went in Character of Cook to him.--Near St. Domingo we came up to five
French ships, Merchant-men.--We had a very smart engagement that
continued from eight in the morning till three in the afternoon; when
victory declar'd on our side.--Soon after this we were met by three
English ships which join'd us, and that encourag'd us to attack a fleet
of 36 Ships.--We boarded the three first and then follow'd the others;
and had the same success with twelve; but the rest escap'd us.--There
was a great deal of blood shed, and I was near death several times, but
the LORD preserv'd me.

I met with many enemies, and much persecution, among the sailors; one of
them was particularly unkind to me, and studied ways to vex and teaze
me.--I can't help mentioning one circumstance that hurt me more than all
the rest, which was, that he snatched a book out of my hand that I was
very fond of, and used frequently to amuse myself with, and threw it
into the sea.--But what is remarkable he was the first that was killed
in our engagement.--I don't pretend to say that this happen'd because he
was not my friend: but I thought 'twas a very awful Providence to see
how the enemies of the LORD are cut off.

Our Captain was a cruel hard-hearted man. I was excessively sorry for
the prisoners we took in general; but the pitiable case of one young
Gentleman grieved me to the heart.--He appear'd very amiable; was
strikingly handsome. Our Captain took four thousand pounds from him; but
that did not satisfy him, as he imagin'd he was possess'd of more, and
had somewhere conceal'd it, so that the Captain threatened him with
death, at which he appear'd in the deepest distress, and took the
buckles out of his shoes, and untied his hair, which was very fine, and
long; and in which several very valuable rings were fasten'd. He came
into the Cabbin to me, and in the most obliging terms imaginable ask'd