m by assuring them how rejoiced we should be if they were able to go
likewise. Some of them, I thought, looked compassionately on me, for I
was at that time confined to my bed, such as it was, and, as I thought,
utterly unable to walk. The news of my liberty, however, worked more
wonders towards my cure than all the physic the first of doctors could
have given me, or the decoctions of good Mammy Gobo. The next day,
however, when it was known that I had got my liberty, the hucksters,
shoemakers, and washerwomen poured in their bills on me, which, though
not of any great amount, I found totally beyond my means to pay. I
promised them that I would transmit the amounts the instant I got back
to Jamaica; but they said that would not do, and that if I could not pay
them they must appeal to the authorities, and that I must be detained.
I was in despair. I was eager to be gone. I felt that I should not
live if I remained. In my dilemma Lieutenant Lawford, who had a letter
of credit on a merchant at Cape Francois, came forward in the most
liberal and generous way, and supplied me with fifty dollars, which was
all I required to satisfy the demands of my creditors. My mind being
thus relieved, I felt myself strong enough to get up and assist in
making the preparations for our journey. We engaged a carriage to
convey us to the coast, for none of us were in a fit state to ride on
horseback. I will not dwell on the sad countenances and the depressed
spirits of our brother-officers whom we left behind.

On the morning of the 30th of April, with a buoyancy of spirits to which
I had long been a stranger, I with my companions got into the rickety
vehicle which was to convey us the first part of our journey, Tom
Rockets being perched on a seat behind. We arrived at about eight
o'clock at the village of Lemonade--an attractive name on a hot day--and
near there found a boat in readiness to carry us to Cape Francois. How
delicious the sea-breeze smelt!--how refreshing to our parched skins and
stagnant blood! It appeared to me to drive away at once all the remains
of the fever. I felt like a new being, strong and hearty, in a moment.
I found, however, when I attempted to exert my strength, that I had very
little of that left. Once more we found ourselves in the
far-from-delectable town of Cape Francois. As the cartel was not ready,
we had to take up our abode at a tavern, where we were joined by two
other naval officers who had