Page:Life, strange voyages, and uncommon adventures of Ambrose Gwinett.pdf/11

Rh to every body, that it was done by my relations, in order to put a slight vail over their own shame, by burying the body: But when my brother was summoned to the mayor's house, in order to be questioned, and he denied knowing any thing of the matter, little more stir was made about it; partly because he was greatly respected by all the neighbouring gentlemen, and in some measure, perhaps, because it was known that I continued to persist strongly in my being innocent of the fact for which I suffered.

Thus, then, was I most miraculously delivered from an ignominious death, if I may call my coming to life a delivery, after all I had endured: but, how was I to dispose of my life, now I had regained it?—To stay in England was impossible, without exposing myself again to the terrors of the law. In this dilemma, a fortunate circumstance occurred. There had lain for some time, at my brother's house, one or two of the principal officers of a privateer that was preparing for a cruise, and just then ready to sail. The captain kindly offered to take me on board with him.—You may guess, little difficulty was made on our side to accept of such a proposal; and proper necessaries being quickly provided for me, my sister recommended me to the protection of God and the worthy commander, Who most humanely received me as a sort of under assistant to his steward.

We had been six months out upon our cruise, having had but very indifferent success, when, being upon the coast of Florida, then in the hands of the Spaniards, we unfortunately fell in with a squadron of their men of War: and, being consequently, taken without striking a stroke, we were all brought prisoners into the harbour of nah.