A Book of Voyages

by Patrick O'Brian

  The superior finding me in a fever, which increased, thought Providence had sent him to bury us both, and would not go away till he had seen the end of it: however he resolved to try means to cure me, causing me to be blooded twice a day, which I suffered to be done without speaking one word: but in truth that usage in a few days brought me into a desperate condition, having been forty times blooded, and the fever never decreasing. I confessed, and received the holy viaticum, being nothing but skin and bones. The father, but for whose charity I believe I had died like a beast, perceiving the disease was like to be tedious, the fury of the fever abating, gave me to understand, that for the good of the mission he must of necessity be gone. I had scarce strength, bowing myself, to tell him, that since he could not stay longer, he should inform my Blacks how they ought to manage me; and that he would please to send F. Michael de Orvietto to me, with whom I had travelled, and who knew how to look to the sick. He promised to do so, but his orders miscarrying, he came not. I was left in my bed, not able to turn my self; and the worst was, that so much bleeding had almost blinded me. In that condition, half alive and half dead, I was left to the mercy of those Blacks, who stole what they could, and brought me, when they thought of it, a porringer of broth; I being able to swallow nothing of substance, and loathing all sustenance.

  One day when I was more cast down with melancholy and sadness than the distemper itself, I received a visit from a Portuguese jesuit, who came from S. Salvador and was returning to the college at Loanda. When he saw me in that miserable condition, How now, father, said he, are you so sick, and yet stay in this desert? I came, said I, very well in health into this country, but after losing my companion, I fell sick, and have been now some months struggling with death; but I perceive it is not God’s will it should have the upper hand, though it was one of my wishes. Two days he staid comforting me, and presented me with some pullets, which were more acceptable for coming from his hand, than for their own rarity. We confess’d to one another, he declaring it was a satisfaction to him to be thus provided, being to pass through many places, where the firing of the dry herbage made the wild beasts run about the country. He assured me that as he came, he was forced to get up a tree, tho’ there were sixty Blacks with him, to avoid death threatened them by two tigers. Therefore we are not to believe what some authors have writ, that the tigers do not assault Whites, but only Blacks.

  After his departure I remained with my continual distemper; but what comforted me was, that every day I baptized ten or twelve children; and not being able to sit up alone in my bed, was held up by two Blacks, another holding the book, and another the bason, receiving what alms they gave me; not for my own sake, for I could eat nothing, but for my family, who would all of them have forsaken me had they wanted meat. I married several of the chief people; one of them gave me a she-goat, whose milk I drank every day, which indeed was little in quantity, but counted a great dainty in that country. This happiness I had in my indisposition, that I slept all night, which is twelve hours long, never varying half an hour all the year round. I would willingly have eaten an egg, but sick people there are forbid eggs, they being looked upon as unwholsom for those that are ill, being too hot in those parts. Whilst I lay thus in bed, several cripples came to beg of me, and I gave them some of those shells that serve instead of money, of which three thousand five hundred make the value of a pistole; so many are given for a pullet, for at Lisbon a pullet is worth a crown, in Brasil a piece of eight, at Angola ten shillings, and at Congo a pistole, which seems to me cheaper than a crown at Lisbon.

  My bed was against the wall, which was of fat clay ill put together, and might well be called a nest of rats; for there were so many of them and so large, that they troubled me very much, running over me every night, and biting my toes, which broke my rest very much. To prevent this I caused my bed to be laid in the middle of the room, but to no purpose, for those cursed creatures knew where to find me. I caused mats to be laid all about my bed for my Blacks to lie on, and defend me not only against the rats, but any other wild creatures that might come. This precaution stood me in no stead, for there was no night but the rats disturbed me. Another consideration mov’d me to keep those Blacks in my chamber, which was, that they might see how I lived, and be witnesses of my behaviour, that country being no more free from detraction than others.

