NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



141 



night, the Brazilians having the first watch upon deck, under the com- 

 mand of the Captain, those, who were in the cabin, were alarmed with 

 an unusual noise, and, on inquiring the cause, were informed that the 

 watch had perceived a small flash of lightning, and had let go the topsail- 

 halyards, and run below. From hence no remonstrances of the Captain, 

 who, on this occasion, behaved as he ought, could dislodge them ; the 

 other watch was called to take their place, and farther notice of their mis- 

 conduct was deferred to the morning. 



Not long after, several of the Brazilian sailors became so ill as to be 

 incapable of duty. We had departed from the usual mode of victualling 

 these people, who, in common, are paid a certain sum for the trip, and 

 find their own provisions ; thinking it better to lay in the ship's stores 

 ourselves, and to serve them out in the same way as is done on board of 

 British vessels. The men were liberally supplied ; yet they found access 

 to the stores, and plundered them. Amongst other things, they devoured 

 so much cheese and raw rice, as produced serious illness ; deprived us for 

 a day or two of several useful hands, and, among the rest, of a man, 

 named Sylva, the best of our Brazilian seamen ; and even made us anxious 

 for the lives of two or three of them. 



They had scarcely recovered, when it was found expedient to prepare 

 for bad weather, which seemed to be coming on. The men, however, 

 while we were at dinner in the cabin, positively refused to go aloft ; 

 confusion immediately ensued, which brought every one upon deck, 

 where we found the Captain, and one of our countrymen, whom we 

 had made second officer, fighting with the sailors ; and, being armed 

 as usual, instantly presented ourselves on the side of those who wished to 

 maintain discipline. Our weapons were not then wanted, for the Captain 

 had seized a billet, and knocked down the man nearest to him, and our 

 officer had overturned and disabled Sylva ; the others submitted, and 

 returned to their duty. Nevertheless, we thought it expedient, for the 

 future, always to have an armed Englishman upon deck, in the character 

 of a sentinel ; for this occurrence was sulkily remembered, and the ill 



