While we were waiting for convoy, which was not expected
for a fortnight, it blew a very heavy gale, and my ship, as well as
others, dragged their anchors, and were driven out of Carlisle Bay. We
were obliged to make sail to beat into the bay again, it still blowing
very fresh. What with being tired waiting so long for convoy, and the
knowledge that arriving before the other West Indiamen would be very
advantageous, I made up my mind that, instead of beating up into the
bay again, I would run for England without protection, trusting to the
fast sailing of my vessel and the guns which I had on board. I forgot
at the time that the insurance on the vessel was made in England as
`sailing with convoy', and that my sailing without would render the
insurance void, if any misfortune occurred. Well, sir, I made sail for
England, and for three weeks everything went on well. We saw very few
vessels, and those which did chase us could not come up with us; but as
we were running with a fair wind up channel, and I had made sure of
being in port before night, a French privateer hove in sight and gave
chase. We were obliged to haul our wind, and it blowing very fast, we
carried away our main-top mast.
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