4o6 



whole ppoceeding was alike arbitrary and de- 

 fpotic, and this only confiftent with the other 

 parts of it. They had come in darknefs, and 

 with muffled oarSj that they might take the vef^ 

 fel by furprife, and were unable to profecute 

 their fearch, into the remote and concealed 

 parts of the fliip, without the aid of light. 



The fteward, fomewhat endangered from 

 the ire he had provoked by his well-contrived 

 delay, at length appeared with the lantern ; 

 and a general fearch was immediately made be- 

 low. The cabins, — the cable-tier, — ihe pan- 

 tries,— the lockers — the very pig-fty, — every 

 hole and corner they could think of were hunt- 

 ed out, and they feemed refolved that not a fpot 

 fliould be omitted. Yet, notwithftanding all 

 their vigilance, feveral of the failors contrived 

 to elude the fearch. One, who had not time 

 to efcape to a place of more probable fecuri- 

 ty, remained quietly in his hammock, and, 

 when they came to examine it, affedled to a- 

 wake uttering a loud groan, ftrongly expreffive 

 of pain and fuffering. Hearing this the prefs- 

 gang afked who it was, and if a failor. The 

 mate, who was watching them with a vigil- 

 ance not inferior to their own, immediately re^ 



