Page:Wonderful magazine of strange adventures, singular occurrences, and remarkable incidents.pdf/13

 The poor fellow, it seems, had sacrificed his honesty to his hospitality, by making free with one of the laird's sheep for the entertainment of his guest.

the St. James Portuguese ship was wrecked on the coast of Africa, the captain and twelve other persons betook themselves to the pinnace. On putting off, numbers hurried on in hopes of getting on board; "but their more fortunate comrades fearing that they might be sunk with the weight of all those who endeavoured to get admittance, pushed them back into the sea, and, with their sabres and hatchets cut, without mercy, the hands of such as would not quit their hold. It is impossible to describe the anguish of those who remained on the floating fragments of the wreck, and witnessed the barbarous scene. Those in the boat, in order to prevent the anarchy and confusion which would have aggravated their misery, agreed to submit to the authority of a head which they would choose from among themselves; and they immediately made choice of one, whom they invested with absolute authority. This power he soon found it necessary to employ, in causing the weakest, whom he merely pointed out with his finger, to be thrown overboard. In the number of those was a carpenter, who had assisted in repairing the pinnace; the only favour he