y ALEXANDER BOYLE, COMMANDER, lift and m& AUTHENTIC ACCOUNT OF THB *^ri DESPERATE ENGAGEMENT RETWEEnHthe Two Tripoli Pirate-Galties, JHifev\,', IN THE MEDITERRANEAN. JI $M also/ ysHJ TH| CRUELTY OF THE PIRATES* AND THE Sufferings of Captain Boi/Mand §t||| DURING THEIR .-'■/CAPTIVITY IN BARBARY. * ■ M ». M LONDON: PRINTED FOR CHAMPANTEJ& WHITROW, JEWRY-STREET »nr * r EVA\ either killed or desperately wounded) began now to I give way ; and the pirates, enraged at the fall of their chief, attacked with such fury, and such numbers, the * few remaining biave fellows that were left, that the unfortunate Americans were obliged to retreat to the » hatchway, and seek shelter below from their vile t assassins. Resistance was now of no avail. They solicited quarter, which was granted,—not from a i principle of humanity, to which their savage breast* « are a stranger, bat from a hope of plunder,-—from a &' desire to increase the misery of the surviving wretches, < and enrich themselves by disposing of them for slaves. They were now ordered to come on deck, one by one, when their hands were tied behind their backs, 1 and in this manner they were dismissed. This was no sooner done, than they heard a great bustle and confu- 1 tion among the pirates, the cause of which was occasioned by the galley's plunging against them with prodigious violence. It seems, when she first boarded the General Washington, she had started a plank forwards, and otherwise materially injured her bows. They however found means to stop the leaks, and then set to at the pumps, which soon freed her. These savages having now secured all their prisoners, and divided them, it was our correspondent's lot to be put on board the galley which had received the injury* He was immediately recognized to be the person who had killed their captain in his own defence, and wasf consequently treated with a greater degree of barbarity. He was inhumanly driven to the chains which were intended to fetter him, and when lashed like a dog, he was spumed and spit at by all the piratical crew. This cruel treatment he bore with silent resignation, but not without the most painful and indignant sensations. The weather still continuing calm, the two galleys shot a-head, and took the prize in tow. As she was heavy laden, they were obliged to treble man^ and the current running contrary to their destined port, the rowers from the excessive fatigue of the oar were quite exhausted, and soon began to drop. The chains of the captives were now ordered to be knocked off, and they were placed as substitutes for the rowers. For several hours these poor wretches dragged with all their strength, being thereto compelled by the lash. They were stripped oY their shirts, their backs severely galled, weak for want of nourishment, and exhausted with toil and severity. The sighs and groans which nature uttered, had no effect on these barbarians. Providentially a breeze sprung up, which continuing I J to incfease 9 it was no longer necessary nor safe to row ; so they cast off? and as it was still favourable, they were ordered to lie on their oars ; which timely relief was to our poor sufferers exceedingly acceptable. The elements now began to gather, and as the 6ven- i-ng drew on a violent gale arose, which with the rough- ness of the sea permitted them no longer to use their oars. There was every appearance of a heavy storm, which accordingly took place. The night became exceedingly dark ! they soon lost sight of the other galley and prize^ and as the sea increased, the leaks of the-galley, which had not been sufficiently fortified, gained upon them in a most alarming degree. All efforts to preserve the galley were ineffectual; she was rapidly going down! They now began to clear their boat and to hoist her out, which was .accordingly done. As many as the boat could hold, got in, which was about one half of the crew ; the remainder were obliged to take their chance with our correpondent in the sinking galley. They saw no more of the boat ; and in a few minutes the sea made a breach over ike leaky vessel Wchere our author was, whose thoughts were at this moment so much employed for his own preservation, that he paid little or no attention to the transactions of his fellow-sufferers. Of this most interesting part of our narrative, we shall give our correspondent^ account in his own words :— 11 fortunately could swim remarkably well, having had great practice in the early part of my life ; but after long struggling, I considered all my efforts as jinefleetual. The sea ran tremendously high at thts moment. Something was driven against me, which turned out to be one of the oars which, a few hours before, was the occasion of so much fatigue to me. I happily grasped and clung to it. It gave me wonderful support: by the assistance of this and my own skill in swimming, I was enabled to encounter the waves for some time; but I was driven at their mercy, and nearly rendered insensible, when ft severe shock (which I suddenly received) roused me from this kind of lethargy which had come over me. I scrambled and caught hold of some weeds, which I held with a death-like grasp. u A drowning man will catch at a straw," is an old but true proverb. At length repeated surges drove me and the weeds (which I still continued to hold fast) over some small rocks, which bruised me exceedingly in several parts. Those rocks, bowpypr. iserved as a barrier to the fury of the sea, they broke the force of the waves, and enabled me to crawl to the craggy shore, which after many painful efforts I effected. 