regularity of his retreat, to where our boats were lying, as should
they be surprised and cut off, our escape would have been impossible.
Notwithstanding all his care, several of our men were separated from
us by the intricacies of the wood, or from wounds which they had
received, and which prevented them from keeping up with us. At last,
after repelling many attacks, each time more formidable than the
preceding, we gained our boats, and embarking with the greatest
precipitation, we put off for the schooner. The enemy, emboldened by
our flight, flocked down in great numbers to the water's edge, and we
had the mortification to hear our stragglers, who had been captured,
imploring for mercy; but groans and then silence too plainly informed
us that mercy had been denied.

Captain Weatherall was so enraged at the loss of his men that he
ordered us to pull back and attack the enemy on the beach, but we
continued to pull for the schooner, regardless of his threats and
entreaties. A panic had seized us all, as well it might. We even
dreaded the ill-aimed and irregular fire which they poured upon us,
which under other circumstances would have occasioned only laughter.
The schooner had been anchored only two hundred yards from the beach,
and we were soon on board. They continued to fire from the shore, and
the balls passed over us. We put a spring upon our cable, warped our
broadside to the beach, and loading every gun with grape and
cannister, we poured a whole broadside upon our assailants. From the
shrieks and cries, the carnage must have been very great. The men
would have reloaded and fired again, but the captain forbade them,
saying, "We have done too much already." I thought so too. He then
ordered the anchor to be weighed, and with a fresh land-breeze, we
were soon far away from this unlucky spot.

CHAPTER II.

We are pursued by Two Schooner-Privateers, and failing to
escape them a terrible Contest ensues--Three Acts of a
Murderous Naval Drama--We are worsted--Captain Weatherall
is killed--I am plundered and wounded.

About six weeks after the unlucky affair before described, we met with
a still greater disaster. We had cruised off the Spanish Main and
taken several prizes; shortly after we had manned the last and had
parted company, the Revenge being then close in shore, a fresh gale
sprung up, which compelled us to make all sail to clear the land. We
beat off shore during the whole of the