Page:The genius - Carl Grosse tr Joseph Trapp 1796.djvu/20

 the attack, when the Maloese captain refusing to strike, not only defended himself, but attempted to take one of the galiots. The combat was obstinate, and the Frenchman, being dismasted and driven on shore, after having rendered the two galiots unfit for farther pursuit, seeing two others heave in sight, set fire to his magazine and blew up the ship.

"Only twelve people were driven on shore half-dead upon some pieces of the wreck, and instead of giving them proper assistance, the custom-house officers tore the very clothes off their backs. Being near the spot, I went to check the plundering banditti, and, sword in hand, rescued from their rapacious clutches a well-drest young man, whom I carried almost lifeless to a neighboring inn, where I gave orders for care to be taken of him.

"When I went to see him the next morning; I found he had disappeared. Accustomed to ingratitude, I pulled out my purse to pay a long bill of expences which the landlord presented to me, and proud of having