n prison." "This," answered I, "is your concern and not mine. I want
to know where he is." "He is in a house about a quarter of a mile off,
where I intend keeping him until I am ready for sea, for he has also made
a mutiny in the ship and the greater part of the men have gone on shore
without leave." "I have only one order to give," said I, "and that is that
you show my lieutenant and two marines, whom I will send with you, where
you have confined the surgeon." He reluctantly consented, and in about an
hour the lieutenant and his party returned with an emaciated, tall young
man. He had been confined in irons and fed on bread and water, with
sometimes a few vegetables.

As it was too long a story for me to investigate, I left it to be
discussed by the proper authorities on the ship's arrival at Jamaica. I
had the men who had left the ship brought before me. They refused to join
her again until I told them that if they did not I would impress the whole
of them. Five of the best of them immediately stepped forward and begged
to enter. As there were fourteen others I accepted them. The others
returned to the ship on the captain promising to use them well and to
overlook all past grievances. The papers were regular, which I returned,
admonishing him at the same time to be more considerate in his conduct to
his men. A dinner was sent to the boats' crews by the prince, and I
desired the midshipmen to entertain the surgeon, who had expressed a wish
to join our ship.

After all this much ado about something, I was ready for my dinner, and in
a quarter of an hour it was announced by the blowing of a conch. In
passing through a large hall I found myself surrounded by coal-coloured
gentlemen of all grades, one of whom wished to look at my dirk. He
examined it very closely; it appeared to take his fancy as it was silver
gilt, but as I did not take the hint, and was very hungry, I took it from
him and hastened into the dining-room. The dinner was laid out on a large
table on trestles; all the dishes were covered with cones made of cane and
stained different colours. The table was also covered with light cane
mats; altogether it had a very pretty effect. The eatables consisted of
fowls stewed to death, ducks and buffalo, and an abundance of rice, which
was served up with every dish. My favourite dish, pepper-pot, was much in
request, and I could, by a sly peep, see some of the Massa Blackies use
their fingers instead of their spoons.