of which I stood in need; but I was now informed it was only
at particular times that he had a few moments of ease, or could attend
to any thing; being in a dying state, with an incurable disease. On this
account, whatever business I had to transact would be with Mr. Timotheus
Wanjon, the second of this place, and the governor's son-in-law; who now
also was contributing every thing in his power to make our situation
comfortable. I had been, therefore, misinformed by the seaman, who told
me that captain Spikerman was the next person to the governor.

At noon a very handsome dinner was brought to the house, which was
sufficient to make persons, more accustomed to plenty, eat too much.
Cautions, therefore, might be supposed to have had little effect; but I
believe few people in such a situation would have observed more
moderation. My greatest apprehension was, that they would eat too much
fruit.

Having seen every one enjoy this meal of plenty, I dined with Mr.
Wanjon; but I found no extraordinary inclination to eat or drink. Rest
and quiet, I considered, as more necessary to my doing well, and
therefore retired to my room, which I found furnished with every
convenience. But, instead of rest, my mind was disposed to reflect on
our late sufferings, and on the failure of the expedition; but, above
all, on the thanks due to Almighty God, who had given us power to
support and bear such heavy calamities, and had enabled me at last to be
the means of saving eighteen lives.

[Sidenote: 1789. JUNE 14.]

In times of difficulty there will generally arise circumstances that
bear more particularly hard on a commander. In our late situation, it
was not the least of my distresses, to be constantly assailed with the
melancholy demands of my people for an increase of allowance, which it
grieved me to refuse. The necessity of observing the most rigid
[oe]conomy in the distribution of our provisions was so evident, that I
resisted their solicitations, and never deviated from the agreement we
made at setting out. The consequence of this care was, that at our
arrival we had still remaining sufficient for eleven days, at our
scanty allowance: and if we had been so unfortunate as to have missed
the Dutch settlement at Timor, we could have proceeded to Java, where I
was certain every supply we wanted could be procured.

Another disagreeable circumstance, to which my situation exposed me, was
the caprice of ignorant people. Had I been incapa