confounded the presumption of Tyrants, frustrating their purposes, to
make his wonders knowne to the sonnes of men, and releeves his people,
when they least thinke of succour and releasement. Whilest _Iohn
Rawlins_ was thus terrified with the dogged answere of _Villa Rise_, the
_Exchange_ of _Bristow_,[5] a ship formerly surprised by the Pirats, lay
all unrigged in the Harbour, till at last one _Iohn Goodale_, an
_English Turke_, with his confederates, understanding shee was a good
sailer, and might be made a proper Man of Warre, bought her from the
_Turkes_ that tooke her, and prepared her for their owne purpose. Now
the _Captaine_ that set them at worke, was also an _English Renegado_,
by the name of _Rammetham Rise_, but by his Christian name _Henrie
Chandler_, who resolved to make _Goodale_ Master over her; and because
they were both _English Turkes_, having the command notwithstanding of
many _Turkes_ and _Moores_, they concluded to have all _English_ slaves
to goe in her, and for their Gunners, _English_ and _Dutch Renegadoes_,
and so they agreed with the Patrons of nine _English_ and one _French_
Slave for their ransoms, who were presently imployed to rig and furnish
the ship for a Man of Warre, and while they were thus busied, two of
_Iohn Rawlins_ men, who were taken with him, were also taken up to serve
in this Man of Warre, their names, _Iames Roe_, and _Iohn Davies_, the
one dwelling in _Plimmoth_, and the other in _Foy_, where the Commander
of this ship was also borne, by which occasion they came acquainted, so
that both the Captaine, and the Master promised them good usage, upon
the good service they should performe in the voyage, and withall
demanded of them, if they knew of any _Englishman_ to be bought, that
could serve as a Pilot, both to direct them out of Harbour, and conduct
them in their voyage. For in truth neither was the Captaine a Mariner,
nor any _Turke_ in her of sufficiency to dispose of her through the
Straites in securitie, nor oppose any enemie, that should hold it out
bravely against them. _Davies_ quickly replied, that as farre as he
understood, _Villa Rise_ would sell _Iohn Rawlins_ his Master, and
Commander of the Barke which was taken, a man every way sufficient for
Sea affaires, being of great resolution and good experience; and for all
he had a lame hand, yet had he a sound heart and noble courage for any
attempt or adventure.
When the Captaine understood thus much, he imployed _Davies_ to search
for Rawlins, who at last lighting upon him, asked him if the _Turke_
would sell him: _Rawlins_ suddenly answered, that by reason of his lame
hand he was willing to part with him; but because he had disbursed money
for him, he would gaine something by him, and so prized him at three
hundred Dooblets, which amounteth to fifteene pound _English_; which he
must procure, or incurre sorer indurances. When _Davies_ had certified
this much, the _Turkes_ a ship-boord conferred about the matter, and the
Master whose Christen name was _Iohn Goodale_ joyned with two _Turkes_,
who were consorted with him, and disbursed one hundred Dooblets a
piece, and so bought him of _Villa Rise_, sending him into the said
ship, called the _Exchange_ of _Bristow_, as well to supervise what had
been done, as to order what was left undone, but especially to fit the
sailes, and to accommodate the ship, all which _Rawlins_ was very
carefull and dilligent in, not yet thinking of any peculiar plot of
deliverance, more than a generall desire to be freed from this _Turkish_
slaverie, and inhumane abuses.
By the seventh of Januarie, the ship was prepared with twelve good cast
Pieces, and all manner of munition and provision, which belonged to such
a purpose, and the same day haled out of the Mould of _Algier_, with
this company, and in this manner.
