Page 391 - for-the-term-of-his-natural-life

on condition that we chose to live within the limits of the
town. At this intelligence I felt my heart grow light, and only
begged in the name of my companions that we might not
be given up to the British Government; ‘rather than which,’
said I, ‘I would beg to be shot dead in the palace square.’ The
Governor regarded us with tears in his eyes, and spoke as
follows: ‘My poor men, do not think that I would take that
advantage over you. Do not make an attempt to escape, and
I will be your friend, and should a vessel come tomorrow
to demand you, you shall find I will be as good as my word.
All I have to impress upon you is, to beware of intemper-
ance, which is very prevalent in this country, and when you
find it convenient, to pay Government the money that was
allowed you for subsistence while in prison.’
‘The following day we all procured employment in
launching a vessel of three hundred tons burden, and my
men showed themselves so active that the owner said he
would rather have us than thirty of his own countrymen;
which saying pleased the Governor, who was there with al-
most the whole of the inhabitants and a whole band of music,
this vessel having been nearly three years on the stocks. Af-
ter she was launched, the seamen amongst us helped to fit
her out, being paid fifteen dollars a month, with provisions
on board. As for myself, I speedily obtained employment
in the shipbuilder’s yard, and subsisted by honest industry,
almost forgetting, in the unwonted pleasures of freedom,
the sad reverse of fortune which had befallen me. To think
that I, who had mingled among gentlemen and scholars,
should be thankful to labour in a shipwright’s yard by day,

0 For the Term of His Natural Life