258 ‘The French in Prince Edward Island

in their eyes, and the captain requested his people to keep the boats near the ship which he was determined not to quit himself until it was dark. They all assured him that they would not leave him, and hastened down the stern-ladder. As the boats ranged up by the sea, under the ship’s counter, those that went last hove themselves down, and were caught by them in the boat.

Captain Nicholls had a little Norse boy on board, whom no entreaties could prevail on to go into the boat until he did. When it grew dark, the captain insisted upon his going, saying he would follow him immediately. He got on the stern ladder, when the Frenchman whom the fears of death had induced to quit his wife and chil- dren, unperceived by any, got over the taffrail, and treading upon the boy’s fingers made him shriek out. Imagining somebody was in danger, the captain went to see what was the matter, the old Frenchman follow- ing him; when the latter, perceiving the man and his intentions, called him by his name, and said he was sorry to find him so base as to desert his family. The man seemed ashamed of what he had done, and came over the taffrail again. The people in the boat begged the captain to come in, as the blows, which she took under the ship’s counter, were likely to sink her.

Seeing the priest lay his arms over the rails in great emotion, with all the apprehensions of death painted in his countenance, the captain asked him if he were will- ing to take his chance with him? He replied, yes, if he had room for him. The captain told him he had, Imme- diately the priest went and gave his people his benedic- tion; then, after saluting the old gentleman, he tucked up his canonical robes, and went into the boat. (They finally landed at Penzance.) . . .