porter's journal. 



15 



were lying on the gun-deck, under charge of a sentinel, 

 where they had been put while we were smoking the rats. 

 Two of the sentinels were detected, one in conniving, and 

 the other in assisting some persons in stealing rum. I did 

 not inquire who were those concerned in the theft, lest the 

 discovery might make known to the conspirators my know- 

 ledge of their scheme. I therefore punished the sentinels 

 severely for not putting them to death ; informed the crew 

 generally of the most absolute necessity for extraordinary 

 vigilance ; and told the marines that for the next neglect 

 of duty, I should punish the offender to the utmost extent 

 of my power. 



The next evening, after going my rounds at the camp, to 

 see that every thing was right, I went to bed, and at half 

 past ten o'clock, hot hearing the sentinel at the bake-house 

 call out alPs well, I inquired the cause. The sergeant of 

 the guard, on examination, reported to me that the sentinel 

 was lying down asleep, and that he had not disturbed him. 

 I determined now, should this be the case, to punish him 

 as he deserved. I felt the necessity of vigilance, not only 

 on account of our prisoners, but on account of the natives. 

 I felt persuaded that we owed the friendly footing on which 

 we now stood with them entirely to our convincing them 

 we were always on our guard, and I was determined that 

 the safety of the whole should not be hazarded by the 

 neglect of the marines. 1 therefore seized my pistol, and 

 followed by the sergeant and a guard, proceeded for the 

 bake-house, where we found the culprit fast asleep, his 

 musket lying beside him. I directed him to be seized, 

 and at the same moment he was wounded through the 

 fleshy part of the thigh. This example had a proper 

 effect, and rendered every person more vigilant, particu- 

 larly the marines. I shall make no further comments on 

 this affair : if the punishment should appear a severe one, 

 let those who censure me place themselves for a moment 

 in my situation : I was far distant from the means of obtain- 

 ing a judicial inquiry into his offence, which would proba- 

 bly have terminated fatally for him; promptness and vigi- 

 lance on my part were the only sure guarantees to the 

 success of a cruise so highly important to the interests of 

 my country. 



As I before observed, Sunday night vfas the period fixed 



