sixteen guns, and in the Discovery ten. They had reason, however, to believe, from the generosity of their ene- mies, that these precautions were superfluous; for they were informed that instructions had been found on board all the French ships of war captured in Europe, directing their com- manders, in case of falling in with the ships that sailed under the command of Captain Cook, to suffer them to proceed without molestation; and the same orders were also said to have been given by the American Congress in the vessels employed in their service. In return for these liberal concessions, Captain Gore resolved to refrain from availing himself of any opportuni- ties of capture, and to preserve, throughout the remainder of the voyage, the strictest neutrality. On the 12th of January, 1780, the navigators got under sail from Macao; on the 19th, they saw Pulo Lapata, and on the 20th, descried Pulo Condore, and anchored in the harbor at the south-west end of the island. The navigators remained at Pulo Condore till the 28th of January, when they unmoored, and pro- 12* 138 SUFFERINGS OF EPHRAIM HOW. ceeded on their homeward passage; passing through the Straits of Banca, and Sunda, without any occurrence worthy of particu- lar remark. On the 18th of February they left the Straits of Sunda. In the night, between the 25th and 26th, they experi- enced a violent storm, during which almost every sail they had bent was split to rags: and the next day th'ey were obliged to bend their last set of sails, and to knot and splice the rigging, their cordage being all expended. On the 7th of April, they saw the land of Africa; on the eve- ning of the 12th, they dropped anchor in False Bay, and the next morning stood into Simon's Bay, at the Cape of Good Hope. They sailed out of the Bay on the 9th, and on the 12th of .June, they passed the equator for the fourth time" during the voyage. On the 12th of August they made the western coast of Ireland, and, after a fruitless attempt to put into Port Galway, they were obliged, by strong southerly winds, to steer northward; and on the 26th of August, both the ships came to anchor at Stromness in the Orkneys, whence Captain King was despatched by Captain Gore, to acquaint the Board of Admiralty of their arrival. On the 1st of October, the ships arrived safe at the Nore, after an absence of four years, two months, and twenty- two days. SUFFERINGS OF EPHRAIM HOW. On the 25th of August, 1676, Mr. Ephraim How, of New Haven, in New England, with his two eldest sons; one Mr. Augfir; Caleb Jones, son to Mr. William Jones, one of the magistrates of New Haven; and a boy; six persons in all; set sail from New Haven for Boston, in a small ketch, of about seventeen tons. Having despatched his business there, he sailed for New Haven on the 10th of September, but was forced back to Boston by contrary winds. Here Mr. How was seized with a violent flux, which continued nearly a month; many being at that time sick, and some dying of the same. Being in some degree restored to health, he again sailed from Boston, October 10. They went with a fair wind as far as Cape Cod: but on a sudden the weather became very tempestuous, so that they could not pass the Cape, but were driven off to sea, where they were in great danger, experiencing terrible storms, with outrageous winds and seas. His eldest son fell sick and died a^out 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 assistants in SUFFERINGS OF EPHRAIM HOW. 139 working the vessel. Soon after XUaleb Jones died, so that half the company were now no more. Mr. How continued in a very sickly and weak state, yet was necessitated to stand at the helm twenty-four and thirty-six hours together! During this time the sea was so boisterous as fre- quently to break over the vessel, that if he had not been lashed fast he must have been washed overboard. In this extremity, he was at a loss in his own thoughts, whether he should persist in endeavoring to make for the New England shore, or bear away for the Southern Islands. Upon his proposing the question t > 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 fedl upon New England. Nearly about the 7th of November they lost their rudder, so that now their only dependence was upon Providence. In this deplorable state they drove up and down for a fortnight longer. During the last six weeks, the poor infirm Mr. How was hardly ever dry, nor had he the benefit of warm food above thrice or thereabouts. At length, about the 21st of November, early in the morning, the vessel was driven on the tailings of a ledge of rocks, where the sea broke violently. Looking out, they saw a dismal rocky island to the leeward, upon which, if Providence had not by the breakers given them timely warning, they had been dashed to pieces. They immediately let go an anchor, and got out the boat, and the sea became calm. The boat proving leaky, and they being in great terror, they took but little out of the ketch, but got on-shore as they could. Here they could discover neither man nor beast. It was a small, rocky, desolate island, near Cape Sable, the Southern extremity of Nova Scotia. They now appeared to be in great danger of being starved to death, but the storm returning, beat so violently upon the vessel, as it still lay at anchor, that it was stove to pieces, and several things floated to the shore. The following articles were all they had towards their future support: a cask of gunpowder, which received no damage from the water; a barrel of wine; half a barrel of molasses; several useful articles towards building a tent: all the above drifted from the wreck; besides which they had, firearms and shot; a pot for boiling; and most probably other things not mentioned in the narrative. Their tent was soon erected, for the cold was now 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 seagulls. These were so few, that they could seldom shoot more than one at a time. Many times half a fowl, with the liquor it was boiled in. served for a meal for all three. Once they lived five days without any 140 AN ESCAPE THROUGH THE CABIN-WINDOWS. sustenance, but did not feel themselves pinched with hunger as at other times: which they esteemed a special favor of Heaven unto them. When they had lived in this miserable condition twelve weeks, Mr. How's dear friend and companion, Mr. Augur, died, about the middle of February, 1677; so that he had none left to con- verse with but the lad, who likewise departed on the 2d of April. Mr. How 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 tfr the island than that which at last took him off. He used all the means in his power to make them acquainted with his distress; but they either did not see him, or were afraid to approach close to the island, lest some of those Indians should be quartered there, who were at that time in hostility against the English, viz. the North-East Indians, who held out after the death of the fa- mous Philip, king of the Wompanoags. At length a vessel belonging to Salem, in New England, provi- dentially passed by, and seeing this poor fellow, they sent their boat on shore, and took him away. He had been on the island more than seven months, and above a quarter of a year by himself. On the 18th of July he arrived at Salem, and at last returned to his family at New Haven. They for a twelvemonth had supposed him dead; by which it appears he did not get home till the end of August, or perhaps later. AN ESCAPE THROUGH THE CABIN-WINDOWS. In the year 18 , said Capt. M , I was bound, in a fine stout ship of about four hundred tons burden, from the port of P to Liverpool. The ship had a valuable cargo on board and about ninety thousand dollars in specie. I had been prevented, by other urgent business, from giving much of my attention to the vessel while loading and equipping for the voyage, but was very particular in my directions to the chief mate, in whom I had great confidence, he having sailed with me some years, to avoid entering, if possible, any but native American seamen. When we were about to sail, he informed me that he had not been able to comply with my directions entirely in this particular; but had shipped two foreigners as seamen, one a native of Guernsey, and the other a Frenchman from Brittany. I was pleased, however, with the appearance of the crew generally, and particularly with the foreigners. They were both stout and able-bodied men; and were particularly alert and attentive to orders. AN ESCAPE THROUGH THE CABIN-WINDOWS. 141 The passage commenced auspiciously, and promised to be a speedy one, as we took a fine steady westerly wind soon after we lost soundings. To my great sorrow and uneasiness, I soon dis- covered in the foreigners a change of conduct for the worse. They becarne insolent to the mates and appeared to be frequently under the excitement of liquor, and had evidently acquired an un- due influence with the rest of the men. Their intemperance soon became intolerable, and as it was evident that they had brought l.quor on board with them, I determined upon searching the fore- castle and depriving them of it. An order to this effect was given to the mates, and they were directed to go about its execution mildly and firmly, taking no arms with them as they seemed in- clined to do, but to give every chest, birth and locker in the fore- castle a thorough examination; and bring aft to the cabin any spirits they might find. It was not without much anxiety that I sent them forward upon this duty. I remained upon the quarter deck myself, ready to go to their aid, should it be necessary. In a few moments, a loud and angry dispute was succeeded by a sharp scuffle around the forecastle companion -way. The steward, at my call, handed my loaded pistols from the cabin, and with them I hastened forward. The Frenchman had grappled the second mate, who was a mere lad, by the throat, thrown him across the heel of the bowsprit, and was apparently determined to strangle him to death. The chief mate was calling for assistance from below, where he was struggling with the Guernsey man. The rest of the crew were in- different spectators, but rather encouraging the foreigners than otherwise. I presented a pistol at the head of the Frenchman, and ordered him to release the second mate, which he instantly did. I then ordered him into the foretop, and the others, who were near, into the maintop, none to come down under pain of death, until ordered. The steward had by this time brought another pair of pistols, with which I armed the second mate, di- recting him to remain on deck; and went below into the forecastle myself. I found that the chief mate had been slightly wounded in t\vo places by the knife of his antagonist, who, however, ceased to resist as I made my appearance, and we immediately secured him in irons. The search was now made, and a quantity of liquor found and taken to the cabin. The rest of the men were then called down from the tops, and the Frenchman was made the com- panion of his coadjutor's confinement. I then expostulated, at some length, with the others upon their improper and insubordi- nate conduct, and upon the readiness with which they had suf- fered themselves to be drawn into such courses by two rascally foreigners, and expressed hopes that I should have no reason for further complaint during the rest of the vovage. This remon- strance I thought had e fleet, as -they appeared contrite and 142 AN ESCAPE THROUGH THE CABIN-WINDOWS. promised amendment. They were then dismissed, and order was restored. The next day the foreigners strongly solicited pardon, with the most solemn promises of future good conduct; and as the rest of the crew joined in their request, I ordered that their irons should be taken off. For several days the duties of the ship were per- formed to my entire satisfaction; but I could discover in the countenances of the foreigners, expressions of deep and ran- corous animosity to the chief mate, who was a prompt, energetic seaman, requiring from the sailors, at all times, ready and implicit obedience to his orders. A week perhaps had passed over in this way, when one night, in the mid watch, all hands were called to shorten sail. Ordinari- ly upon occasions of this kind, the duty was conducted by the mate, but I now went upon deck myself and gave orders, sending him upon the forecastle. The night was dark and squally; but the sea was not high, and the ship was running off about nine knots, with the wind upon the starboard quarter. The weather being very unpromising, the second reef was taken in the fore and main topsails, the mizen handed and the fore and mizen top gal- lant yards sent down. This done, one watch was permitted to go below, and I prepared to betake myself to my birth again, di- recting the mate, to whom I wished to give some orders, should be sent to me. To my utter astonishment and consternation, word was brought me, after a short time, that he was no where to be found. I hastened upon deck, ordered all hands up again, and questioned every man in the ship upon the subject; but they, with one accord, declared that they had not seen the mate for- ward. Lanterns were then brought, and every accessible part of the vessel was unavailingly searched. I then, in the hearing of the whole crew, declared my belief that he must have fallen overboard by accident, again dismissed one watch below, and re- paired to the caftin, in a state of mental agitation impossible to be described. For notwithstanding the opinion which I had ex- pressed to the contrary, I could not but entertain strong suspi- cions that the unfortunate man had met a violent death. The second mate was a protegee of mine; and, as I have be- fore observed, was a very young man of not much experience as a seaman. I therefore felt that, under critical circumstances, my main support had fallen from me. It is needless to add, that a deep sense of forlornness and insecurity was the result of these reflections. My first step was to load and deposit in my state room all the fire arms on board, amounting to several muskets and four pairs of pistols. The steward was a faithful mulatto maa, who had sailed with me several voyages. To him I communicated my suspicions, and directed him -to be constantly on the alert: and AN ESCAPE THROUGH THE CABIN WINDOWS. 