led to the deck,
on pretence that I was a spy on board, and had conspired against the
captain's life. How ridiculous soever this imputation was, I did not
fail to suffer by it all the rigour that could be shown to the worst of
criminals, being exposed in this miserable condition to the scorching
heat of the sun by day, and the unwholesome damps by night, during
the space of twelve days, in which I was neither brought to trial,
nor examined touching the probability of the charge. I had no sooner
recovered the use of my reflection, which had been quite overthrown by
this accident, than I sent for Thompson, who, after condoling me on
the occasion, hinted, that I owed this misfortune to the hatred of
the doctor, who had given an information against me to the captain, in
consequence of which I was arrested, and all my papers seized. While I
was cursing my capricious fate, I saw Morgan ascend the poop, guarded by
two corporals, who made him sit down by me, that he might be pinioned in
the same machine. Notwithstanding my situation, I could scarce refrain
from laughing at the countenance of my fellow prisoner, who, without
speaking one word, allowed his feet to be inclosed in the rings provided
for that purpose; but, when they pretended to fasten him on his back
he grew outrageous, and drawing a large couteau from his side-pocket,
threatened to rip up the belly of the first man that should approach
him, in order to treat him in such an unworthy manner. They were
prepared to use him very roughly, when the lieutenant on the
quarter-deck called up to them to let him remain as he was. He then
crept towards me, and, taking me by the hand, bade me "put my trust
in Cot." And looking at Thompson, who sat by us trembling, with a pale
visage; told him there were two more rings for his feet, and he should
be glad to find him in such good company. But it was not the intention
of our adversary to include the second mate in our fate: him he expected
to be his drudge in attending the sick and, if possible, his evidence
against us: with this view he sounded him afar off, but, finding his
integrity incorruptible, harrassed him so much out of spite, that in a
short time this mild creature grew weary of his life.

While I and my fellow prisoner comforted each other in our tribulation,
the admiral discovered four sail to leeward and made signal for our
ship and four more to chase: hereupon everything was cleared for an
engagement, and Mackshane,