PORTER’S JOURNAL. 
L'44 
little inquietude until her return, when she brought him a letter 
from Patrick to the following purport, which was found in his hut* 
Sir, 
I have made repeated applications to captains of vessels to 
sell me a boat, or to take me from this place, but in every in¬ 
stance met with a refusal. An opportunity presented itself to 
possess myself of one, and I took advantage of it. I have beer? 
a long time endeavouring, by hard labour and suffering, to accu¬ 
mulate wherewith to make myself comfortable, but at different 
times have been robbed and maltreated, and in a late instance 
by captain Paddock, whose conduct in punishing me, and robbing 
me of about 500 dollars, in cash and other articles, neither agrees 
with the principles he professes nor is it such as his sleek coat 
would lead one to expect*. 
On the 29th May, 1809, I sail from the enchanted island in 
the Black Prince, bound to the Marquesas. 
Do not kill the old hen ; she is now sitting, and will soon 
have chickens. 
(Signed) FATHERLESS OBERLUS. 
Patrick arrived alone at Guyaquil in his open boat, the rest 
who sailed with him having perished for want of water, or, as is 
generally supposed, were put to death by him, on his finding the 
water to grow scarce. From thence he proceeded to Payta, 
where he wound himself into the affection of a tawny damsel, 
and prevailed on her to consent to accompany him back to his 
enchanted island, the beauties of which he no doubt painted in 
glowing colours ; but, from his savage appearance, he was there 
considered by the police as a suspicious person, and being found 
under the keel of a small vessel then ready to be launched, and 
suspected of some improper intentions, he was confined in Payta 
gaol, where he now remains ; and probably owing to this circum** 
stance Charles* island, as well as the rest of the Gallapagos, may 
remain unpopulated for many ages to come. This reflection 
* Captain Paddock was of the society of friends, commonly called quakers, 