661 now remained above the reach of the sea, worn Out with fatigue from my bruises, hunger, thirst, and cold. At last my senses we^e benumbed like my body, and I fell into a death-like sleep. 4CI did not rouse from this torpid state until the following mid-day, and probably never should, had it not been for the happy influence' of the sun, who darted his genial rays upon me, and gradually rekindled life and animation. |f| I When I awoke, I stared with inexpressible surprise JO and horror at the surrounding prospect; the clouds! indeed were dissipated, but the gradually-subsiding surge lashed the shore, and exhibited many of myj poor mangled shipmates stretched and breathless onf the beach ! This to a mind susceptible of feeling was a piercing sight. I shed abundance of tears, which relieved my sinking spirits,> and summoning all thjyj strength and fortitude I could, at intervals I conveyed each of them above the reach of the sea, and covered them over with sea-weeds. Ci Having paid this last respect to my deceased companions, I began to feel the want of nou|ffshment. I had now fasted nearly two days and a half. I did nqm wander far before 1 found some shell-fish, which had been thrown up in great quantities by the violence of the late gale. They had a most delicious flavour, an^. I fared sumptuously on them. I was equally well supplied with water, for the rains'which had accompt^«?f§? the storm had filled the cavities of the rocks, and afforded me ample draughts. " I passed the evening and greater part of the following night with little rest, and full of the most painful and gloomy reflections on my present situation and late disasters. At brc,*k of day, however, I was much more composed, and began to be somewhat reconciled to the little spot which had preserved me, trusting the time might come when Providence would further befriend me, or 'suffer me to breathe mv last in quietness on the rock; for even death I thought preferable to a life of slavery, particularly among cruel and barbarous men. I 11 "1 remained here three days, and solaced myself in this forlorn situation with having escaped the barbarians ; but all of a sudden 1 lost even this consolation by the unwelcome sight of a sail heaving round the rock, which I soon descried to be the other galley that had come in quest of her consort. | On approaching the rock, the pirates observed pieces of the wreck ; theV accordingly hoisted out their boat, and getting unfler the lee of the rock, they landed in smooth water. '|V^ m As soon as I perceived the galley, I sought for a hiding place, but in vain; the rock, if I may so call it, offered none. Its circumference was about 600 yards, and it was almost wholly covered with coarse sand and shells, except the summit, where I found the rain water. A project immediately entered my head, for necessity is indeed the mother of invention. I crawled, on my hands (unperceived) near the water's edge, and stretched myself at full length on my face, affecting to have been drowned- The pirates soon began to explore the beach,, and observing several heaps of weeds turned up, particularly examined them, and were not a little surprised at discovering the graves of my companions. As these interments were evidently the work of human hands, they renewed their search, and at last perceived me stretched as a feigned corpse near the water. Having turned me face upwards, they found that I was warm, and that I also breathed. They now gave me several shakes, and bestowed some hard kicks on me, which obliged me to lay aside the counterfeit of death. I was immediately kJ* conveyed on board, and interrogated about the wreck. This information was communicated to them by mean* of a Portuguese renegado, who had long been in tM service of the pirates, and who understood and could speak English tolerably well. I As soon as the pirates, by means of this interpreter! were apprised of all the particulars relative to their lost vessel3 they steered for Tripoli, where they arrived in the course of four days. In the interim, I learned from the renegado, that it had been agreed between the two gallies, in case a separation took place in the; night, or by means of a storm, they should make for ai small island in the gulph of Mahomet. Here theyf accordingly touched, but not finding the other galley proceeded in quest of her, and at length, judging she was irrecoverably lost, the search was discontinued. " It is impossible, but I presume unnecessary, for me to describe the satisfaction I felt in seeing and conversing with my fellow shipmates ; or to paint the mutual distress which pervaded, when I imparted to them the melancholy fate of the rest of our crew. ii Being now anchored in the harbour, we reraainei on board the galley four days longer; during whicli time my mind was become considerably composed; the surrounding objects which frequently drew my at-j tention, gave ample employ to my mind, that musu otherwise have been distressed with the bitterest sorrow. " The situation of