  I took the freedom to acquaint the great duke [of Bamba] with the trouble I had from the rats, and the stink of my Blacks, who had always some wild and disagreeable smell. He said he would give me an infallible remedy against those two inconveniences, and that had he known it sooner, he would not have failed of sending it: This was a little monkey that would secure me against the rats by blowing on them when he spyed them, and would expel the ill scent by that of his skin, which smelt of musk. I gave him a thousand thanks for his charity towards me, and said I should expect that favour from him. He sent me the tame monkey, whom I laid at the feet of my bed, and who performed his duty exactly; for when the rats came as they were wont, the monkey blew hard at them two or three times, and made them run away; and the scent of musk with which he perfumed the chamber, corrected the ill smell of the Blacks. These monkeys are not the same creatures as the civet cats, for I have seen several of those cats at Loanda, where they keep them shut up in a wooden cage, and fastened with an iron or silver chain, and the owner of them once a week with a spoon takes off the civet, which they call angeglia, and which is found in a purse between the hind legs. In short, the little monkey did me extraordinary service, not only for those uses already mentioned, but to keep my head and beard clean and comb’d, better than any of the Blacks would have done: and to say the truth, it is easier to teach those monkeys than the Blacks; for these have enough to do to learn one thing well, but the others do every thing they are put to dexterously.

  I just began to mend, tho’ the fever had not left me, when one night as I lay asleep, I felt the monkey had leaped upon my head; I thought the rats had frighted him, and made much of him to still him, but at the same time the Blacks arose crying, Out, out father. Being thoroughly awake, I asked them what was the matter? The ants, said they, are broke out, and there is no time to be lost. There being no possibility for me to stir, I bid them carry me into the garden, which they did, four of them lifting me upon my straw bed: Their nimbleness stood me in good stead, for the ants already began to run upon my legs, and get to my body. After shaking them off, they took straw, and fired it on the floor of four rooms, where the ants were already above half a foot thick; and there must needs be a wonderful quantity, for besides the chambers, the porch and walking place were full. They being destroy’d by fire, as I said, I was carried back to my chamber, where the stink was so great that I was forced to hold the monkey close to my face. Having caused the mats to be shaken, we had scarce slept half an hour before I was awakened by the light of a flame of fire at the chamber-door: I called my people to see what it was, they found the fire had taken hold of the thatch of the house, and fearing the fire might increase with the wind, I caused my self to be carried again into the garden. The fire being put out, we endeavour’d to go to sleep again, but all this hurry had discomposed me too much; and before the troublesome night was quite over, I heard a great noise near us: I waked my Blacks that they might be in readiness, in case there was some other army of beasts to engage. One of them laid hold of one of the halberds F. Michael Angelo had caused to be made, and went out to see who made all that hurly-burly. He came back again to tell us, that the pismires having again broke into a neighbouring cottage, they had burnt them as we did; but the hut being all of straw, it was consumed as well as the ants, which made the Blacks get out of their houses for fear the wind should carry about the flame and burn all that quarter. I got off, causing my self to be once more carry’d into the garden giving God thanks that he had delivered me from the pismires; for had I been alone fast in my bed, and unable to stir, as I then was, it is certain they had eaten me up alive. This often happens in the kingdom of Ango
la, where in the morning there are cows found devoured in the night by ants, and nothing left of them but the bones. It is no small deliverance to escape them, for there are some that fly, and are hard to be removed from the place where they lay hold: but God be praised that my body was not devoured by them alive.

  I had a young tiger given me, which I did not care to keep, especially because the monkey would not lie upon the bed with him: I gave it goat’s milk to preserve it, but it did not live long, and I was not sorry for it, it being no satisfaction to me to see that fine beast, tho’ little, and as yet unfit to do like the old ones. The great duke’s visits were a great comfort to me, and when he could not come himself, he sent some of his chief men, who would stay three or four hours sitting about me upon mats; but they always having their pipes in their mouths, and the smoke offended my head, I was forc’d to tell them they would oblige me in coming, but that I beg’d for God’s sake not to take tobacco in our house, and that the rather because their pipes which are an ell long have great bowls like a little pot, which are never out. They were so obliging as to comply with me, and when they came left their pipes in the garden …

  AN ACCOUNT OF THE WONDERFUL PRESERVATION OF THE SHIP TERRA NOVA OF LONDON, PETER DANIEL COMMANDER, HOMEWARDBOUND FROM VIRGINIA.

