The surgeon was very angry with the man, but told the French lady, as
she kneeled sobbing by the side of her son, that she had brought it upon
herself and him by her own folly and cruelty. I know not whether she
felt so, or whether she dreaded a repetition, but this is certain, she
tormented me no more. On the contrary, I think she suffered very
severely, as she perceived that I rapidly mended and that her poor son
got on but slowly. At last my hurts were all healed, and I left the
hospital, hoping never to see her more.
CHAPTER FOUR.
SAIL FOR LIVERPOOL IN THE SALLY AND KITTY--FALL IN WITH A GALE--BOY
OVERBOARD--NEARLY DROWNED IN ATTEMPTING TO SAVE HIM--SEE THE OWNERS AT
LIVERPOOL--EMBARK IN THE DALRYMPLE FOR THE COAST OF AFRICA--ARRIVE OFF
SENEGAL.
A great deal of prize-money being due to us, I called upon the agent at
Port Royal to obtain an advance. I found him in a puzzle. Owing to the
death of Captain Weatherall and so many of the officers, he hardly knew
whether those who applied to him were entitled to prize-money or not.
Whether he thought I appeared more honest than the others, or from what
cause I know not, he requested me, as I knew everything that had passed,
to remain with him for a short time: and, finding that I could read and
write well, he obtained from me correct lists of the privateer's crew,
with those who were killed, and on what occasion. All this information
I was able to give him, as well as the ratings of the parties; for on
more than one occasion the privateer's-men had come to him representing
themselves as petty officers when they were only common seamen on board,
and had in consequence received from him a larger advance than they were
entitled to. As soon as his accounts were pretty well made up, he asked
me whether I intended to go to England, as if so he would send me home
with all the papers and documents to the owner at Liverpool, who would
require my assistance to arrange the accounts; and, as I had had quite
enough of privateering for a time, I consented to go. About two months
after leaving the hospital, during which I had passed a very pleasant
life, and quite recovered from my wounds and injuries, I sailed for
Liverpool in the Sally and Kitty West-Indiaman, commanded by Captain
Clarke, a very violent man.
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.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account