ch blew down the lagoon. I hab watch during de
day one or two boats coming in, so I know the entrance, and as soon as I
get to a distance from de vessels I paddle away as fast as I could. I
might hab a long distance to go before daylight, but as it was only just
dark dere would be plenty ob time. I expected ebery moment to be
ober-hauled by de sentries on de shore, but no one was dere, or, at all
events, dey not see me. On I go till I get under de cliffs which I see
when de ship come in--den I know I in de right passage. Dere was a
current, too, by which I judge dat de tide was ebbing. Next I find
myself between low banks, for de whole country towards de sea am flat.
At last I hear de waves breaking on de shore--not very loud, though; dat
makes me hope dat de water smooth. I soon reach de entrance ob de
creek, and safely pass de bar. I determine to paddle to de southward; I
hab water and provisions to last me for a week or more, and before dat
time I hope to get aboard an English or French vessel--it matter berry
little to me. When morning break I look out astern, but could see no
boat or vessel, and I hope I not pursued; as I was well out ob sight ob
land, even if I was, de pirates would hab a difficult job to find me.
De sea remain smooth, or my canoe, which was only intended for de
lagoon, would hab been swamped. When my pie nearly gone and what remain
was scarcely eatable, I see a vessel standing to de westward. De wind
was light, and by paddling hard I might reach her. I did paddle, for I
no hab a drop ob water in my calabash, and if I miss her I might die ob
thirst. On she come, and de breeze freshen. I was coming from de
north--she was crossing my course; I shriek and shout--already she
nearly pass me; I stand up in my canoe and wave my paddle--den again I
sit down and pull away like mad. Again I stand up and shout wid all my
might and wave my paddle. I praise God, dey see me; de vessel round to,
and in a few minutes I alongside. De cappen ask me where I come from.
I tell him I escape from some pirates who would hab cut my throat if I
hadn't known how to make sea-pie, and dat I make one for him as soon as
I get opportunity. He laugh, and say dat he believe my story, and dat
he gib me a trial. He nebber do so, however, 'cause you capture his
vessel before I get de necessary materials.--And now, Massa Tracy, you
know my history.'

"From the account Peter gave me, I strongly suspected that the vess