For several days after, they were employed in clearing away the stumps
of the cocoa-nut trees in the winding path to the storehouse; and as
soon as that work was finished, Ready put up a lightning-conductor at
the side of the storehouse, like the one which he had put up near to
the cottage. They had now got through all the work that they had
arranged to do during the rainy season. The ewes had lambed, but both
the sheep and the goats began to suffer for want of pasture. For a week
they had no rain, and the sun burst out very powerfully; and Ready was
of opinion that the rainy season was now over. William had become quite
strong again, and he was very impatient that they should commence the
survey of the island. After a great deal of consultation, it was at
last settled, that Ready and William should make the first survey to
the southward, and then return and report what they had discovered.
This was decided upon on the Saturday evening, and on the Monday
morning they were to start. The knapsacks were got ready, and well
filled with boiled salt pork, and flat cakes of bread. They were each
to have a musket and ammunition, and a blanket was folded up to carry
on the shoulders, that they might sleep on it at night. Ready did not
forget his compass, or the small axes, for them to blaze the trees as
they went through the wood.
The whole of Saturday was occupied in making their preparations. After
supper, Ready said, "Now, William, before we start on our travels, I
think I may as well wind up my history. I haven't a great deal more to
tell, as my good fortune did not last long; and after my remaining so
long in a French prison, my life was one continued chapter of from bad
to worse. Our ship was soon ready, and we sailed with convoy for
Barbadoes. Sanders proved a good 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 blowing very fast, we
carried away our main-top mast. This accident was fatal; the privateer
came alongside of us and laid us by the board, and that night I was in
a French prison, and, I may say, a pauper; for the insurance of the
vessel was void, from my having sailed without convoy. I felt that I
had no one to thank but myself for the unfortunate position I was in;
at all events, I was severely punished, for I remained a prisoner for
nearly six years. I contrived to escape with three or four others; we
suffered dreadfully, and at last arrived in England, in a Swedish
vessel, without money, or even clothes that would keep out the weather.
Of course, I had nothing to do but to look out for a berth on board of
a ship, and I tried for that of second mate, but without success; I was
too ragged and looked too miserable; so I determined, as I was
starving, to go before the mast. There was a fine vessel in the port; I
went on board to offer myself; the mate went down to the captain, who
came on deck, and who should he be but Sanders? I hoped that he would
not remember me, but he did immediately, and held out his hand. I never
did feel so ashamed in my life as I did then. Sanders perceived it, and
asked me down into the cabin. I then told him all that had happened,
and he appeared to forget that I had behaved so ill to him; he offered
me a berth on board, and money in advance to fit me out. But if he
would not remember my conduct, I could not forget it, and I told him
so, and begged his forgiveness. Well, sir, that good man, as long as he
lived, was my friend. I became his second mate before he died, and we
were again very intimate. My misfortunes had humbled me, and I once
more read the Bible with him; and I have, I trust, done so ever since.
When he died, I continued second mate for some time, and then was
displaced. Since that, I have always been as a common seaman on board
of different vessels; but I have been well treated and respected, and I
may add, I have not been unhappy, for I felt that property would have
only led me into follies, and have made me forget, that in this world
we are to live so as to prepare ourselves for another. Now, William,
you have the history of Masterman Ready; and I hope that there are
portions of it which may prove useful to you. To-morrow we must be off
betimes, and as we are all to breakfast early together, why, I think
the sooner we go to bed the better."
"Very true," replied Mr. Seagrave, "William, dear, bring me the Bible."