My intention when I embarked was, to go to _St. Malo_, and take shipping there for the coast of _Africa_. I had on board a small cargo consisting of Sugar and Coffee, which when sold would have enabled me to begin a trade according to my purpose. We steered for the place above mentioned; six days after we were at Sea, we had such a rough wind, that we were obliged to reef our main and fore top-sails: all our efforts seemed to be unsuccessful, for we were driven amidst dreadful Rocks; and the winds redoubled with such violence that nothing was seen before our eyes but terrors; every moment we expected our fatal end to take place; we fired guns of distress from time to time hoping that some Ship would hear us and come to our assistance, if there was any about: but our endeavours were in vain, and we were cast in the midst of the Rocks. The scene is too cutting for me to relate it in all its parts, for it was enough to unman the stoutest Sailor: every man was in the most profound consternation; nothing was seen before our eyes but Death, and that in dreadful forms. At every instant pieces of timber were swimming about the almost wrecked Ship; the water covered almost the deck. We were in that deplorable situation till morning; and to our great joy, a Ship offered itself to our view[21]; we immediately put the long-boat out to Sea, to go to the Ship for refuge: I flung myself into the boat with what I valued most, and five other men did likewise. As our boat was too small to carry all the people, several were obliged to remain upon the wreck of the Ship, till we could return with the other Ship's boat to save them. We rowed away the boat, and went to the Ship that was in view; when there, the Captain asked me if all the people were come; I told him no, because our boat was too small to carry them, and we came to beg his assistance, for those miserable Creatures which are now upon the remainder of the wreck. He said, "they may save themselves if they can, but as for me I cannot go, the weather is too favorable for me to lose a minutes time; you may go back if you like to save them; but as for me, I will go my way." So he sailed, and we went with him; the others remained upon the wreck of the Ship, in the midst of a wide Ocean, without either help or hope. The Ship which saved me was a French Ship, and steered for his own place. [21] When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee. Isaiah. chap. 43, ver. 2. The 21st day of June 1803, being at Sea, we were met by an English Vessel who told us that war was declared between _France_ and _England_, and for that reason we were taken prisoners, and conducted to _Plymouth_.