Page 383 - for-the-term-of-his-natural-life

tide, he fell into the sea. This was—by the blessing of God—
the only life lost in the whole affair.
‘Mr. Bates, seeing now that we had possession of the deck,
surrendered, upon promise that the Commandant’s wife
and child should be put ashore in safety. I directed him to
take such matters as he needed, and prepared to lower the
jolly-boat. As she swung off the davits, Captain Frere came
alongside in the whale-boat, and gallantly endeavoured to
board us, but the boat drifted past the vessel. I was now de-
termined to be free—indeed, the minds of all on board were
made up to carry through the business—and hailing the
whale-boat, swore to fire into her unless she surrendered.
Captain Frere refused, and was for boarding us again, but
the two soldiers joined with us, and prevented his intention.
Having now got the prisoners into the jolly-boat, we trans-
ferred Captain Frere into her, and being ourselves in the
whale-boat, compelled Captain Frere and Mr. Bates to row
ashore. We then took the jolly-boat in tow, and returned to
the brig, a strict watch being kept for fear that they should
rescue the vessel from us.
‘At break of day every man was upon deck, and a consul-
tation took place concerning the parting of the provisions.
Cheshire was for leaving them to starve, but Lesly, Shiers,
and I held out for an equal division. After a long and violent
controversy, Humanity gained the day, and the provisions
were put into the whale-boat, and taken ashore. Upon the
receipt of the provisions, Mr. Bates thus expressed himself:
‘Men, I did not for one moment expect such kind treatment
from you, regarding the provisions you have now brought

For the Term of His Natural Life