_He Cheats his Creditors by knavish breaking, and runs away
from _Ireland_. He is Shipwrackt on the Isle of _Man_._
Whilst my credit was good, I thought good to make use of it, lest that
failing, I should want an opportunity to march off with flying Colours.
To raise my repute amongst my Neighbours (whom I knew would spread
abroad what they had seen) I caus’d a Porter (whom I could intrust) to
carry out privately an hundred pound, and a little while after to come
with a trusty friend of mine with that, and five or six hundred pound
bags more on his back, openly carrying them. Upon my receipt hereof, I
presently tumbled the Money out of the bag (which had really mony in it)
on the Counter, purposely making a great noise: having told it over (my
friend standing by the while) I put it up; and pretending to lay that
aside and take another, I took up the same again, so doing till I had
told it over five or six times; then writing in publike view a Receipt,
with much civility and respect I dismist my Gentleman. And this did I
thrice in a months time; so that by this means without suspition I
conveyed away a great quantity of my Goods, which people thought I had
sold, & therefore thought me to have a great trade. Report hereby
rendred me a man of vast dealing, so that now I had goods dayly offer’d
me, some whereof I received, promising to them payment at three moneths,
others at six; whereas I intended they should stay till her had her
twelve Apostles for her Jury. What Wares or Moneys I could take up, I
did, not mattering at what rate. To some of the more wary sort I confest
a Judgment for their security. I needed not to have spoken in the
Singular number, for I deluded four with my Judgments. What commodities
I had, I converted into money by a bill of Sale, and so went away,
leaving my Creditors to sue out a Statute of _Bankrupt_ if they so
pleased; which I valued not, if once out of their reach. To my chiefest
Creditor I sent these lines, to the intent he should not tax me with
incivility for going away and not sending him word.
_Credit doth strengthen such whose Trades are weak,
But too much Credit, Sir, did make me break.
Credit to sinking Trades-men is a prop,
But had you kept your Wares, I’de kept my Shop.
Pray do not blame me, Sir, because I show
A way to pay those many debts you owe:
Which you may do, if you’l advised be,
Which is in short, prepare to follow me.
Believe me, faithful Sir, in what I say,
I went before, but to shew you the way:
But you will not, don’t lament your loss,
For in your Money I do bear the cross.
Grief will distract you, and destroy your wit;
Good Sir, preserve it, for y’ ave paid for it._
I rid post for _Holy-head_ night and day, so that I arrived there in a
very short time: going to dismount, I tumbled off, neither could I rise
again; continual and unaccustomed riding had almost dislocated every
bone in my body, notwithstanding it was swathed for that purpose. The
next day I made a shift to walk abroad to view the Rarities of the Town,
but found nothing rare but handsome Women, Civility, and good Drink. In
two days time we set Sail: we had not ran above three Leagues before the
Sky darkned; the Wind blew hard at a South-East, and the Waves rose
mountain-high: In an hours time we were forced to cut our Masts by the
board, and lightning the Ship as much as we could, let her drive. Every
man fell to his Prayers, expecting every moment when they should be
swallowed up by the Sea. As for my part, I now thought divine vengeance
had overtaken me, and would reckon with me for all my Rogueries; I lookt
on my self as _Jonas_, & was much troubled that others should suffer for
my iniquities. About three a Clock in the morning we heard a hideous
noise occasioned by the beating of the Sea against the Rocks, which was
ecchoed by the loud and lamentable cries of the Seamen, who now knew
there was no hope for us. Now could I pray heartily, that had never
pray’d in my life before: but my Devotion was soon spoiled, for the Ship
struck in between two Rocks. I lookt out, and methought the dashing of
the waves lookt perfectly like flashes of Fire. Here she stuck a little
while, which gave five of us opportunity to leap out upon a Rock: we
were no sooner there, before a wave fetcht her off, but brought her on
again, and split her all to pieces. We five in the mean time riding
astride on a Rock behind one another, like so many Criminals on a
_Woodden-horse_. Sometimes a wave would strike clear over us, which
indangered our washing off. Sometimes we thought to let go our hold, as
looking upon our preservation to be impossible; and withal imagining
that the tide was coming in. At last the hindmost could hold no longer,
but crying, _Lord have mercy on my Soul_, committed himself to the
merciless Sea. Immediately came a tumbling Sea and washt of the next;
now did I expect that every wave would prove my Executioner. But it was
not decreed (I suppose) that I should be drown’d. Day broke, so that we
could discern we were not a Coits cast from Shore, and that the Sea was
ebbing. We waited not above an hour before we crawled to Shore, for go
we could not, our joynts were so benumb’d by the cold. We got up the
Beach, and could discern a little way distant a small Cottage; thither
were repaired with much difficulty, and were kindly entertained,
pittyed, and informed where we were. We stay’d about a week in this Isle
of _Man_, without one farthing expence. For the Inhabitants are
generally very civil, and courteous, and especially to Strangers. From
thence we imbarkt for _Dublin_.