d navigator, and from him, before we
arrived at Barbadoes, I gained all the knowledge which I required to
enable me to command and navigate my vessel. Sanders attempted to renew
our serious conversation, but my property had made me vain; and now that
I felt I could do without his assistance, I not only kept him at a
distance, but assumed the superior. This was a very ungrateful return
for his kindness to me; but it is too often the case in this world.
Sanders was very much annoyed, and on our arrival at Barbadoes, he told
me that it was his intention to quit the vessel. I replied very
haughtily, that he might do as he pleased; the fact is, I was anxious to
get rid of him, merely because I was under obligations to him. Well,
sir, Sanders left me, and I felt quite happy at his departure. My ship
was soon with a full cargo of sugar on board of her, and we waited for
convoy to England. When at Barbadoes, I had an opportunity to buy four
brass guns, which I mounted on deck, and had a good supply of ammunition
on board. I was very proud of my vessel, as she had proved in the
voyage out to be a very fast sailer: indeed, she sailed better than some
of the men-of-war which convoyed us; and now that I had guns on board, I
considered myself quite safe from any of the enemies' privateers. While
we were waiting for convoy, which was not expected for a fortnight, it
blew a very heavy gale, and my ship, as well as others, dragged their
anchors, and were driven out of Carlisle Bay. We were obliged to make
sail to beat into the bay again, it still blowing very fresh. What with
being tired waiting so long for convoy, and the knowledge that arriving
before the other West Indiamen would be very advantageous, I made up my
mind that, instead of beating up into the bay again, I would run for
England without protection, trusting to the fast sailing of my vessel
and the guns which I had on board. I forgot at the time that the
insurance on the vessel was made in England as `sailing with convoy,'
and that my sailing without would render the insurance void, if any
misfortune occurred. Well, sir, I made sail for England, and for three
weeks everything went on well. We saw very few vessels, and those which
did chase us could not come up with us; but as we were running with a
fair wind up channel, and I had made sure of being in port before night,
a French privateer hove in sight and gave chase. We were obliged to
haul our wind, and it bl