[riddell] navy island EPISODE, 1837 73 



he stated that he was asleep, and knew nothing of their movements; 

 on his examination but Httle could be elicited from him, further, than 

 that he had been a hewer of wood and drawer of water and was heartily 

 glad that the expedition was abandoned — he was soon released from 

 Captivity, having been taught a lesson for his fblly that he will not 

 easily forget. 



Had it been Brobdignag Island, greater Curiosity could not 

 have been evinced to see it: — An old Shoe or a slip of Cloth were as 

 great curiosities as some of the relics they shew you in France: 

 grape Shot — pieces of punched Iron from Steam Boilers, furnished 

 from Black rock foundry were as precious as current Coin; and as to 

 Pikes, they were trophies of too intrinsic value to fall to the lot of 

 many; they decorated Halls and curious Cupboards, whilst half a 

 Bombshell or a Cannon Ball embellished a lady's work Table. — The 

 few of the rebels who wore shirts carried them away, filthy as they 

 were on their backs as scarce a vestige of linen was found with the 

 exception of part of the tail of a shirt that had bound up a wounded 

 Leg. Nothing can exceed the Miserable Condition of a Buccaneer's 

 Life, far worse than that of savages, for they know no better. 



The number who were killed or wounded, by our bombardment 

 was never ascertained,^^ as their burying place was on Grand Island, 

 where they occupied a Log-hut as Hospital — one newly made grave 

 was found, which on digging the Earth away, was found to contain 

 the body of a poor wretch who was supposed to have been shot by 

 their own party, as he was lying with his arms pinioned; who this 

 Individual was has never been ascertained.^^ 



The miserable state of existence they must have endured, baffles 

 all description. It is alrnost impossible to convey to you the disgust- 

 ing scene which was exhibited. The Shanties wherein the Miserable 

 wretches bivouacked were scarce fit receptacles for pigs, being strewed 

 with beans, peas, pork rhine, vermin and dirt. Their beds were 

 composed of brushwood, and nothing to shelter them from the In- 

 clemency of the Weather but pine branches. Here they congregated 

 at night, eating, drinking, smoking, swearing and sleeping. For an 

 occasional bivouac on a deer hunting expedition, such a logement 

 would pass Current but for fifty or sixty human beings to assemble 

 nightly for one Month together, betokens a race of desperados worse 

 than Savages. 



Mrs. Mackenzie was over there part of the Time^^ living in a dirty 

 house at the back of the Island which I before described to you. The 

 only accommodation for her at Night was on a shelf covered with 

 straw. 



