Billeder på siden
PDF
ePub

uttered some expressions in Spanish, and laboured for a little time under considerable agitation. She expressed, in tolerably good English, her sentiments upon these subjects, in particular to young Mariner, then about fourteen years of age, and told him she was quite certain his ship would never again reach England. Among other things, she asked him if he had had any hand in robbing the church at Hilo; to which, when he replied jocosely that he only knocked down as many images as he could reach, she predicted that he would never again see his father and mother, and that the ship and all the crew would certainly be destroyed, as a just judgment from God, for the heinous sacrilege committed by them.--Mariner told her, that if she were in England she would stand a chance of being punished for a witch: the observation caused her to laugh, but produced him, at the same time, a pretty smart box on the ears. So great a favour, from so fair a hand, could not but be received in good part; he accordingly took the first opportunity of going on board and bringing her a cheese, as a present (the scarcity of the article rendering it valuable at this place). She, who would not be behindhand in generosity, taking a pair of gold buckles from her

shoes, gave them to him, but not without reminding him that he would never again see home; and that, therefore, the buckles, which she presented merely as an acknowledgment, would not long be of service to him. He little thought at this time that her prediction was destined to be for the most part fulfilled, and that by mere hair-breadth escapes, his good fortune, after a lapse of years, would bring him through unforeseen difficulties and dangers, home to his native country, though never to the sight of his mother, who died during his absence, leaving his father to reflect on the uncertain fate of a son, whom he could scarcely hope to see again.

CHAP. II.

The ship departs from Tola-Anchors in Chatham Bay-Captures a Spanish brig-Catches four whales, making up the number of fifteen-Cuts a brig out of St. Blas-Question concerning the propriety of looking out after certain richly laden vessels -Remarks-Arrives at Ceros Island -Illness of Captain Duck-Information respecting a Spanish sloop of war, laden with tribute money-Death of Captain Duck-The command of the vessel falls to Mr. Brown-Funeral of Captain Duck-Ship sails from Ceros-Takes a fresh departure from Guadaloupe-Arrives at the Island of Owyhee-Sails again, and arrives in Anahooroo Bay, at Woahoo-The chief refuses permission to enter the close harbour-Sails for Otaheite-Gets too much to the westward, and makes for the Friendly Islands-Anchors for the last time at the Island of Lefooga-Mutiny and desertion of four men-Farther desertion of fifteen others-Suspicious appearance of the natives-Their first plan to take the vessel unsuccessful -Natives assemble on deck in great numbers-Signal of attack-Mr. Mariner runs into the gun-room, and, meeting with the cooper, they determine to blow up the vessel-Their intention accidentally prevented-In the mean time general massacre upon deck-Mr. Mariner and the cooper brought before the chief-Mr. Mariner is sent on shore-The state of his mind at this periodFinds Mr. Brown on the beach murdered-He expects to be killed and eaten-Is brought before the king-The ship is run aground by the king's orders.

AFTER Wooding and watering the ship at Tola, and procuring about fourteen bullocks, six pigs, and a quantity of fruit, she weighed anchor and made sail, leaving the brigs behind, after having stripped them of their anchors, cables, sails, &c.

On

Finding the leak increase, she proceeded towards the island of Cocos, to careen. Friday, the 14th of February, at sunset, this island appeared W. S. twelve leagues, and the next day she came to an anchor in Chat- · ham Bay. The water casks being sent on shore to fill, they began to careen the ship. On running the guns over to starboard, and heeling the ship four streaks, the leak was found to proceed from a graving-piece not being properly secured under the fore-chains. The copper under the larboard bow was found to be in a bad state; it was accordingly stripped off, and -inch board was used for sheathing. On Tuesday, the 18th, the principal leaks were considered to be pretty well stopped, the ship making considerably less water, and she was therefore righted. After wooding, watering, and painting, she weighed anchor on the 25th, and made sail towards the whaling ground.

On Saturday, the 5th of March, having made Pan de Azucar, which bore N. six or seven leagues, she recommenced her whaling cruize, but which, notwithstanding the most diligent look out during the lapse of two or three weeks, was very unsuccessful; and hence the men began to be exceedingly discontented.

On Wednesday, the 30th of March, she captured the Spanish brig Santa Isidora, Captain Josef Evernzega, from Guiàquil, bound to Acapulco, laden with cocoa. At meridian the land off Acapulco bore N. distance seven or eight miles. The next day the captain and ten other prisoners were sent on board their own longboat, and all preparations were made to send the prize to Port Jackson. The following day the Port au Prince stood off from the land, with the prize brig in company: the brig's small boat was given to the remainder of the prisoners, and they were sent on shore, detaining, however, the Spanish carpenter in the prize, and also one man who entered for the ship. On this day Mr. M'Farlane, the surgeon, deserted. The following day Mr. John Parker received charge of the brig, with orders to proceed to Port Jackson, and proper instructions for selling the vessel and cargo; he was allowed ten hands and four months provisions.

« ForrigeFortsæt »