It being by this time Midnight, my Schoolfellow desired the Captain, “To have a Hammock hung up for me to sleep in;” for it seems every one lay rough, as they called it, that is, on the Deck; the Captain himself not being allowed a Bed. This being granted, and soon after done, I took leave of the Captain, and got into the Hammock, tho’ I could not sleep in my melancholy Circumstances. Moreover, the execrable Oaths and Blasphemies I heard among the Ship’s Company, shock’d me to such a degree, that in Hell it self I thought there could not be worse; for tho’ many Seafaring Men are given to swearing and taking God’s Name in vain, yet I could not have imagined, human Nature could ever so far degenerate, as to talk in the manner those abandoned Wretches did. After I was got into the Hammock, Mr. _Griffin_, according to his Promise, walked by me, with his broad Sword in his Hand, to protect me from Insults. Some time after, it being about two a clock in the morning, the Pirate _Boatswain_ (that attempted to kill me when taken) came on board very drunk, and being told I was in a Hammock, he came with his Cutlace near me. My generous Schoolfellow asked him what he wanted? he answered, “To slice my Liver, for I was a vile Dog, for ordering my People to fire on their Boat; neither would I deliver my Watch when the _Quarter-master_ first demanded it.” Upon hearing that, I told Mr. _Griffin_, “The last was false, for I had immediately sent it by a Messenger, who only asked, what a clock it was? supposing the Quarter-master expected it.” Then _Griffin_ bid the Boatswain keep his Distance, or else he would cleave his head asunder with his Broad Sword. Nevertheless, that bloody-minded Villain came on to kill me; but Mr. _Griffin_ struck at him with his Sword, from which he had a narrow Escape, and then ran away: So I lay unmolested till day light. By that time the Fumes of the Liquor being gone off by Sleep amongst most of the Pirates, Mr. _Griffin_ complained to the Quarter-master and Company, of the cruel Intention of the Boatswain towards me; representing, “They ought to observe strictly that Maxim established amongst them, not to permit any ill usage to their Prisoners after Quarter given.” At the hearing of this, many of them voted for his being whipp’d, tho’ he was a great Favourite of several others. But tho’ I wish’d him hang’d in my Mind yet I thought it prudent to plead for him; saying, “I believed it was his being in Liquor that was the cause of his using me in that manner.” So he received a general Order, not to give me the least Offence afterwards: Yet did that vile Wretch attempt once more to kill me, as shall be related in its due place.