143 should any further difficulty with the crew occur, to repair imme- diately to my state room and arm himself. His usual birth was in the steerage, but I further directed that he should, on the fol- lowing morning, clear out and occupy one in the cabin near my o\vn. The second mate occupied a small state room opening into the passage which led from the steerage to the cabin. I called him from the deck, gave him a pair of loaded pistols, with orders to keep them in his birth; and, during his night watches on deck, never to go forward of the main mast, but to continue as constant- ly as possible near the cabin companion-way, and call me upon the slightest occasion. After this, I laid down in my bed, order- ing that I should be called at four o'clock, for the morning watch. Only a few minutes had elapsed, when I heard three or four knocks under the counter of the ship, which is that part of the stern im- mediately under the cabin windows. In a minute or two they were distinctly repeated. I arose opened the cabin window and called. Tke mate answered! I gave him the end of a rope to as- sist him up, and never shall I forget the flood of gratitude which my delighted soul poured forth to that Being, who had restored him to me uninjured. His story was soon told. He had gone forward upon being ordered by me, after the calling of all hands, and had barely reached the forecastle, when he was seized by the two foreigners, and before he could utter more than one cry, which was drowned in the roaring of the winds and waves, was thrown over the bow. He was a powerful man and an excellent swimmer. The topsails of the ship were clewed down to reef, and her way, of course, considerably lessened and in an instant, he found the end of a rope, which was accidentally towing overboard, within his grasp, by which he dragged in the dead water or eddy, that is always created under the stern of a vessel while sailing,* particularly if she is full built and deeply laden, as was the case with this. By a desperate effort, he caught one of the rudder chains, which was very low, and drew himself by it upon the step or jog of the rudder, where he had sufficient presence of mind to remain without calling out, until the light had ceased to shine through the cabin windows, when he concluded that the search for him was over. He then made the signal to me. No being in the ship, but myself, was apprised of his safety: for the gale had increased and completely drowned the sounds of the knocking, opening the window, &c. before they could reach the quarter deck; and there was no one in the cabin but our- selves, the steward having retired to his birth in the steerage. It was at once resolved that the second mate only should be inform- ed of his existence. He immediately betook himself to erlarge vacant state room, and, for the remainder of the passage, all his wants were attended to by me. Even the steward was allowed to enter the cabin as rarely as possible. Nothing of note occurred during the remainder of the voyage, 144 LAMENT FOR LONG TOM. which was prosperous. It seemed that the foreigners had only bean actuated by revenge in the violence they had committed; for nothing further was attempted by them. "In due season we took a pilot in the channel, and, in a day or two, entered the port of Liverpool. As soon as the proper arrangements were made, we commenced warping the ship into dock, and while engaged in this operation, the JMale appeared on deck, went forward, and attended to his duties as usual! A scene occurred which is beyond descrip- tion: every feature of it is as vivid in my recollection as though it occurred but yesterday, and will be to my latest breath. The warp dropped from the paralysed hands of the horror-stricken sailors, and had it not been taken up by some boatmen on board, I should have been compelled to anchor again and procure assist- ance from the shore. Not a word was uttered; but the two guilty wretches staggered to the mainmast, where they remained petri- fied with horror, until the officer, who had been sent for, approach- ed to take them into custody. They then seemed in a measure to be recalled to a sense of their appalling predicament, and uttered the most piercing expressions of lamentation and despair. They were soon tried, and upon the testimony of the mate, capitally convicted and executed. LAMENT FOR LONG TOM. BY J. G. C. BRAINARD. Thy cruise is over now Thou art anchored by the shore, And never more shall thou Hear the storm around thee roar ; Death has shaken out the sands of thy glass. Now around thee sports the whale And the porpoise snuffs the gale, And the night winds make their wail, As they pass. The sea-grass round thy bier Shall bend beneath the tide, Nor tell the breakers near, Where thy manly limbs abide ; But the granite rock thy tomb shall be. Though the edges of thy grave Are the combings of the wave Yet unheeded they shall rave Over thee. At the calling of all hands, When the -udgment signals spread THE FATAL REPAST. 145 When the islands, and the lands, And tiie seas give up their dead, And the south and the north shall come : When the sinner is betrayed, And the just man js afraid, Then may Heaven be thy aid, Poor Tom. THE FATAL REPAST. We had been nearly five weeks at sea, when the captain found, by a nautical observation, that we were within one hundred and thirty miles of the north side of Jamaica. Favorable winds and smooth seas had hitherto been our constant attendants, and every thing on board conspired to render the confinement and monotony of a Jong voyage less annoying than they usually are. The cabin passengers consisted of Major and Mrs. L , a new-married couple; Miss P , sister to the latter; Mr. I) , a young Irishman, and myself. Our captain was a man of pleasing man- ners and liberal ideas, and formed an important acquisition to our party, by joining in all its recreations, and affording every facility to the indulgence of them. Much of our time was spent in con- versation, and in walking on deck; and when the dews of evening obliged us to descend to the cabin, the captain would often enter- tain us with a relation of the various dangers which he and other persons had encountered at sea, or detail, with great gravity, some of the prevailing superstitions of sailors. Although he possessed more general information than usually falls to the lot of seafaring persons, his mind was tinctured with some of their weaknesses and prejudices. The ladies of our party had a great taste for natural history, and wished to obtain specimens of all the most interesting kinds of sea-birds. They had several times requested the captain to shoot one of Mother Gary's chickens, that they might take a drawing from it; how- ever, he always declined doing so, but never gave any satisfactory reason for his unwillingness to oblige them in this respect. At last, Mr. D killed two of the birds, after having several times missed whole flocks of them. The captain seemed very much startled when he saw the animals drop on the waves; " Will you have the goodness to let down the boat to pick up the game?" said Mr. D . " Yes, sir," replied he, " if you '11 go off in her, and never return on board this vessel : Here is a serious business Be assured we have not seen the end of it." He then walked away without offering to give any orders about lowering 13 146 TIIE^ FATAL REPAST, the boat; and the seamen, who witnessed the transaction looked as if they would not have obeyed him had he even done so. Though we saw no land, every thing proved that we were in the West India seas. The sky had^, within a few days, begun *to assume a more dazzling aspect, and long ranges of conical shaped clouds floated along the horizon. Land birds, with beau- tiful plumage, often hovered round the vessel, and we sometimes fancied we could discover a vegetable fragrance in the breezes that swelled our sails. One delightful clear morning, when we were in hourly expect- ation of making the land, some dolphin appeared astern. As the weather was very moderate, the captain proposed that we should fish for them; and a great many hooks were immediately baited for that purpose by the seamen. We caught large quantities of dolphin, and of another kind of fish, and put the whole into the hands of the steward, with orders that part should be dressed for dinner, and part distributed among the crew. When the dinner-hour arrived, we all assembled in the cabin, in high spirits, and sat down to table. It being St. George's day, the captain, who was an Englishman, had ordered that every thing* should be provided and set forth in the most sumptuous style, and the steward had done full justice to his directions. We made the wines, which were exquisite and abundant, circulate rapidly, and every glass increased our gaiety and good humor, while the in- fluence of our mirth rendered the ladies additionally amusing and animated. The captain remarked, that as there were two clarinet players among the crew, we ought to have a dance upon the quarter-deck at sunset. This proposal was received with much delight, particularly by the females of our party; and the captain had just told the servant in waiting to bid the musicians prepare themselves, when the mate entered the cabin, and said, that the man at the helm had dropped down almost senseless, and that another of the crew was so ill that he could scarcely speak. The captain, on receiving this information, grew very pale, and seemed at a loss what to reply. At last, he started from his chair, and hurried up the gangway. Our mirth ceased in a moment, though none of us appeared to know why; but the minds of all were evidently occupied by what they had just heard, and Major L remarked, with a faultering voice, that seamen were very liable to be taken suddenly ill in hot climates. After a little time, we sent the servant to inquire what was going forward on deck. He returned immediately, and informed us that the two sailors were worse, and that a third had just been attacked in the same way. He had scarcely said these words, when Mrs. L gave a shriek, and cried out that her sister had fainted away. This added to our confusion and alarm; and the Major and Mr. D trembled so, that they were hardly able to convey the young lady to her state-room. THE FATAL REPAST. 147 All conversation was now at an end, and no cne uttered a word til) Mrs. L returned from her sister's apartment. While we were inquiring how the latter was, the captain entered the cabin in a state of great agitation. " This is a dreadful business," said he. " The fact is it is my duty to tell you I fear we are all poisoned by the fish we have ate One of the crew died a few minutes since, and five others are dangerously ill." "Poisoned! my God! Do you say so? Must we all die?" exclaimed Mrs. L , dropping on her knees. ".What is to be done?" cried the Major distractedly; "are there no means of counteracting it?" " None that I know of," returned the captain. "All remedies are vain. The poison is always fatal, except but I begin to feel its effects support me can this be imagina- tion?" He staggered to one side, and would have fallen upon the floor, had not I assisted him. Mrs. L , notwithstanding his apparent insensibility, clung to his arm, crying out, in a tone of despair, " Is there no help no pity no one to save us?" and then fainted away on her husband's bosom, who, turning to me. said, with quivering lips, " You are a happy man; you have nothing to imbitter your last moments Oh, Providence! was I permitted to escape so many dangers, merely that I might suffer this misery?" Mrs. L soon regained her senses, and I endeavored to calm her agitation by remarking, that we might possibly escape the fatal influence of the poison, as some constitutions were not so easily affected by it as others. " Is there then a little hope?" she exclaimed. " Oh! God grant it* may be so! How dreadful to die in the midst of the ocean, far from friends and home, and then to be thrown into the deep!" " There is one thing," said the captain, faintly, " I was going to tell you, that but this sen- sation I mean a remedy." " Speak on," cried the major, in breathless suspense. " It may have a chance of saving you," continued the former; "you must immediately" He gave a deep sigh, and dropped his head upon his shoulder, apparently unable to utter a word more. "Oh, this is the worst of all!" cried Mrs. L in agony; "he was on the point of telling us how to counteract the effects of the poison Was it heavenly mercy that deprived him of the power of speech? Can it be called mercy?" " Hush, hush! you rave," returned her husband. lc We have only to be resigned now Let us at least die together. " The crew had dined about an hour and a half before us, and consequently felt the effects of the poison much earlier than we did. Every one, however, now began to exhibit alarming symp- toms. Mr. D became delirious; the major lay upon the cabin floor in a state of torpidity; and the captain had drowned all sense and recollection by drinking a large quantity of brandy. Mrs. L watched her husband and her sister alternately, in a state of quiet despair. 148 THE FATAL REPAST. I was comparatively but little affected, and therefore employed myself in assisting others until they seemed to be past all relief, and then sat down, anticipating the horrid consequences which would result from the death of the whole ship's company. While thus occupied, I heard the steersman call out, " Taken all aback here." A voice, which I knew to be the mate's, imme- diately answered, " Well, and what 's that to us? Put her before the wind, and let her go where she pleases." I soon perceived, by the rushing of the water, that there was a great increase in the velocity of the ship's progress, and went upon deck to ascer- tain the cause. I found the mate stretched upon the top of the companion, and addressed him, but he made no reply. The man at the helm was tying a rope round the tiller, and told me he had become so blind and dizzy, that he could neither steer, nor see the compass, and would therefore fix the rudder in such a manner, as would keep the ship's head as near the wind as possible. On going forward to the bows, I found the crew lying motionless in every direction. They were either insensible of the dangerous situa- tion in which our vessel was, or totally indifferent to it; and all my representations on this head failed to draw forth an intelligi- ble remark from any of them. Our ship carried a great press of canvass, the lower studding sails being set, for we had enjoyed a gentle breeze directly astern, before the wind headed us in the way already mentioned. About an hour after sunset, almost every person on board seemed to have become worse. I alone retained my senses un- impaired. The wind now blew very fresh, and we went through the water at the rate of ten knots an hour. The night looked dreary and turbulent. The sky was covered with large fleeces of broken clouds, and the stars flashed angrily through them, as they were wildly hurried along by the blast. The sea began to run high, and the masts showed, by their incessant creaking, that they carried more sail than they could well sustain. .1 stood alone abaft the binnacle. Nothing could be heard ab.->ve or below deck, but the dashing of the surges, and the meanings of the wind. All the people on board were to me the same as dead; and I was tossed about, in the vast expanse of waters, without a companion or fellow-sufferer. I knew not what might be my fate, or where I should be carried. The ves- sel, as it careered along the raging deep, uncontrolled by human hands, seemed under the guidance of a relentless demon, to whose caprices its ill-fated crew had been mysteriously consigned by some superior power. I \vas filled with dread lest we should strike upon rocks, or run ashore, and often imagined that the clouds which bordered the horizon were the black cliffs of some desolate coast. At la>t, I distinctly saw a light at some distance I anticipated in- THE FATAL REPAST. 149 stant destruction I grew irresolute whether to remain upon deck, and face death, or to wait for it below. 1 soon discovered a ship a little way ahead I instinctively ran to the helm, and loosed the rope that tied the tiller, which at once bounded back, and knocked me over. A horrible crashing, and loud cries, now broke upon my ear, and I saw that we had got entangled with another vessel. But the velocity with which we swept along, rendered our extrication instantaneous; and, on looking back. I saw a ship, without a bowsprit, pitching irregularly among the waves, and heard the rattling of cordage, and a tumult of voices. But, after a little time, nothing was distinguishable by the eye or by the ear. My situation appeared doubly horrible, when I reflected that I had just been within call of human creatures, who might have saved and assisted all on board, had not an evil destiny hurried us along, and made us the means of injuring those who alone were capable of affording us relief. About midnight, our fore top-mast gave way, and fell upon deck with a tremendous noise. The ship immediately swung round, and began to labor in a terrible manner, while several waves broke ovefpier successively. I had just resolved to descend the gangway for shelter, when a white figure rushed past me with a wild shriek, and sprung overboard. I saw it struggling among the billows, and tossing about its arms distractedly, but had no means of affording it any assistance. I watched it for some time, and observed its con- vulsive motions gradually grow more feeble; but its form soon became undistinguishable amidst the foam of the bursting waves. The darkness prevented me from discovering who had thus com- mitted himself to the deep, in a moment of madness, and I felt a strong repugnance at attempting to ascertain it, and rather wished it might have been some spectre, or the offspring of my perturbed imagination, than a human being. As the sea continued to break over the vessel, I went down to the cabin, after having closelv shut the gangway doors and com- panion. Total darkness prevailed below. I addressed the cap- tain and all my fellow passengers by name, but received no reply from any of them, though I sometimes fancied I heard moans and quick breathing, when the tumult of waters without happen- ed to subside a little. But I thought that it was perhaps imagi- nation, and that they were probably all dead. I began to catch for breath, and felt as if I had been immured in a large coffin along with a number of corpses, and was doomed to linger out life beside them. The sea beat against the vessel with a noise like that of artillery, and the crashing of the bulwarks, driven in by its violence, gave startling proof of the danger that threatened us. Having several times been dashed against the walls and transoms of the cabin by the violent pitching of the ship, I grop- 13* 50 THE FATAL REPAST. ed for my bed, and lay down in it, and, notwithstanding the hor- rors that surrounded me, gradually dropped asleep. When I awaked, I perceived, by the sunbeams that shone through the skylight, that the morning was far advanced. The ship rolled violently at intervals, but the noise of wind and waves had altogether ceased. I got up hastily, and almost dreaded to look round, lest I should find my worst anticipations concerning my companions too fatally realized. I immediately discovered the captain lying on one side of the cabin quite dead. Opposite him was Major L , stretched alon* the floor, and grasping firmly the handle of the door of his wife's apartment. He looked like a dying man, and Mrs. !