purpose. On the morning of the third day we had got everything,
except the lower masts and bowsprit, on board the lighters, and by the
exertions of the men at the pumps, which had been incessant for three days
and nights, we had lightened her, and she floated off the shoal. The
frigate took us in tow, and in three hours afterwards we were lashed
alongside the dockyard. The fatigue and want of rest, for not a single
hammock had been piped down during the time the ship was on shore, threw
about fifty men into the sick list, and several of them died at the
hospital afterwards. The seamen of the fleet in general had a great
aversion to go to the hospital, and when ill used to entreat the doctor
not to send them there. It was said of the matrons, which did not redound
to their credit if true, that when a seaman died, and was reported to
them, they exclaimed: "Poor fellow! bring me his bag, and mind everything
belonging to him is put into it." This they considered their perquisite.
Surely this is wrong and robbery! Ah, Mr. Hume! why were you a puling,
helpless babe at that time? Had you been a man and known it, you would
have called for reformation and been the seaman's friend.

We had now a difficult and arduous duty to perform, which was to heave the
ship down keel out. I was stationed on the lower deck with a party of
thirty seamen to keep the chain pumps going as long as they would
work--that is, until the ship was nearly on her side. In about twenty
minutes she was nearly on her beam ends, when all the temporary stanchions
which had been fixed to keep the deck from yielding gave way like a
regiment of black militia in chase of Obie, or Three-fingered Jack in the
Whee Mountains, when they are in full retreat. I was standing at this time
in no enviable position, my feet rested on the combings of the main
hatchway with my back against the deck. I expected every moment to have my
brains knocked out, but this apprehension was soon superseded by a cry
from the shore of, "Make for the stern ports and jump overboard; the
hawsers are stranded; there will be a boat ready to pick you up." "Sooner
said than done," thinks I to myself; "I wish with all my heart that the
first lieutenant who ordered me here was in my place, and he would find
the order practically impossible." Another cry was then heard: "Hold all
fast on board!" "You are a wise man," thinks I again for that order; "it
is the very thing we are determined to do." "All's s