k that for robbing the store-tent (which, in
our present circumstances, is starving the whole body of people) the
prisoners deserve death. This was not only the captain's opinion, but
indeed the sentiments of every person present. After we parted from the
captain, we were sent for by Captain P----n: He acquainted us, he would go
as far as the martial law would allow him, and in conjunction with the sea-
officers: I look (said he) on the l----t as nothing, and the c----n in the
same light: As for you two, (meaning the gunner and carpenter) I confide
in, and shall have regard to your opinions. When the articles of war were
read, we found their crime did not touch life, but they were to suffer
corporal punishment. Whilst Mr Cummins was laying open the nature of their
guilt, and the ill consequence of lenity in the circumstances we were in, I
proposed a way next to death, which was, if judged proper by Captain P----n
and Captain C----p, to carry 'em off to an island where the ship parted,
there being muscles, limpetts, and clams in abundance, and no want of
water, and there to be left till we should be ready for sailing; and, to
strike a terror in all for the future, that if any man should be guilty of
the like offence, without any respect of person, he should share the same
fate. This proposal was approved of by both the captains. At night
Lieutenant B----n surprised us with a new kind of proposal we little dreamt
of, which was, to have a proper place of devotion to perform divine service
in every sabbath-day: For this sacred office, our tent was judged the most
commodious place. The duty of public prayer had been entirely neglected on
board, though every seaman pays fourpence per month towards the support of
a minister; yet devotion, in so solemn a manner, is so rarely performed,
that I know but one instance of it during the many years I have belonged to
the navy. We believe religion to have the least share in this proposal of
the lieutenant. If our tent should be turned into a house of prayer, and
this project takes, we may, perhaps, in the midst of our devotion, be
surprised, and our arms taken, from us, in order to frustrate our designs,
and prevent our return to England through the Streights of Magellan, or any
other way.

Wednesday the 12th, hard gales from S.W. to W. with heavy showers of hail
and rain. Served out provisions today, a piece of beef for four men; some
time past we have had but a quarter of a pound of fl