74 THE SEA. 



navy, and as the male population there, as elsewhere, objected strongly to being torn 

 away from their families and employments, a number of them hid themselves, as did, 

 indeed, Lady Selkirk's men-servants, who obtained temporary leave of absence. A boat 

 from the privateer lauded a number of men immediately, who strolled about leisurely, 

 without having apparently any special object in view, and later returned to the ship. 

 The alarm of those who watched their movements from a distance had hardly subsided 

 when the boat, with a strong body of armed men, again put in for shore. 



"They did not now stroll about as before, but forming in regular order, marched 

 directly to the castle; and then, for the first time, a suspicion of the real character of 

 such unexpected and unwelcome guests was excited. Lady Selkirk and her children were 

 then the only members of the family resident in the castle. Her ladyship had just finished 

 breakfast when she received a summons, but under considerable apprehensions of danger, 

 which were not abated upon a nearer approach to inspection of the party, whose ferocious 

 appearance and ragged dress too plainly betokened their hostile purpose ; and, as it 

 now appeared plunder was their chief object, the worst might be expected should any 

 resistance be offered. The diversity of arms with which the party were equipped further 

 confirmed the bad opinion entertained of the marauders. These consisted of muskets, 

 pistols, swords, &c., and one fellow bore an American tomahawk over his shoulder. There 

 were two officers in command of the party : the one rude in language and rough in 

 his manner; the other, on the contrary, was not only courteous and respectful, but even 

 apologised to her ladyship, regretting the unpleasant duty in which it was unfortunately 

 his lot to appear as the principal. 



" The first inquiry was for the appearance of Lord Selkirk ; and on being assured 

 that he was not in that part of the country they expressed considerable disappointment. 

 After a short pause, the officer who had treated her ladyship with the most respect said 

 he must request the production of all the plate which was in her possession. She answered 

 that the plate which was in the castle was small in quantity, but, such as it was, they 

 should have it. 



" Accordingly the whole was laid before them even the silver teapot which was 

 used at breakfast, and which had not been since washed out. The officer on receiving it 

 ordered his men to pack it all, again respectfully apologising for his conduct on this 

 occasion, which he called a dirty business, and then taking his leave of her ladyship, he 

 retired with his party, and returned to his ship, leaving the family not a little pleased 

 at their escape from a worse fate, which they apprehended. Still, however, as the ship did 

 snot immediately get under weigh, her ladyship, entertaining fears of a second visit, lost 

 110 time in sending off her children, and removing to a place of security whatever property 

 was likely to induce them to pay her another visit." In a few hours she was gratifie 

 by seeing the privateer getting under weigh, and proceeding to sea without offering 

 further violence. Lady Selkirk received, a few days after, a letter from Jones, written ii 

 a romantic and almost poetical style, in which he entreated her ladyship's pardon for the 

 late affront, assuring her that, so far from having been suggested or sanctioned by him, 

 he had exerted, his influence in order to prevent its taking place; but his officers and crew 

 had insisted on the enterprise, in the hope of getting possession of the person of Loi 



