was by a
gang of the most ferocious looking villains that my eyes ever before
beheld, of different complexions, and each with a drawn weapon in
his hand, some of them fresh crimsoned with the blood (as I then
supposed) of my murdered countrymen and whose horrid imprecations
and oaths were enough to appal the bravest heart!

Their search for money proving unsuccessful (with the exception of a
few dollars which they found in the captain's chest) they returned
to the deck, and setting sail on the sloop, steered her for the
place of their rendezvous, a small island or key not far distant I
imagine from the island of Cuba, where we arrived the day after our
capture. The island was nearly barren, producing nothing but a few
scattered mangroves and shrubs, interspersed with the miserable huts
of these outlaws of civilization, among whom power formed the only
law, and every species of iniquity was here carried to an extent of
which no person who had not witnessed a similar degree of pollution,
could form the most distant idea.

As soon as the sloop was brought to an anchor, the hatches were
thrown off and the unfortunate crew ordered on deck--a command which
to my surprise was instantly obeyed, as I had harboured strong
suspicions that they had been all murdered by the Pirates the day
previous. The poor devoted victims, although alive, exhibited
shocking proofs of the barbarity with which they had been treated by
the unmerciful Pirates; their bodies exhibiting deep wounds and
bruises too horrible for me to attempt to describe! Yet, however
great had been their sufferings, their lives had been spared only to
endure still greater torments. Being strongly pinioned they were
forced into a small leaky boat and rowed on shore, which we having
reached and a division of the plunder having been made by the
Pirates, a scene of the most bloody and wanton barbarity ensued, the
bare recollection of which still chills my blood. Having first
divested them of every article of clothing but their shirts and
trousers, with swords, knives, axes, etc., they fell on the
unfortunate crew of the _Eliza Ann_ with the ferocity of cannibals.
In vain did they beg for mercy and intreat of their murderers to
spare their lives. In vain did poor Capt. S. attempt to touch their
feelings and to move them to pity by rep