yessel that passed would at least have attempted
to communicate with us, on sight of
our signals: even curiosity, one would think,
would be a sufficiently strong motive to induce
them. I cannot help fearing there is as
much selfishness and meanness amongst “ the
sons of Neptune ” as amongst their brethren
on shore ; and this opinion has been strengthened,
by anecdotes I have heard from Glass
and his companions. I hope the following
account is without parallel. I shall not give
the name of the vessel, or her commander;
but should these pages ever meet his sight, I
hope some feeling'of shame may prevent his
again acting in so unfeeling a manner. A
seaman, more than any other Christian, should
ever bear in mind, “ To do to others as we
would they should do to us.”
It is now nearly a year since they had sickness
amongst the settlers, and were in great
distress for want of a few medicines; when a
vessel hove in sight. They launched their
boat, and pursued her, and after a long and
very fatiguing pull, at length came up with
her, and made their wants known. The first
question asked by Captain---------was, “ How
am I to be paid for them ; what money have
you brought with you?” Money is unknown
at Tristan d’Acunha: Glass had none. After
various demurs, a few doses of Epsom salts
were produced, but not given up till Glass
had signed a receipt for them ; and, notwithstanding
their being so many miles from land,
and had been tugging at the oars so desperately
to gain the ship, and had many
hours of hard toil to pull back again, no refreshment
was offered to any of the party,
not even a glass of grog from any of the
sailors: and this from a countryman, and
meeting unexpectedly so far from home!
The 8th proving a very fine day, and
several of our party being in want of shoe-
leather, we launched the boat to go in quest
of a bull elephant. After pulling a few miles,
we came to a beach where these creatures
resorted; and, landing through a high surf,
and hauling the boat up, we proceeded to business,
and singled out a monstrous creature.
My companions boldly attacked him with
lances, thrusting them repeatedly into his
- £ 4