Page:Life and unparalleled adventures of Ambrose Gwinnett.pdf/19

 AMBROSE GWINNETT. 19 Il nothing behind; and, on an average, there could jot be less in their coffers than two hundred thousand ounds sterling in specie, besides an immense quan- ty of gold and silver in bars. The continual terror that was upon my mind while remained with these people, is not to be imagined; ut to give you a detail of the manner of my life hile I endured the worst of bondage, would be dious, because it had no variety; and shocking, boot, as I was forced to join in all their horrid hemes. I shall only tell you that, in one of our uises, we met with a Jamaica ship, and hoisted ar black colours. Having boarded her, because she lade some resistance, and killed one of our men, the captain ordered that the whole crew should be mas- cred. The wicked command was executed upon ac master, five seamen, and a boy : then, taking the argo out, which proved to be rum and sugar, we uttled the ship, and returned to our fortification. ut see how the avenger of wicked deeds makes the uit of our crimes our punishment! This cargo of um, which was of a kind not many degrees short of Juafortis, was drunk by the men with such avidity, nat, in little more than three days, out of our con- element of eighteen men, seven absolutely lost their yes by it, among whom was the captain. I cannot but confess that I had some attachment this man, because lie appeared particularly at- Miched to me; when, therefore, I saw him lying senseless on the floor, overgorged with that infernal quor, I did everything I could to recover him, and Ho far succecded as to bring him to his senses; but pe quantity he had drunk inflamed his bowels to a egree not to be assuaged by any lenitives that were my power to procure for him. He was seized ith intermitting convulsions, that carried him off nc next day; but, about four hours before lie died, e called me, in the presence of all the men who ood about him in the cabin, and desired me to sit