There were in her sixtie three _Turkes_ and _Moores_, nine _English_
slaves, and one _French_, foure _Hollanders_ that were free men, to whom
the _Turkes_ promised one prise or other, and so to returne to Holland;
or if they were disposed to goe backe againe for _Algier_, they should
have great reward and no enforcement offered, but continue as they
would, both their religion and their customes: and for their Gunners
they had two of our Souldiers, one _English_ and one _Dutch_ Renegado;
and thus much for the companie. For the manner of setting out, it was as
usuall as in other ships, but that the _Turkes_ delighted in the
ostentous braverie of their Streamers, Banners, and Top-sayles; the ship
being a handsome ship, and well built for any purpose. The Slaves and
_English_ were imployed under Hatches about the Ordnance, and other
workes of order, and accommodating themselves: all which _Iohn Rawlins_
marked, as supposing it an intolerable slaverie to take such paines, and
be subiect to such dangers, and still to enrich other men and maintaine
their voluptuous filthinesse and lives, returning _themselves_ as
Slaves, and living worse than their Dogs amongst them. Whereupon hee
burst out into these, or the like abrupt speeches: "Oh Hellish slaverie
to be thus subiect to Dogs! Oh, God strengthen my heart and hand, that
something shall be done to ease us of these mischiefs, and deliver us
from these cruell _Mahumetan_ Dogs." The other Slaves pittying his
distraction (as they thought) bad him speake softly, lest they should
all fare the worse for his distemperature. "The worse (quoth _Rawlins_)
what can be worse? I will either attempt my deliverance at one time, or
another, or perish in the enterprise: but if you would be contented to
hearken after a release, and joyne with me in the action, I would not
doubt of facilitating the same, and shew you a way to make your credits
thrive by some worke of amazement, and augment your glorie in purchasing
your libertie." "I prethee be quiet (said they againe) and think not of
impossibilities: yet if you can but open such a doore of reason and
probabilitie, that we be not condemned for desperate and distracted
persons, in pulling the Sunne as it were out of the Firmament, wee can
but sacrifice our lives, and you may be sure of secrecie and
faithfulnesse."
The fifteenth of Januarie, the morning water brought us neere _Cape de
Gatt_, hard by the shoare, we having in our companie a smal _Turkish_
ship of Warre, that followed us out of _Algier_ the next day, and now
ioyning with us, gave us notice of seven small vessels, sixe of them
being _Sallees_, and one _Pollack_, who very quickly appeared in sight,
and so we made toward them: but having more advantage of the _Pollack_,
then the rest, and loth to lose all, we both fetcht her up, and brought
her past hope of recoverie, which when she perceived, rather then she
would voluntarily come into the slaverie of these _Mahumetans_, she ran
her selfe a shoare, and so all the men forsooke her. We still followed
as neere as we durst, and for feare of splitting, let fall our anchors,
sending out both our boates, wherein were many Musketeers, and some
_English_ and _Dutch_ Renegadoes, who came aboord home at their _Conge_,
and found three pieces of Ordnance, and foure Murtherers: but they
straightway threw them all over-boord to lighten the ship, and so they
got her off, being laden with Hides, and Logwood for dying, and
presently sent her to _Algier_, taking nine _Turkes_, and one _English_
Slave, out of one ship, and six out of the lesse, which we thought
sufficient to man her.
In the rifling of this _Catelaynia_, our _Turkes_ fell at variance one
with another, and in such a manner, that we divided our selves, the
lesser ship returned to _Algier_, and our _Exchange_ tooke the
opportunitie of the wind, and plyed out of the Streights, which
reioyced _Iohn Rawlins_ very much, as resolving on some Stratageme, when
opportunities should serve. In the meane-while, the _Turkes_ began to
murmurre, and would not willingly goe into the _Marr Granada_, as the
phrase is amongst them: notwithstanding the _Moores_ being very
_superstitious_, were contented to be directed by their _Hoshea_, who
with us, signifieth a Witch, and is of great account and reputation
amongst them, as not going in any great Vessell to Sea without one, and
observing whatsoever he concludeth out of his Divination. The Ceremonies
they use are many, and when they come into the Ocean, every second or
third night they make their Conjuration; it beginneth and endeth with
Prayer, using many Characters, and calling upon God by divers names: yet
at this time, all that they did consisted in these particulars.
Upon the sight of two great ships, and as wee were afraid of their
chasing us, they beeing supposed to bee _Spanish_ men of Warre, a great
silence is commanded in the ship, and when all is done, the company
giveth as great a skreech; the Captaine comming to _John Rawlins_, and
sometimes making him take in all his sayles, and sometimes causing him
to hoyst them all out, as the Witch findeth by his Booke, and presages;
then have they two Arrowes, and a Curtleaxe, lying upon a Pillow naked;
the Arrowes are one for the Turkes, and the other for the Christians;
then the Witch readeth, and the Captaine or some other taketh the
Arrowes in their hand by the heads, and if the Arrow for the Christians
commeth over the head of the Arrow for the _Turkes_, then doe they
advance their sayles, and will not endure the fight, whatsoever they
see: but if the Arrow of the _Turkes_ is found in the opening of the
hand upon the Arrow of the Christians, then will they stay and encounter
with any shippe whatsoever. The Curtleaxe is taken up by some Childe,
that is innocent, or rather ignorant of the Ceremonie, and so layd downe
againe; then doe they observe, whether the same side is uppermost, which
lay before, and so proceed accordingly.
