Appendix 257 
     
    
   
   
    
     main-mast gone they might be certain they were in dis- 
     
     tress. It was hazy weather, and they could see at no 
     
     great distance; but the strange ship was soon near 
     
     enough to see and hear their guns. Just after she had 
     
     hoisted her colours (which were Danish), her main-top- 
     
     sail sheet gave way, which, when Captain Nicholls saw, 
     
     he concluded that the other captain was going to clew 
     
     his main-top-mast up, to pend him, and come to their 
     
     assistance, which good news he immediately communi- 
     
     cated to the priest and others. In transports of joy 
     
     they embraced him, calling him their friend and pre- 
     
     server. But, alas! poor mistaken men! this momentary 
     
     joy was changed into many hours of despondency by a 
     
     second disappointment ; for as soon as the strange cap- 
     
     tain had knotted or spliced his top-sail sheet, he sheeted 
     
     it home, and hauled from them. This was about three in 
     
     the afternoon. Gloomy despair then reigned in every 
     
     countenance, and lamentations echoed in the air. Cap- 
     
     tain Nicholls now wore the ship, which she bore very 
     
     well, and steered tolerably before the wind. 
     
    

    
     About half an hour after, the old French gentleman 
     
     came to Captain Nicholls, and affectionately embracing 
     
     him, said, that he and his countrymen requested that 
     
     the captain and his people would endeavour to save 
     
     their own lives in their boats, and leave them to their 
     
     fate, as it was impossible the boats could carry all. The 
     
     captain replied, that there were no hopes of life for 
     
     any; as they had all embarked in the same unhappy 
     
     voyage, they ought all to take the same chance. Urged 
     
     by their further solicitations, he mentioned their pro- 
     
     posal to Captain Moore and his people, who said, as 
     
     nothing further could be done, they would comply with 
     
     their request. They took leave of each other with tears