While I was cursing
my capricious fate, I saw Morgan ascend the poop, guarded by two
corporals, who made him sit down by me, that he might be pinioned
in the same machine. Notwithstanding my situation, I could scarce
refrain from laughing at the countenance of my fellow prisoner, who,
without speaking one word, allowed his feet to be inclosed in the
rings provided for that purpose; but, when they pretended to fasten
him on his back he grew outrageous, and drawing a large couteau
from his side-pocket, threatened to rip up the belly of the first
man that should approach him, in order to treat him in such an
unworthy manner. They were prepared to use him very roughly, when
the lieutenant on the quarter-deck called up to them to let him
remain as he was. He then crept towards me, and, taking me by the
hand, bade me "put my trust in Cot." And looking at Thompson, who
sat by us trembling, with a pale visage; told him there were two
more rings for his feet, and he should be glad to find him in such
good company. But it was not the intention of our adversary to
include the second mate in our fate: him he expected to be his drudge
in attending the sick and, if possible, his evidence against us:
with this view he sounded him afar off, but, finding his integrity
incorruptible, harrassed him so much out of spite, that in a short
time this mild creature grew weary of his life.
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