A TRAGICAL TALE OP THE SEA. 409 
reason to believe that the crew would still watch for, and 
seize any opportunity to murder me now, if for no other pur- 
pose than that of securing their own lives. I therefore made 
up my mind to keep my post at the helm, day and night, that 
I might at least have all my enemies before me ; — but how I 
should liieep my post, do without sleep, or venture to sleep at 
it, even for a moment, were questions on which I feared to 
dwell/ 
Whatever my fears and feelings were, I still manifested the 
same determined and fearless line of conduct by which I had 
hitherto succeeded. I kept my ax close to my side, in full 
view of the crew. The gentlei^an who owned the property, 
but who, in anticipation of the dismal event, gave himself 
up to despait, certainly did now offer any assistance in his 
power ; but I had too much at stake to venture for a moment 
to trust him. 
From the Irishman I obtained a full detail of the plot, the 
manner in which they intended to murder me and the pas- 
sengers, and their intention of carrying the vessel to . 
This man I also generally employed near me ; the passen- 
gers too used him as far as they deemed prudent, though 
all Avere sensible that no confidence ought to be placed in him. 
Thirteen days at length thus elapsed, during which we had 
contrary weather — had fallen in with no vessel — and as to 
myself, although I was still uninjured, and aware of no at- 
tempt against me by the men, my strength and spirits were 
nearly exhausted. 
On the morning of the fourteenth day, however, I certainly 
started from something like sound sleep, in consequence of 
an idea of a glare or excess of light ; and I am unable to ex- 
press my utter astonishment, and the overwhelming emotions 
of gratitude thr'.. instantly filled my heart, at beholding the 
sun shining most, brilliantly, and in full view the flag flying 
on the battery of . I immediately ordered guns to be 
fired ; and in a short time a boat, with a pilot, came along- 
side. We lay to, while they returned with my command for 
soldiers to take my crew into custody. I need not add, that 
they were all condemned to die, excepting the Irishman be- 
fore alluded to, whose sentence was commuted to perpetual 
banishment. I begged their lives might be spared, and used 
all my influence to save them, but in vain. Before their exe- 
cution I saw them all, and they were informed, in my pre- 
sence, of the means I had used to save them, and of their also 
proving utterly unavailing. They appeared so far satisfied 
35 
