This put me to great difficulty, as I did not know then what to do.  I consulted with Truman Harford, and it was our opinion that we should inquire of the seamen, but in a very quiet manner, by going individually to each, if they had ever demanded to see the articles on signing them, and if they had been refused.  We proposed this question to them.  They replied, that the captain had refused them in a savage manner, making use of threats and oaths.  There was not one contradictory voice on this occasion.  We then asked Mr. Sheriff what we were to do.  He entreated us by all means to take him on shore.  He was sure that under such a man as the captain, and particularly after the circumstance of our coming on board should be made known to him, he would never come from the coast of Africa alive.  Upon this, Truman Harford called me aside, and told me the danger of taking an officer from the ship; for that, if any accident should happen to her, the damage might all fall upon me.  I then inquired of Mr. Sheriff if there was any officer on board who could manage the ship.  He pointed one out to me, and I spoke to him in the cabin.  This person told me I need be under no apprehension about the vessel, but that every one would be sorry to lose Mr. Sheriff.  Upon this ground, Truman Harford, who had felt more for me than for himself, became now easy.  We had before concluded, that the obtaining any signature by fraud or force would render the agreement illegal.  We therefore joined in opinion, that we might take away the man.  His chest was accordingly put into our boat.  We jumped into it with our rowers, and he followed us, surrounded by the seamen, all of whom took an affectionate leave of him, and expressed their regret at parting.  Soon after this there was a general cry of “Will you take me, too?” from the deck; and such a sudden movement appeared there, that we were obliged to push off directly from the side, fearing that many would jump into our boat and go with us.

After having left the ship, Sheriff corroborated the desertion of the seamen from the Prince, as before related to me by Thompson.  He spoke also of the savage disposition of his late captain, which he had even dared to manifest through lying in an English port.  I was impressed by this account of his rough manners; and the wind having risen before and the surf now rolling heavily, I began to think what an escape I might have had; how easy it would have been for the savage captain, if he had been on board, or for any one at his instigation, to have pushed me over the ship’s side.  This was the first time I had ever considered the peril of the undertaking.  But we arrived safe; and though on the same evening I left my name at the captain’s house, as that of the person who had taken away his mate, I never heard more about it.