CHAPTER XI.

Awful Penalty for Desertion—Public Indignation—Remarkable Health of the Prisoners—Recruiting Party in Cornwall—Howe in Trouble—Two Fathers—Scarcity of Provisions in the West Indies—Black-hole—American Privateer—Hot Press—Detection—French Brig run down—Prisoners sell their Clothes to Gamble—“Preceptor”—Extreme Punishment—Sports—Examination—Use of Poverty—English Ambassador returns from France—Captain Boardman—Titcomb—Hope of Return—Commissioners to America—Newspapers. 102