<, , who sat beside him, seemed to be exhausted with grief and terror. She tried to speak several times, and at last suc- ceeded in informing me that her sister was better. I could not discover Mr. D any where, and therefore concluded that he was the person who had leaped overboard the preceding night. On going upon deck, I found that every thing wore a new aspect. The sky was dazzling and cloudless,id not the faint- est breath of wind could be felt. The sea had a beautiful bright green color, and was calm as a small lake, except when an oc- casional swell rolled from that quarter in which the wind had been the preceding night; and the water was so clear, that I saw to the bottom, and even distinguished little fishes sporting around the keel of our vessel. Four of the seamen were dead, but the mate and the remain- ing three had so far recovered, as to be able to walk across the deck. The ship was almost in a disabled state. Part of the wreck of the fore top-mast lay upon her bows, and the rigging and sails of the mainmast had suffered much injury. The mate told me, that the soundings, and almost every thing else, proved we were on the Bahama banks, though he had not yet ascertain- ed on what part of them we lay, and consequently could not say whether we had much chance of soon falling in with any vessel. The day passed gloomily. They regarded every cloud that rose upon the horizon as the forerunner of a breeze, which we above all things feared to encounter. Much of our time was employed in preparing for the painful but necessary duty of in- terring the dead. The carpenter soon got ready a sufficient number of boards; to each of which we bound one of the corpses, and also weights enough to make it sink to the bottom. About ten at night, we began to commit the bodies to the deep. A dead calm had prevailed the whole day, and not a cloud obscured the sky. The sea reflected the stars so distinctly, that it seemed as if we were consigning our departed compan- ions to a heaven as resplendent as that above us. There was an awful solemnity, alike in the scene and in our situation. I read THE FATAL REPAST. 151 the funeral service, and then we dropped the corpses overboard, one after another. The sea sparkled around each, as its sullen plunge announced that the waters were closing over it, and they all slowly and successively descended to the bottom, enveloped in a ghastly glimmering brightness, which enabled us to trace their progress through the motionless deep. When these last offices of respect were performed, we retired in silence to differ- ^nt parts of the ship. About midnight, the mate ordered the men to cast anchor, which, till then, they had not been able to accomplish. They likewise managed to furl most of the sails, and we went to bed, under the consoling idea, that though a breeze did spring up, our moorings would enable us to weather it without any risk. J was routed early next morning by a confused noise upon deck. When I got there, I found the men gazing intently over the side of the ship, and inquired if our anchor held fast. " Ay, ay," returned one of them, " rather faster than we want it." On approaching the bulwarks, and looking down, I perceived, to my horror and astonishment, all the corpses lying at the bottom of the sea, as if they had just been dropped into it. We were now exempted from the ravages and actual presence of death, but his form haunted us without intermission. We hardly dared to look over the ship's side, lest our eyes should encounter the ghastly features of some one who had formerly been a companion, and at whose funeral rights we had recently assisted. The seamen began to murmur among themselves, say- ing that we would never be able to leave the spot where we then were, and that our vessel would remain there and rot. In the evening a strong breeze sprung up, and filled us with hopes that some vessel would soon come in sight, and afford us relief. At sunset, when the mate was giving directions about the watch, one of the seamen cried out, " Thank Heaven, there they are." And the other ran up to him saying, "Where, where?" He .pointed to a flock of Mother Carey's chickens that had just appeared astern, and began to count how many there were of them. I inquired what was the matter, and the mate replied, " Why, only that we've seen the worst, that 's all, master. I've a notion we'll fall in with a sail before twenty hours are past." " Have you any particular reason for think- ing so?" said I. "To be sure I have," returned he, "Aren't them there birds an omen of returning good fortune." " I have always understood," said I, "that these birds indicate bad weather, or some unfortunate event, and this appears to me to be true." "Ay, ay," replied he, " they say experience teaches fools, and I have found it so; there was a time when I did not believe that these creatures were any thing but common birds, but now I know another story Oh I've witnessed such strange things!" 152 THE FATAL HEPAST. Next morning I was awakened by the joyful intelligence thai a schooner was in sight, and that she had hoisted her flag in an- swer to our signals. She bore down upon us with a good wind, and in about an hour hove to, and spoke us. When we had in- formed them of our unhappy situation, the captain ordered the boat to be lowered, and came on board of our vessel, with three of his crew. He was a thick, short, dark-complexioned man, and his language and accent discovered him to be a native of the southern states of America. The mate immediately proceeded to detail minutely all that happened to us, but our visiter paid very little attention to the narrative, and soon interrupted it, by asking of what our cargo consisted. Having been satisfied on this point, he said, " Seeing as how things stand, I conclude you'll be keen for getting into some port." " Yes, that of course is our earnest wish," replied the mate, " and we hope to be able by your assist- ance to accomplish it." "Ay, we must all assist one another," returned the captain "Well, I was just calculating, that your plan would be to run into New Providence I'm bound for St. Thomas's, and you can't expect that I should turn about, and go right back with you neither that I should let you have any of my seamen, for I'll not be able to make a good trade unless I get slick into port. Now I have three nigger slaves on board of me, curse them, they don't know much about sea-matters, and are as lazy as h 1, but keep flogging them, mister, keep flogging them I say, by which means, you will make them serve your ends. Well, as I was saying, I will let you have them blacks to help you, if you '11 buy them of me at a fair price, and pay it down in hard cash." " This proposal," said the mate, " sounds strange enough to a British seaman; -and how much do you ask for your slaves?" " I can't let them go under three hundred dollars each," replied the captain, " I guess they would fetch more in St. Thomas's, for they 're prime, blow me." "Why, there is'nt that sum of money on board this vessel, that I know of," answered the mate; " and though I could pay it myself, I 'm sure the own- ers never would agree to indemnify me. I thought you would have afforded us every assistance without asking any thing in return, a true sailor would have done so at least." " Well, I vow you are a strange man," said the captain. "Is'nt it fair that I should get something for my niggers, and for the chance I' 11 run of spoiling my trade at St. Thomas's, by making myself short of men? But we shan't split about a small matter, and I '11 lessen the price by twenty dollars a head." "It is out of the question, sir," cried the mate, " I have no money," " Oh there's no harm done," returned the captain, "we can't trade, that's all. Get ready the boat, boys I guess your men will soon get smart again, and then, if the weather holds moderate, you '11 reach port with the greatest ease." " You surely do not mean to leave us in this barbarous way?" cried I ; " the owners of this CAPTAINS PORTLOCK AND DIXON, 153 vessel would, I am confident, pay any sum rather than that we should perish through your inhumanity." " Well, mister, I 've got owners too," replied he, " and my business is to make a good Voyage for them. Markets are pretty changeable just now, and it won't do to spend time talking about humanity money 's the word with me." Having said this, he leaped into the boat, and ordered his men to row towards his own vessel. , As soon as they got on board, they squared their topsail, and bore away, and were soon out of the reach of our voices. We looked at one another for a little time with an expression of quiet despair, and then the seamen began to pour forth a torrent of invectives, and abuse, against the heartless and avaricious shipmaster who had inhumanly deserted us. Major L and his wife, being in the cabin below, heard all that passed. When the> captain first came on board, they were filled with rapture, thinking that we would certainly be delivered from the perils and difficulties that environed us; but as the con- versation proceeded, their hopes gradually diminished, and the conclusion of it made Mrs. L give way to a flood of tears, in which I found her indulging when I went below. The mate now endeavored to encourage the seamen to exertion. They cleared away the wreck of the fore-top-mast which had hitherto encumbered the deck, and hoisted a sort of jury-mast in its stead, on which they rigged two sails. When these things were accomplished, we weighed anchor, and laid our course for New Providence. The mate had fortunately been upon the Ba- hama seas before, and was aware of the difficulties he would have to encounter in navigating them. The weather continued mode- rate, and after two days of agitating suspense, we made Exuma Island, and cast anchor near its shore. CAPTAINS PORTLOCK AND DIXON. This voyage was undertaken for the purposes of commerce; principally, indeed, for the fur-trade, on the north-west coast of America, which had been strongly recommended by Captains Cook and King in their last voyage. Two vessels were fitted out for this purpose, the King George and Queen Charlotte, by a society of merchants and others, the former commanded by Na- thaniel Portlock, the latter by George Dixon, both of whom had been with Captain Cook; the King George having sixty men, the Queen Charlotte thirty. September 20th they quitted St. Helens, and, proceeding to 154 CAPTAINS PORTLOCE AND DIXON. Guernsey, !eft it on the 25th. October 16th saw the Canary Islands, ami 24th the Cape de Verde group, anchoring for a short time in Port Praya Bay, in St. Jago. Proceeding south, they anchored in Port Egmont, Falkland's Islands, January 5th, 1786, where, taking in water, they made sail for States Bay, in Terra del Fuego. Having made a good offing from Cape Horn, they had tolerable weather; and continuing their route without touch- ing at any place, or meeting with any thing worthy of notice, dropped anchor 26th May in Karakooa Bay, in Owhyhee, Sand- wich Islands. The natives crowded them very much, bartering a variety of articles; but were nevertheless extremely troublesome. It was the general opinion, that it would be impossible to water the ves- sels without a strong guard, which they could -not well spare; while the people were probably jealous that these vessels were come to revenge the death of Captain Cook. Next day they stood out of the bay, lying-to three leagues off, to carry on trade for hogs, plantains, taro, &cc. Stc. which proved so serviceable that the sick, of whom there were several, began rapidly to recover. June 1st anchored in a bay in Woahoo, another of the islands, and were received very civilly by the inhabitants. They now stood for another of the islands, named Oneehow; and, on the 8th, anchored in yam Bay, where supplies of fruit, vegetables, and pigs, were willingly afforded by the principal chief Abbenooe, who seemed strongly their friend, from recollecting Captain Port- lock along with Cook. They took leave of him, with regret, on the 13th, standing for the coast of America. July 19th made the entrance of Cook's River; and, while look- ing for good anchorage, were astonished by the report of a great gun; when, soon afterwards, a party of Russians came on-board, attended by some Indians; but none understanding the language of either, no satisfactory information could be gained from them. Most of the natives had fled from their huts, alarmed perhaps by the Russians; several bears were seen, but none near enough to fire at. Two veins of kennel-coal were found, which burned very well, and the place was, therefore, called Coal Harbor. An el- derly chief paying Captain Dixon a visit, informed him that they had a battle with the Russians, in which the latter were worsted, and added, that, from the difference of dress, he knew they were of a different nation. Quitting this place, they tried for some time to get into Prince William's Sound; but, by a series of unfavorable winds, failed in this pursuit. September 23rd, they stood away for the Sandwich Islands to pass the winter, and return in the spring. November 14th saw the summit ofthe high mountain in Owhyhee covered with snow, and employed two or three following days in coasting it, the natives bringing off a variety of articles to barter for iron and trinkets. The first mate ofthe King George reporting, that a bay CAPTAINS PORTLOCK AND DIXOff. 156 they intended to anchor in did not admit of good anchorage, this design was dropped. During the time they lay to, hogs, fowls, wild-geese, bread-fruit, plantains, and several other things were procured in considerable quantities; the natives dealing pretty fairly, but committing a variety of thefts, even before their faces, with a dexterity almost inimitable. For several days they con- tinued lying to off the islands of Mowee and Morotoi, procuring refreshments and receiving visits till the 30th, when both ships bore away for King George's Bay, in Whoaboo, where they an- chored in safety, after experiencing a variety of winds from all points of the compass. Here they found every thing tabooed, or forbidden, so that it became necessary to court the king's favor; for which purpose a present was sent to- him, and another to a priest, their acquain- tance on the former occasion, who paid them a visit, handing up a fig and plantain, which in these islands are signs of friendship. This was soon followed by a visit from Taheeterre, the king, fol- lowed by all the chiefs, who took off the taboo. The priest was remarkable for drinking large quantities of the ava, or yava-juice, for which he had two men in constant attendance chewing the root, which, with their spittle, forms this singular and (to us) nauseous beverage. The yava is a root resembling liquorice in shape and color. None but the chiefs and priests have permission to use it, and these are never at the trouble of chewing it them- selves; but, as above observed, employ servants; these begin with chewing a sufficient quantity, and when well masticated, it is put into a wooden bowl kept for the purpose, to which a small quantity of water is added; the whole is then strained through a cloth, and, like wine in Europe, it thus forms not merely the drink, but the delight of all parties, feasts, rejoicings, and, in short, every public assemblage of the leading people. Its effects, however, are very pernicious; it is partly intoxicating or rather stupifying; and, by its constant use, the old priest was exceedingly debilitated, and his body covered by a white scurf, resembling the leprosy, which is a common symptom throughout the South Sea islands of its fre- quent use. The taboo was again put on without any explanation being given, though several canoes nevertheless came off, but without any women, as had been formerly the case. Afterwards it was understood that one of them had been detected in the King George eating Pork, which being a heinous offence, she was taken as soon as she came on shore, and offered a sacrifice to the gods: human sacrifices, it appears, are here, as in most parts of the South Sea islands, frequently presented, and it is unquestionably the most inhuman and barbarous custom among