a task allotted to us, in that long unknown island." - Tears stood in my Eliza's eyes, when I said this; and, oh! how like an angel she did look! for they were tears of overflowing happiness. "His spirit then bearing witness with her spirit," that we were indeed disposed to obey his most holy will.

Saturday, 5th. I went immediately after breakfast to Mr. Green's counting-house, where I received a statement of the money he had laid out for every thing that constituted the cargo, on all of which I allowed him commission, and made the payment. In the course of the morning I settled with Mr. Finn; the disbursements on account of the brig being made a separate account: and I was pleased to find all fair; so that I paid the several demands with much satisfaction.

After I had done this business, I waited on the paymaster, to enquire if he had any bills on England: he told me he had not; but referred me to the agent-victualler, to whom he gave me a letter of introduction. This gentleman was very glad to see me on my errand, as the cash would be convenient to him; and he quite chuckled when he heard that I could let him have a large sum. But I complained of the premium; and told him, I would not take bills for any considerable amount, at any thing above five per cent. He replied, that all government bills had fetched ten, for some time back; but if I could accommodate him with 10,000l. sterling, he would give the bills at five. We struck the bargain; and on Monday I waited on him with two boxes of the doubloons; out of which I counted

down 2747 pieces, being the amount required, receiving back 8 dollars. He in turn handed me over a set of bills of exchange on the Treasurer of the Navy, for the 10,000l. sterling approved by the Admiral; for which I had stipulated as a security for government acceptance.

Sunday, 6th. We kept this sabbath by going to church. Before we went, my dear wife and I had some difficulty in deciding whether we should have Purdy married there this day; but as Martin was not married in a church, and others at Seaward Island could not be, we feared it might make a schism, or create a jealousy among the people; and we therefore resolved to celebrate the rite on our return, so that all our people might be on the same footing with respect to such matters.

Monday, 7th. After negotiating for the bills as above stated, and paying for every thing, I found I had four bags of doubloons still untouched; and about 100 extra doubloons from the last bags we had opened. Of these, I converted 150 into dollars; for which I received 2400. I placed them in bags, in the iron chest, beside the gold; reserving as much as I thought necessary for present use. I now wrote letters to Perry and Co., inclosing them the first of exchange for 10,000l., with orders to fund the amount; sending them at the same time the seconds of the former bills, and also inclosing my Will, which I indorsed "Not to be opened, but by myself, or in the event of my decease." - And I moreover got ready a duplicate letter, with further duplicates of the bills already sent, to be forwarded

by Mr. Green, to Messrs. Perry and Co., at a future early opportunity.

Diego reported all his stock (consisting of six sheep, four pigs, twelve turkeys, twelve geese, twelve Guinea fowls, as also a quantity of plantain suckers and plantains, some roots, and a good supply of fruits) to be safe on board; besides Allan Derrick's pig and goat; he had brought a fine large dog also with him, which he begged to take; and, after some hesitation amongst us for fear of our little pet Fidele, with my dear wife's approbation I at last gave my consent; but the dog was to go in the Avon, and not in the schooner. Diego declared himself well satisfied, if it might go in any way, for it was a fine animal, and his name was Lion.

Before dinner I visited the vessels, and was highly pleased with their appearance, and all the arrangements that had been made: every thing necessary had been provided; and I felt greatly indebted to Mr. Green, and the two captains, for having taken so much minute trouble off my hands. I paid a month's wages in advance to the captains, and also to each of the men. On returning to our lodgings, I would have invited the captains and Mr. Green to dine with us; but now that we were on the point of sailing, I thought it best that every one should be at his post. My dear Eliza and I, therefore, dined alone, and after dinner busied ourselves in packing up some suitable clothes we had ordered; amongst which were several pairs of buck and doe skin boots, the colour of our own sandy isthmus, on which we hoped once more soon to tread.

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At my fond wife's request, a handsome suit of uniform, blue and gold, with a hat looped and handsomely laced, had been made for the Captain-commandant.. "If those Spaniards," said she, "should ever intrude themselves into our bay, which they may do as friends; without an imposing uniform on your person, they might pay very little respect to your commission." I saw the force of the observation, and therefore the uniform was made.

At the last visit of my hair-dresser, he recommended me to purchase of him an Adonis, a new fashioned wig very much in vogue, instead of having my own hair tortured into the mode. I wished he had informed me of such a thing at first, as it would have saved me a great deal of time and torment. "But," said I, "I do not want any thing of the kind where I am going." My dear wife thought otherwise; and, smiling, desired him to bring the wig. He obeyed, with a proper box to hold it in, and all the requisites for powdering it up, when required. As it was my Eliza's pleasure, I made no more demur, but took it, and paid him 20 dollars for it. When he was gone, I said to her "What am I to do with this head, my Mistress Commandant, at Seaward Islands?"-"It is for my Captain-commandant," she replied, "when he has occasion to appear in state!" I smiled at her remark, but felt at the same time that it was dictated by good sense, and a just regard to the opinions of men.

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My kind wife meanwhile, had provided herself with some presents for those left behind; and had attended to the minutiae of our own future com

forts, in the procurement of many things not necessary to be enumerated: and having finished the day in prayer to God our Father, we rose next morning in health and spirits. We paid our bill cheerfully to the brown lady, our hostess, and thanked her besides for her many civilities. The negresses and our trunks were conveyed on board, followed by ourselves and our faithful Fidele, whọ ran by our side before the great iron chest; which was a formidable burden, from the combined weight of itself and its remaining contents.