the filthy dungeon with the other prisoners, where we were denied
fresh water, except a small allowance, which was very inadequate
to our wants; and in consequence of the stench of the place,
each of us was soon followed with a diarrhœa and fever, which
occasioned intolerable thirst. When we asked for water, we were,
most commonly, instead of obtaining it, insulted and derided;
and to add to all the horrors of the place, it was so dark that
we could not see each other, and were overspread with body-lice.
We had, notwithstanding these severities, full allowance of salt
provisions, and a gill of rum per day; the latter of which was of
the utmost service to us, and, probably, was the means of saving
several of our lives. About forty days we existed in this manner,
when the land's end of England was discovered from the mast head;
soon after which, the prisoners were taken from their gloomy
abode, being permitted to see the light of the sun, and breathe
fresh air, which to us was very refreshing. The day following we
landed at Falmouth.
A few days before I was taken prisoner I shifted my clothes, by
which I happened to be taken in a Canadian dress, viz., a short
fawn-skin jacket, double breasted, an undervest and breeches of
sagathy, worsted stockings, a decent pair of shoes, two plain
shirts, and a red worsted cap; this was all the clothing I had,
in which I made my appearance in England.
When the prisoners were landed, multitudes of the citizens of
Falmouth, excited by curiosity, crowded to see us, which was
equally gratifying to us. I saw numbers on the house tops and the
rising adjacent grounds were covered with them, of both sexes.
The throng was so great, that the king's officers were obliged to
draw their swords, and force a passage to Pendennis castle, which
was near a mile from the town, where we were closely confined, in
consequence of orders from General Carleton, who then commanded
in Canada.
CHAPTER XII.
LIFE IN PENDENNIS CASTLE.--LORD NORTH.--ON BOARD THE
"SOLEBAY."--ATTENTIONS RECEIVED IN IRELAND AND MADEIRA.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account