_From _Perimbana_, a small maritime Town on the _Spanish_
coast, he sets sail with Captain _Ferdinando Velasquez_
bound to the _East-Indies_; but by the way meets with
three Turkish Galleys, and by them is taken, miserably
abused, and imprisoned._
An hour before day we left the Port, and sailed along the coast before
the wind; about noon we discerned three vessels, whereupon we gave them
chase: in less than two hours we got up to them, and then we could
easily perceive that they were Turkish Galleys; whereof we were no
sooner assured, but we betook ourselves to flight, making to Land with
all speed possible, to avoid the danger that inevitably threatned us.
The _Turks_ understanding our design, presently hoisted up all their
sails, and having the wind favourable, bore up to us so close, & getting
within a small Faulcon-shot of us, they discharged their Ordnance on us,
wherewith they killed eight of our men, and wounded as many more; and so
battered our Ship beside, that we were forced to throw a great quantity
of our lading over-board. The _Turks_ in the mean while lost no time,
but grappled us; we on the other side, who were able to fight, knowing
that on our valour and undaunted courage depended our lives, or loss of
liberty, with perpetual slavery, resolved to fight it out. With this
determination we boarded their Admiral, doing very eminent execution;
but being over-powred with numbers, we were so overprest & wearied, that
we desisted from making any further resistance: For, of 35 men we had at
first, we had only remaining ten, whereof two died the next day, whom
the _Turks_ caused to be cut in pieces or quarters, which they hung at
the end of their Main-yard for a sign of Victory. Being taken, we were
carried by them to a Town called _Mocaa_, and received by the Governor
and Inhabitants, who expected and waited the coming of these Pirates. In
the company was likewise one of the chiefest Sacerdotal dignity; and
because he had been a little before in Pilgrimage at the Temple of their
Prophet _Mahomet_ in _Meca_, he was honoured and esteemed by all the
people as a very holy man. This Mahometan Impostor rid in a triumphant
Chariot up and down the Town, covered all over with silk Tapistry, and
with a deal of ceremonious fopperies, bestowed on the people his
benediction as he passed along, exhorting them to return hearty thanks
to their great Prophet for this Victory obtained over us. The
Inhabitants hearing that we were Christians taken Captives, flockt about
us; and being exceedingly transported with choler, fell to beating of us
in that cruel manner, that I thought it a vain thing to hope to escape
alive out of their hands; and all this, because we owned the names of
Christians. When I was in _England_, I justly was sentenced to die for
my villany, and now here only for the bare profession of Christianity, I
must not be suffered to live. The wicked _Cacis_ (as they called him)
instigated them on to those outrages they committed; who made them
believe, that the worse they dealt with us, the more favour and mercy
they should receive from _Mahomet_ hereafter. We were chained all
together, and in that manner were we led in triumph; and as we past
along, we had our heads washt with womens Rose-water, throwne down upon
us from Balconies, with other filth, in derision and contempt of the
name of Christian; wherein every one strived to be most forward, being
instigated thereunto by their Priest. My sufferings then, put me in mind
of my former wishes, to be as unfortunate _Andronicus_, miserably
afflicted here, that I might escape eternal torments hereafter: I
received in part the effect of my _quondam_ wishes, no ways acceptable
to my present desires. Having tyred themselves in tormenting us till the
evening, bound as we were, they clapt us into the Dungeon, where we
remained 21 days exposed to all kind of misery, having no other
provision allowed us, than a little Oat-meal or Rice and water, which
was distributed to us every morning, what should serve us for that whole
day: for variety sake, we had sometimes a small quantity of Pease soak’d
in water.