ill, after waiting a certain time, the
boat did not return. It was strange that no one could tell in which
direction she had gone. It was scarcely possible that any accident
could have happened to her; for, even if she had filled with water, the
men in her would certainly have cried out. The ship at the time was
supposed to be about five or six leagues from the land, which had been
seen at sundown over the weather quarter. Since then the wind had been
very light, and the ship had made but little way. The natural
conclusion to which Captain Falkner came was, the boat must have pulled
on shore, and made several tacks in that direction. A strong gale,
however, coming on in a short time, he was unable to beat up to the
island; and after making an attempt for some hours in vain, having
despatches on board, he was obliged to bear up for his destination. He
intended, however, on his return to make inquiries for the boat, in case
she should have reached the shore. Now, it happened that the mutineer,
Higson, had managed to win over six of the men to assist him in escaping
from the ship. At his suggestion a log had been thrown into the water,
and the cry was raised that a man was overboard. This done, he had no
great difficulty in leaving the ship. While in harbour he had had
frequent communications with various persons disaffected to the
Government. He had by chance fallen in with one of them when he was on
shore, and this led to his communication with others. Believing that
the larger portion of the population would join in a rebellion, he
entertained the idea of making himself of some importance in the
country, fully believing that assistance would be gained from the French
or Dutch, and that the people might make themselves independent of
England. With this object in view, he determined to leave the ship.
His success was complete, and he managed before dawn to land safely on
the island. Here the boat was broken up, and a cave by the shore being
found, the fragments were piled up in it and completely consumed; thus
he hoped all trace of his landing was lost. He had some difficulty in
finding the people with whom he had before communicated, but at length
they met, and he at once entered seriously into the plans which had been
proposed for overpowering the British troops, and taking possession of
the country. He knew where the Earl was living, and entertaining a
personal grudge against him for the part he had play