at sea, where the eye had been almost wearied
with a continued
sameness of prospects, and after
having had, for several hours, the
delightful pro-
spect of farm-houses and plantations, we again
launched into the wide ocean. To be thus
snatched from green fields and
woods, and cheer-
ful habitations, was a trial of patience to some of
our companions; and, all the afternoon, I noticed
an anxious looking
towards the land, in most of us.
The next morning, about four o'clock, 7th
Month,
30th, I was waked by the report of a
great gun, which was
followed by considerable
bustle upon deck. After getting up, I
understood
that a shot had been fired over us by an English
frigate,
called the Boston, which, in company with
the Leander and Cambrian men of
war, and Driver
sloop of war, was then cruizing near us; and
as the
cannon-ball that was fired over us, was an
earnest of what we might expect
if we did not
stop to receive an officer from the frigate, the
topsails were immediately backed, and we short-
ened sail that they might
have an opportunity of
coming to us. A Lieutenant and Midshipman
were
sent on board. After spending about half
an hour in conversation with us,
and exchanging
intelligence and newspapers, they left the ship;
and,
at parting, observed that they believed all our
seamen were citizens of the
United States, and
therefore did not wish to examine them; but