Then, whether the wind is good or bad, I shall save my soul, and my honour as a captain. I am getting weaker, and the night is getting dark. If He looks me in the face again, I may not have time to do anything.

If the ship is wrecked, perhaps this bottle will be found. I hope those who find it understand. If not ... well, then everyone shall know that I did as much as I could do. God and the Blessed Virgin and the saints help me. I was just a poor ignorant man trying to do his duty.'

______

Of course the court could not say how the man died. There is no evidence to examine. No-one can now say whether or not the captain himself killed his crew. Almost everyone here believes that the captain is a hero. He is to be given a public funeral. His body will to be taken up the river Eske with many boats following it. Then it will be brought back to Tate Hill Pier and to the abbey. He is to be buried in the churchyard on the cliff.