ime to continue in this
world." Alonzo enquired how he came in the power of the enemy. "By the
fate of war, he replied; I was taken in an action on York Island,
carried on board a prison-ship in New-York, and sent with a number of
others for England. I had received a wound in my thigh, from a musket
ball, during the action; the wound mortified, and my thigh was amputated
on the voyage; since which I have been rapidly wasting away, and I now
feel that the cold hand of death is laid upon me." Here he became
exhausted, and for some time remained silent. Alonzo had not before
discovered that he had lost his leg: he now found that it had been taken
off close to his body, and that he was worn to a skeleton. When Beauman
revived, he enquired into Alonzo's affairs. Alonzo related all that had
happened to him after leaving New London.

[Footnote A: The Americans who were imprisoned in England, in the
time of war, were treated with much more humanity than those who
were imprisoned in America.]

"You are unhappy, Alonzo, said Beauman, in the death of your Melissa,
to which it is possible I have been undesignedly accessory. I could say
much on the subject, would my strength permit; but it is needless. She
is gone, and I must soon go also. She was sent to her uncle's at
Charleston, by her father, where I was soon to follow her. It was
supposed that thus widely removed from all access to your company, she
would yield to the persuasion of her friends to renounce you: her
unexpected death, however, frustrated every design of this nature, and
overwhelmed her father and family in inexpressible woe."

Here Beauman ceased. Alonzo found he wanted rest: he enquired whether he
was in want of any thing to render him more comfortable. Beauman replied
that he was not: "For the comforts of this life, said he, I have no
relish; medical aid is applied, but without effect." Alonzo then left
him, promising to call again in the morning.

When Alonzo called the next morning, he perceived an alarming alteration
in Beauman. His extremities were cold, a chilling, clammy sweat stood
upon his face, his respiration was short and interrupted, his pulse weak
and intermitting. He took the hand of Alonzo, and feebly pressing
it,--"I am dying, said he in a faint voice. If ever you return to
America, inform my friends of my fate." This Alonzo readily engaged to
do, and told him also that he would not leave him.

Beauman soon fell into a stupor; se