430 LOSS OF THE PHOENIX. 
assistance, we should come and bring them all off. Had a 
very squally night, and a very leaky boat, so as to keep two 
buckets constantly bailing. Steered her myself the whole 
night by the stars, and in the morning saw the coast of Ja- 
maica, distant twelve leagues. At eight in the evening arriv- 
ed at Montego Bay. 
I must now begin to leave off, particularly as I have but 
half an hour to conclude; else my pretty Ltile short letter 
will lose its passage, which I should not like, after being ten 
days, at different times, writing it, beating up with the convoy 
to the northward, which is a reason that this epistle will never 
read well ; for I never sat down with a proper disposition to 
go on with it ; but as I knew something of the kind would 
please you, I was resolved to finish it ; yet it will not bear an 
overhaul ; so do not expose your son's nonsense. 
But to proceed — I instantly sent off an express to the Ad- 
miral, another to the Porcupine man of war, and went myself 
to Martha Bray to get vessels ; for all their vessels here, as 
well as many of their houses, were gone to Moco. Got three 
small vessels, and set out back again to Cuba, where I arrived 
the fourth day after leaving my companions. I thought the 
ship's crew would have devoured me on my landing ; they 
presently whisked me up on their shoulders and carried me 
to the tent wh,ere Sir Hyde was. 
I must omit many little concurrences that happened on 
shore, for want of time ; but I shall have a number of stories 
to tell when I get along side of you ; and the next time I visit 
you I shall not be in such a hurry to quit you as I was the 
last, for then I hoped my nest would have been pretty well 
feathered : — But my tale is forgotten. 
I found the Porcupine had arrived that day, and the lads 
had built a boat almost ready for launching that would hold 
fifty of them, which was intended for another trial, in case I 
had foundered. Next day embarked all our people that were 
left, amounting to two hundred and fifty ; for some had died of 
the wounds they received in getting on shore ; others of drink- 
ing rum, and others had straggled into the country. All our 
vessels were so full of people that we could not take away 
the few clothes that were saved from the wreck ; but that Avas 
a trifle, since we had preserved our lives and liberty. To 
make short my story, we all arrived safe at Montego Bay, and 
shortly after at Port Royal, in the Janus, which was sent on 
purpose for us, and were all honorably acquitted for the loss 
of the ship. I was made admiral's aid-de-camp, and a little 
