Excuse haste.  NICKOLA MONACRE.

Sunday, 6th.—­The pirates were under way at sunrise, with a full load of the Exertion’s cargo, going to Principe again to sell a second freight, which was done readily for cash.  I afterwards heard that the flour only fetched five dollars per barrel, when it was worth at Trinidad thirteen; so that the villain who bought my cargo at Principe, made very large profits by it.

Tuesday, 8th.—­Early this morning the pirates in sight again, with fore top sail and top gallant sail set; beat up along side of the Exertion and commenced loading; having, as I supposed, sold and discharged her last freight among some of the inhabitants of Cuba.  They appeared to load in great haste; and the song, “O he oh,” which echoed from one vessel to the other, was distinctly heard by us.  How wounding was this to me!  How different was this sound from what it would have been, had I been permitted to pass unmolested by these lawless plunderers, and been favored with a safe arrival at the port of my destination, where my cargo would have found an excellent sale.  Then would the “O he oh,” on its discharging, have been a delightful sound to me.  In the afternoon she sailed with the perough in tow, both with a full load, having chairs, which was part of the cargo, slung at her quarters.

Monday, 14th.—­They again hove in sight, and beat up as usual, along-side their prize.  While passing our solitary island, they laughed at our misery, which was almost insupportable—­looking upon us as though we had committed some heinous crime, and they had not sufficiently punished us; they hallooed to us, crying out “Captain, Captain,” accompanied with obscene motions and words, with which I shall not blacken these pages—­yet I heard no check upon such conduct, nor could I expect it among such a gang, who have no idea of subordination on board, except when in chase of vessels, and even then but very little.  My resentment was excited at such a malicious outrage, and I felt a disposition to revenge myself, should fortune ever favor me with an opportunity.  It was beyond human nature not to feel and express some indignation at such treatment.—­Soon after, Bolidar, with five men, well armed, came to us; he having a blunderbuss, cutlass, a long knife and pair of pistols—­but for what purpose did he come?  He took me by the hand, saying, “Captain, me speak with you, walk this way.”  I obeyed, and when at some distance from my fellow prisoners, (his men following) he said, “the captain send me for your wash” I pretended not to understand what he meant, and replied, “I have no clothes, nor any soap to wash with—­you have taken them all,” for I had kept my watch about me, hoping they would not discover it.  He demanded it again as before; and was answered, “I have nothing to wash;” this raised his anger, and lifting his blunderbuss, he roared out, “what the d—­l you call him that make clock? give it me.”  I considered it imprudent