In spite of the
exertions of the officer from Torwich and his assistants, they were
mounting the sides, and had spread themselves over the vessel like a pack
of hungry wolves on the dead carcass of a horse, when I arrived. A scene
of greater confusion and singularity cannot be described.
It was not long before their attention was awakened by the tapping of a
cask of rum, which with many more had been washed out of the hold. This
beverage presented a powerful attraction; the ship was soon, in some
measure, deserted, and the mob concentrated like a swarm of wasps round
the casks. All distinctions were now at an end; the better sort of farmer
or shopkeeper, scrambled with the pauper for a cup or cap (or shoe) full
of the mellow liquid; while the supercargo and his men, aided by myself
and a few others, were occupied in hastily putting into some carts the
more valuable articles rescued from plunder. As the parties had been
immoderate in their potations, so the effects were equally speedy.
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