They also observe Lunatickes and Changelings, and the Coniurer writeth
downe their Sayings in a Booke, groveling on the ground, as if he
whispered to the Devil to tell him the truth, and so expoundeth the
Letter, as it were by inspiration. Many other foolish Rites they have,
whereupon they doe dote as foolishly.
Whilest he was busied, and made demonstration that all was finished, the
people in the ship gave a great shout, and cryed out, "a sayle, a
sayle," which at last was discovered to bee another man of Warre of
_Turkes_. For he made toward us, and sent his Boat aboord us, to whom
our Captain complained, that being becalmed by the Southerne Cape, and
having made no Voyage, the _Turkes_ denyed to goe any further Northward:
but the Captaine resolved not to returne to _Algier_, except he could
obtayne some Prize worthy his endurances, but rather to goe to _Salle_,
and tell his Christians to victuall his ship; which the other Captaine
apprehended for his honour, and so perswaded the _Turkes_ to be obedient
unto him; whereupon followed a pacification amongst us, and so that
_Turke_ tooke his course for the Streights, and wee put up Northward,
expecting the good houre of some beneficiall bootie.
All this while our slavery continued, and the _Turkes_ with insulting
tyrannie set us still on worke in all base and servile actions, adding
stripes and inhumane revilings, even in our greatest labour, whereupon
_Iohn Rawlins_ resolved to obtane his libertie, and surprize the ship;
providing Ropes with broad spikes of Iron, and all the Iron Crowes, with
which hee knew a way, upon consent of the rest, to ramme up or tye fast
their Scuttels, Gratings, and Cabbins, yea, to shut up the Captaine
himselfe with all his consorts, and so to handle the matter, that upon
the watch-word given, the _English_ being Masters of the Gunner roome,
Ordnance, and Powder, they would eyther blow them into the Ayre, or kill
them as they adventured to come downe one by one, if they should by any
chance open their Cabbins. But because hee would proceed the better in
his enterprise, as he had somewhat abruptly discovered himselfe to the
nine _English_ slaves, so he kept the same distance with the foure
_Hollanders_, that were free men, till finding them comming somewhat
toward them, he acquainted them with the whole Conspiracie, and they
affecting the Plot, offered the adventure of their lives in the
businesse. Then very warily he undermined the _English_ Renegado, which
was the Gunner, and three more his Associats, who at first seemed to
retract. Last of all were brought in the _Dutch_ Renegadoes, who were
also in the Gunner roome, for alwayes there lay twelve there, five
Christians, and seven _English_, and _Dutch Turkes_: so that when
another motion had settled their resolutions, and _Iohn Rawlins_ his
constancie had put new life as it were in the matter, the foure
_Hollanders_ very honestly, according to their promise, sounded the
_Dutch_ Renegadoes, who with easie perswasion gave their consent to so
brave an Enterprize; whereupon _Iohn Rawlins_, not caring whether the
_English_ Gunners would yeeld or no, resolved in the Captaines morning
watch, to make the attempt. But you must understand that where the
_English_ slaves lay, there hung up alwayes foure or five Crowes of
Iron, being still under the carriages of the Peeces, and when the time
approached being very darke, because _Iohn Rawlins_ would have his Crow
of Iron ready as other things were, and other men prepared in their
severall places, in taking it out of the carriage, by chance, it hit on
the side of the Peece, making such a noyse, that the Souldiers hearing
it awaked the _Turkes_, and bade them come downe: whereupon the Botesane
of the _Turkes_ descended with a Candle, and presently searched all the
slaves places, making much adoe of the matter, but finding neyther
Hatchet nor Hammer, nor any thing else to move suspicion of the
Enterprize, more then the Crow of Iron, which lay slipped downe under
the carriages of the Peeces, they went quietly up againe, and certified
the Captaine what had chanced, who satisfied himselfe, that it was a
common thing to have a Crow of Iron slip from its place. But by this
occasion wee made stay of our attempt, yet were resolved to take another
or a better oportunitie.