the harbour where we lay was onj the sea-coast, the entrance to which is very narrow, and forms a bason, which could contain many vessels, 9 _J> 13 The town is surrounded with a very high and strong wall, and is further strengthened in many parts witn bulwarks and other fortifications. There are but two gates or entrances to the town, one on the south side, goin£ out to the main land, and one on the north, by the haven* Adjoining to these gates are two forts, that oii the north securing the haven, which is exceedingly commodious and pleasant. The houses and the streets are remarkably clean, the latter being paved. There is one prison or masmora for Christian slaves, besides many mosques, and three or four hospitals. The hospitals appear to be in a very decayed state. There is also attached to these mosques two or three high steeples, with a flag-staff or pole on each. "At the expiration of the fourth day, accounts reached Tripoli of the loss of the prize, and all hands on board except three : the pirates not being sufficiently skilled in tactics, and the English manner of rigging, could not manage ifte ship, she therefore run at the mercy of the tfrorm, and soon was dashed to pieces on a rocky lee-shore. " The disappointment and rage which now filled the breasts of the pirates were very glaring. The loss of so valuable a prize was a calamity which sorely afflicted these barbarians. The galley soon became in an uproar, and nothing was to be heard but the most vile jargon and execrations,—not even MJSiomet escaped the lash of these infidels. fP The moment now arrived when my unfortunate shipmates and myself were conveyed on shore, and which is God bless me. Instead of images in their mosques, they have six hundred lamps sometimes placed in a row; near to which stands a great cloister or hermitage, wherein the Iman or -Marabon dwells. The people when at their sala repeat the same words with the priest, and in their gestures imitate him. At their entrance into the mosque they put off their shoes, kiss the ground and 16 wash their mouths, noses, the soles of their feet, and other parts, whereby they believe that the pollutions of the soul are purified and cleansed. During their stay at the mosque, they must not dare to spit or cough, or even so much as speak one to another ; and only when it is absolutely necessary they sit upon the floor one by another upon matts of date or palm trees. The women are not permitted to come to the mosque, lest by sight of them the men should fall into unclean thoughts : they therefore commonly perform their de- votioi|p at home. u They keep a feast, which they call Ramadan^ which continues a whole month; during which time they never eat or drink from morning to the close of the eyening. The Marabon then goes to the steeple, and by his accustomed noise gives them leave to eat. This fast is so highly esteemed, that they will not touch a morsel during its celebration ; even the very coTsairs and pirates observe the ramadan at sea, and though the renegadoes do not so strict|y bind themselves to it, yet if they are known to neglect it, receive an hundred or more strokes on the bottom of their ieet^ a punishment called the basiinadq. f The priests are of two sorts, santons and marabouts% the chief of whom is called moufti, who resides in the city, and hears "and determines all ecclesiastical causes. The marabouts arein great numbers about the mosques, Suburbs, and open fields, where they live as recluses or hermits in cells, and for whom the natives bear so great an esteem and reverence, that they flee to them as to m sanctuaries, let the crime be' ever so great which they have com mi tied 1 "Among these devotees there are some who lead a strange, and unusual life, their imaginations being sometimes so wrought with phrenzy, hat they rove about bare-footed and bare-legged in a ragged coat and staff, with which they strike whomever they may chance to meet; and these can I blows are always esteemed great blessings, the receiver being fully persuaded that thereby all his sins are remitted, which superstitious notion renders them completely happy* " Their houses are in general meanly furnished j? they use mattrasses instead of beds, which' they, lay upon a boarded floor, and sleep in their drawers or calsoons. They use no chairs, stools, or tables, but frang their clothes upon pins in the wall.. People of loistkction sit at meals and all other times upon piecet of tapestry cross-legged on the ground, but their inferiors have a great matt made of the leaves of a date or palm tree. W The men wear next theirrskin a large linen frock and drawers, over which a* loose coat of cloth or silk, buttonea before with great gold or silver buttons, and which hangs down almost to the knees; their sleeved cover only their elbows, so that turning up their shirts upon them, $beir arms are for the most part nakecL Instead of stockings^ the great men of the court anl other people of quality, sometimes wear small Turkey leather buskins* They shave all their hair off except a little Jock which they let grow upon the crown of their heads, by which they imagine Mahojcet ahall I 18 I B- I J pull them up to Paradise, (as the angels they say brought Habbakuk to Daniel in the lions' den). Some cut off the whole beard, reserving