Van Kempen's voyage to Porto Bello. engineers arrives in the Porghee-he visits the dif- ferent fort-positions in the islands. Useful sug- gestions. He sails with Drake to join Admiral Vernon. Sir Edward puts the engineer's sugges- tions into practice.-Guns brought.- Fortifications erected.. Fate of the pirate captain and his crew. Various interesting occurrences. Trading ex- pedition to Honduras. The first keel laid down on the islands. A fine fountain made. Anniver- The Porghee and merchant vessels put to sea. John Reynolds his history. Vernon and Wentworth at Carthagena. Seaward Islands threatened by the Spaniards. - Privateers rendezvous at the islands The Sea Horse frigate arrives- Captain Limeburner, its commander- his hospitable reception by Sir Edward Seaward and Captain Drake. Congre- gation under the great silk-cotton-tree. - The Sea Horse and Porghee sail for the Spanish main. - A squadron of Spanish men-of-war off the islands.- Preparations for the expected attack. Lady Sea- ward's feminine heroism.-The enemy's boats attempt a landing-repulsed by the Porghee and Avon.— The frigates try to enter the harbour.-Action within the harbour-attack on the land. The Spaniards beaten prisoners.-Spanish commander, his bra- Joy at the settlement on the final departure of the Spaniards. Build a Colony in great prosperity. Approach of the stormy season. A Spanish fleet suddenly sur- rounds the islands Sir Edward and Drake recon- noitre it. General consternation. A fast is held for deliverance. The tempest. Wrecks of the Spanish ships of war. - Despatches from Jamaica.— Several families arrive from England. - Sickness Sir Edward thinks of returning to England. - Settles - - - - gives him a com- Lady Seaward take leave of the people. Embark on board the Porghee for Jamaica. Lady Sea- Dialogue between Sir Edward Seaward and the Duke of Newcastle, about surrendering Seaward Islands to the Crown of Spain. A visit from the Earl of Harrington. George II.'s declaration on the sub- ject. Seaward stipulates for conditions. A com- missioner sent out from the minister and Sir Edward, to Seaward Islands, to put the measure into exe- cution. Sir Edward Seaward's feelings on the oc- casion. His amiable wife, still his comforter under all circumstances, soothes his regrets, and proposes SIR EDWARD SEAWARD'S NARRATIVE. CHAPTER I. JUNE, 17.37. "THIS, then, is the scene of your shipwreck and providential deliverance, Sir Edward," said Mr. Rowley. "On the other side of the islands, my dear friend," I replied: "I will show it you in a day or two." Our vessel at this moment was in stays, having to make a tack on rounding the southern extremity of the reef, which we had called The Dragon, to weather a small high rocky islet, between which and St. George's Island is the main channel. In doing this, we were closely followed by The Shark, reaching over to the shore where the Germans had been located. On our approach, they all came down to the beach-men, women, and children; accompanied by our four carpenters, and their negro apprentices. This animated body gave us a noisy hurrah; which the brig, as well as ourselves, returned with a hearty cheer. The carpenters, who, I afterwards learnt, had gone every morning in the Avon to assist these new comers, now hastened back into the boat, and made sail after us. I was glad to see all this : it gave an appearance of life to the strangers I brought with me; who, perhaps, expected to see little else than barren rocks, and a few meagre-looking inhabitants. But Drake had taken care that something more than this should excite our attention. He had intimated to Corporal Craig, that it would be proper to salute me with thirteen guns from the battery, whenever I should arrive and when he called on Captain Townshend at Port Royal, he told him of the compliment that would be paid on our entering the harbour, expressing his hope that The Shark would return it. I knew nothing of this; and therefore was surprised when, as soon as we fairly came in, and had a full view of our mansion and the fort, I perceived the first gun fire. "What does that mean, Drake?" asked I. "A salute, Sir Edward," he replied.. Then the second gun" I hope they may not hurt themselves!" said my dear wife. The parson and Maria looked a little afraid. Craig fired his first ten guns, in very good time; but when he had to reload, he made rather slow work of it however, he finished his salute; and the brig took it up, returning the thirteen guns in good regular time, although he too had but ten guns. When The Shark had done, we answered with three cheers, and then prepared to anchor. At the close of the salute, Diego made his appearance in the six-oared boat, with his men neatly equipped in white frocks and trowsers, and straw hats; he himself sitting in the cockswain's box, dressed in nankeen: the men rowing a good stroke, the old fellow steering with great judgment. This to me was the most pleasing part of the exhibition. |