  WRITTEN BY CHARLES MAY, MATE IN THE SAID SHIP.

  THE dangers we ran thro’ in this passage, and the distress we were in, were so extraordinary, that they cannot but deserve a place among the many relations the publick has receiv’d, of strange shipwrecks, and unaccountable escapes and deliverances of vessels reduc’d to the utmost extremity.

  Tho’ here be no new discovery, or description of nations before unknown, but a passage so much frequented, yet the circumstances of it are such, and the providence so singular, as are scarce to be parallel’d in any other voyage. I have been particular in the circumstances, as believing they would be acceptable to all that have any insight in sea-affairs, and represent the whole matter the more lively. As to the truth, I deliver it not upon hearsay, but as an eye-witness, present at every part, and void of any motive to draw me away from it, besides that there are doubtless many still living, who might disprove me should I be any way inclin’d to romance. In fine, this may serve as an encouragement to all that venture upon the sea, ever to hope the best in danger, and to confide in that providence which deliver’d me when all human hopes seem’d to fail.

  On the 17th of August 1688, the ship Terra Nova, Capt. Daniell commander, arriv’d at Port Royal in Jamaica. His grace the late duke of Albemarle was at that time governor of the island; but whilst we lay there unloading and providing for our return, the duke fell sick and dy’d.

  Upon his death, the dutchess resolv’d to return for England with her whole family; and, in order to it, agreed with our commander to take aboard as passengers fifteen of her men-servants, which, with two brothers we had before receiv’d, made seventeen. They laid in a plentiful stock of all manner of provisions, as sheep, hogs, turkies, hens, &c. with a sufficient quantity of Indian wheat, and other sorts of grain to feed them during the passage, according to all probability.

  The ship being well fitted, and the provisions and passengers aboard, we sail’d from Port Royal on the 24th of December, being Christmas-eve. We were richly loaden with sugar, logwood, Jamaica pepper, hides, indigo, sarsaparilla, &c. besides my lord duke’s costly furniture, such as rich hangings, curious chairs, large looking-glasses, and all other choice goods. But above all, in the great cabbin, was a large chest, so heavy, that five or six men could but just draw it along the deck, full of pigs of silver, bags of pieces of eight, and some gold.

  This treasure brought us into some danger; for the night after our departure, a sloop came up with us, and bearing along our side, after haling us, pretended to be sent on purpose with some letters from the then deputy-governor, and desir’d we would send our boat aboard for them, they having no boat, or else they would lay us aboard on our larboard quarter, and deliver the packet. Our commander suspecting some knavery, commanded them to keep off till day, and then they might deliver their message, our guns and small-arms being all ready to fire upon them if they offer’d to come near us. However, they ventur’d sometimes to make up towards us, but our commander threatening them hard, they fell astern of us again; and at last, seeing us so resolute in keeping them off, they durst not attempt us, but made away, firing two guns with shot at us, which we return’d in like manner with interest.

  Being rid of them, we pass’d by the islands of Caimanes, and that of Pinos, so round the west cape of Cuba, call’d St. Antonio, in 21° 52' N. lat. and then enter’d the gulph of Florida, which we pass’d in a few days with safety; and being got into the open sea, we ply’d to the northward till we got to the westward islands, of which Corvo is the most northerly in lat. of 40° 9' N. Our commander fearing the north winds, stood on, still plying to the northward, till we got into the latitude of 45° N. It was then the beginning of February, at which time we met with very hard winds, for the most part east southerly; and being got so far northerly, we design’d not to raise our lat. any more as yet, but were forc’d by the violence of the said winds to ply with our three courses, for about seven days, our topmasts struck and lower’d snug down.

