PORTER*S JOURNAL. 



133 



bled, by administering potent draughts of his darling liquor 

 fo^ some of the men of their crews, and getting them so 

 drunk that they were rendered insensible, to conceal thern 

 until the ship had sailed ; when, finding themselves entirely 

 dependent on him, they willingly enlisted under his ban- 

 ners, became his slaves, and he the most absolute of ty- 

 rants. By this means he had augmented the number to 

 five, including himself, and every means was used by hini 

 to endeavour to procure arms for them, but without effect* 

 It is supposed that his object was to have surprised some 

 vessel, massacred her crew, and taken her off. While Pa- 

 trick was meditating his plans, two ships, an American and 

 an EngUsh vessel, touched there, and apphed to Patrick 

 for vegetables. He promised them the greatest abundance, 

 provided they would send their boats to his landing, and 

 their people to bring them from his garden, informing them 

 that his rascals had become so indolent of late, that he 

 could not get them to work. This arrangement was 

 agreed to ; two boats were sent from each v essel, and 

 hauled on the beach. Their crews ail went to Patrick's 

 habitation, but neither he nor any of his people were to be 

 found ; and, after waiting until their patience was exhaust- 

 ed, they returned to the beach, where they found only the 

 wreck of three of their boats, which were broken to pieces, 

 and the fourth one missing. They succeeded, however, 

 after much difficulty, in getting around to the bay opposite 

 to their ships, where other boats were sent to their relief; 

 and the commanders of the ships, apprehensive of some 

 other trick, saw no security- except in a flight from the 

 island, leaving Patrick and his gang in quiet possession of 

 the boat. But before they sailed, they put a letter in a 

 keg, giving intelhgence of the affair, and moored it in the 

 bay, where it was found by captain Randall, but not until 

 he had sent his boat to Patrick's landing, for the purpose 

 of procuring refreshments ; and, as may be easily supposed, 

 he felt no little inquietude until her return, when she 

 brought him a letter from Patrick to the following purport, 

 which was found in his hut. 



Sir, 



I have made repeated applications to captains of vessels 

 to sell me a boat, or to take me from this place, but in eve- 



