hat hurt me more than all
the rest, which was, that he snatched a book out of my hand that I was
very fond of, and used frequently to amuse myself with, and threw it
into the sea.--But what is remarkable he was the first that was killed
in our engagement.--I don't pretend to say that this happen'd because he
was not my friend: but I thought 'twas a very awful Providence to see
how the enemies of the LORD are cut off.
Our Captain was a cruel hard-hearted man. I was excessively sorry for
the prisoners we took in general; but the pitiable case of one young
Gentleman grieved me to the heart.--He appear'd very amiable; was
strikingly handsome. Our Captain took four thousand pounds from him; but
that did not satisfy him, as he imagin'd he was possess'd of more, and
had somewhere conceal'd it, so that the Captain threatened him with
death, at which he appear'd in the deepest distress, and took the
buckles out of his shoes, and untied his hair, which was very fine, and
long; and in which several very valuable rings were fasten'd. He came
into the Cabbin to me, and in the most obliging terms imaginable ask'd
for something to eat and drink; which when I gave him, he was so
thankful and pretty in his manner that my heart bled for him; and I
heartily wish'd that I could have spoken in any language in which the
ship's crew would not have understood me; that I might have let him know
his danger; for I heard the Captain say he was resolv'd upon his death;
and he put his barbarous design into execution, for he took him on shore
with one of the sailors, and there they shot him.
This circumstance affected me exceedingly, I could not put him out of my
mind a long while.--When we return'd to New-York the Captain divided the
prize-money among us, that we had taken. When I was call'd upon to
receive my part, I waited upon Mr. ----, (the Gentleman that paid my debt
and was the occasion of my going abroad) to know if he chose to go with
me to receive my money or if I should bring him what I owed.--He chose
to go with me; and when the Captain laid my money on the table ('twas an
hundred and thirty-five pounds) I desir'd Mr. ---- to take what I was
indebted to him; and he swept it all into his handkerchief, and would
never be prevail'd on to give a farthing of money, nor any thing at all
beside.--And he likewise secur'd a hogshead of sugar which was my due
from the same ship. The Captain was very angry with him for this piece
of cruelty to me
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