"I was no sooner brought on board," continued he, "than I fainted,
and, when I recovered my senses, found myself in bed, regaled with
a most noisome smell of onions and cheese, which made me think at
first that I was in my own hammock, alongside of honest Morgan, and
that all which had passed was no more than a dream. Upon inquiry,
I understood that I was on board of a schooner belonging to Rhode
Island, bound for Jamaica, with a cargo of geese, pigs, onions,
and cheese, and that the master's name was Robertson, by birth a
North Briton, whom I knew at first sight to be an old sohoolfellow
of mine. When I discovered myself to him, he was transported with
surprise and joy, and begged to know the occasion of my misfortune,
which I did not think fit to disclose, because I knew his notions
with regard to religion were very severe and confined; therefore
contented myself with telling him I fell overboard by accident;
but made no scruple of explaining the nature of my disagreeable
station, and of acquainting him with my determined purpose never
to return to the Thunder man-of-war. Although he was not of my
opinion in that particular, knowing that I must lose my clothes and
what pay was due to me, unless I went back to my duty; yet, when
I described the circumstances of the hellish life I led under the
tyrannic sway of Oakum and Mackshane; and, among other grievances,
hinted a dissatisfaction at the irreligious deportment of my
shipmates, and the want of the true presbyterian gospel doctrine;
he changed his sentiments, and conjured me with great vehemence
and zeal to lay aside all thought of rising in the navy; and, that
he might show how much he had my interest at heart, undertook to
provide for me in some shape or other, before he should leave Jamaica.
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