An authentic narrative of the loss of the American brig Commerce - wrecked on the western cost of Africa, in the month of August, 1815. (1817) (14778584072)

Identifier: authenticnarrati00rile (find matches)
Title: An authentic narrative of the loss of the American brig Commerce : wrecked on the western cost of Africa, in the month of August, 1815.
Year: 1817 (1810s)
Authors: Riley, James, 1777-1840 Bleecker, Anthony, 1770-1827
Subjects: Commerce (Brig) Slavery
Publisher: New-York : Printed and published for the author, by T. & W. Mercein, no. 93 Gold-street
Contributing Library: Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection
Digitizing Sponsor: The Institute of Museum and Library Services through an Indiana State Library LSTA Grant



Text Appearing Before Image:
id no regard to hisentreaties. In hopes of saving him from the fury ofthese wretches, I told him to let them know by signsthat there were dollars and other things buried inthe sand, near where our tent had stood, and toendeavour to find them by digging. A new spy-glass, a handsaw, and several other things, had beenburied there, and a bag containing about four hun-dred dollars at a short distance from them. Hesoon made them understand that somethins: wasburied, and they hurried him to the spot he hadpointed out, and he began to dig. I had imaginedthat if this man would come on shore, I should beenabled to make my escape; yet I knew not how,nor had I formed any plan for effecting it.. I was seated on the sand, facing the sea, betweenthe old man on my left, with his spear uplifted in hisleft hand, pointing to my breast, and the stoutestyoung man on my right, with a naked scimitar in hisright hand, pointing to my head—both weapons werewithin six inches of me, and my guards within a foot
Text Appearing After Image:
^ s I 1 ^^ I I 1 WRECK OF THE COMMERCE. ^7 on each side. I considered at this time, that so soonas any thing should be found by those who were dig-ging, they would naturally speak and inform thosewho guarded me of it; (these had let go of my armssometime before) and as I was pretty certain thatboth of them would look round as soon as the dis-covery of any treasure should be announced, I care-fully drew up my legs under me, but without excitingsuspicion, in order to be ready for a start. Theplace where they were digging, was partly behindus on our right, and upon their making a noise,both my guards turned their heads and eyes fromme towards them, when I instantly sprang out frombeneath their weapons, and flew to the beach. Iwas running for my life, and soon reached the watersedge: knowing I was pursued, and nearly overtaken,I plunged into the sea, with all my force, head fore-most, and swam under water as long as I could holdray breath; then rising to the surface, I lookedround on my p