or, who, being overpowered by their fury, could not
defend his face from being disfigured by their nails, nor his clothes
from being torn off his back; and what was much worse, the parson's wife
thinking herself most injured, cut the hamstring of his leg with a knife,
which rendered him a cripple his whole life after.

This circumstantial account, which was in every point exactly as the
affair happened, and many other questions concerning the family which the
captains asked him, and he as readily answered, (having got every
particular information concerning them when in Newfoundland,) fully
convinced them that he must really be the son of their good old friend
Mr. Aaron Cook; they therefore not only very generously relieved him, but
offered to lend him any moderate sum, to be paid again in Newfoundland,
the next fishing season; but Mr. Carew had too high a sense of honour to
abuse their generosity so far; he therefore excused himself from
accepting their offer, by saying he would be furnished with as much as he
should have occasion for, by merchant Pemm of Exeter. They then took him
with them to Guildhall, recommending him to the benevolence of the mayor
and corporation, testifying he was a man of reputable family in
Newfoundland. Here a very handsome collection was made for him; and the
circumstances of his misfortunes becoming public, many other respectable
ladies and gentlemen gave him that assistance according to their
abilities, which is always due to unfortunate strangers. Three days did
the captains detain him by their civilities in Bristol, showing him all
the curiosities and pleasures of the place to divert his melancholy. He
then set out for Cockington, where his relations lived, and Bridgewater
being on his road, he had a letter, from one of the Bristol captains, to
Captain Drake in that place.

As soon as he came to Bridgewater, he went directly to the mayor's house,
and knocking at the gate, it was opened to him by madam mayoress, to whom
he related his misfortune; and the good lady, pitying him as an
unfortunate stranger, so far distant from his home, gave him
half-a-crown, and engaged her daughter, a child, to give him a shilling.

We cannot pass by this amiable lady, without paying her the due tribute
of praise; for tenderness and compassion ought to be the peculiar
ornament of every female breast; and it were to be wished that every
parent would betimes, like this good lady, instil into their child