124 



How we are to be dipofed of Is not yet 

 determined, but. In cafe of this plan being 

 adopted, we fhall, no doubt, be driven to feek 

 our births elfewhere. 



I had almoft forgot to notice to you 

 that, a few mornings fince, we had an oppor- 

 tunity of witneffing the dlftrefsful ceremony 

 of flogging a failor round the fleet, in con- 

 fequence of a fentence pafled upon him for 

 defertion. That the fufFerer might be ex- 

 hibited with all the parade of a public pu- 

 nifhment, and that all due folemnity might be 

 given to it, a number of boats, from the dif- 

 ferent fhips of war, v/ere ordered to attend in 

 proceflion. The man belonged to the Trufty. 

 He was, accordingly, placed in the long-boat 

 of that fhip, and made to (land up, with his 

 back uncovered ; and when, the other boats 

 had aflTembled around him, to the number of 

 fifteen, they all proceeded, in flow and folemn 

 movement, to the feveral fliips, whence thefe 

 boats had been difpatched. Upon arriving 

 at the fide of each fliip, the boats refted on 

 their oars ; and the fliip's company being 

 piped upon deck, to witncfs the fpe^tacle, ten 



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