Massachusetts Bay 



nothing could be more joyous and convivial than the 

 entertainment which he gave them. At length the 

 fatal moment arrived that was to separate them: 

 the anchor was apeak, the sails were unfurled, and 

 nothing was wanting but the signal to get under way.* 

 The captain, after taking an affectionate leave of his 

 worthy friends, accompanied them upon deck, where 

 the boatswain and crew were in readiness to receive 

 them. He there thanked them afresh for the civili- 

 ties they had shown him, of which, he said, he should 

 retain an eternal remembrance, and to which he 

 wished it had been in his power to have made a more 

 adequate return. One point of civility only re- 

 mained to be adjusted between them, which, as it 

 was in his power, so he meant most fully to recom- 

 pense to them. He then reminded them of what 

 had passed, and ordering the crew to pinion them, 

 had them brought one by one to the gang-way, where 

 the boatswain stripped off their shirts, and with a 

 cat of nine tails laid on the back of each forty stripes 

 save one. They were then, amidst the shouts and 

 acclamations of the crew, shoved into their boats: 

 and the captain immediately getting under way, 

 sailed for England. f 



* This is usually written, "under weigh": but I am extremely 

 doubtful of the propriety of the phrase. 



t This story has lately appeared in one of the English news- 

 papers, told with much humour, and with some difference respect- 

 ing the occasion and mode of the captain's punishment. The 



[I45J 