For we sayled still more North-ward, and _Rawlins_ had more time to
tamper with his Gunners, and the rest of the _English_ Renegadoes, who
very willingly, when they considered the matter, and perpended the
reasons, gave way unto the Proiect, and with a kind of joy seemed to
entertayne the motives: only they made a stop at the first on-set, who
should begin the enterprize, which was no way fit for them to doe,
because they were no slaves, but Renegadoes, and so had always
beneficiall entertaynment amongst them. But when it is once put in
practice, they would be sure not to faile them, but venture their lives
for God and their Countrey. But once againe he is disappointed, and a
suspitious accident brought him to recollect his spirits anew, and
studie on the danger of the enterprize, and thus it was. After the
Renegado Gunner, had protested secrecie by all that might induce a man
to bestow some beliefe upon him, he presently went up the Scottle, but
stayed not aloft a quarter of an houre; nay he came sooner down, & in
the Gunner roome sate by _Rawlins_, who tarryed for him where he left
him: he was no sooner placed, and entred into some conference, but there
entred into the place a furious _Turke_, with his Knife drawne, and
presented it to _Rawlins_ his body, who verily supposed, he intended to
kill him, as suspitious that the Gunner had discovered something,
whereat _Rawlins_ was much moved, and hastily asked what the matter
meant, and whether he would kill him, observing his companion's
countenance to change colour, whereby his suspitious heart, condemned
him for a Traytor: but at more leisure he sware the contrary, and
afterward proved faithfull and industrious in the enterprize. For the
present, he answered _Rawlins_ in this manner, "no Master, be not
afraid, I thinke hee doth but _iest_." With that _John Rawlins_ gave
backe a little and drew out his Knife, stepping also to the Gunners
sheath and taking out his, whereby he had two Knives to one, which when
the _Turke_ perceived, he threw downe his Knife, saying, hee did but
iest with him. But when the Gunner perceived, _Rawlins_ tooke it so ill,
hee whispered something in his eare, that at last satisfied him, calling
Heaven to witnesse, that he never spake word of the Enterprize, nor ever
would, either to the preiudice of the businesse, or danger of his
person. Notwithstanding, _Rawlins_ kept the Knives in his sleeve all
night, and was somewhat troubled, for that hee had made so many
acquainted with an action of such importance; but the next day, when hee
perceived the Coast cleere, and that there was no cause of further
feare, hee somewhat comforted himselfe.
All this while, _Rawlins_ drew the Captaine to lye for the Northerne
Cape, assuring him, that thereby he should not misse a prize, which
accordingly fell out, as a wish would have it: but his drift was in
truth to draw him from any supply, or help of _Turkes_, if God should
give way to their Enterprize, or successe to the victorie: yet for the
present the sixth of February, being twelve leagues from the Cape, wee
descryed a sayle, and presently took the advantage of the wind in
chasing her, and at last fetched her up, making her strike all her
sayles, whereby wee knew her to be a Barke belonging to _Tor Bay_, neere
_Dartmouth_, that came from _Auerure_ laden with Salt. Ere we had fully
dispatched, it chanced to be foule weather, so that we could not, or at
least _would not_ make out our Boat, but caused the Master of the Barke
to let downe his, and come aboord with his Company, being in the Barke
but nine men, and one Boy; and so the Master leaving his Mate with two
men in the ship, came himselfe with five men, and the boy unto us,
whereupon our _Turkish_ Captain sent ten _Turkes_ to man her, amongst
whom were two _Dutch_, and one English Renegado, who were of our
confederacie, and acquainted with the businesse.
But when _Rawlins_ saw this partition of his friends; before they could
hoyst out their Boat for the Barke, he made meanes to speake with them,
and told them plainly, that he would prosecute the matter eyther that
night, or the next and therefore whatsoever came of it they should
acquaint the _English_ with his resolution, and make toward _England_,
bearing up the helme, whiles the _Turkes_ slept, and suspected no such
matter: for by Gods grace in his first watch about mid-night, he would
shew them a light, by which they might understand, that the Enterprize
was begunne, or at least in a good forwardnesse for the execution: and
so the Boat was let downe, and they came to the Barke of _Tor Bay_,
where the Masters Mate beeing left (as before you have heard)
apprehended quickly the matter, and heard the Discourse with amazement.