them. December 19th weighed, and two days afterwards anchored between Attqui and Wymea, where, after paying and receiving some visits, their former friend Abbenooe came on board with 156 CAPTAINS PORTLOCK AND DIXON. two canoes loaded with provisions, and remained for two or three days, seemingly very well pleased with his new abode. The king also made his appearance; he was stout and well-made, about forty-five years of age, and possessed of more understand- ing and good-nature than any of his subjects. January 5th caught a shark in the King Geerge, thirteen and a half feet long, eight and a half broad, and six feet in the liver; forty-eight young ones were in her, about eight inches each in length; two whole turtles of sixty pounds each; several small pigs, and a quantity of bones; so that the numbers and the voracity of this fish may be conceived. From this time to the 10th they were employed in purchasing wood, water, provisions, curiosities, and every thing else they wanted; and now, .quitting the anchorage, proceeded to yam Bay, in Oneehow, where, after making a few excursions, they departed once more for Wymoa Bay, Attoui. On the 3d March weighed, and made sail for the coast of America, and on the 24th April saw Montager Island, coming to anchor in the harbor, where there is sufficient shelter from the prevailing winds. The weather continued very variable, several unsuccessful attempts being made to get into Prince Williams Sound, and only a single straggling inhabitant being seen now and then, so that there was no opportunity to trade. Captain Dixon now made an excursion in his boats up the Sound, and receiving some hints frpm the natives of a vessel be- ing there, continued his search for several days, and at length got on board a vessel called the Nootka, from Bengal, commanded by Mr. Meares, which had wintered in Snug-corner Cove. The scurvy had made dreadful havoc among them, nearly all the officers and many of the crew having died of this frightful disorder, so that at length the Captain was thv only person on board able to walk the deck. Along with his first mate he soon afterwards visited the ships, met with a hearty reception, and received such assistance as he wanted and as the others could afford From him they learned that few or no furs could be procured here; that several vessels from India had been already on this coast for the purposes of trade; and that two or three were expected next month in the same pursuit, which immediately determined our voyagers to separate and push for different parts of the coast, in order to be before their expected rivals; the Queen Charlotte to proceed to King George's Sound, and Messrs. Hayward and Hill to Cook's River in the King George's long-boat, the latter to remain where she was for the present. On the 13th May several anoes visited them, in one of which was a chief of great consequence, named Sheenaawa, whose party, like most others, were determined thieves, exerting their ingenuity and tricks for this purpose in an extraordinary degree. They danced, sung, laughed, and diverted the attention of the seamen in every possible way, while slyly their hands were seizing every CAPTAINS PORTLOCK AND DIXON. 157 thing on the decks, so that literally they were smiling in their faces and robbing them at the same time. In the meantime the Queen Charlotte and the long-boat sailed, while the King George shitted to Hinchinbroke Cove. Some of the boats were sent out to trade, which were tolerably successful; but they also suffered from continual thefts, which were sometimes accompanied by menaces, if they attempted to resist the plunderers. June 9th the Nootka left her former anchorage, where she had been frozen in, and came close to the King George, when the crew of the latter were partly employed in rendering her assist- ance. Two days afterwards the long-boat returned from Cook's River with a very good cargo, and was again sent off with orders to return by the 20th of July. On the 19th the Nootka sailed. Next day the surgeon took the invalids on shore for an excursion, who, by the use of spruce-beer, which they now brewed in abun- dance, were rapidly recovering. In the evening observed two In- dian boats and several canoes, in which were about twenty-five natives, who came alongside next morning. Their chief, named Taatucktellingnal*e, was paralytic on one side, had a long beard, and seemed about sixty years of age; his country was called Cheeneecock, situated towards the south-west part of the Sound. July llth hauled the seine frequently, when not less than two thousand salmon were caught at each haul; and so great were their numbers, that ships prepared for the purpose might have obtained any quantity they wished. The long-boat returned on the 21st, though without so much success as formerly. On the 26th sailed from this place. The natives in general are short in stat- ure, with flat laces and noses, ill-formed legs, but good teeth and eyes; they wear their hair, which is black and straight, very long, but cut it short on the death of a relation, this seeming their only method of mourning. They are attentive to their women, but jealous of them. Their thieving habits seem fixed, the most dex- terous being most in esteem, and receiving the greatest applause for the exertion of his talents; he is also distinguished by a fan- tastical dress, which, while it excites the notice of the spectators, gives the owner additional opportunities of exerting his fingers at their expense. By the 3d of August had made little progress, from the shift- ing of the wind. On the 8th, two large boats visited them, with twenty-five men, women, and children on board, who, very dif- ferent from their other visiters, seemed very honest, and who were invited to dinner in the cabin, when they relished the English cookery so well, that the dishes were quickly obliged to be re- plenished. These departed in the evening well pleased with their- entertainment, promising to return with the means of trading with their new friends. On the 1 1th a new tribe visited them from the eastward, with about the same number of persons as the last; four days after, the 14 158 CAPTAINS PORTLOCK AND DIXON. long-boat returned, having had pretty good success, notwithstand- ing some acts of hostility which they had been compelled to re- taliate upon the Indians. Another party, from the north-west, were extremely addicted to thieving, nothing could escape them; and, when detected, were very impudent, and often threatened those they robbed. The men were of the size of Europeans, of a fierce and savage aspect, using daggers and long spears, easily provoked and ready to indulge their anger. August 22d weighed and made sail from this coast, having done as much as it seemed likely they could do in the way of trade. September 28th made Owhyhee, the principal of the Sandwich group, when several canoes came off, with whom a brisk trade for hogs and other refreshments was carried on. At Attoui they found the Nootka and Queen Charlotte had been there and left letters for the King George. After procuring what necessaries they wanted, Captain Portlock directed his course for China with his cargo of furs; on the 4th November saw Saypan and Tinian, two of the Ladrone Islands; and on the 21st anchored in Macao Roads, where Captain Dixon was found, whose transac- tions shall now be noticed. After separating, the Queen Charlotte coasted it for some time, till, seeing an appearance of an inlet, a boat was despatched which found an excellent harbor, where she soon after anchored. Sev- eral canoes came off, from whom some skins were procured, but by no means so many as they had at first reason to expect. The number of inhabitants was about seventy; the harbor, which is good, was named Port Mulgrave, and is situated in 59 deg. 32 min. north latitude; 140 deg. west longitude. The language of these people is quite different from that of Prince William's Sound, or Cook's River, being extremely uncouth and difficult to pro- nounce. The mode in which they dispose of their dead is re- markable; the head is separated from the body, and both are wrapped in furs, the former being put into a box, the latter into an oblong chest which are afterwards preserved and disposed of in a fanciful way. June 4th quitted this place, and kept beating to the southward; a harbor was perceived at a distance, which, upon examination by the boats, was found to extend to a considerable distance, with a number of coves here and there, very well calculated for an- chorage; it was named Norfolk Sound The people were at first civil and well-behaved; but soon became troublesome and thiev- ish, like almost all their brethren on this coast. Trade here was not very brisk. July 1st saw an island, and were soon sur- rounded by Indians, who, after gratifying their curiosity in exam- ining the vessel, began to trade, and soon parted with all their skins. Several fresh tribes visited them almost daily, who, delight- ed with European articles of barter, were content to leave their furs behind in exchange. The residence of one was strongly fortified, CAPTAINS PORTLOCK AND DIXON. 159 resembling a nippah or fortified place, in New Zealand; and, from some circumstances which transpired, Dixon was tempted also to believe they were also like the New Zealanders, cannibals. Proceeding to the eastward, eleven canoes came alongside on the 24th with one hundred and eighty persons; but curiosity was the prevailing motive, as they had nothing to sell; and, five days after, no less than two hundred men, women, and children, in eighteen canoes, came off to indulge their curiosity; a num- ber that, on this coast, is rarely found in one community. Their chief had the most savage aspect of any yet seen, his whole ap- pearance sufficiently marking him as the leader of a tribe of can- nibals. His stature was above the common size, his body spare and thin, and, though seemingly lank and emaciated, his step was bold and firm, his limbs strong and muscular; his eyes, which were large and goggling, seemed ready to start from their sockets; his forehead deeply wrinkled, as well by age as an habitual frown, which, joined to a long visage, hollow cheeks, high cheek-bones, and natural ferocity of temper, rendered him a most formidable figure. August 8th, made sail for the Sandwich Islands. September 2d made Owhyhee, and, after procuring refreshments, stood on for Whahoo, being visited the next day by Abbenooe and the king, by whose commands they received abundant supplies of wood, water, and provisions, of which they were in extreme want, several of the crew being nearly dead with the scurvy. Attoui was their next destination, where the chiefs inquired particularly after their friend Po-pote (Captain Portlocke,) and were desirous of contri- buting all in their power to the assistance of the ship, every one supplying the Captain with a liberality as unbounded as it was un- expected, but which did not go unrewarded; saws, hatchets, nails, and other iron instruments being given to the men, and buttons, beads, and a variety of ornaments to the women. September 18th made sail for China, and anchored in Macao Roads the 9th November, where being joined as already noticed, by the King George, their meeting was extremely agreeable. Captain Portlock was very much surprised in Canton with his old friend Tiaana, from the Sandwhich Islands, who was no less pleas- ed at seeing him, embracing the Captain in the most cordial and affectionate manner. During his stay, Tiaana was introduced to every place worthy of notice; he was usually dressed in a cloak and fine feather cap, and, to show that he was a person of consequence, carried a spear in his hand. Afterwards, at the persuasion of Mr. Ross, he wore a light satin waistcoat and a pair of trousers. He frequently at- tended places of public worship, behaving with the greatest de- corum, and joining the congregation in the ceremonies of kneel- ing or standing, as if he had been all his life regularly accustomed to them. Some of the customs of the Chinese displeased him ex- 160 CURIOSITY BAFFLED. ceedingly, and, during the voyage, was nearly throwing the pilot overboard for some real or imaginary offence; he was, however, of a kind disposition, displaying frequent instances of humanity as well as generosity. Being once at an entertainment, given by one of the Captains at Macao, his compassion was strongly excited after dinner by seeing a number of poor people, in Sarn- pans, crowding round the vessel and asking alms; he solicited his host's permission to give them some food, remarking it was a great shame to let poor people want victuals, and that in his country there were no beggars. In compliance with his importunities, the broken meat was collected under his care, and he distributed it in the most equal and impartial manner. Tiaana was six feet two inches high, exceedingly well-made, but inclined to corpulen- cy; he had a pleasing animated countenance, fine eyes, and other- wise expressive as well as agreeable features. He was universally liked, and, previous to his departure for Attoui, the gentlemen at Canton furnished him with bulls, cows, sheep, goats, rabbits, turkeys, &c. &c. besides all kinds of seeds which could be useful in his island, with directions how to rear and propagate them. The best skins of their cargoes were disposed of to the East India Company for fifty thousand dollars, while the inferior ones were sold to the Chinese, both vessels receiving in return cargoes of tea. February, 6th, 1788, weighed and made sail down the river, quitting Macao finally a day or two afterwards. On the 20th saw the island of Pulo Sapata, four leagues distant; and, 25th, the islands of Aramba; three days afterwards Mr. Lander, surgeon of the Queen Charlotte, died, having been ill for some time, and attended by his brother surgeon, Mr. Hoggan, of the King George. On the 30th of March the ships agreed to sepa- rate, and make the best of their way to St. Helena, where the King George arrived the 13th June, and the Queen Charlotte on the 18th. The former at length reached England, without any occurrence worthy of remark, on the 22d August; and the latter the 17th September. Nor was the voyage unfortunate; for though no great gain was made, yet nothing was lost, which, in a new commercial speculation, is not an uncommon occurrence. CURIOSITY BAFFLED. Brook Watson was born of humble parentage, in the province of Maine, and in that part of it more appropriately known as Sagadahoc. History has not conveyed to us the incidents of his childhood. As he met with extraordinary success in life, we presume he was pretty soundly drubbed by the schoolmaster and CURIOSITY BAFFLED. 