Page:Life and astonishing adventures of Peter Williamson (3).pdf/4



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amusements with my fellow-sufferers in the steerage, being never suffered to go upon deck whilst the vessel lay in the harbour. In about a month's time the ship set sail for America. I cannot forget that, when we arrived on the coast we were destined for, a hard gate of wind sprung up from the S. E. and, to the captain's great surprise (he not thinking he was near land, although having been 11 weeks on the passage), about twelve o'clock at night, the ship struck on a sand bank off Cape May, near the Capes of Delaware, and, to the great terror and affright of the ship's company in a short time was almost full of water. The boat was then hoisted out, into which the captain and his fellow villians, the crew, got with some difficulty, leaving me and my deluded companions to perish, as they then naturally concluded inevitable death to be our fate. Often, in my distresses and miseries since, have I wished that such had been the consequence, when in a state of innocence! But Providence thought proper to reserve me for future trials of its goodness. Thus abandoned and deserted, without the least prospect of relief, but threatened every moment with death, did these Villians leave us! The cries, the shrieks, and tears of a parcel of infants, had no effect on, or caused the least remorse in the breasts of these Merciless wretches. Scarce can I say to which