14 CAPTAIN TUCKEY'S NARRATIVE 



From hence we were conducted to the house of the Go- 

 vernor of the island, who we also found at dinner with his 

 wife, several monks, and officers. The lady was a half-cast, 

 and habited a la negresse, that is, with nothing but a shift and 

 petticoat, being the only female. The Governor, who can 

 make himself very well understood in English, immediately 

 requested to be employed in procuring the refreshments we 

 required ; at the same time taking great pains to convince 

 us, that he had no interested motives in offering his services; 

 to which, of course, we gave all due credit. Nevertheless, 

 in order to avoid the delay I knew he might cause, and 

 besides the triffing supplies we required being of little 

 moment, I gave him an order for four bullocks and some 

 pumpkins and oranges. This very disinterested officer, Avho 

 wears the uniform and has the rank of colonel, is however 

 one of the most sturdy beggars I ever met with, and com- 

 menced his attack on our liberality, by telling the purser, 

 that his wife desired him to ask if he could sell her some 

 butter; but adding, that he knew English officers never sold, 

 but only made compliment. This broad hint was followed up 

 by wishes for porter, cheese, and potatoes ; and the example 

 of the Governor was followed by his guests ; one of the of- 

 ficers modestly asking me to sell him a pair of old epaulets; 

 another wished he could get a cocked hat; a third, a pair of 



