chooner sailing
along close to the beach. In a short time afterwards we boarded her, and
found she was a French vessel in ballast from Port au Paix, bound to
Jacmel. She was quite new, and not more than fifty tons burden. We took
possession of her, but unfortunately, when we were in the act of securing
the prisoners, the enemy fired at us from the shore. We had three men
severely wounded and the schooner's crew one. We lost no time in getting
the boats ahead to tow her off, and although the enemy's fire was
frequent, it did no further mischief. On nearing the Isle de Vache we
found the ship gone, and, notwithstanding we were without a compass, I was
determined to bear up before the sea-breeze for Jamaica. Fortunately we
fell in with the _A._ frigate, who took out the wounded men, and wished me
to burn the prize. This proposal I rejected. The following evening we
reached Port Royal, and I sold her for L140. In a fortnight afterwards the
ship arrived. On joining her the captain informed me that three hours
after we had quitted her two vessels hove in sight, and as they looked
suspicious he got under weigh and chased, with the intention of again
returning to his anchorage after having made them out. This he was not
able to effect, as in point of sailing they were far superior to the
_Volage_, and after a useless chase of a night and a day, they got into
the port of St. Domingo. The ship regained the anchorage the day
afterwards, and fired guns, hoping we were on the island; but after an
interval of some hours, without seeing the boats, the captain despatched
an officer with a flag of truce to Port au Paix, thinking it likely we had
been in want of provisions, or overpowered by gunboats. The officer
returned with the information of our having been on the coast, but that we
had not been seen for two days. The ship again put to sea, and after a
short cruise came to Port Royal, where happily they found us.

CHAPTER XI.

A JAMAICA PLANTATION.

Visit to a Jamaican plantation--Condition of the slaves--A growl
against the House of Commons and the Admiralty--Author attempting
to cut out a Spanish zebec, is taken prisoner--His pleasant
experiences while in captivity--At last released.

Soon after we arrived I was invited to spend a few days in the mountains.
We were mounted on mules, and started from Kingston at four o'clock in t