When We Were Evacuating The Town,
He Was Missing, And Was Supposed To Be Either Taken Or Slain.
But he had
found some excellent brandy in the house where he was quartered, of
which he drank so liberally that he fell fast asleep on the floor, and
was in that condition when we evacuated the town.
The master of the
house returned soon after, and found the Dutchman stretched out at full
length, and so dead asleep that he could hardly distinguish whether he
were living. Calling in some of his neighbours, and securing the
Dutchman's weapons, they set him on his feet, and with some difficulty
brought him to his senses, when he was not a little alarmed at finding
himself in such company. At length the Spaniard restored his arms, and
desired him to make all the haste he could after his comrades, who were
not yet embarked.
On the 2d May, which was the day appointed for payment of the ransom, no
boat appeared, and we began to be uneasy for our money; but at length
the boat arrived, and brought us 22,000 dollars. We received the money,
and sent back a message that we proposed to sail from Puna next morning,
and should carry away the hostages, if the rest of the money were not
then sent. We staid however till the 6th, when Captain Courtney was
anxious to depart, lest we should be attacked by the French and Spanish
ships from Lima. I endeavoured in vain to convince him that we were in
no danger, as they could not by this time have received notice at Lima,
and have fitted out a force sufficient to attack us.
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