The Man Was Observed To Keep His Eye Steadily Fixed
On The Lance Until It Struck Its Object, When He Directly Dashed Into The Woods
And Was Seen No More.
[*His excellency described the shock to me as similar to a violent blow,
with such energy was the weapon thrown.]
Instant confusion on both sides took place. Baneelon and Colbee disappeared
and several spears were thrown from different quarters, though without effect.
Our party retreated as fast as they could, calling to those who were left
in the boat, to hasten up with firearms. A situation more distressing
than that of the governor, during the time that this lasted, cannot readily
be conceived: the pole of the spear, not less than ten feet in length,
sticking out before him, and impeding his flight, the butt frequently striking
the ground, and lacerating the wound. In vain did Mr. Waterhouse try
to break it; and the barb, which appeared on the other side, forbade
extraction, until that could be performed. At length it was broken,
and his excellency reached the boat, by which time the seamen with the muskets
had got up, and were endeavouring to fire them, but one only would go off,
and there is no room to believe that it was attended with any execution.
When the governor got home, the wound was examined. It had bled a good deal
in the boat, and it was doubtful whether the subclavian artery might not
be divided. On moving the spear, it was found, however, that it might be
safely extracted, which was accordingly performed.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 68 of 247
Words from 18152 to 18415
of 66960
