could for Lundy. When they came near, they perceived several
ships laying at anchor there, and made a signal for a pilot. Soon after
comes up a pilot of Clovelly, who was then upon the island, waiting to
pilot ships up to Bristol. The captain welcomed him on board, and agreed
for seven guineas to be pilotted up to Bristol: then the captain asked
him what news, and if any New-England men were gone up the channel? He
replied, that none had passed, but that he could inform him of bad news
for his men, which was, the Ruby man-of-war, Captain Goodyre, lay then in
King-road, and pressed all the men he could lay hold of. Mr. Carew,
hearing this, immediately comes upon deck, with his blanket upon his
shoulders, and pretended to vomit over the ship's side. The pilot,
observing him, asked what was the matter with the old man. I believe,
replies the captain, he has got the small-pox; he dreamed the other night
that his wife was dead of them, which frightened him so much, that I
think the small-pox is come out upon him. The pilot then stepped up and
asked him to let him look upon him, which he complying with, and showing
him his arms, the pilot swore he had got the small-pox heavily upon him,
and Mr. Carew kept on groaning very mournfully. They then sailed by
Appledore, Biddeford, and Barnstaple, (where Mr. Carew, notwithstanding
his having the small-pox so heavily, wished himself on shore, drinking
some of their fat ale,) so to the Holmes, and into King-road early in the
morning. He then thought it advisable to take a pretty large quantity of
warm water into his belly, and soon after, to their concern, they saw the
Ruby man-of-war lying in the road, with jack, ensign, and pendant
hoisted.
Now were all the sailors, who had been so jovial before, struck with a
dreadful panic; but our hero, secure of the favour and protection of the
goddess prudence, was quite easy at heart.--Soon they perceived the man
of war's boat making towards them, upon which Mr. Carew grew sicker and
sicker: the captain ordered the ropes to be flung out for a man-of-war's
boat, and the stanchions and red ropes to be got ready for the
lieutenant, as though they had been to receive some good visitor on
board; such are the polished arts of the world; for we think we may
venture to say, that both the captain and the crew, at the time they were
making these preparations to receive the lieutenant, had rather have seen
him gone to the bottom of the sea, th
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