I was astonished at this usage from a person who was in the situation of a gentleman, but I had no alternative; I was therefore obliged to submit.  When I came to Kingston, I was surprised to see the number of Africans who were assembled together on Sundays; particularly at a large commodious place, called Spring Path.  Here each different nation of Africa meet and dance after the manner of their own country.  They still retain most of their native customs:  they bury their dead, and put victuals, pipes and tobacco, and other things, in the grave with the corps, in the same manner as in Africa.  Our ship having got her loading we sailed for London, where we arrived in the August following.  On my return to London, I waited on my old and good master, Dr. Irving, who made me an offer of his service again.  Being now tired of the sea I gladly accepted it.  I was very happy in living with this gentleman once more; during which time we were daily employed in reducing old Neptune’s dominions by purifying the briny element and making it fresh.  Thus I went on till May 1773, when I was roused by the sound of fame, to seek new adventures, and to find, towards the north pole, what our Creator never intended we should, a passage to India.  An expedition was now fitting out to explore a north-east passage, conducted by the Honourable John Constantine Phipps, since Lord Mulgrave, in his Majesty’s sloop of war the Race Horse.  My master being anxious for the reputation of this adventure, we therefore prepared every thing for our voyage, and I attended him on board the Race Horse, the 24th day of May 1773.  We proceeded to Sheerness, where we were joined by his Majesty’s sloop the Carcass, commanded by Captain Lutwidge.  On the 4th of June we sailed towards our destined place, the pole; and on the 15th of the same month we were off Shetland.  On this day I had a great and unexpected deliverance from an accident which was near blowing up the ship and destroying the crew, which made me ever after during the voyage uncommonly cautious.  The ship was so filled that there was very little room on board for any one, which placed me in a very aukward situation.  I had resolved to keep a journal of this singular and interesting voyage; and I had no other place for this purpose but a little cabin, or the doctor’s store-room, where I slept.  This little place was stuffed with all manner of combustibles, particularly with tow and aquafortis, and many other dangerous things.  Unfortunately it happened in the evening as I was writing my journal, that I had occasion to take the candle out of the lanthorn, and a spark having touched a single thread of the tow, all the rest caught the flame, and immediately the whole was in a blaze.  I saw nothing but present death before me, and expected to be the first to perish in the flames.  In a moment the alarm was spread, and many people who were near ran to assist in putting out the fire.  All this time I was in the very midst of the flames; my