FAMINE IN THE SHIP PEGGY. 207 
fecting representation of the deplorable state to which they 
were reduced, declared that it was necessary to sacrifice one 
in order to save the rest ; adding-, that their resolution was 
irrevocably fixed, and that they intended to cast lots for the 
victim. 
The captain, a tender and humane man, could not hear 
such a barbarous proposition without shuddering ; he repre- 
sented to them that they were men, and ought to regard 
each other as brethren ; that, by such an assassination, they 
would for ever consign themselves to universal execration; 
and commanded them, with all his authority, to relinquish the 
idea of committing such an atrocious crime. The captain 
was silent ; but he had spoken to deaf men. They all with 
one voice replied, that it was indifferent to them whether he 
approved of their resolution or not ; that they had only ac- 
quainted him with it out of respect, and because he would run 
the same risk as themselves ; adding that, in the general mis- 
fortune, all command and distinction were at an end. With 
these words they left him, and went upon deck, where the 
lots were drawn. 
A negro who was on board and belonged to Captain Harri- 
son was the victim. It is more than probable that the lot 
had been consulted only for the sake of form, and that the 
wretched black was proscribed the moment the sailors first 
formed their resolution. They instantly sacrificed him. One 
of the crew tore out his liver and devoured it, without having 
the patience to dress it, by broiling, or in any other manner. 
He was soon afterward taken ill, and died the following day 
in convulsions, and with all the symptoms of madness. Some 
of his comrades proposed to keep his body to live upon, after 
the negro was consumed ; but this advice was rejected by 
the majority, doubtless on account of the malady which had 
carried him off He was, therefore, thrown overboard, and 
consigned to the deep. 
The captain, in the intervals when he was the least tor- 
mented by the gout, was not more exempt from the attacks of 
hunger than the rest of the crew ; but he resisted all the per- 
suasions of his men to partake of their horrid repast. He 
contenfed himself with the water which had been assigned to 
him, mixing with it a small quantity of spirits ; and this was 
the only sustenance he took during the whole period of his 
distress. 
The body of the negro, equally divided, and eaten with the 
greatest economy, lasted till the 26th of January. On the 