only two large mustachios ; those however who are stricken in years wear their beards long, but cut round. They use, turbans made of red wood, wound up in a piece of cotton five or six yards long ; their slippers, which turn up at the toe, are made of yellow or red leather, shod under the heel with iron. They take their slippers off at the door of any house they enter, this being deemed a great mark of civility. They wear at their gijilles three knives, two great and one small, in a silver scabbard a foot long, adorned with turquois stones, so rich, that sometimes they stand them in above a hundred eprees. " The women are habited almost like the men, only - that they have a fine linen cloth on their heads instead of a turban. The rich sort commonly wear five or six pendants in each ear, with bracelets of jewels on their arms, and silk garments. They paint the ends of their fingers blue, with an herb called by them gueva. When they prepare to walk in the streets, they throw over them a cotton cloak which entirely covers them and hangs down to their feet. They also tie a string of pelbrls upon their foreheads, and a fine kerchief before their eyes, so that they cannot be known as they go up and down the streets. They are very particular in Heautifying themselves ; they not only paint their eyebrows and eye-lids, but also their hair black, with burnt antimony. Their usual food is rice, curions, mutton, veal* beef, and fowl. Whenever they slaughter any beast, they say over each, / kill thee in the name of God ; then turning themselves to the south, they cut the throat quite through, like the Jews, that it may bleed freely, else they count it unclean, and must not eat of it. Their drink at meals is either clear water, or sherbet, for wine is forbidden them by the alcoran. 8 In the morning, when tradesmen and merchants meet about business, they go to the public coffee-houses and drink sherbet, this liquor being a great favourite among them. They smoke abundantly of tobacco, and pass a considerable part of their time at those houses. Instead of a table-cloth they use red Turkey leather carpets ; they wipe theirv fingers on their handkerchiefs instead of napkins, except at solemn festivals, when the great people wipe them on a blue cloth fixed to the carpet. Their cups and dishes are mostly of tin or earth, as none are permitted, but by great ff^vor, tg use gold or silver vessels except the Cadi. -Jhcir liquid food they take with wooden spoons a foot long. u Gaming is unlawful among them, so that they never play at dice, cards, ball^, bowls, or any other sport; sometimes indeed they will plagjr a game at chess, but not for money. H>" As I had many opportunities of being abroad, I now and then met with some of my shipmates, particularly those who had been sold to the planters or farmers, a small distance from the town ; one or more of jthese I was certain of seeing on the market-day, as part of their employ was to eonve^-burthens of the produce of the country to the market. It must naturally be supposed, that, on such occasions, we lightened our hearts by sympathizing one with the other. j|j| "Such was my steady behaviour and attention to business, that I soon gained the confidence of my master. He frequently had bccasion for my attendance upon him abroad : it happened one of these times that the merchants were summoned to a sale of slaves, which turned out to be the crew of a Portuguese po- lacre, just brought into the harbour. I was informed j that the crew of the polacre made a desperate resist- jlance, which occasioned the death of their captain and j one half of their crew ; the remaining part seemed tlr/ be young and healthy meir, therefore brought a good [price in the market. My master and two other merchants bought six of the youngest, whom I was order- cd to convey to the prison, followed by the merchants and my master, where it was found necessary t&deposit tthem until they had farther decided on their purchase. P Early on the following morning, I was ordered to the prison to convey the six men to my master's house. I waited on the head gaoler, who accompanied me into prison. On our approach, we found the outer gate wide open, and on our p»oceeding onwards to the next door, the first object which struck me was the under- gaoler lying stretched dead and weltering in Ills gore I Being alarmed at this sight, we hastily withdrew to the outer gate and called for assistance; which having 21 obtained we again entered the prison, but found that the six men had made their escape. By this time the news had reached my master, who immediately went on foot to make a strict search. As none of the vessels or boats were missed from the harbour, it was evident that the run-aways were still on shore : and this proved to be the case. On a close search along the coast, they were at length found on the evening of the third day hidden amongst the rocks close to the sea, waiting an opportunity to seize on the first boat they could find. Igg j yy IM The prisoners having now been brought back, they were immediately ordered before the Cadi, and after at very short examination, the ringleader of them was ordered for execution the next day. As it is a general rule for all the slaves to be sent to such exhibitions in order to warn