_Going ashore to _Bantam_, and observing the Merchants what
they did, taking up Goods upon credit (as it is usual in
those parts) till the ship is ready to set sail, he by a
stratagem turns Merchant too, and cheats a _Banyan_, or
_China_-Merchant._
As soon as we came into the Harbour before _Bantam_, we presently man’d
out our Long-boat and went ashore, to acquaint the _President_ what we
were, and by what authority we came thither to Traffick, being impowered
by the _East-India_ Company. We were received with much demonstrations
of joy, and nobly feasted for three dayes together. Here note, that the
house wherein the _President_ dwelleth, is the receptacle for the whole
Factory, each man according to his quality having a dwelling within this
house suitable to his dignity; the Factors all in general taking their
daily repast with the _President_. In a weeks time I learned by
observation the custom of the Country, and manner or way of Trading, our
Merchant taking up Goods daily, and sending them aboard without giving
present satisfaction; it being sufficient that he belonged to such a
Ship, and therefore must pay before he go, otherwise the King will
arrest the Ship, compelling him to make restitution or payment. One time
I met with a _Bannyan_, whom I observ’d to have a box full of precious
stones: I could not sleep for thinking how I should make my self a
Partner with him. At last I hammer’d out this invention: I cloath’d my
self in _Indian_-silk, according to the custom of the Country; & having
so done, I discoloured my face, & clapt a black patch upon one of my
eyes. In this equipage I addrest my self to this _Bannyan_, who
presently laid open his treasure to my view. I was not long in chusing
what I esteem’d as most valuable; & demanding of him the price, we
agreed he should have either so many pieces of English gold within two
dayes, or else take his choice of what commodities I had aboard. We made
a shift to understand each others broken expressions; and he without the
least suspicion of my treachery, delivered his stones into my hands.
Taking off my disguise, I went instantly aboard, & hid what I had
cheated the _Bannyan_ of (as I might easily do, for the smallness of its
bulk) in the Hold of our Ship, resolving not to go ashore yet awhile.
The day of payment being come, & the _Bannyan_ no where finding me on
Land, came aboard of our Ship, where by signs he made known to our
Captain his errand; that a Merchant belonging to his Ship, had bought
commodities of him, & promised to pay him on that day. Our Captain
reply’d, that he verily believed he was mistaken (as knowing what
commodities the Merchants belonging properly to the Ship had bought) and
therefore told him he must make inquiry elsewhere for satisfaction. The
_Bannyan_ still persisted, alleadging he was not mistaken, and that he
was confident if he might have a sight of all the men, he could out of
them select the concern’d person. So wary I was of being discovered,
that I acquainted not one soul with my project: for had I committed this
secret to any, (though ever so dear a friend) it had been mine no
longer; neither could I have promised to my self safety. Hereupon the
Captain ordered us to be all call’d aloft: which was speedily performed.
He went all round the company, viewing every man particularly, and very
heedfully. At last he came to me, & there made a stand, (which had like
to have made my heart start out of my breast:) he lookt upon me on this
side, and on the other side; and to say truly, on every side: and having
thorowly eyed me, he ran to our Captain, saying, That should be the man
(pointing to me) but that he is a _white man_, & hath _two sees_ (_id
est_) two eyes. Whereupon I was strictly examined: but for all this
sifting, I would not let drop any thing of a confession, that should
convict me of guilt; but with lifting up hands and eyes to Heaven, I
utterly denyed that ere I saw this man, or ever had any dealing with
him. I had now forgot what promises and vows I made to Heaven, (when in
_Newgate_, and sentenced to be hang’d at _Tyburn_) what a serious,
pious, and honest life I would lead, if I escaped that eminent danger
the concerns of this life and that to come were then in. Herein I see
the old Proverb verified:
_Quo semel est imbuta recens servabit odorem
Testa, diu_, &c....
That Cask will savour of that liquor still,
With which at first the Cask a man did fill.
Or according to that thred-bare expression so commonly used:
_Naturam expellas furca, licet usque recurret._
Though man should stop his nature from its course,
It will o’reflow again with greater force.
In short, the _Bannyan_, since he could not say positively I was the
man, was dismist, not without a solemn vow he would be revenged of us
all in general; and clear’d of the Indictment.