_Miranda_.
How came we ashore!
_Prospero_.
By Providence divine.
...
Sit still, and hear the last of our sea-sorrow.
Here in this island we arrived.
SHAKESPEARE.
A frigate called at the island for turtle; and, having represented my
case to the captain, he offered to take me on board, telling me at the
same time that he was going much further to the southward, to relieve
another cruiser, who would then return to England, and the captain of
her would, no doubt, give me a passage home. I accordingly made hasty
preparations for my departure; took leave of all my kind friends at the
barracks, for kind indeed they were to _me_, although thoughtless and
foolish towards themselves. I bade adieu to the families on the island,
in whose houses and at whose tables I had experienced the most liberal
hospitality; and last, though not least, I took leave of poor Carlotta.
This was a difficult task to perform, but it was imperative. I told her
that I was ordered on board by my captain, who, being a very different
person from the last, I dared not disobey. I promised to return to her
soon. I offered her money and presents, but she would accept of nothing
but a small locket, to wear for my sake. I purchased the freedom of
poor Sophy, the black girl who had saved my life. The little creature
wept bitterly at my coming away; but I could do no more for her. As for
Carlotta, I learned afterwards that she went on board every ship that
arrived to gain intelligence of me, who seldom or never gave her a
thought.
We sailed; and, steering away to the south-east with moderate winds and
fine weather, captured, at the end of that time, a large American ship,
which had made a devious course from the French coast, in hopes of
avoiding our cruisers; she was about four hundred tons, deeply laden,
and bound to Laguira, with a valuable cargo. The captain sent for me,
and told me that if I chose to take charge of her, as prize-master, I
might proceed to England direct. This plan exactly suited me, and I
consented, only begging to have a boatswain's mate, named Thompson, to
go along with me; he was an old shipmate, and had been one of my gig's
crew when we had the affair in Basque Roads: he was a steady, resolute,
quiet, sober, raw-boned Caledonian, from Aberdeen, and a man that I knew
would stand by me in the hour of need. He was ordered to go with me,
and the necessary supply of provisions and spirits were on board. I
received my orders, and took my leave of my new captain, who was both a
good seaman and an excellent officer.
When I got on board the prize, I found all the prisoners busy packing up
their things, and they became exceedingly alert in placing them in the
boat which was to convey them on board the frigate. Indeed they all
crowded into her with an unusual degree of activity; but this did not
particularly strike my attention at the time. My directions were to
retain the captain and one man with me, in order to condemn the vessel
in the court of admiralty.
Occupied with many objects at once, all important to me, as I was so
soon to part company with the frigate, I did not recollect this part of
my orders, and that I was detaining the boat, until the young midshipman
who had charge of her asked me if he might return on board and take the
prisoners. I then went on deck, and seeing the whole of them, with
their chests and bags, seated very quietly in the boat, and ready to
shove off, I desired the captain and one of the American seamen to come
on board again, and to bring their clothes with them. I did not remark
the unwillingness of the captain to obey this order, until told of it by
the midshipman; his chest and goods were immediately handed in upon
deck, and the signal from the frigate being repeated, with a light for
the boat to return (for it was now dark), she shoved off hastily, and
was soon out of sight.
"Stop the boat!--for God's sake stop the boat!" cried the captain.
"Why should I stop the boat?" said I; "my orders are positive, and you
must remain with me."