Fortunate was the wretch who possessed a
clean linen rag, for this, placed in his bosom, seemed to attract to
it crowds of his crawling tormentors, whose squatter sovereignty could
be disposed of by the wholesale at his pleasure.
"The food of the prisoners consisted mainly of spoiled sea biscuit,
and of navy beef, which had become worthless from long voyaging in
many climes years before. These biscuits were so worm-eaten that a
slight pressure of the hand reduced them to dust, which rose up in
little clouds of insubstantial aliment, as if in mockery of the half
famished expectants. For variety a ration called 'Burgoo,' was
prepared several times a week, consisting of mouldy oatmeal and water,
boiled in two great Coppers, and served out in tubs, like swill to
swine.
"By degrees they grew callous to each other's miseries, and alert to
seize any advantage over their fellow sufferers. Many played cards day
and night, regardless of the scenes of woe and despair around them. *
* * The remains (of those who died) were huddled into blankets, and so
slightly interred on the neighboring slope that scores of them, bared
by the rains, were always visible to their less fortunate comrades
left to pine in hopeless captivity. * * * After having been imprisoned
about a year and a half my father, one night, during a paroxysm of
fever, rushed on board, and jumped overboard.
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