A narrative of the sufferings, preservation and deliverance, of Capt. John Dean and company: in the Nottingham galley of London, cast away on Boon-Island, near New England, December 11, 1710Dean, John
History
A narrative of the sufferings, preservation and deliverance, of Capt. John Dean and company: in the Nottingham galley of London, cast away on Boon-Island, near New England, December 11, 1710
Dean, John
Boon Island (Me.); Nottingham Galley (Merchant ship)
I found they all eat abundance and with the utmost greediness, so that
I was constrain'd to carry the quarters farther from the Tent, (quite
out of their Reach) least they shou'd prejudice themselves by overmuch
eating, as also expend our small stock too soon.
I also limited each Man to an equal Proportion, that none might
quarrel, or entertain hard thoughts of my self, or one another, and
I was the more oblig'd to this method, because I found (in a few
days) their very natural dispositions chang'd, and that affectionate,
peacable temper they had all along hitherto discover'd totally lost;
their eyes staring and looking wild, their Countenances fierce and
barbarous, and instead of obeying my Commands (as they had universally
and readily done before) I found all I cou'd say (even prayers and
entreaties vain and fruitless) nothing now being to be heard but
brutish quarrels, with horrid Oaths and Imprecations, instead of that
quiet submissive spirit of Prayer and supplication we had before
enjoy'd.
This, together with the dismal prospect of future want, oblig'd me to
keep a strict watch over the rest of the Body, least any of 'em shou'd
(if able) get to it, and this being spent, we be forc'd to feed upon
the living: which we must certainly have done, had we staid a few days
longer.
But now the goodness of God began to appear, and make provision for our
deliverance, by putting it in the hearts of the good people on Shore,
where our Raft drove, to come out in search of us; which they did the
2d of January in the morning.
Just as I was creeping out of the Tent, I saw a shallop half way from
shore, standing directly towards us, which may be easily imagin'd was
Life from the Dead; how great our Joys and Satisfaction were, at the
prospect of so speedy and unexpected deliverance, no tongue is able to
express, nor thoughts to conceive.
Our good and welcome friends came to an Anchor to the South West, at
about 100 Yards distance, (the Swell not suffering them to come nearer)
but their anchor coming home, oblig'd them to stand off 'till about
noon, waiting for smoother water upon the Flood: Mean Time our passions
were differently mov'd, our Expectations of Deliverance, and fears of
miscarriage, hurry'd our weak and disorder'd spirits strangely.
I give them account of our miseries in every respect, except the want
of Provisions (which I did not mention, least I shou'd not get them on
shore for fear of being constrain'd by the Weather to tarry with us):
Earnestly entreating them to attempt our immediate deliverance; or at
least (if possible) to furnish us with fire, which with the utmost
hazard and difficulty they at last accomplished, by sending a small
Cannoe with one Man, who with abundance of labour got on shore.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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