132 



porter's journal. 



incapable of undertaking an enterprise that would have ap- 

 palled the heart of any other man ; nor was he devoid of 

 the talent of rousing others to second his hardihood. 



He by some means became possessed of an old musket, 

 and a few charges of powder and ball ; and the possession 

 of this weapon probably first stimulated his ambition. He 

 felt himself strong as the sovereign of the island, and was 

 desirous of proving his strength on the first human being 

 that fell in his way, which happened to be a negro, who was 

 left in charge of a boat belonging to an American ship that 

 had touched there for refreshments. Patrick came down 

 to the beach where the boat lay, armed with his musket^ 

 now become his constant companion, directed the negro, 

 in an authoritative manner, to follow him, and on his refu- 

 sal, snapped his musket at him twice, which luckily missed 

 fire. The negro, however, became intimidated, and fol- 

 lowed him. Patrick now shouldered his musket, marched 

 off before, and on his way up the mountains exultingly in- 

 formed the negro he was henceforth to work for him, and 

 become his slave, and that his good or bad treatment would 

 depend on his future conduct. On arriving at a narrow de- 

 file, and perceiving Patrick off his guard, the negro seized 

 the moment, grasped him in his arms, threw him down, 

 tied his hands behind, shouldered him, and carried him to 

 his boat, and when the crew had arrived he was taken on 

 board the ship. An English smuggler was lying in the 

 harbour at the same time, the captain of which sentenced 

 Patrick to be severely whipped on board both vessels, 

 which was put in execution, and he was afterwards taken 

 on shore handcuffed by the Englishmen, who compelled 

 him to make known where he had concealed the few dol- 

 lars he had been enabled to accumulate from the sale of 

 his potatoes and pumpkins, which they took from him. 

 But while they were busy in destroying his hut and gar- 

 den, the wretched being made his escape, and concealed 

 himself among the rocks in the interior of the island, until 

 the ship had sailed, when he ventured from his hiding- 

 place, and by means of an old file, which he drove into a 

 tree, freed himself from the handcuffs. FJe dow meditated 

 a severe revenge, but concealed his intentions. Vessels 

 continued to touch there, and Patrick, as usual, t(f furnish 

 them with vegetables ; but from time to time he was ena- 