  On the 8th of February 1688/9 the time when the sun enters Pisces, the storm ceas’d, and it prov’d a pleasant morning, with a fine easy gale, tho’ in the same corner still, which made us all fall to work with willing minds; so we sway’d up our top-masts, set our topsails, and let out all our reefs. But at noon, when we expected a good observation, having had none for some days, we found the weather thickened again, and look’d foul, the wind at the same time shifting to S.E. and beginning to blow hard. We reef’d our topsails again, then handed them, lower’d our topmasts snug down, as before, and lay some short time under three courses. Towards night, perceiving the weather grew still worse, and the wind stronger, we handed our foresail, and lower’d the yard close down a portlongs; then did the same by our mizen, and before night reef’d our main-sail; but at last finding the wind too fierce for us to hold that sail, we lower’d our main-yard snug down a portlongs, and furl’d the sail. Having then but one mizen-sail, which was to the yard, our commander was loth to venture it in the force of the wind, and therefore order’d a main-bonnet should be spread on our weather quarter; which done, and our helm clap’d aport, being then our lee-side, the ship answer’d our expectations, and lay very well, looking upon the sea all night.

  About four in the morning, the commander consulted with us all what was best to be done, the wind raging, and the sea running very high; and it was agreed to let her lie as she had done all the night, not daring to scud, lest the sea should overtake us, or for fear of broaching to, and so foundering the ship. This was the 9th of February 1688/9 when about six of the clock in the morning, day appearing, as I stood at the steerage door, a violent sea fell in upon our deck, and floated our deal yawl, which was then stow’d in our long-boat on the deck, clear over our lee-gunnel; but her painter being made fast to the ring of our long-boat’s bow, she tow’d by it under our lee, till we presently cut her loose, and never saw her more. Next our sprit-sail broke loose, and in a moment was gone clear out of the boltrope. No sooner was this past, but a second violent sea broke in upon us, and carry’d away our two bowers and stream-anchor clear out of the lashings, and they were quite lost; but the same sea wash’d our sheet-anchor off the lee-gunnel, where she was stow’d; however, the stopper to which the stock was lash’d, holding, and the bill of the anchor lighting upon the upper channel-wale, there she remained, tho’ without board. Fearing lest the past unhappy accidents should be follow’d by a worse, our men went forward upon the forecastle to overhawl our runner and tackle, whilst I stood in the lee-scuppers with a pair of slings to fling the anchor that lay quite without board. We were at least half an hour slinging and hooking the tackles, all which time I was, without any intermission, beaten by the sea continually breaking in; yet we compass’d ou
r design, and lash’d the anchor, with a rope thro’ the scuppers, to the gunnel.

  This done, and having try’d the pump, and found the ship tight, we went in to refresh us, it being about eight of the clock in the morning, our passengers all abed as if they had been ashore; but our commander bearing an equal share in our labour, and endeavouring to secure all things. When we had set all to rights, and provided the best we could for other accidents, I brought some bread, and every one having taken what he thought fit, for we had plenty enough of that and other provisions for a long West-India voyage, yet, as it happened, little enough, tho’ it had been much more, as will appear hereafter, I went to the leeward, and stood looking forward out at the steerage door, when on a sudden a prodigious wave broke to the windward of our ship, and fell with such violence upon us, that it set us all a-swimming, scarce knowing whether we were within or without the ship, but that on me roul’d the men, chests, handspikes, shot, and whatever lay to windward. The same sea broke away our starboard gallery, in which were all our compasses but two that stood in the bittacle in the steerage, and stav’d all the great cabbin windows, so that it was like the rest, full of water; and the chest of drawers, cabbin table, chairs, and what else lay to windward, fell all upon the captain, keeping him striving for life under water. The passengers far’d no better; for being in close low cabbins, they were almost smother’d before they could get out. The violence of this sea had quite overset our ship, so that the coamings of the main-hatches lay under water, and a man might have walk’d upon her starboard side without-board, as he could before upon the main deck. We could not have lain long in this condition, without perishing, and therefore it pleas’d God, that the same sea which overset us, raking us along on our weather quarter with so much violence, hove our ship quite round against the sea, so that, tho’ thus overset, being so violently toss’d round, she brought the sea under our lee bow, and that side of the ship which before was the weather side, became the lee side. Having now the sea under our larboard bow, it gave her such a second toss, as set her upright again; and being at a stand, the water fell from off the deck.