The language and conduct of the insulted officer was such as to provoke the captain to madness.

He raged and raved, and at last struck his lieutenant, and gave peremptory orders to "put the rascal in irons." On hearing this order given, but before it could be executed, the lieutenant seized a loaded pistol.

Instead of shooting his brutal commander on the spot, he rushed down the steps into the after part of the vessel, and undoubtedly discharged his weapon among the powder in the magazine! A tremendous explosion followed, which blew the privateer to fragments, scattering the timbers and planks, and the legs, arms, and bodies of the crew, in every direction! The shrieks of the wounded, the struggles of the dying, and the spectacle of horrors which those men witnessed, made a lasting impression on their minds.
After having been on the water a few minutes, almost stunned by the explosion, the boatswain and some of his companions succeeded in constructing a raft from the floating planks; and after days of suffering and exposure, without food, and almost without clothing, the survivors were driven ashore on the island of Antigua, where they were kindly treated, and subsequently sent to St.Bartholomew, with the expectation that they would there find a chance to get to the United States.
Strictland and myself led the vagabond kind of life I have described for a couple of weeks.

My purse was gradually growing lighter, and it became evident that we must soon find employment or starve.

We formed various plans for improving our condition, neither of which proved practicable when put to the test.