161 the older boys. He probably ran about bare-footed in summer, and in winter, wore old woollen stockings, with the feet cut off, under the name of leggins, to keep out snow-water. We imag- ine he got on the raits of the lumber-men, and learned to swim, by being knocked off, as a mischief-maker, into the river. We think it likely he occasionally set up, of a moonshiny night, to watch the bears, as they came down, to reconnoitre the pig-stye; and we have little doubt that, before he was eleven years old, he had gone cabin-boy to Jamaica, with a cargo of pine boards and timber. But of all this weknow nothing. It is enough for our story, that, at the age of twenty, Brook Watson was a stout athletic young man, sailing out of the port of New York to the West Indies. The Yankees knew the way to the West Indies a good while ago; they knew more ways than one. Their coasting vessels knew the way, without quadrant or Practical Navigator. Their skippers kept their reckoning with chalk, on a shingle, which they stowed away in the binacle; and, by way of observation, they held up a hand to the sun. When they got him over four fingers, they knew they were straight for the Hole-in-the-wall; three fingers gave them their course to the Double-headed-shot Keys, and two carried them down to Barbadoes. This was one way; and when the Monsieurs and the Dons at Martinico and the Havana heard the old New England drums, thumping away under the very teeth of their batteries, they understood to their cost, that the Yankees had another way of working their passage. But Brook Watson went to the Havana in the way of trade. He went as second mate of the Royal Consort, a fine topsail schooner of one hundred and fifteen tons; and whether he had any personal venture in the mules, butter, cheese, codfish, and shocks, which she took out, is more than history has recorded. Captain Basil Hall says the Americans are too apt to talk about the weather. But in the tropics, in the month of July, aboard a small ship, without a breath stirring, captain, it is hot; you have been a sailor yourself, and you ought to know it. It was very hot on board the Royal Consort, about four o'clock in the afternoon of the 14th of July, 1755. There was not the slightest movement in the air; the rays of the sun seemed to burn down into the water. Silence took hold of the animated creation. It was too hot to talk, whistle, or sing; to bark, to crow, or to bray. Every thing crept under cover, but Sambo and Cuffce, two fine looking blacks, who sat sunning themselves on the quay, and thought " him berry pleasant weather," and glistened like a new Bristol bottle. Brook Watson was fond of the water; he was not web-footed, nor was he branchioustegous; (there's for you, see Noah Web- ster;) but were he asked whether he felt most at home on land or in the water, he would have found it hard to tell. He had 14* 162 CURIOSITY BAFFLED. probably swum the Kennebec, where it is as wide and deep as the Hellespont between Sestos and Abydos, at least once a day, for five months in the year,, ever since he was eleven years old, without Lord Byron's precaution of a boat in company, to pick him up, in case of need. As his Lordship seemed desirous of imitating Leander, honesty ought, we think, to have suggested to him, to go without the boat. At all events, that was Brook Watson's way; and we have no doubt, had he been in a boat, with a head wind, he would have sprung into the river, in order to get across the sooner. With'this taste for the water, and with the weather so oppressive as we have described it on the present occasion, it is not to be wondered at, that Brook Watson should have turned his thoughts for refreshment, to a change of element; in other words, that he should have resolved to bathe himself in the sea. Such was the fact. About six o'clock in the afternoon, and when every other being on board the vessel had crept away into the cabin or the forecastle, to enjoy a siesta, Brook, who had been sweltering, and panting, and thinking of the banks of the Kennebec, till his stout gay heart felt like a great ball of lead within him, tripped up on deck, dropped his loose clothing, and in an instant was over the side of the vessel. This was Brook's first voyage to the West Indies, since he had grown up; and the first day after his arrival. He was one of that class of mankind not bred up to books; and, consequently, in the way of learning wis- dom only by experience. What you learn by experience, you learn pretty thoroughly, but at the same time, occasionally, much to your cost. Thus by chopping off a couple of fingers with a broad axe, you learn, by experience, not to play with edge-tools. Brook Watson's experience in bathing had hitherto been confined to the Kennebec; a noble, broad, civil stream, harboring nothing within its gentle waters more terrible than a porpoise. The sea- serpent had not yet appeared. Brook Watson had certainly heard of sharks, but at the moment of forming the resolution to bathe, it had entirely escaped his mind, if it had ever entered it, that the West India seas were full of them; and so over he went, with a fearless plunge. Sambo and CufFee, as we have said, were sitting on the quay, enjoying the pleasant sunshine, and making their evening repast of banana, when they heard the plunge into the water by the side of the Royal Consort, and presently saw Brook Watson emerging from the deep, his hands to his eyes, to free them from the brine, balancing up and down, sputtering the water from his mouth, and then throwing himself forward, hand over hand, as if at length he realjy felt himself in his element. " Oh, Massa Bacra," roared out Sambo, as soon as he could recover his astonishment enough to speak, " O Senor; he white nan neber go to swim; O, de tiburon; he berry bad bite, come CURIOSITY BAFFLED. 163 llamar de shark; he hab berry big mouth; he eatee a Senor all up down!" Such was the exclamation of Sambo, in the best English he had been able to pick up, in a few years service, in unlading the American vessels, that came to the Havana. It was intended to apprise the bold but inexperienced stranger, that the waters were filled with sharks, and that it was dangerous to swim in them. The words were scarcely uttered, and, even if they were heard, had not time to produce their effect, when Cuffee responded to the exclamation of his sable colleague, with " O, Madre de Dios, see, see, de tiburon, de shark; ah San Salvador; ah pobre joven! matar, todo comer, he eat him all down, berry soon!" This second cry had been drawn from the kind-hearted negro, by seeing, at a distance, in the water, a smooth shooting streak, which an inexperienced eye would not have noticed; but which Sambo and Cuffee knew full well. It was the wake of a shark. At a distance of a mile or two, the shark had perceived his prey; and with the rapidity of sound he had shot across the inter- vening space, scarcely disturbing the surface with a ripple. Cuffee's practised eye alone had seen a flash of his tail, at the distance of a mile and a half; and raising his voice to the utmost of his strength, he had endeavored to apprise the incautious swim- mer of his danger. Brook heard the shout, and turned his eye in the direction, in which the negro pointed; and well skilled in all the appearances of the water, under which he could see almost as well as in the open air, he perceived the sharp forehead of the fearful animal rushing towards him, head on, with a rapidity which bade defiance to flight. Had he been armed with a knife, or even a stick, he would not have feared the encounter; but would have coolly waited his chance, like the negroes of the West Indies and the Spanish Main, and plunged his weapon into the opening maw of the ravenous animal. But he was wholly naked and de- fenceless. Everyone on board the Royal Consort was asleep; and it was in vain to look for aid from that quarter. He cast a glance, in his extremity, to Sambo and Cuffee; and saw them, with prompt benevolence, throw themselves into a boat, to rescue him ; but meantime the hungry enemy was rushing on. Brook thought of the Kennebec; he thought of its green banks, and its pleasant islands. He thought of the tall trunks of the pine trees, scathed with fire, which stood the grim sentinels of the forest, over the roof where he was born. He thought of the log school-house. He thought of his little brothers and sisters, and of his mother; and there was another image that passed through his mind, and almost melted into cowardice his manly throbbing heart. He thought of Mary Atwood, and but he had to think of himself. For though these tumultuous emotions and a thousand others rushed through his mind in a moment, crowding that one 164 CURIOSITY BAFFLED. moment with a long duration of suffering; yet in the same fleet moment, the dreadful monster had shot across the entire space that separated him from Brook; and had stopped, as if its vitality had been instantly arrested, at the distance of about twelve feet from our swimmer. Brook had drawn himself up in the most pugnacious attitude possible; and was treading water with great activity. The shark, probably unused to any signs of making battle, remained, for one moment, quiet; and then, like a flash of lightning, shot sideling off, and came round in the rear. Brook, however, was as wide awake as his enemy. If he had not dealt with sharks before, he knew something of the ways of bears and catamounts; and contriving himself to get round, about as soon as the shark, he still presented a bold front to the foe. But a human creature, after all, is out of his element in the water; and he fights with a shark, to about the same disadvantage as the shark himself, when dragged up on deck, fights with a man. He flounces and flings round, and makes formidable battle with tail and maw; but he is soon obliged to yield. The near approach to a fine plump healthy Yankee was too much for the impatience of our shark. The plashing of the oars of Sambo and Cuffee, warned the sagacious monster of gathering foes. Whirl- ing himself over on his back, and turning up his long white belly, and opening his terrific jaws, set round with a double ro^w of broad serrated teeth, the whole roof of his mouth paved with horrent fangs, all standing erect, sharp, and rigid, just permitting the blood-bright red to be seen between their roots, he darted toward Brook. Brook's self-possession stood by him in this trying mo- ment. He knew very well if the animal reached him in a vital part, that instant death was his fate; and with a rapid movement, either of instinct or calculation, he threw himself backward, kicking, at the same moment, at the shark. In consequence of this movement, his foot and leg passed into the horrid maw of the dreadful monster, and were severed in a moment, muscles, sin-- ews, and bone. In the next moment, Sambo and Cuffee were at his side; and lifted him into the boat, convulsed with pain, and fainting with loss of blood. The Royal Consort was near, and the alarm was speedily given. Brook was taken on board; the vessel's company were roused; bandages and styptics were ap- plied; surgical advice was obtained from the shore, and in due season the hearty and sound-constitutioned youth recovered. The place of his lost limb was supplied by a wooden one; and industry, temperance, probity, and zeal, supplied the place of a regiment of legs, when employed to prop up a lazy and dissipated frame. The manly virtues of our hero found their reward; his sufferings were crowned with a rich indemnity. He rose from one step to another of prosperity. Increased means opened a wider sphere of activity and usefulness. He was extensively engaged in public contracts, which he fulfilled to the advantage of the gov- CURIOSITY BAFFLED. 165 eminent, as well as his own; a thing rare enough among con- tracting biptds. From a contractor, he became a commissary, and from commissary, Lord Mayor of London. Behold our hero now, at the head of the magistracy of the me- tropolis of the British empire, displaying, in this exalted station, the virtues, which had raised him to it from humble life; and combating the monsters of vice and corruption, which infest the metropolis, as boldly as he withstood the monster of the deep, and with greater success. All classes of his majesty's subjects, who had occasion to approach him, enjoyed the benefit of his civic qualities; and his fame spread far and wide through Great Britain. Nor was it confined, as may well be supposed, to the British isles. The North American colonies were proud of their fellow citizen, who, from poverty and obscurity, had reached the Lord Mayor's chair. The ambitious mother quoted him to her emulous offspring. The thrifty merchant at Boston, would send a quintal of the best Isle-of-Shoals, as a present to his worship; and once, on the an- nual election-day, the reverend gentleman, who officiated on the occasion, in commenting on the happy auspices of the day, (it was just after the receipt of a large sum of money from England, on account of the expenses of the colony in the old war,) includ- ed among them, that a son of New England had been entrusted with the high and responsible duties of the-Chief Magistracy of the metropolis of his majesty's dominions. It may well be supposed, that the Americans, who went home (as it was called, even in the case of those, who were born and bred in the colonies) were very fond of seeking the acquaintance of Sir Brook Watson, for knighthood had followed in the train of his other honors. Greatly to the credit of his worship, he uniformly received them with kindness and cordiality, and instead of shunning whatever recalled his humble origin, he paid partic- ular attention to every one, that came from Sagadahoc. There was but a single point in his history and condition, on which he evinced the least sensitiveness, and this was the painful occur- rence, which had deprived him of his limb. Regret at this severe loss; a vivid recollection of the agony, which had accompanied it ; and probably no little annoyance at the incessant interrogatories to which it had exposed him through life, and the constant repeti- tion, to which it had driven him of all the details of this event, had unitedly made it a very sore subject with him. He at length ceased himself to allude to it, and his friends perceived, by the brevity of his answers, that it was a topic on which he wished to be spared. Among the Americans who obtained an introduction to his worship in London, were Asahel Ferret and Richard Teasewell, shrewd Yankees, who had found their way over to England, with a machine for dressing flax. They had obtained a letter of re- commendation from a merchant in Boston to Sir Brook. They 166 CURIOSITY BAFFLED. had no reason to murmur at their reception. They were invited to dine with his lordship and treated with hearty hospitality and friendship. The dinner passed rather silently away, but with no neglect of the main end of the dinner. Our Yankee visiters did full justice to his worship's bountiful fare. They found his mutton fine; his turbot fine; his strong beer genuine (as they called it); and his wine most extraordinary good; and as the bottle circulat- ed, the slight repression of spirits, under which they commenced, passed of. They became proportionally inquisitive, and opened upon their countryman a full battery of questions. They began with the articles, that formed the dessert; and asked whether his lordship's peaches were raised in his lordship's own garden. Whentold they were not, they made so bold as to inquire, whether they were a present to his lordship or boughten. The mayor having answered that they came from the market, " might they presume to ask how much they had cost?" They were curious to be informed whether the silver gilt spoons* were solid metal ;- how many little ones his worship had; what meeting he went to, and whether his lordship had ever heard Mr. Whitefield preach; and if he did not think him a fine speaker. They were anxious to know, whether his lordship went to see his Majesty sociably now, as you would run in and out at a neighbor's; whether her majesty was a comely personable woman, and whether it was true, that the prince was left-handed, and the princess pock-marked. They inquired what his lordship was worth; how much he used to get, as commissary ; how much he got as lord mayor; and whether her ladyship had not something handsome of her own. They were anxious to know, what his worship would turn his hand to, when he had done being lord mayor; how old he was; whether he did not mean to go back and live in America; and whether it was not very pleasant to his lordship, to meet a countryman from New England. To all these questions and a great many more, equally searching and to the point, his lordship answered good- humoredly; sometimes with a direct reply, sometimes evasively, but never impatiently. He perceived, however, that the appetite of their curiosity grew, from what it fed on; and that it would be as wise in him to hope for respite oh their being satisfied, as it was in the rustic to wait for the river to run out. These sturdy questioners had received a hint, that his lordship was rather sensitive, on the subject of his limb, and not fond of having it alluded to. This, of course, served no other purpose, than that of imparting to them an intense desire to know every thing about it. They had never heard by what accident his lord- ship had met this misfortune; as indeed the delicacy, which had for years been observed on the subject, in the circle of his friends, had prevented the singular circumstances, which in early youth deprived him of his leg, from being generally known. It was surmised by some, til it he had broken it by a fall on the ice, in CURIOSITY BAFFLED. 