Page:Life and unparalleled voyages and adventures of Ambrose Gwinnett (1).pdf/20

 down with pen and ink to draw out his will. He left me sole heir to his share of the booty, signing the paper with his mark; which paper, through a series of unheard-of misfortunes, I have preserved in my custody ever since.

We buried the captain next day; and, on inspection, and dividing the treasure, I found myself worth considerably more than forty thousand pounds sterling. The persons now remaining in our company, were Joseph Wright, Andrew Van Hooten, a Dutchman, James Winter, and myself, the four principals; besides four common men, to whom we assigned five thousand, pounds each, which we gave to them in dollars; nor did I observe any discontent among them on account of the bequest the captain had made me.

All my thoughts were immediately bent on getting off the island to some of the English settlements. I plainly perceived that my companions again wanted to be at their old praetice; but, one day, talking of another cruise, I represented to them the danger and uncomfortable situation we were in, and that we had each a very ample fortune to support us in any part of the world,—-it was my advice, therefore, that we should immediately put all our treasure on board, with as much of the merchandise as we could conveniently carry, and make the best of our way to Jamaica, wherc there was no doubt but we should be well received.

They agreed to this proposal with more alacrity than I thought they would. We fell immediately to work, and, in two days, were prepared to sail. But, though we put a considerable quantity of bales on board, what remained still in the warehouse was astonishing. I warned the fellows of their rapacity, and the danger of too heavily lading the ship; but they would not give over till she could hold no more; and then the treasure packed in chests, each man’s share separate to himself, we put into the cabin.