But what established the truth of the whole was, a book
in cyphers found among my papers, which exactly tallied with one
found in his chest, after his disappearance. This, he observed,
was a presumption very near positive proof, and would determine
any jury in Christendom to find me guilty. In my own defence, I
alleged, that I had been dragged on board at first very much against
my inclination, as I could prove by the evidence of some people now
in the ship, consequently could have no design of becoming spy at
that time; and ever since had been entirely out of the reach of any
correspondence that could justly entail that suspicion upon me. As
for conspiring against my captain's life, it could not be supposed
that any man in his right wits would harbour the least thought of
such an undertaking, which he could not possibly perform without
certain infamy and ruin to himself, even if he had all the inclination
in the world. That, allowing the boy's evidence to be true (which
I affirmed was false and malicious), nothing conclusive could be
gathered from a few incoherent words; neither was the fate of Mr.
Thompson a circumstance more favourable for the charge; for I had
in my pocket a letter which too well explained that mystery, in
a very different manner from that which was supposed.
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