" As the ships lay off Spithead
a conspiracy was discovered, -- the soldiers on one vessel
had planned to kill their officers, take what money they could find,
and escape to France. During the voyage there were several fights
among the soldiers, or between them and the sailors, and in one drunken riot
a soldier cut off a young girl's hand. "The Lord was our defense and shield,
and we were among them like Daniel in the midst of the lions," wrote Boehler,
for the quiet, Bible-reading Moravians found little to like
in their rough associates, who cared for them just as little,
and wished they could be thrown overboard.
The ships put to sea July 16th and reached the Madeiras on the 29th,
where they were detained until the 8th of August. Boehler and Schulius
went on shore a number of times, were courteously treated
by the most prominent Catholic priest there, climbed a mountain
for the exercise, and particularly enjoyed their escape
from turmoil and confusion. The captain, who had taken a dislike to them,
tried to prevent their leaving the ship, but Oglethorpe stood their friend,
and ordered that they should have entire liberty.
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