But time was precious, and not to be spent in disputing, or casting of
doubts, whether the _Turkes_ that were with them were able to master
them, or no, beeing seven to sixe, considering they had the helme of the
ship, and the _Turkes_ being Souldiers, and ignorant of Sea Affaires,
could not discover, whether they went to _Algier_ or no; or if they did,
they resolved by _Rawlins_ example to cut their throats, or cast them
over-boord: and so I leave them to make use of the Renegadoes
instructions, and returne to _Rawlins_ againe.
The Master of the Barke of _Tor Bay_, and his Company were quickly
searched, and as quickly pillaged, and dismissed to the libertie of the
shippe, whereby _Rawlins_ had leisure to entertayne him with the
lamentable newes of their extremities, and in a word, of every
particular which was befitting to the purpose: yea, he told him, that
that night he should lose the sight of them, for they would make the
helme for _England_ and hee would that night and evermore pray for their
good successe, and safe deliverance.
When the Master of the Barke of _Tor Bay_ had heard him out, and that
his company were partakers of his Storie, they became all silent, not
eyther diffident of his Discourse, or afraid of the attempt, but
resolved to assist him. Yet to shew himselfe an understanding man, hee
demanded of _Rawlins_, what weapons he had, and in what manner he would
execute the businesse: to which he answered, that he had Ropes, and Iron
Hookes to make fast the Scottels, Gratings, and Cabbines, he had also in
the Gunner roome two Curtleaxes, and the slaves had five Crowes of Iron
before them: Besides, in the scuffling they made no question of some of
the Souldiers weapons. Then for the manner, hee told them, they were
sure of the Ordnance, the Gunner roome, and the Powder, and so blocking
them up, would eyther kill them as they came downe, or turne the
Ordnance against their Cabbins, or blow them into the Ayre by one
Strategeme or other; and thus were they contented on all sides, and
resolved to the Enterprize.
The next morning, being the seventh of February, the Prize of _Tor Bay_
was not to bee seene or found, whereat the Captaine began to storme and
sweare, commanding _Rawlins_ to search the Seas up and downe for her,
who bestowed all that day in the businesse, but to little purpose:
whereupon when the humour was spent, the Captaine pacified himselfe, as
conceiting he should sure find her at _Algier_: but by the permission of
the Ruler of all actions, that _Algier_ was England, and all his
wickednesse frustrated: for _Rawlins_ beeing now startled, lest hee
should returne in this humour for the Streights, on the eight of
February went downe into the hold, and finding a great deale of water
below, told the Captaine of the same, adding, that it did not come to
the Pumpe, which he said very politickly, that he might remove the
Ordnance. For when the Captaine askt him the reason, he told him the
ship was too farre after the head: then hee commanded to use the best
meanes he could to bring her in order: "sure then," quoth _Rawlins_,
"wee must quit our Cables, and bring foure Peeces of Ordnance after, and
that would bring the water to the Pumpe;" which was presently put in
practice, so the Peeces beeing usually made fast thwart the ship, we
brought two of them with their mouthes right before the Binnacle, and
because the Renegadoe _Flemmings_ would not begin, it was thus
concluded: that the ship having three Deckes, wee that did belong to the
Gunner roome should bee all there, and breake up the lower Decke. The
_English_ slaves, who always lay in the middle Decks, should doe the
like, and watch the Scuttels: _Rawlins_ himselfe prevayled with the
Gunner, for so much Powder, as should prime the Peeces, and so told them
all there was no better watch-word, nor meanes to begin, then upon the
report of the Peece to make a cry and shout, for God, and King _Iames_,
and Saint _George_ for _England_!
When all things were prepared, and every man resolved, as knowing what
hee had to doe, and the houre when it should happen, to be two in the
afternoone, _Rawlins_ advised the Master Gunner to speake to the
Captaine, that the Souldiers might attend on the Poope, which would
bring the ship after: to which the Captaine was very willing, and upon
the Gunners information, the Souldiers gat themselves to the Poope, to
the number of twentie, and five or sixe went into the Captaines Cabbin,
where always lay divers Curtleaxes, and some Targets, and so wee fell to
worke to pumpe the water, and carryed the matter fairely till the next
day, which was spent as the former, being the ninth of February, and as
God must have the prayse, the triumph of our victorie.