board.  When we arrived at Spithead the AEtna went into Portsmouth harbour to refit, which being done, we returned to Spithead and joined a large fleet that was thought to be intended against the Havannah; but about that time the king died:  whether that prevented the expedition I know not; but it caused our ship to be stationed at Cowes, in the isle of Wight, till the beginning of the year sixty-one.  Here I spent my time very pleasantly; I was much on shore all about this delightful island, and found the inhabitants very civil.

While I was here, I met with a trifling incident, which surprised me agreeably.  I was one day in a field belonging to a gentleman who had a black boy about my own size; this boy having observed me from his master’s house, was transported at the sight of one of his own countrymen, and ran to meet me with the utmost haste.  I not knowing what he was about turned a little out of his way at first, but to no purpose:  he soon came close to me and caught hold of me in his arms as if I had been his brother, though we had never seen each other before.  After we had talked together for some time he took me to his master’s house, where I was treated very kindly.  This benevolent boy and I were very happy in frequently seeing each other till about the month of March 1761, when our ship had orders to fit out again for another expedition.  When we got ready, we joined a very large fleet at Spithead, commanded by Commodore Keppel, which was destined against Belle-Isle, and with a number of transport ships with troops on board to make a descent on the place.  We sailed once more in quest of fame.  I longed to engage in new adventures and see fresh wonders.

I had a mind on which every thing uncommon made its full impression, and every event which I considered as marvellous.  Every extraordinary escape, or signal deliverance, either of myself or others, I looked upon to be effected by the interposition of Providence.  We had not been above ten days at sea before an incident of this kind happened; which, whatever credit it may obtain from the reader, made no small impression on my mind.

We had on board a gunner, whose name was John Mondle; a man of very indifferent morals.  This man’s cabin was between the decks, exactly over where I lay, abreast of the quarter-deck ladder.  One night, the 20th of April, being terrified with a dream, he awoke in so great a fright that he could not rest in his bed any longer, nor even remain in his cabin; and he went upon deck about four o’clock in the morning extremely agitated.  He immediately told those on the deck of the agonies of his mind, and the dream which occasioned it; in which he said he had seen many things very awful, and had been warned by St. Peter to repent, who told him time was short.  This he said had greatly alarmed him, and he was determined to alter his life.  People generally mock the fears of others when they are themselves in safety; and some of his shipmates who heard him only laughed