This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1895 edition. Excerpt: ... old Man chose rather to prevent Mischief than divulge it when perpetrated. He applies to the Captain, and requests Permission to resign his Office; I am old, said he, and incapable of continuing in my Employment; my Sight and my Memory fail me; let me again grasp the Oar: my Duty at it will soon rid me of a Life of Pain, and my Country of an useless Member of Society. While he was thus speaking the delinquent Domestics, fearing that he was making a Discovery of their Designs, and knowing that he had evidence against them, strove each who should be first in Discovery of the whole Plot, the better to obtain a separate Pardon. In a Word, this Conspiracy, which was formed to supplant the Protestant Slave, only fixed him the firmer in the Captain's Favour: Which on this Account, was, in some Measure, extended to four more of us, who were of the reformed Religion, aboard the same Galley. In the Beginning of July 1702, our six Galleys left the Harbour of Dunkirk, and rowed into that of Ostend. From hence we made frequent Excursions, when the Sea was calm along the Coasts of Blankenburg and Sluys: From thence we returned to Nleuport, and the Mouth of the Channel.. One Day, when the Sea was perfectly serene, we observed a Squadron of twelve Dutch Men of War, becalmed at about five leagues Distance from Nieuport. We were ordered to reconnoitre; and perceiving one of them separated from the rest, were resolved with our six Galleys to cannonade it. The Captain of the Man of War was equally ignorant and obstinate. As he perceived us approaching, he only ordered his Men to prepare Places of Reception for the French Prisoners, which should be taken in the Engagement. He was it seems deceived by our Appearence at a Distance, as a Galley sails very...