167 crossing the Kennebec in the winter. Others affirmed, of their certain knowledge, that he was crushed in a raft of timber; and a third had heard a brother-in-law declare, that he stood by him, when it was shot off, before Quebec. In fact, many persons, not altogether as curious as our visitants, really wished they knew how his lordship lost his leg. This prevailing mystery, the good humor with which his wor- ship had 'answered their other questions, and the keen sting of curiosity wrought upon the visiters, till they were almost in a frenzy. The volubility, with which they put their other ques- tions, arose, in part, from the flutter of desire to probe this hidden matter. They looked at his worship's wooden leg; at each other; at the carpet; at the ceiling; and finally, one of them, by way of a feeler, asked his lordship, if he had seen the new model of a cork leg, contrived by Mr. Rivetshin and highly commended in the papers. His lordship had not heard of it. Baffled in this, they asked his lordship, whether he supposed it was very painful to lose a limb, by a cannon ball or a grape shot. His worship really could not judge, he had never had that misfortune. They then inquired whether casualties did not frequently happen to lumberers on the Kennebec river. The mayor replied that the poor fellows did sometimes slip off a rolling log, and get drowned. "Were there not bad accidents in crossing the river on the ice?" His lordship had heard of a wagon of produce, that had been blown down upon the slippery surface of the ice, horses and all, as far as Merry Meeting Bay, when it was brought up by a shot from fort Charles, which struck the wagon between perch and axle-tree and knocked it over; but his lordship pleasantly added, he believed it was an exaggeration. Finding no possibility of getting the desired information by any indirect means, they began to draw their breath hard; to throw quick glances at each other and at his lordship's limb; and in a few moments one of them, with a previous jerk of his head and compression of his lips, as much as to say, " I will know it or die," ventured to take the liberty to inquire, if he might presume so far, as to ask his lordship, by what accident he had been deprived of the valuable limb, which appeared to be wanting to his lord- ship's otherwise fine person. His lordship was amused at the air and manner with which the question was put; like those of a raw lad, who shuts his eye, when taking aim with a gun. The displeasure he would other- wise have felt was turned into merriment; and he determined to sport with their unconscionable curiosity. " Why, my friends, said he, what good would it do you to be informed? How many questions I have already answered you this morning! You now ask me how I lost my leg; if I answer you on that point, you will wish to know the when, and the 168 CURIOSITY BAFFLED. wherefore; and instead of satisfying I shall only excite your curiosity." " Oh no," they replied, " if his lordship would but condescend to answer them this one question, they would agree never to ask him another." His lordship paused a moment, musing; and then added, with a smile, " But will you pledge yourselves to me to that effect?" Oh, they were willing to lay themselves under any obligation; they would enter into bond not to trouble his lordship with any farther question; they would forfeit a thousand pounds, if they did not keep their word. " Done, gentlemen," said his lordship, " I accept the condition I will answer your question, and take your bond never to put me another." The affected mystery, the delay, and the near prospect of satis- fying their own curiosity, rendered our visiters perfectly indiffer- ent to the conditions, on which they were to obtain the object of their desire. His lordship rang for a clerk, to whom he briefly explained the case, directing him to draw up a bond, for the signature of his inquisitive countrymen. The instrument was soon produced, and ran in the following terms. " KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, That we, Alsahel Ferret and Richard Tease well, of the town of Gossipbridge and county of Tolland. in his majesty's colony of Connecticut, in New England, do hereby jointly and severally acknowledge ourselves firmly holden and bound to his worship, Sir Brook Watson, the present Lord Mayor of London, to his heirs, and assigns, in the sum of one thousand pounds sterling; and we do hereby, for ourselves, our heirs, and assigns, covenant and agree, to pay to his said worship, the present Lord Mayor of London, to his heirs and assigns, the aforesaid sum of one thou- sand pounds sterling, when the same shall become due, according to the tenor of this obligation; And the condition of this obligation is such, that, whereas the aforesaid Ferret and Teasewell, of the town and county, 8tc. and colony, &c. have signified to his aforesaid worship their strong desire, to be informed, apprised, instructed, told, made acquaint- ed, satisfied, put at rest, and enlightened, how and in what man- ner his aforesaid worship became deprived, mutilated, maimed, curtailed, retrenched, damnified, abated, abscinded, amputated, or abridged in the article of his worship's right leg; and whereas his aforesaid worship, willing to gratify the laudable curiosity of the said Ferret and Teasewell; but desirous also to put some period, term, end, close, estoppel, and finish, to the numerous questions, queries, interrogatories, inquiries, demands, and exam- inations of the said Ferret and Teasewell, whereby his aforesaid CURIOSITY BAFFLED. 169 worship hath been sorely teased, worried, wherreted, perplexed, annoyed, tormented, afflicted, soured, and discouraged; therefore, to the end aforesaid, and in consideration of the premises afore- said, his worship aforesaid, hath covenanted, consented, agreed, promised, contracted, stipulated, bargained, and doth, Sec. with the said Ferret and Teasewell, Sec. kc. to answer such question, as they, the said Ferret and Teasewell, shall put and propound to his said worship, in the premises, touching the manner, &c. &c. truly, and without guile, covin, fraud, or falsehood; and the said Ferret and Teasewell, also, do on their part, covenant, consent, agree, promise, stipulate, and bfirgain with his aforesaid worship, and have, &c. that they will never propound, or put any farther or different question to his aforesaid worship, during the term of their natural lives; And if the said Ferret and Teasewell, or either of them, contrary to the obligation of this bond, shall at any time hereafter, put or propound any farther, or other, or dif- ferent question to his said worship, they shall jointly and severally, forfeit and pay to his said worship, the sum aforesaid, of one thousand pounds, sterling money; and if, during the term of their natural lives, they shall utterly forbear, abstain, renounce, aban- don, abjure, withhold, neglect, and omit, to propound any such, other, or farther, or different question, to his aforesaid worship, then this bond shall be utterly null, void, and of no effect; but otherwise in full force and validity. Witness our hand and seal, this tenth day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and sixty-nine. ASAHEL FERRET. (Seal.) RICHARD TEASEWELL. (Seal.) Signed, sealed, and delivered, in presence of FRANCIS FAIRSERVICE. SAMUEL SLYPLAY. Middlesex, ss. 10th October, A. D. 1769. Then personally appeared before me, the said Asahel Ferret and Richard Tease- well, and acknowledged the aforesaid obligation to be their free act and deed. Attest. THOMAS TRUEMAN, Justice of the Peace. Stamp, 3s." The instrument was executed, handed to his worship, and de- posited in his scrutoire. ' Now gentlemen," said he, " I am ready for your question." They paused a moment, from excess of excitement and antici- pation. Their feelings were like those of Columbus, when he beheld a light from the American shores; like Dr. Franklin's, when he took the electric spark from the string of his kite. 15 170 THE RKTTJRV OF THE ADMIRAL. "Your lordship then will please to inform us, how your lord- ship's limb was taken off." " IT WAS BJTTEN OFF!'' They started, as if they had taken a shock from an electric battery; the blood shot up to their temples; they stepped each a pace nearer to his lordship, and with staring eyes, gaping mouth, and with uplifted hands, were about to pour out a volley of ques- tions, " by whom, by what bitten; how, why, when!" But his lordship smilingly put his forefinger to his lip, and then pointed to the scrutoire, where their bond was deposited. They saw, for the first time in their lives, that they were taken in; and departed rather embarrassed and highly dissatisfied, with having passed an afternoon, in finding out that his lordship's leg was bitten ofF. This mode of losing a limb being one of very rare occurrence, their curiosity was rather increased than allayed by the information; and as they went down stairs, they were heard by the servants, muttering to each other, " Who, do you 'spose, bit off his leg?" JY". England Magazine. THE RETURN OF THE ADMIRAL. BY BARRY CORNWALL. How gallantly, how merrily, We ride along the sea ! The morning is all sunshine, The wind is blowing free ; The billows are all sparkling, And bounding in the light Like creatures in whose sunny veins The blood is running bright. All nature knows our triiimph : Strange birds about us sweep ; Strange things come up to look at us, The masters of the deep ; In our wake, like any servant, Follows even the bold shark Oh, proud must be our Admiral Of such a bonny barque ! Proud, proud must be our Admiral (Though he is pale to-day,) Of twice five hundred iron men, Who all his nod obey ; Who've fought for him, and conquered Who've won with sweat and .gore, Nobility ! which he shall have Whene'er he touch the shore. Oh ! would I were our Admira.^ To order, with a word To lose a dozen drops of blood, And straight rise up a lord ! SHIPWRECKED MARINERS. '71 I 'd shout e'en to yon shark, there, Who follows in our lee, " Some day I '11 make thee carry me, Like lightning through the sea ! " The Admiral grew paler, And paler as we flew ; Still talked he to his officers, And smiled upon his crew ; And he looked up at the heavens, And he looked down on the sea, And at last he spied the creature That kept following in our lee. He shook 't was but an instant For speedily the pride Ran crimson to his heart, Till all chances he defied ; It threw boldness on his forehead j Gave firmness to his breath ; And he stood like some grim warrior New risen up from death. That night, a horrid whisper Fell on us where we lay, And we knew our old fine Admiral Was changing into clay ; And we heard the wash of waters, Though nothing could we see, And a whistle and a plunge Among the billows in our lee ! 'Till dawn we watched the body In its dead and ghastly sleep, And next evening at sunset, It was slung into the deep ! And never, from that moment, Save one shudder through the sea, Saw we (or heard) the shark That had followed in our lee ! SHIPWRECKED MARKERS SATED THROUGH A DREAM. In June, 1695, the ship Mary, commanded by Captain Jones, with a crew of twenty-two men, sailed from Spithead for the West Indies; and contrary to the remonstrances of one Adams on board, the master steered a course which brought the vessel on the Caskets, a large body of rocks, two or three leagues south east of Guernsey. It was about three o'clock in the morning, when the ship struck against the high rock, and all the bows were stove in; the water entered most rapidly, and in less than half an hour, she sunk. Those of the crew who were in the fore part of 172 SHIPWRECKED MARINERS. the ship, got upon the rock; but the rest, to the number of eight, who were in the hind part, sunk directly, and were seen no more. Adams and thirteen more, who were on the rock, had not time to save any thing out of the ship for their subsistence; and the place afforded them none, nor even any shelter from the heat of the sun. The first day they went down the rock, and gathered limpets, but finding that they increased their thirst, they eat no more of them. The third day they killed the dog which had swam to the rock, and eat him, or rather chewed his flesh, to allay their thirst, which was excessive. They passed nine days without any ether food, and without any prospect of relief; their flesh wasted, their sinews shrunk, and their mouths parched with thirst; on the tenth day, they agreed to cast lots, that two of the company should die, in order to preserve the rest a little longer. When the two men were marked out, they were willing and ready to stab them- selves, as had been agreed on with horrible ingenuity, in order that those who were living might put a tobacco pipe into the inci- sion, and each in his turn suck so many gulphs of blood to quench his thirst! But although the necessity was so pressing, they were yet unwilling to resort to this dreadful extremity, and resolved to stay one day more in hopes of seeing a ship. The next day, no relief appearing, the two wretched victims on whom the lots had fallen, stabbed themselves, the rest sucked their blood, and were thus revived for a short time. They still continued to make signals of distress, and having hoisted a piece of a shirt on a stick, it was at length seen by a ship's crew of Guernsey, one Taskard, master, bound from that island to Southampton. They were all taken on board, when each had a glass of cider and water to drink, which refreshed them considerably; but two of them eager- ly seizing a bottle, drank to excess, which caused the death of both in less than two hours. The most remarkable circumstance connected with this ship- wreck, is yet to be mentioned. It was with great reluctance that Taskard brought his ship near -the Caskets, which were out of his course; but he was very much importuned by his son, who had twice dreamed that there were men in distress upon these rocks. The father refused to notice the first dream, and was angry with his son; nor would he have yielded on the second, if there riad been a favorable wind to go on his own course. A POLITE SEA-ROBBER. 173 A POLITE SEA-ROBBER. We often read of extremely polite and gentlemanly highwaymen, who rob with such marvellous courtesy that a man can hardly feel it in his heart to withhold his watch, his purse, or aught of goods and chattels that he may chance to have about him. But it is quite otherwise with your sea robbers, alias pirates, who are rep- resented as a most brutal and unfeeling set, who have not the least dasli of politeness about them, to redeem their characters from unmitigated odium. Such being their general reputation, it is with no slight feeling of relief that we read the account of so pol- ished and courteous a villain as the one described below. It is extracted from the " Adventures of a Wanderer." He had ship- ped at JVew Orleans, on board the Governor Griswold, bound to Havana and Liverpool, as steward: We got (says he) under way, and proceeded down the river until we came to a place called the English Turn, when a boat, manned by twelve or fourteen men, came off from shore, and when they had arrived within hail they called to us and asked if we wanted a pilot. The Captain answered, "No;" whereupon the man in the stern of the boat ordered one of the men to throw him a rope. The rope was handed him, and it being made fast to the boat, he came alongside. He ascended the ladder, and came on board with all his men, excepting four who remained in the boat. The captain of these desperadoes was a tall man, dark complexioned, and terrible in aspect. His eye was black and piercing, his nose slightly Roman, and he wore a huge pair of sable mustachios. His men were a ferocious looking band, har- dy and sun burnt. He saluted the captain in a courteous manner, and was profuse in compliments. His men, who wore long red Indian stockings, red caps, and were armed with pistols and knives, sauntered carelessly about the deck. The pirate captain asked our captain where he was bound; he ans-.vered correctly, " To Liverpool via Havana." Our captain then cut short the interrogation of the pirate, by saving, " I know your business." The pirate then turned to our crew, and asked them what sort of u>ao;e they had received since they left Europe. " Tolerable," they replied, <; but very little grog." The pirate then called for the steward. I made. my appearance. " Have you. plenty of grog on board?" inquired he. I replied in the affirmative. "Fill up that bucket," said he, " and carry it down the forecastle for the men to drink." I took up the bucket at which he pointed, carried it into the cabin, and 174 A POLITE SEA-ROBBER. filled it with liquor. I then took it forward to the forecastle, where the men received it and conveyed it below. As soon as the crew had got below, and were assembled aroum the bucket, the pirate placed two of his men upon the scuttle t< prevent any of the crew from coming on deck, while he with tw< of his gang stuck close to the captain and mate. "Now, stew- ard," said the pirate, " go down and invite all your passengers t( come on deck." I did as I was ordered. Our passengers were a lady and two small children, and a gentleman who had been en- gaged in teaching a school in New Orleans, but having received a letter purporting that the death of a near relation had left him heir to a largf fortune, had embarked for his home, which was London. These persons came on deck. The lady was much frightened, but the pirate told her to be under no apprehension, and soothed her with language which would not have disgraced the court of Great Britain. The pirate now gave orders to bring up the gen- tleman's trunk. The trunk was laid at his feet. "Now" said he, "bring up all the captain and mate's property." They also were produced. He then proceeded to overhaul the captain's trunk, which con- tained u no great shakes." 