Page:American Historical Review vol. 6.djvu/84

74 Documents Frciday, March nth. Wind weather and course as yesterday, this forenoon clear but verry squally like, at 4 pm stowed the Maintopsail and at 7 pm stowed fore Top saile and close reefd the Main saile and scuded under it. The wind blowing excessive hard and a verry high sea running still from the westward, at 8 pm was oblidged to batten down both fore and main hatches, and a little after I really think there was the odest shene ' betwixt decks that ever I heard or seed. There was some sleep- ing, some spewing, . . . some daming, some Blasting their leggs and thighs, some their liver, lungs, lights and eyes. And for to make the shene the odder, some curs' d Father, Mother, Sister, and Brother. Saturday, I2th. Wind weather and course as before, we are now past the skirts of the Bay of Biscay and entred into the Atlantick Ocean, going at the rate of 8 knots per houre. Sunday, 13th. Wind at S. S. E. course V. B. S. at 11 AM Mod- erate weather, let out all reefs, at noon in Latitude 44 North per ob- servation. This afternoon got most of sick and ailing to deck the num- ber of which I cannot really now ascertain. But I thank God I have as yet kept my health weel. At 3 pm there was two servants put in Irons for wanting other than what was served. But they were soon released on their asking pardon and promising to behave better. Sunday, 2jth. Wind, weather, and course as yesterday, at 8 AM got up all hammocks and the sick likways they being now in number about 37, there being th[ree] sick in our mace Vizi Stewart, Burnet, and the Yorkshire Cooper, at noon we all betwixt decks cleand out, and washed with wineggar. Thursday, jisf. Wind weather and course as before. The sick are now increased to the number of fifty betwixt decks, besides three in the steerage Viz' two seamen and a passanger. Sunday, April jd. Wind weather and course as before. Last night Alex' Stewart was so high in the fever that I sat up with him all night, and Burnet and the Cooper are still verry bad, but not so high as Stewart. This day the Cap! ordered some Cock and hen to be killed and fresh broth made for the sick. Munday, 4th. Wind weather and course still as before and jogging on from 4 to 6 knots at an average per houre. at 5 pm I was oblidged to get Stewart blister'd and sat up again all night with him, having become his nurse for Country sake he being the first in the Mace that was taken ill, and I was not sure how soon it might be my own fate. But thank God I am as yet well and hearty. This night I supped on a dish called Scratchplatters. it is made of biscuits broack small and soacked in water until they are soft, and then Winegar, oile, salt, and Onions cut small put to it, and supped with spoons. Wednesday, 6th. ... I have wore no Britches nor stockins since we got into the trade winds ^ only a pair of long trousers down to my buckles. And this day having put on a shorter pair untill my longest 1 Scene. 2Lat. this day 27° 37' N. On the tenth they were near Barbadoes.