3l6 THE LIFE ©F 



It was natural for me to wifh that the difad- 

 vantacjes under which I laboured fhould not be 

 unnecellarily publiflied ; I well knew tliat nei-- 

 ther Mr. Black nor Mr. Murchifon, tlic Mate, 

 v/tre capable of an unkind adion, nor did I en- 

 tertain any doubts of Mr. Drummond. I had 

 done every thing for the general good, and I was 

 fure, that from them at leaf!:, 1 Hiould meet 

 with a proper return; but my opinion of the 

 Enfigns Minchin and Prater was very different. 

 I therefore called thofe two into another room, 

 and requefted them to tell me what was their 

 intention in regard to me. They both anfwered, 

 by all means to conceal every thing difagreeable, 

 for that it was not their bufincfs to publifli my 

 misfortunes. 1 told them, that though I was 

 fenfible of their kindncfs I was indifferent to 

 what they might have determined ; but that it 

 was neceffary before I faw the General, that I 

 fhould know what their determination was. J 

 cautioned them at the fame time not to deceive 

 ine, bi^t if they thought it their duty, or felt 

 difpofed to relate my circumftances to the Ge- 

 neral, to fay fo, and I would do the fame, when 

 his Excellency would act as he thought proper. 

 If, however, they firft concealed and afterwards 

 expofed me, they Would only expofe thcmfelves, 

 and might be alTurcd, that I would not peace- 

 ably fubmit to any thing fo mortifying. They 

 ■ ' - then 



