874 WAITING FOR DAYLIGHT.

 

SSS
“4 GREAT SHIP ON FIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEA.”

I was most sensibly touched with this disaster, though not at
all acquainted with the persons engaged in it. I presently recol-
lected my former circumstances, and in what condition I was in
when taken up by the Portugal captain; and how much more
deplorable the circumstances of the poor creatures belonging to
this ship must be if they had no other ship in company with them.
Upon this I immediately ordered that five guns should be fired,
one soon after another, that, if possible, we might give notice to
them that there was help for them at hand, and that they might
endeavour to save themselves in their boat; for though we could
see the flame of the ship, yet they, it being night, could see
nothing of us. .

We lay by some time upon this, only driving as the burning
ship drove, waiting for daylight; when, on a sudden, to our great
terror, though we had reason to expect it, the ship blew up in