them, my master was not backward in sending his, particularly as he was so deeply interested. "At the appointed time there was a vast concourse of people assembled, and 1 found myself much gratified at meeting with several of my countrymen and shipmates. We sincerely deplored the melancholy Ipuse which occasioned this vast assemblage^ and at the same time the consequences which might attend us in any struggle for our liberty, should the recovery of it be ever attempted. fifi M The workmen having now finished the platform where the unhappy culprit was to suffer, a frame of wood like a gallows was exhibited. The awful sceng, now approached. As soon as the malefactor ascended the platform, he was ordered to climb tip the ladder with the executioner, who, thrusting' a large sharp hook through one of his hands, fitln% him thereby to tfij^ top of the gallows, fastened by a strong iron chain. ,The ladder was then placed on the other side, where also the wretched culprit was dragged up fry a hook: similar to thdlt which held his hand, an&Hfrhich was drove through the sole of his foot, and fastened also by a chain. In this inhuman and barbarous torture' Vfe poor man was suspended, who consequently lingered away in the most inexpressible torments. a The barbarity of these infidels had wound up my feelings almost to a degree of phrenzy. I had now made up my mind as to the consequences, and was resolved to seek every opportunity to leave this abominable country. I considered this to be a fit time to - reveal my thoughts to my companions, who-, with one accord, assented to the bold essay. We devised many t ^/ mf plans, but one in particular seemed to be most approved. We had received orders to attend the following day at the place of execution, when another wretch was doomed to undergo the fatal sentence. To behold such another distressing scene, would indeed have-been heart breaking t6*us all; but the opportunity which it afforded to undertake our stratagem was not to be overlooked. We accordingly met at aa earlier hour the next morning, when, on farther consultation, one of the party proposed that we should attempt to escape as soon as possible : he acquainted us that adjacent to IBs master's country house, (wht&h lay five miles from *ftipbji, and ©ne mile frorn the sea-coast) he was always m employed in gardening and digging, except when he was sent to Tripoli with the produce of his labour; and that he was well acquainted with a small creek near his master's 4io use, at the top of which were two or three small huts occupied by fishermen, who always moored their boats during night time close to the huts, and for a safe-guard had a large dog chained on board her, as the men always slept on shore. He therefore proposed to poison the dog that evening, to prevent his giving an alarm. This seemed a very flattering proposal, and all unanimously agreed to/h\; but, on reflection, seven men rushing into an open boat without food, water, or other necessaries, having.also a .vast sea to contend with, and which, in all probability, they must encounter for many days, threw a momentary damp upon our spirits. At length a thought struck 35$ae, the present day being the last of August, and the approaching 5th of September being the great festival of the Prophet Mahomet, for which the greatest preparations were then making, I proposed that every man should save from his allowance of food each day a certain portion, and deposit it in a secret place. j| As this feast of the prophet would be a general holiday, there was no doubt but that all classes of ..people would be deeply absorbed in their religious ^duties ; and it was equally certain, that the fishermen vbefore-mentioned would come to Tripoli that day. All my shipmates declared these remarks to be very *just, and readily consented to be guided by me. 1 ' c A certain place at some distance from the town, and 1 a certain hour, were now appointed for our meeting. The place which was fixed upon for this private interview, in order to put our stratagem into execution, was generally approved on account of its remoteness and privacy. In the interim, each promised to save all the provisions and necessaries which he could, in order to make a general stock. This consultation over, and matters being thus settled, the unfortunate Portuguese seaman who was the subject of this second execution, began his lamentations and struggles. He seemed to "bear his fate with less resignation than the other, and the executioner was obliged to have recourse to com- pulsion before he submitted to his fate. It was supposed that these two men who suffered were those who had committed the murder; but as there was no fafor trial this was alia matter of conjecture. The judges of this arbitrary government sentence whom they please: some are punished whether guilty or not, as examples to the rest, and when they think it expedient that an example should be made, those chiefly are selected for that purpose who are the least serviceable to their masters, or with whom their masters are very willing to part. "As soon as this unhappy man had ceased struggling, and was by death released from his torments, which was near sun-set, the spectators began to disperse, but the corpse was left to hang until a particular hour the next day ; it being the rule that all the bodies of those who suffer in this manner, shall be exposed so many hours, for the purpose of rendering the punishment more exemplary. "My shipmates and i having shaken hands witM General Washington. great cordiality now parted, full of the pleasing hope of soon quitting this place of barbarity, and beholding once more our native country, the land of liberty and civilization. "Every hour seemed a month until the happy day, the 5th of September, arrived ; on which evening, at! the time and place appointed, we punctually met, and proceeded with all speed to the creek which had been mentioned by one of my companions. "Having boldly entered the huts, we found in them only two old women, and a child about ten years old, the rest having all gone to the sala. as we expected. The women, alarmed at our intrusion, and conscious it •seems of our design, fell on their faces to the earth and prayed aloud for mercy. The child, who seemed the .most courageous, was making dexterously towards the •■door, but having stopt this little one's egress, 'who would in all probability-have given the alarm, alid thereby defeated our project, I held her in my arms, while my companions began to soothe the old women, assuring them, that if they made no noise, they should meet with no harm. 1 also kept the child quiet with the same assurances. Prudence however obliged us to secure these females with cords, and while in the act of tying them together, we were promising to behave with the greatest chili/ij and kindness. Thus having prevented any alarm, we began to supply ourselves with whatever necessaries lay in our way * we found some black bread and several dried fish, and having seized these, we hastened to the boat. &.: J I now recollected the dog which was left to guard f the boat, and began to think we might find him a dis- |j agreeable antagonist. As I thought he was acquainted with the child, I deemed it adviseable to bring her with me in my arms, and by this means obtain the creature's favour. The child, however, was unwilling to come with me, but having removed her fears by repeated assurances of my care, which were confirmed by several kisses, she remained quiet. Thus prepared, I entered the boat first, and made the child speak to the dog, which immediately rendered the creature kind and quiet: he was fastened to a long chain, which I loosed, and seizing an opportunity, threw him overboard. My companions now joined me, and I desired the child to return to her friends, and relieve them from their bondage. Having set her. on shore for this purpose, we shoved the boat off. The dog swam |p shore and joined the child, who remained for some time where we had left her, watching our motions. Indeed, this little girl expressed much satisfaction at being able to assist us, and by her smiles and manners seemed to congratulate us upon our escape. " Fortunately we found a cask of water in the boat, which held about 9 gallons, and which proved of considerable service to us. We rowed a considerable distance before a breeze sprung up: at length meeting with a propitious gale, we set sail, and shaped our coarse for Malta, where we arrived twelve days after exceedingly fatigued and exhausted. "Here we providentially found a^ ship bound for England, on board of which we took our passage, the eaptain readily accepting of our services for the same. Nothing remarkable occurred during our voyage ; suffice it then to say, that we reached our native coun- try in safety; with the blessings of which we were now deeply impressed, in consequence of the severities we had so recently endured in another. ^MtniiDMlin V Mmm WmW" «1 -i : is READIVL MASSACRE OF CAPTAIN OLIVER PORTER, & THE i P V OF 1HE ATAHUALPA, K yw >BY THE NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS, J In the Year 1805. M THE Ataliualpa, of Boston, left that port in August* 180S, bound to the north-west coast of America, for ,the purpose of trading with the natives. She arrived safe on the coast in the month of January, 1804; and, after visiting the several islands, and purchasing skins, on the 5th June, 1805, weighed anchor from Chockcoe on the N. W. coast, and made sail. On the 8th, arrived at Millbank Sound, and came to an anchor within musket-shot of the village. Soon after her arrival, the chief of the Indians, by the name of Kicte, came off to the ship, with some more of his bribe, ami another tribe that was there, and traded very briskly till towards night, when, becoming very insolent, they were all turned out of the ship. On the 13th, Kicte and his tribe came on board in the morning, and seemed -much more desirous to trade than before, which Captain Porter was very glad to see. The chief mate, and two of the ship's company, were then engaged in ripping the main-sail in pieces, on the quarterdeck ; the second mate with two hands, repairing the main-top sail; two on the starboard side 29 of the main-deck, spinning spun yarn; two more on the forecastle, making sinnet; two more on the larboard side of the main-deck, running shot in the armourer's forge; the cooper was making tubs; the cook, and captain's steward in the galley, at their duty 5 and all hands, as usual, employed on the ship's duty; the armourer was in the steerage, and the boatswain