MAJOR SEMPLE LISLE. 235 



I'therefore refolvcd to folicit the Governor ot 

 permit me to go over land, in fpite of the dan- 

 ger and difficulty attending fuch an expedition ; 

 but beforfc I applied to his Excellency I pre- 

 vailed on Mr. Black the Purfer^ to promife to 

 accompany me. 



In confcquence of this resolution I difpatched 

 a meffenger to his Excellency the General, who, 

 with his ufual kindnefs and politenefs, returned 

 me an immediate anfvver, allowing me to go 

 when I p leafed, and to take with me whom I 

 might chufe. 



Next morning, at day-break, wedifembarked 

 to return to town. When we left the fliip the 

 wind was contrary, but juft as we reached the 

 fliore it chopped about ; the pilqt made the 

 lignal for the veflels, ten in all, to weigh ; we 

 ftood on the brink of the river, and, with fome 

 regret, fa.\v them Hand to fea, and every fnip, 

 except that which we had juft left, pafs the bar 

 in fafety. She ftruck upon a bank, and a vio- 

 lent gale fpringing up at that moment, the pilot 

 went to her alliftance, but thinking her loft, his 

 ovi'n boat and the fnip's launch took out all the 

 perfons on board. Mr. and Mrs. Minchin faved 

 all their property, but Mr. Black's trunk and 

 mine were left on board, and the ihip prefently 

 after going to pieces, the unfortunate Purfer was 

 jigain ftripped oi^ almoft every thing. 



Mr, 



