We found on the northern side of the harbor an old boat that had been hauled up on the beach and turned bottom upwards.

This furnished us with a capital lodging house.

We took up our quarters there every night without asking permission of the owner, and were never disturbed in our snug domicile after we laid ourselves down to rest.
It may be asked why I did not apply to the American consul for assistance.

The treatment which I received from the agent of our government, when in distress, at Liverpool, created on my mind an unfavorable impression in regard to that class of officials, and the reluctant aid and little encouragement which those of my countrymen met with who applied for advice and assistance to the consul at St.
Bartholomew, were calculated to prevent any application on my part.
Besides, I had entwined my fortunes with another an Englishman; and we had resolved to partake of weal or woe together.
On more than one occasion I could have procured a passage for myself to my native land if I had been willing to leave Strictland, My "protection," as well as appearance, furnished indisputable evidence that I was an American; but Strictland had no testimony of any kind to offer in favor of his citizenship, and to every application for a passage he received a decided shake of the head, from which there was no appeal.
About this time an excitement prevailed among the web-footed gentry in St.Bartholomew in relation to the impressment of seamen by British authorities.

The cruisers on the West India station were deficient in men; and all kinds of stratagems were regarded as justifiable which would be likely to supply the deficiency.