PORTER’S JOURNAL. 
i'43 
had sailed, when he ventured from his sculking-place, and by 
means of an old file, which he drove into a tree, freed himself 
from the handcuffs. He now meditated a severe revenge, but 
concealed his intentions. Vessels continued to touch there, and 
Patrick, as usual, to furnish them with vegetables ; but from time 
to time he was enabled, by administering potent draughts of his 
darling liquor to some of the men of their crews, and getting them 
so drunk that they were rendered insensible, to conceal them 
until the ship had sailed; when, finding themselves entirely de¬ 
pendent on him, they willingly enlisted under his banners, became 
his slaves, and he the most absolute of tyrants. By this means 
he had augmented the number to five, including himself, and 
every means was used by him to endeavour to procure arms for 
them, but without effect. It is supposed that his object was to 
have surprised some vessel, massacred her crew, and taken her 
off. While Patrick was meditating his plans, two ships, an Ame¬ 
rican and an English vessel, touched there, and applied to Patrick 
for vegetables. He promised them the greatest abundance, pro¬ 
vided they would send their boats to his landing, and their people 
to bring them from his garden, informing them that his rascals 
had become so indolent of late, that he could not get them to 
work. This arrangement was agreed to ; two boats were sent 
from each vessel, and hauled on the beach. Their crews all 
went to Patrick’s habitation, but neither he nor any of his people 
were to be found ; and, after waiting until their patience was ex¬ 
hausted, they returned to the beach, where they found only the 
wreck of three of their boats, which were broken to pieces, and 
the fourth one missing. They succeeded, however, after much 
difficulty, in getting around to the bay opposite to their ships, 
where other boats were sent to their relief; and the commanders 
of the ships, apprehensive of some other trick, saw no security 
except in a flight from the island, leaving Patrick and his gang 
in quiet possession of the boat; but before they sailed they put a 
a letter in a keg, giving intelligence of the affair, and moored it 
in the bay, where it was found by captain Randall, but not until 
he had sent his boat to Patrick’s landing, for the purpose of pro¬ 
curing refreshments ; and, as may be easily supposed, he felt no 
