he bravery
of these loyalists: but an unarmed multitude are nothing before an
eighth part of their number of regular soldiers. Military men in
Halifax could never have had a moment's serious apprehension from the
prisoners on Melville Island. It is my firm opinion, however, that had
we been apprized of our cruel destination, we should have risen upon
the boats, and attempted an escape, or sold our lives dearly. Revenge
and desperation have done wonders; and both would have steeled the
heart and nerved the arm of our little band of sufferers. Had we not
been beguiled with the lies of the agent and his turnkey, we should
have given our enemies a fresh proof of American bravery, if not
imprudence. Had Miller been on board the boat with us, we should most
certainly have thrown him overboard. His base and dishonourable
artifice, first to raise our hopes and expectations to the height of
joy, and then to sink us in despair, was an infamous deed, worthy such
a reward. Speaking for myself, I declare, that my heart sunk within
me, and I came near fainting, and it was some time before tears came
to my relief; then in a burst of indignation, I cursed the perfidious
enemy, and felt my soul wound up to deeds of desperation.

CHAPTER II.

Had the agent informed us of the orders of his government, and made us
acquainted with our destination, we should have braced our minds up to
the occasion, and submitted to our hard fate like men. We should have
said to each other in the language of Shakespeare--"_if these things
be necessities, let's meet them like necessities_;" but to be deceived
and duped, and cajoled into a state of great joy and exultation, and
then, in an instant, precipitated into the dark and cold regions of
despair, was barbarous beyond expression. As much resentment as I feel
towards Miller and his subalterns, I cannot wish either of them to
suffer the pangs I felt at the idea of this floating dungeon.

The late Governor GERRY, in one of his communications to the
legislature of Massachusetts, when speaking of the impressment and ill
usage of our seamen by the English, calls a British man-of-war "_a
floating Pandemonium_." I never felt the force of that expression
until I entered on board this floating hell.

After some difficulty and delay we got ourselves and bedding up the
side of the ship; and as our names were called over, our bedding was
served out to us. We informed the officer that there were but sevent