in the cabin; Captain Porter, Mr. Ratstraw, his clerk, and Mr. Lyman Plummer, (nephew of Theodore Ly* man, Esq. of Boston, ship's owner), were standing on the larboard side of the quarter-deck, abreast of the cabin hatchway. The chief, Kiete, stood leaning on the rail, and called Captain Porter to look at the skins that were in a canoe, alongside the ship ; the captain accordingly went to look over the side, when the chief J with some more Indians, laid hold of him, and gave a fhout: immediately all the Indians alongside of the canoes, and those on board, armed with daggers^ pistols, pikes, and other weapons, seized every man on deck, who were totally unprepared for so sudden an attack. A most dreadful and sanguinary contest immediately took place | when, after a short but bloody engagement of about five minutes, the deck was completely cleared of them. There were about two hundred Indians, it is sup posed, on board at this time ; the first daggered Captain Porter several times in the back, put him in 1 canoe, alongside, and carried him on shore; and, aj we were afterwards informed by Captain Smith, o the ship Mary, of Boston, who was informed by the New Hecta tribe, was by them tied to a tree, in whicH 30 §1 Ij ? unhappy and miserable situation he languished fifteen days, refusing every species of nourishment offered him by these savages, occasioned by his grief at this j unhappy accident. Provious to this fatal business, there were twenty- khree hands on board; ten of whom were barbarously l|killed, and nine wounded. Amongjt&e killed are Cap- Itain Oliver Porter; Mr. John Hill, chief mate; Daniel IGoodi ng, second mate ; John <&. Ratstraw, captain's fclerk; Mr. Lyman Plummer, Peter bhooaer, Luther jSLapham, Samuel Laphan^ seamen; Isaac Lammes, Jcooper; and John Williams, cook. Mr. Lyman iJPlummer survived about two hours after he was I wounded. The cook, who was most shockingly cut land mangled, languished till about six o'cIock. the text morning. Among the wounded were Ebenezer Baker, seaman, Pjmost dangerously, with daggers, he having two stabs Jm his left thigh, one in his privates, one in his back, |jone in his breast, and one in his neck ; Henry Thompson, seamen, very dangerously, with daggers, having ijone wound on his right side, one on the left shoulder, ''another on the left arm, and two or three smaller ones km the same arm, one on the right temple, and another on the left cheek ; Ebenezer Williams, seaman, had Ithree wounds in his thigh, with daggers,—two on his Jback, and one on the right shoulder, with a boarding iipike; Luke Bates, seaman, wounded on his right shoulder with a boarding pike; Joseph Robinson, carpenter, wounded on the left breast; Thomas Ed«- \wards,, steward, stabbed on the Jeft shoulder; W. 31 Walker had two stabs, with daggers, in the small of his back. After the deck was cleared of these sanguinary savages, several guns were fired at the village, the sails were loosened, stream cable cut, and the ship put to sea. The same night they got under weigh, j seven large war canoes hove in sight, with about thirty Indians in each. In this deplorable condition, with] only four or five hands on board capable of duty, the Atahualpa shaped her course for New Heita; but the wind chopping round, put about, and stood to the! westward. On the 17th, it was thought time to bury the dead, when, after having sewed them up, and got! them re^ady for interment, prayers were read. They J were then buried in Queen Charlotte's Sound. It cannot be ascertained, with any degree of accu-l racy, how many of the Indians were killed in thisl dreadful contest. It is supposed, however, that the! number must have exceeded forty ; for a large canoel being under the ship's bow, with about twenty Indians! in her, who were cutting a cable, a swivel and several! muskets were fired into her, and but one Indian reached the shore. %M During the conflict with the savages, there were two barrels of powder unheaded, and a loaded pistol pre- -pared and given to^ person who stood ready, should^ they get into the cabin, and secure to themselves the] ship, to fire into it, and blow the whole up, preferring to die in that manner rather than fall into the hands ol such jniercjless savages. Interesting Aecdzint OF %: '^THE SHIPWR£CK|'e|::: AND SUBSEQUENT MELANCHOLY FATE OF MACHIN, DISCOVERER OF MADEIRA. It was in the glorious reign of Edward the Third, I of England, says Mr. Clarke, in his Progress of Man- "§ time Discovert/, that Robert a Machin, a gentleman of I the second degree of nobility, whose genius was only I equalled by his gallantry and courage, beheld and loved I the beautiful Anna d'Arfet. Their attachment was [mutual; but the pleasing indulgence of ardent hope | gratified and betrayed their passion. The pride of J the illustrious family of d'Arfet rendered them insen<- [Jsible to the happiness of their daughter; they pre- I ferred the indulgence of ambition to the voice of duty and love. The feudal tyranny of the age was friendly ■ to their cruel design; and a warrant from the king seemed to justify the vanity of the parent. The consociation of an ingenuous mind supported Machin in confinement ; its energy thus compressed, sought only for redress; nor did it yield to despondency, when, on jbeing delivered from prison, hp