But, alas! I was wholly ignorant of this subject; and, what was unfortunate, a few weeks only were allowed for the composition.

I was determined, however, to make the best use of my time.

I got access to the manuscript papers of a deceased friend, who had been in the trade.

I was acquainted also with several officers who had been in the West Indies, and from these I gained something.

But I still felt myself at a loss for materials, and I did not know where to get them; when going by accident into a friend's house, I took up a newspaper then lying on his table.