found it possible to conclude any engagement, in consequence of their enormous demands for passage, &c.

Our hopes, with reference to the ships under seizure, we found altogether frustrated, as out of the total number, one only (the Hornby) was destined to return to Europe in ballast, and the period of her sailing was as yet uncertain; whilst the absence of her captain from Bassterre precluded us from knowing on what terms a passage could be obtained. Finding the impracticability of effecting arrangements with any of the captains, we began seriously to contemplate with regret our departure from Saint Bartholomew's; where, distressing and mortifying as our situation was, yet the sympathizing kindness of some of its natives, occasionally diverted our minds from a sense of our affliction. But here we were utterly unknown; the expense

of

every description of necessaries far more exorbitant; and the inhabitants probably wearied by the daily appearance amongst them of numerous victims of similar misfortune, beheld our sufferings with perfect

apathy, and were solicitous only for our departure from the island.

Day after day elapsed without bringing any prospect of relief, the various captains rejecting every proposal not founded on a pecuniary basis. Our feelings were continually harrowed by witnessing the embarkation of passengers, and the departure of vessels for England, while we, from irremediable inability, were destined to remain behind.

Every prospect having now apparently vanished, we had determined on again returning to St. Bartholomew's, although we could scareely conceive how our circumstances would be ameliorated by this change of situation, or even in what manner our passage thither was to be effected, having already at different periods disposed of every little article of property, not absolutely necessary for personal use.

Such was our situation when we were informed of the return to Bassterre of Captain Walker of the condemned ship, Hornby, and that the sailing of his vessel was now principally retarded by the difficulty.

of procuring a competent crew for her navigation. This intelligence in some degree checked our despondency, and we immediately determined (as an only remaining chance of success) on offering our services to Captain W., to work our passage to England on board his ship, as common seamen, in the hope that thus circumstanced, inadequate as we were to the duty, our assistance might not be altogether unacceptable.

Having formed our resolution we instantly put it in execution, and, to our great joy, were soon relieved from every anxiety and uneasiness, by our proposal, after some deliberation, being acceded to, and liberty granted us for our immediate embarkation.

Those only who have been similarly situated can conceive the happiness we now experienced, and the delight with which we, on the following day, availed ourselves of Captain W.'s permission to repair on board. We found the Hornby almost destitute of hands, and to our surprise, no preparations made for sailing,

The difficulties in which her captain had been recently involved, having, notwithstanding his utmost endeavours to have the vessel cleared out, rendered his departure extremely uncertain.

The Hornby continued at Saint Kitt's for nearly three weeks after our arrangement with the captain. During this period, we had many opportunities of procuring authentic intelligence of the recent proceedings of several of the vessels and officers attached to the South American enterprise, which, with accounts obtained from officers lately arrived in England (consequently of dates subsequent to our departure from the West Indies), may perhaps be more properly embodied with the Narrative, than introduced either as notes, or in the form of an Appendix.

An officer of Colonel Campbell's corps, (Lieut. L-) informed us of the arrival at Gustavia of Admiral Brion, accompanied by the Britannia; which vessel, whilst on her passage to Saint Domingo, he had accidentally fallen in with at sea, and whose

Supercargo was induced induced to return to Saint Bartholomew's, in expectation of disposing of her stores to the admiral.

Brion immediately on his arrival entered into treaty for the purchase of the Emerald, which he effected, and converted into his flag-ship, giving her the name of the Victory. This vessel is well calculated for the Independent service, having been originally a French corvette, but since raised upon, she will also admit of a second tier of guns, which we understood Brion contemplated mounting upon her, and had procured for that purpose from the Britannia. From Lieut. L. we likewise learned the narrow escape of Hudson on board the Dowson, where he accidentally met with Brion, who, instantly seizing him, exclaimed,

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Villain, have I caught you at last?” and at the same time drawing a dagger from his breast, attempted to stab him, which he was only prevented doing by the timely interference of (Mr. J——s), the Supercargo. I am not particularly acquainted with the motives which impelled Brion to this act of violence, and as the rea