found that the inno- S3 cent cause of his persecution had been forced to marry a nobleman, who had carried her to his castle near Bristol. The friends of Machin made his misfortune v their own : and one of them had the address to be in- trodneed, under the character of a groom, to the service of the afflicted Anna. The prospect of the ocean, which, during their rides, extended before them, suggested or matured the plan of escape; and the probability of a secure asylum was opposed to the dangers of a passage to the coast of France. Under pretence of receiving benefit from the sea air, the victim of parental ambition was enabled, without delay, to elude suspicion, whilst Machin, in the successful completion of his anxious design, was equally insensible to the particular season of the year, or the portentous appearance of the weather, which, in calmer moments, he would have duly observed. || The gradual rising of a gale of wind rendered the astonishedrfugitives sensible of their rashness : 'as the tempest approached, the thick darkness of night completed the horror of the scene. In their confusion the intended port was missed, or could not be reached* their vessel drove at the mercy of the winds ; and in the morning thejj found themselves in the midst ot an unknown ocean, without the skill that could determine their situation, or the experience that could direct their course. The dawn of twelve mornings returned with- out the sight of land : when, at length, after a night of increased anxiety, as they eagerly watched the earliest streaks of day, an object beamed on the horizon : continual disappointment produced a querulous despondency; whilst they alternately believed jp9S doubted, the thick grey haze was dispersed by the rising sun, and a general burst of joy welcomed the certainty of land. A luxuriancy of trees was soon, visible, to whose appearance they were utter strangers; and the beautiful plumage of unknown birds, who came in flocks from the island, gave at first the semblance of a dream to their astonishing deliverance. " The boat being, hoisted out to examine the coast, returned with a favourable account. Machin and his friends accompanied their trembling charge, leaving the rest to secure the vessel. The wildness of the adjacent country possessed additional charms to men escaped from, destruction; and the rich scenery of Madeira was again beheld, after a lapse of many centuries, by the eyes of Europeans. The island of Madeira was not only visited by the Romans, but pro* bably hy the Normans, those skilful navigators, of whose discoveries we know so little; who preceded the Portuguese, and followed the Arabians in nautical skill. An opening in the extensive woods, that was encircled with laurels and flowering shrubs, presented a deligthful retreat; a venerable tree, the growth of ages, offered, on an adjoining eminence, its welcome shade ; and the first moments of liberty were employ- ed-in forming a romantic residence, with the abundant materials supplied by nature. | Curiosity to explore their new discovery was en- creased by the novelty of every object they beheld : this varied occupation continued for three days, until their survey was interrupted by an alarming hurricane^ 1 an Caine on during the night, and rendered them ex- fcj^y anxious for their companions who were on llotrd. TflWfisuing morning destroyed every prospect of happiness : they in vain sought for the vessel, which had drove from her mooring, and was wrecked on the coast of Morocco; where, as it afterwards appeared, all on fboard were immediately seized as slaves, and sent to prison. " ^|ie afflicted Machin found this last trial too severe for his disconsolate companion : her tender mind, overcome by the scenes she had endured, needed the conscious sense of a strict discharge of duty to renew its strength. From the moment it was reported that the vessel could not be found, she became dumb with grief, expired after a few days of silent despair, and was soon followed by her inconsolable lover. The ^companions of Machin, forgetting their own situation, Ptee entirely occupied in watching over their ema- ppfed friend ; but all attempts to administer consola- tion were fruitless ; on the fifth day, they received his parting breath, with an earnest injunction, that they would place his body in tlve same grave^ under the same mee, which, amidst an agony of tears, they had so lately made for the unfortunate victim of his temerity | where the altar that had been raised to celebrate their deliverance would now mark their untimely tomb. This painful duty Jbeing performed, they fixed a large wooden cross over the grave, with the inscription which Ma- chin-had composed to record their melancholy adventures;, and to request, that if any Christians should hereafter visit the spot, they would in the same place build a church, and dedicate it to Christ. a. mm 30 &* Having thus obeyed the dictates of friendship, $tted out1 the boat, which, fromiftfeir to^yy had been kept ashore. Their intention wa#to reti if possible, to England; but, either owing to want (35 'skill," to the currents, or unfavourable weaflier#they fr- & , ' fa were driven on the same coast with': their."'sliinflates,and joined them in their Moorish prison 'WMmmmm y: 'THE' END. li y .