May 1743. In the Atlantic Ocean, one mile off the coast of Cape May in New Jersey, the violent tempest

suddenly erupts and drives a stricken ship onto a previously unseen sandbank.

The impact ruptures the wooden hull of the vessel.

Oak planks blister and splinter, this foaming seawater rushes into the cargo

hole. On the deck, the captain quickly decides to abandon the precious cargo caged beneath.

Sailors frantically untie ropes and loft a single lifeboat overboard under the vast way still hammering the ship below.

Miraculously, the crew make their way safely into the boat and begin rowing against the tide,

hoping their strength will be enough to reach land.

Back on the ship, the human cargo, including an eight-year-old boy from Scotland, gasped for air as water rapidly rises around them.

There is no chance of escape. As the water level rises, it's just a question of whether they'll die by asphyxiation or drowning.

In the moment, a young lad from Aberdeen, Peter Williamson, fears death, not only for himself,

but for the other similarly aged young boys around him.

In later years, he will reflect on this moment and wish that his life had ended in this watery grave.

After all, much worse things lay ahead for this innocent young boy.

In this episode, I recount the extraordinary story of Peter Williamson, the so-called Scottish Indian.

His name was William Finn or so he said.

Peter Williamson was born in or after 1730,

in a small farming community about 10 miles from the far northeastern Scottish city of Aberdeen.

His family were working class, but comfortable by the standards of the day,

and his parents created a warm and loving home environment.

For reasons unknown, according to Peter, he was sent to live with an aunt

in Aberdeen at age of eight. Aberdeen had a check at history. Invaded by the Romans in the

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