270 Life of Audubon, 



brought the rudder, the benches and the oars, which with 

 my hatchet I soon splintered. I then struck a light, and 

 presently stood in the glare of a blazing fire. The Pirate 

 seemed struggling between terror and gratitude for my 

 assistance ; he desired me several times in half English 

 and Spanish to put out the flames, but after I had given 

 him a draught of strong spirits, he at length became 

 more composed. I tried to staunch the blood that flowed 

 from the deep gashes in his shoulders and his side. I 

 expressed my regret that I had no food about me, but 

 when I spoke of eating, he sullenly waved his head. 



" My situation was one of the most extraordinary that 

 I have ever been placed in. I naturally turned my talk to- 

 wards religious subjects ; but, alas ! the dying man hardly 

 believed in the existence of a God. * Friend,' said he, * for 

 friend you seem to be, I never studied the ways of Him 

 of whom you talk. I am an outlaw, perhaps you will say 

 a wretch — I have been for many years a Pirate. The in- 

 structions of my parents were of no avail to me, for I 

 have always believed that I was born to be a most cruel 

 man. I now lie here, about to die in the weeds, because 

 I long ago refused to listen to their many admonitions. 

 Do not shudder, when I tell you these now useless hands 

 murdered the mother whom they had embraced. I feel that 

 I have deserved the pangs of the wretched death that hov- 

 ers over me ; and I am thankful that one of my kind will 

 alone witness my last gaspings.' A fond but feeble hope 

 that I might save his life, and perhaps assist in procuring 

 his pardon, — 'it is all in vain, friend — I have no objection 

 to die — I am glad that the villains who wounded me were 

 not my conquerors — I want no pardon from any one — 

 give me some water, and let me die alone.' 



" With the hope that I might learn from his conversa- 

 tion something that might lead to the capture of his 

 guilty associates, I returnr^d from the creek with another 