'Captain, you have a very poor kit 1 ' said he, with a scornful smile. The pirate then examined the passenger's trunk. Jt contained about four hundred and forty dollars in specie. In rummaging the trunk, the pirate fell in with the letter containing the information in respect to the fortune which had been left the passenger. This letter the pirate read, and giving a significant glance at the fortunate man whose direction it bore, folded it up carefully and laid it down. He then turned to the captain, and asked him if the man had paid his passage. ' No,' answered the captain. ' How much does his passage cost?' inquired the pirate. ' Two hundred and twenty dollars,' replied the captain. 'That you must lose,' said the pirate. Then turning to the passenger ' You,' said he, ' I will treat fairly! You will want,' continued the pirate, 'when you arrive at Liverpool, two dollars to pay the porter for carrying your trunk ; ' he laid down the money; 'your passage to London will cost you ,2 10s,' he counted it out and placed it with the two dollars; your dinner will come to five shillings, and you may want 3, more to treat some of your friends, 7 he laid down the money with the rest, ' arid for fear that will not be sufficient, here are twenty-five dollars more.' He presented the amount of these several items to the passenger, gave the remainder to one of his gang, and told him to pass it into the boat. He then very courteously asked the time of day. The captain pulled out a fine watch, and answered A POLITE SEA-ROBBER. 175 that it was half past three. ' Your watch takes my fancy mightily,' said the pirate, and taking it from the captain, he put it into his fob with orreat nonchalance, and walked away to the forecastle. ' Come up here two of you who are sober,' said he. Two of them stum- bled up, and the rest came reeling after. " Go down into the cabin, and bring me up all the small arms you .can find," said the pirate. The two first sailors went down, and soon returned with an old fowling piece and a pair of pistols. " Now," said he, turningtothe sailors, " if any of you, boys, wish to change your situation for better pay and a shorter passage, I will give you a chance; for rent I am after and rent I'll have! But stop!" cried he, " this lady I had almost forgotten; come here, madam, and let me hear a little of your worldly concerns. " She immediately commenced an eloquent harangue, accompa- nied with tears. She had gone on for some time in this manner, when the pirate immediately cried, 'Avast! avast! there, that's enough, I'd sooner face the battery of a ninety-eight, than stem the torrent of female eloquence!" He then ordered some brandy for himself and his men. The liquor, was brought; I poured out a glassful for him, when he said, " Stop! captain just be so good as to drink this off your- self! after you is manners. I don't know what some of you Yan- kee inventors may have put into this liquor. You may have thrown an onyx in the cup. The captain drank it off readily. The pirate eyed the captain closely for a few moments, and then said to his followers, " Come, my boys, we may venture," and the decanter was soon drained of its contents. The pirate then point- ed to the maintop, and requested the captain to take a walk up that way. "And you, Mr. Mate, "said he, " begin to travel up the forerigging. But mind!" said he, " stop when I tell you!" The captain and mate had proceeded half way up the lower rigging, when he summoned them to halt. The captain was about stepping upon the next rattling, when the pirate again hailed him " If you stir an inch backward or forward," said he, "you will comedown faster than you went up." The captain looked down and saw jseveral pistols levelled at him, ready to be discharged on the in- stant. He then remained stationary. Then the pirate taking off his cap, addressed the passengers. He told them he was once poor himself, and therefore knew how to sympathize with persons in distress. He hoped they would be grateful for the lenity which he had shown them, and then wish- ing them a pleasant voyage, he stepped over the side into his boat, and was soon lost to our view beneath the foliage of the thick underwood which lined the shore and hung over the green wave. 176 FEELINGS EXCITED BY A LONG VOYAGE. THE SEA-BIRD'S SONG. BY j. G. BRAINARD. On the deep is the mariner's danger, On the deep is the mariner's death ; Who to fear of the tempest a stranger, Sees the last bubble burst of his breath ? 'T is the sea-bird, sea-bird, sea-bird, Lone looker on despair, The sea-bird, sea-bird, sea-bird, The only witness there. Who watches their course who so mildly, Career to the kiss of the breeze ? Who lists to their shrieks, who so wildly Are clasped in the arms of the seas ! 'Tis the sea-bird, sea-bird, sea-bird, &c. Who hovers on high o'er the lover, And her who has clung to his neck? Whose wing is the wing that can cover, With its shadows the foundering wreck ? 'Tis the sea-bird, sea-bird, sea-bird, &c. My eye is the light of the billow, My wing on the wake of the wave I shall take to my breast for a pillow The shroud of the fair and the brave I'm the sea-bird, sea-bird, sea-bird, &c. My foot on the ice-berg has lighted When hoarse the wild winds veer about, My eye when the bark is benighted Sees the lamp of the light-house go out. I'm the sea-bird, sea-bird, sea-bird, Lone looker on despair, The sea-bird, sea-bird, sea-bird, The only witness there. FEELINGS EXCITED BY A LONG VOYAGE. VISIT TO A NEW CONTINENT. BY WASHINGTON IRVING. To an American visiting Europe, the long voyage he has to make is an excellent preparative. From the moment you lose sight of the land you have left, all is vacancy until you step upon the opposite shore, and are launched at once into the bustle and novelties of another world. FEELINGS EXCITED BY A LONG VOYAGE. 177 I have said that at sea all is vacancy. I should correct the expression. To one given up to day-dreaming, and fond of losing himself in reveries, a sea voyage is full of subjects for meditation; but then they are the wonders of the deep, and of the air, and rather tend to abstract the mind from worldly themes. I delight- ed to loll over the quarter railing, or to climb to the main top on a calm day, and to muse for hours together on the tranquil bosom of a summer's sea; or to gaze upon the piles of golden clouds just peering above the horizon, fancy them some fairy realms, and people them with a creation of my own, or to watch the gen- tle undulating billows rolling their silver volumes, as if to die away on those happy shores. There was a delicious sensation of mingled security and awe, with which I looked down from my giddy height on the monsters of the deep at their uncouth gambols. Shoals of porpoises tum- bling about the bow of the ship; the grampus slowly heaving his huge form above .the surface, or the ravenous shark, darting like a spectre through the blue waters. My imagination would con- jure up all that I had heard or read of the watery world beneath me, of the finny herds that roam its fathomless valleys; of the shapeless monsters that lurk among the very foundations of the earth- and those wild phantasms which swell the tales of fish- ermen and sailors. Sometimes a distant sail gliding along the edge of the ocean would be another theme for idle speculation. How interesting this fragment of a world hastening to rejoin the great mass of existence! What a glorious monument of human invention, that has thus triumphed over the wind and wave; has brought the ends of the earth to communion, has established an interchange of blessings, pouring into the steril regions of the north all the luxuries of the south; diffused the light of knowledge and the charities of cultivated life; and has thus bound together those scattered portions of the human race, between which nature seemed to have thrown an insurmountable barrier! We one day descried some shapeless object drifting at a dis- tance. At sea every thing that breaks the monotony of the surrounding expanse attracts the attention. It proved to be the mast of a ship that must have been completely wrecked; for there were the remains of handkerchiefs by which some of the crew had fastened themselves to this spar to prevent their being washed off by the waves. There was no trace by which the name of the ship could be ascertained. The wreck had evidently drifted about many months; clusters of shell-fish had fastened about it, and long sea weeds flaunted at its sides. But where, thought I, is the crew? Their struggle has long been over; they have gone down amidst the roar of the tempest; their bones lie whitening in the caverns of the deep. Silence oblivion, like the waves have closed over them, and no one -can tell the story of their end. 178 FEELINGS EXCITED BY A LONG VOYAGE. What sighs have been wafted after that ship! what prayers of fered up at the deserted fireside of home! How often has the mistress, the wife, and the mother, pored over the daily news, to catch some casual intelligence of this rover of the deep! How has expectation darkened into anxiety anxiety into dread and dread into despair! Alas! not one memento shall ever return for love to cherish. All that shall ever be known is that she sailed from her port " and was never heard of more." The sight of the wreck as usual gave rise to many dismal an- ecdotes. This was particularly the case in the evening when the weather which had hitherto been fair began to look wild and threatening, and gave indications of one of those sudden storms that wilt sometimes break in upon the serenity of a summer voy- age. As we sat around the dull light of a lamp, in the cabin, that made the gloom more ghastly, every one had his tale of ship- wreck and disaster. I was particularly struck with a short one related by the captain. " As I was once sailing," said he, " in a fine stout ship, across the banks of Newfoundland, one of the heavy fogs that prevail in those parts rendered it impossible for me to see far ahead even in the daytime; but at night the weather was so thick that we could not distinguish any object at twice the length of our ship. I kept lights at I he mast head and a constant watch forward to look out for fishing-smacks, which are accustomed to lie at an- chor on the banks. The wind was blowing a smacking breeze, and we were going at a great rate through the water. Suddenly the watch gave the alarm of " a sail ahead!" but it was scarcely uttered till we were upon her. She was a small schooner at anchor with her broad side towards us. The crew were all asleep, and had neglected to hoist a light. We struck her just amid-ships. The force, the size, and weight of our vessel, bore her down below the waves; we passed over her and were hurried on our course. "As the crashing wreck was sinking beneath us, I had a glimpse of two or three half naked wretches, rushing from her cabin; they had just started from their cabins to be swallowed shrieking by the waves. I heard their drowning cry mingled with the wind. The blast that bore it to our ears swept us out of all far- ther hearing. I shall never forget that cry! It was some time before we could put the ship about, she was under such headway. We returned as nearly as we could guess to the place where the ship was anchored. We cruised about for several hours in the dense fog. We fired several guns, and listened if we might hear the hallo of any survivors; but all was silent we never heard nor saw any thing of them more!" It was a fine sunny morning when the thrilling cry of land! was given from the mast-head. I question whether Columbus, when he discovered the new world, felt a more delicious throng FEELINGS EXCITED BY A LONG VOYAGE. 179 of sensations' than rush into an American's bosom when he first conies in sight of Europe. There is a volume of associations in the very name. It is that land of promise, teeming with every thing of which his childhood has heard, or on which his studious years have pondered. From that time until the period of our arrival it was all feverish excitement. The ships of war that prowled like guardian giants round the coast; the headlands of Ireland stretching out into the channel; the Welsh mountains towering into the clouds; all were objects of intense interest. As we sailed up the Mersey,.! recon- noitred the shores with a telescope. My eye dwelt with delight on neat cottages, with their trim shrubberies and green grass pl->ts. I saw the mouldering ruins of an abbey overrun with ivy, and the taper spire of a village church rising from the brow of a neighboring hill all were characteristic of England. The tide and wind were so favorable, that the ship was enabled to come at once at the pier. It was thronged with people; some idle lookers-on, others eager expectants of some friends or rela- tives. I could distinguish the merchant to whom the ship be- longed. I knew him by his calculating brow and restless air. His hands were thrust into his pockets; he was whistling thought- fully, and walking to and fro, a small space having been accord- ed to him by the crowd, in deference to his temporary importance. There were repeated cheerings and salutations interchanged be- tween the shore and the ship, as friends happened to recognise each other. But I particularly noted one young woman of humble dress, but interesting demeanor. She was leaning forward from among the crowd, her eye hurried o'er the ship, as it neared the shore, to catch some wished for countenance. She seemed disappoint- ed and agitated when I heard a faint voice call her name. It was*from a poor sailor, who had been ill all the voyage, and had excited the sympathy of every one on board. When the weath- er was fine, his messmates had spread a mattrass for him on deck in the shade, but of late his illness had so increased that he had taken to his hammock, and had only breathed a^ wish that he might see his wife before he died. He had been helped on deck as we came up the river, and was now leaning against the shrouds, with a countenance so wasted, so pale and so ghastly, that it is no wonder the eye of affection did not recognise him. But at the sound of his voice her eye darted on his features, it read at once the whole volume of sorrow; she clasped her hands, uttered a faint shriek, and stood wringing them in silent agony. All was now hurry and bustle. The meeting of acquaintances the greetings of friends the consultations of men of business. I alone was solitary and idle. I had no friend to n>eet, no cheer- ing to receive. I stepped upon the land of my forefathers but felt that I was a stranger in the land. 180 FORTY-FIVE DAYS' SUFFERINGS. Captain David Harrison, who commanded a sloop of New York, called the Peggy, has left a melancholy narrative of the sufferings of himself and his crew, during a voyage from Fayal, one of the Azores, in 1769. A storm which had continued for some days, successively blew away the sails and shrouds; and on the 1st of December, one shroud on a side and the main sail alone remained. In this situation they could make very little way, and all their provisions were exhausted, except bread, of which but a small quantity was left; they came at last to an al- lowance of a quarter of a pound a day, with a quart of water and a pint of wine, for each man. The ship was now become very leaky; the waves were swelled into mountains by the storm, and the thunder rolled incessantly over their heads in one dreadful almost unintermitting peal. In this frightful dilemma, either of sinking with the wreck, or float- ing in her and perishing with hunger, two vessels came in sight; but such was the tempest that neither could approach, and they saw with sensations more bitter than death itself, the vessels that would willingly have relieved them disappear. The allowance of bread and water, though still farther contracted, soon exhaust- e(j their stores, every morsel of food was finished, and only about two gallons of water remained in the bottom of the cask. The poor fellows who, while they had any sustenance, continued obe- dient to the captain, were now driven by desperation to excess; they seized upon the cargo, and because wine and brandy were all they had left, they drank of both till the frenzy of hunger was increased by drunkenness, and curses and blasphemy were blend- ed with exclamations of distress. The dregs of the water cask were abandoned to the captain, who, abstaining as much as posj sible from wine, husbanded them with the greatest economy. In the midst *of these horrors, this complication of want and excess, of distraction and despair, they espied another sail. Every eye was. instantly turned towards it; the signal of distress was hung out, and they had the unspeakable satisfaction of being near enough to the ship to communicate their situation. Relief was promised by the captain; but this, alas! was but " the mock- ery of wo;" and instead of sending the relief he had promised, the unfeeling wretch crowded all sail, and left the distressed crew to all the agony of despair which misery and disappointment could occasion. The crew once more deserted, and cut off from their last hope, were still prompted by an intuitive love of life to preserve it as 'ong as possible. The only living creatures on board the vessel, FORTY-FIVE DAYS* SUFFERINGS. 