( 47 ) 
the following remarkable anecdote tends to 
eludicate this opinion, I will ftate the clr- 
Giimftances precifely as they occurred. 
At a period when the tcmpeft raged with 
the utmoft violence, I had directed moft of 
the crew below, particularly the Lafcars, to 
work the pumps. One of them, however, 
I perceived coming up the gang way with a 
handkerchief in his hand j and on my en- 
quiring what he was about, he told mic, and 
in a tone of voice that difcovered a perfect 
confidence in the.meafure he propofed, that, 
he was going to m^ake an oilering to his 
God. " This handkerchief,'' laid lie, " cer- 
tains a certain quantity of rice, and all the 
rupees I am worth ; fuiTer me to lafli it to 
the mizen-top, and rely upon it, Sir, we 
lhall all be faved." — I was cvoi^p; to order, 
him back again to the pumps ; but reccl- 
lecling that in fo doing I might throw both 
him and his countrymen into a ftate of de- 
fpondency, and thereby lofe the benefits of 
their exertions, I acquiefced. The Lafcar 
tlvanked me, and I foon beheld this child of 
prejudice mount the tottering ladder with- 
out difcovering a fingle apprehenfion. He 
laflied the hankerchief to the miz.cn-top- 
m.aft-head, fcarlefs of all danger, and arriv- 
ed in fafety on the deck. After afiurir ^r 
me his God was now my friend,' he went be- 
low to inform his brethren, that he haci done 
his duty ; all the Lafcars feemed tranfport- 
edvv'ithjoy, embraced their virtuous corn- 
pan icn, and tlieti laboured at tlie pumps 