181 besides themselves, were two pigeons and a cat. The pigeons were killed immediately, and divided among them for their christ- mas dinner; the next day they killed the cat; and as there were nine persons to partake of the repast, they divided her into nine parts, which they disposed of by lot. The head fell to the share of Captain Harrison, and he declared that he never eat any thing that he thought so delicious in his life. The next day the crew began to scrape the ship's bottom for barnacles; but the waves had beaten off those above water, and the men were too weak to hang long over the ship's side. During all this time, the poor wretches sought only to forget their misery in intoxication; and while they were continually heating wine in the steerage, the captain subsisted upon the dirty water at the bottom of the cask, half a pint of which, with a few drops of Tur- lington's Balsam, was his whole sustenance for twenty-four hours. To add to their calamity, they had neither candle nor oil; and they were in consequence compelled to pass sixteen hours out of the twentv-four in total darkness, except the glimmering light of the fire. Still however, by the help of their only sail, they made a little way; but on the 28th of December, another storm over- took them, which blew their only sail to rags. The vessel now lay like a wreck on the water, and was wholly at the mercy of the winds and waves. How they subsisted from this time to the 13th of January, six- teen days, does not appear, as their biscuit had been long ex- hausted, and the last bit of animal food which they tasted, was the cat on the 26th of December; yet on the 13th of January they were all alive, and the crew, with the mate at their head, came to the captain in the cabin, half drunk indeed, but with sufficient sensibility to express the horror of their purpose in their counte- nances. They said they could hold out no longer, their tobacco was exhausted; they had eaten up all the leather .belonging to the purnp, and even the buttons from their jackets; and that now they had no means of preventing their perishing together, but by casting lots which of them should be sacrificed for the sustenance of the rest. The Captain endeavcyred to divert them from their purpose until the next day, but in vain; they became outrageous, and with execrations of peculiar horror, swore that what was to be done, must be done immediately; that it was indifferent to them whether he acquiesced or dissented: and that though they had paid him the compliment of acquainting him with their reso- lution, yet they would compel him to take his chance with the rest, for general misfortune put an end to personal distinction. The Captain resisted, but in vain; the men retired to decide on the fate of some victim, and in a fe.w minutes returned, and said the lot had fallen on the negro, who was part of the cargo. The poor fellow knowing what had been determined against him, and seeing one of the crew loading a pistol to despatch him, im- 16 182 plored the Captain to save his life; but he was instantly dragged to the steerage, and shot through the head. Having made a large fire, they began to cut the negro up almost as soon as he was dead, intending to fry his entrails for supper; but James Campbell one of the foremast men, being ravenously impatient for food, tore the liver out of the body, and devoured it raw; the remainder of the crew, however, dressed the meat, and continued their dreadful banquet until two o'clock in the morning. The next day the crew pickled the remainder of the negro's body, except the head and fingers, which, by common consent, they threw overboard. The Captain refused to taste any part of it, and continued to subsist on the dirty water. On the third day after the death of the negro, Campbell, who had devoured the liver raw, died raving mad, and his body was thrown over- board, the crew dreading the consequences of eating it. The negro's body was husbanded with rigid economy, and lasted the crew, now consisting of six persons, from the 13th to the 26th of January, when they wete again reduced to total abstinence, ex- cept their wine. This they endured until the 29th, when the mate again came to the Captain at the head of the men, and told him it was now become necessary that they should cast lots a second time. The captain endeavored again to reason them from their purpose, but without success; and therefore consider- ing that if they managed the lot without him, he might not have fair play, consented to see it decided. The lot now fell upon David Flat, a foremast man. The shock of the decision Was so great, that the whole company remained motionless and silent for some time; when the poor victim, who appeared perfectly resigned, broke silence, and said, " My dear friends, messmates, and fellow sufferers, all I have to beg of you is, to despatch me as soon as you did the negro, and to put me to as little torture as possible." Then turning to one Doud, the man who shot the negro, he said, "It is my desire that you should shoot me." Doud reluctantly consented. The victim begged a short time to prepare himself .for death, to which his companions most readily agreed. Flat was much respected by the whole ship's company, and during this awful interval, they seemed incli- ned to save his life; yet finding no alternative but to perish with him, and having in some measure lulled their sense of horror at the approaching scene by a few draughts of wine, they prepared for the execution, and a fire was kindled in the steerage to dress their first meal as soon as their companion should become their food. As the dreadful momenfcapproached, their compunction increas- ed, and friendship and humanity at length triumphed over hunger and death. They determined that Flat should live at least until eleven o' clock the next morning, hoping, as they said, that the FORTY-FIVE DAYS* SUFFERINGS 183 Divine Goodness would in the meantime open some other source of relief.. At the same time they begged the captain to read prayers; a task which, with the utmost effort of his collected strength, he was scarcely able to perform. As soon as prayers were over, the company went to their unfortunate friend, Flat, and with great earnestness and affection expressed their hopes that God would interpose for his preservation; and assuring him, that though they never yet could catch or even see a fish, yet they would put out all their hooks again to try if any relief could b* procured. Poor Flat, however, could derive little comfort from the concern they expressed; and it is not improbable, that their friendship and affection increased the agitation of his mind; such, however, it was. that he could not sustain it, for before midnight, he grew al- most totally deaf, and by four o'clock in the morning was raving mad. His messmates, who discovered the alteration, debated whether it would be an act of humanity to despatch him immedi- ately; but the first resolution, of sparing him till eleven o'clock, prevailed. About eight in the morning, as the captain was ruminating in his cabin on the fate of this unhappy wretch, who had but three hours to live, two of his people carne hastily down, with uncom- mon ardor in their looks, and seizing both his hands, fixed their eyes upon him without saying a word. A sail had been discov- ered, and the sight had so far overcome them, that they were for some time unable to speak. The account of a vessel being in sight of signals, struck the captain with such excessive and tumult- uous joy, that he was very near expiring under it. As soon as he could speak, he directed every possible signal of~distress. His orders were obeyed with the utmost alacrity; and as he lay in his cabin, he had the inexpressible happiness of hearing them jumping upon deck, and crying out, "She nighs us, she nighs us! she is standing this way." The approach of the ship being more and ipore manifest every moment, their hopes naturally increased, and they proposed a can to be taken immediately for joy. The captain dissuaded them all from it, except the mate, who retired, and drank it to himself. After continuing to observe the progress of the vessel for some hours, with all the tumult and agitation of mind that such a sus- pense could not fail to produce, they had the mortification to find the gale totally die away, so that the vessel was becalmed at only two miles distance. They did not, however, suffer long from this circumstance, for in a few minutes they saw a boat put out from the ship's stern, and row towards them fully manned, and with vigorous despatch. As they had been twice before confident of deliverance, and disappointed, and as they still considered them- selves tottering on the brink of eternity, the conflict between their hopes and fears, during the approach of the boat, was dreadful. 184 THE GRECIAN MARINER'S SONG. At length, however, she came alongside; but the appearance of the crew was so ghastly, that the men rested upon their oars, and with looks of inconceivable astonishment asked what they were? Being at length satisfied, they came on board, and begged the people to use the utmost expedition in quitting the wreck, lest they should be overtaken by a gale of wind, that would prevent their getting back to the ship. The captain being unable to stir, was lifted out of his cabin, and lowered into the boat with ropes; his people followed him, with poor Flat still raving; and they were just putting off, when one of them observed, that the mate was still wanting. He was immediately called .to, and the can of joy had just left him power to crawl to the gunnel, with a look of idiotic astonishment, having to all appearance forgot every thing that had happened. The poor drunken creature was with difficul- ty got into the boat, and in about an hour they all reached the ship in safety, which was the Susannah of London, commanded by Cap- tain Thomas Evers. He received them with the greatest tender ness and humanity, and promised to lay by the wreck until the next morning, that he might, if possible, save some of Captain Harrison's property; but the wind blowing very hard before night, he was obliged to quit her, and she probably, with her cargo, went to the bottom before morning. The crew had been without provisions forty-jive days. The mate, James Doud, who shot the negro, and one Warner, a sea- man, died on the passage. The remainder, including Flat, who continued mad during the voyage, arrived safe in the Susannah, in the Downs, in the beginning of March; whence Captain Harrison proceeded on shore, and made the proper attestation on oath of the facts related in this melancholy narrative. THE GRECIAN MARINER'S SONG. BY THOMAS MOORE, ESQ. Our home is on the sea, boy, Our home is on the sea When nature gave The ocean wave, She marked it for the free. Whatever storms befall, boy, WhatP-ver storms befall, The island bark, Is freedom's ark, And floats her safe through all. Behold yon sea of isles, boy, Behold yon sea of isles, MONSIEUR DE LA PEROUSE. 185 Where every shore, Is sparkling o'er, With beauty's richest smiles. For us hath freedom claimed, boy, For us hath freedom claimed Those ocean nests Where valor rests His eagle wing untamed. And shall the Moslem dare, boy, And shall the Moslem dare, While Grecian hand Can wield a brand, To plant his crescent there ! No ! by our fathers, no, boy, No ! by the cross we show From Maina's rills To Thracia's hills, All Greece reechoes " No !" MONSIEUR DE LA PEROUSE. France becoming jealous of the renown acquired by the Eng- lish circumnavigators, determined to send out an expedition, which, in its scientific equipments, should vie with them in every respect. Two ships were 'appointed to this service, the Boussole and Astrolabe, the former commanded by La Perouse, the latter by M. de Langle, both captains in the navy, and men of consid- erable attainments, besides being assisted by men of science and artists. The voyage is interesting as far as it goes; but, unfor- tunately, the ships, after quitting Botany Bay, in 1788, have never since been heard of, to the regret of all lovers of science and humanity, on account not only of the acquirements but the amiable character of the commander. On the 1st of August, 1785, they quitted Brest, and, on the 13th, reached Madeira; they saw Teneriffe on the 19th, and on the 16th of October the island of Trinidada, barren, rocky, and with a violent surf breaking on the shores, where refreshments not being obtainable, the commander steered for St. Cathaune's on the Brazil coast. This island is extremely fertile, producing all sorts of fruit, vegetables, and corn, almost spontaneously. It is covered with trees of everlasting green, but they are so curiously interwoven with plants and briars, that it is impossible to pass through the forests without opening a path with a hatchet: to add to the dif- ficulty, danger is also to be apprehended from snakes whose bite is mortal. ^The habitations are bordering on the sea. The woods are delightfully fragrant, occasioned by the orange-trees, and other odoriferous plants and shrubs, which form a part of them 16* 186 MONSIEUR DE LA PEROUSE. On the 14th of January the navigators struck ground on the coast of Patagonia. On the 25th, La Perouse took bearings a league to the southward of Cape San Diego forming the west point of the straits of Lemaire. On the 9th of February, he was abreast of the Straits of Magellan. Examining the quantity of provisions he had on board, La Perouse discovered he had very little flour and bread left in store; having been obliged to leave a hundred barrels at Brest. The worms had also taken possession of the biscuits, and consumed or rendered useless a fifth part of them. Under these circumstances, La Perouse preferred Con- ception to the island of Juan Fernandez. The Bay of Concep- ti<;:i in Chili is a most excellent harbor; the water is smooth, and almost without any current, though the tide rises six feet three inches. At. daybreak, on the 15th of March, La Perouse made the signal to prepare to sail. On the 17th, about noon, a light breeze sprung up, with which he got under way. On the 8th of April, about noon they saw Easter Island. The Indians were alarmed, except a few, who had a kind of slight wooden club. Some of them assumed an apparent superiority over the others which in- duced La Perouse to consider the former as chiefs, but he soon discovered that these selected persons were the most notorious offenders. Having but a few hours to remain upon the island, and wishing to employ his time to the best advantage, La Perouse left the care of the tent, and other particulars, to his first lieuten- ant M. D'Escures. A division was then made of the persons en- gaged in the adventure; one part, under the command of M. De Langle, was to penetrate .into the interior"of the island to en- courage and promote vegetation, by disseminating seed, &c. in a proper soil; and the other division undertook to visit the monu- ments, plantations, and habitations, within the compass of a league of the establishment. The largest of the rude busts upon one of the terraces is fourteen feet six inches in height, and the breadth and other particulars appeared to be proportionate. Returning about noon to the tent, La Perouse found almost e cry man without either hat or handkerchief; so much had for- IK ar;i:!C.e encouraged the audacity of the thieves, that he also ex- {; i<-nced a similar depredation. An Indian, who had assisted him in descending from a terrace, rewarded himself for his trouble ly taking away his hat. Some of them had dived under water, cu! ihe small cable of the Astrolabe's boat, and taken away her ^r :; i;ci. A sort of chief, to whom M. De Langle made a present o!' -i male and female goat, received the animals with one hand, a